New member from Vancouver

Aaron Witzke · Joined: 11 Oct 2012 Posts: 27

Hi, my name is Aaron and I am from Vancouver, BC. I just picked up an 09 Italkart Rapido V w/ IAME Leopard. I got a phenomenal deal on a package with 10 years of amassed spares (multiple sets wheels/spare motor/carbs/special tools/axles/hubs/tires/kart stand/sprockets/bodywork etc.) and am itching to get racing! I will be joining the SIMA kart track in Sumas, WA and hope to compete in their upcoming winter series and then in as many races locally and semi-locally in the summer that I can muster. Just wanted to say hi, and try to connect with some other local members. I know I have tons to learn. I am coming from doing time trials/hillclimbs in my supercharged Miata I wanted to make the step to w2w and karting was the obvious choice cost and competition wise.

A photo of my new kart!

Hope to meet lots of new faces in the upcoming years (yes I plan to do this for a while Smile

).

Roger Miller · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 7:44 pm Post subject:

Welcome! Also, there is a forum board for the NorthWest on the Portland Karting website. It might not be quite spot on for where you are going to race, but does cover the Road Race and Sprint Race action for Gold Cup in that area which does extend to Seattle-Tacoma and Spokane and such.

http://portlandkarting.com/

Enjoy!

Matt Kalevich · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 8:05 pm Post subject:

Welcome! Kart looks great! What type of radiator are you running on there?
-Mstt
_________________
Tony Kart Krypton/MY09 Leopard

Aaron Witzke · Joined: 11 Oct 2012 Posts: 27

Thanks guys. Roger, thanks for the link. I definitely have plans to run in the gold cup next year. Matt, not sure what radiator that is. I'll take a closer look and see if it has a marking. It's very thick and the p/o had a whole thermostat bypass system set up as well. Not sure if I am going to keep it on though I'll have to see how the temps are once I get out for some practice days in the coming weeks.

Aaron Witzke · Joined: 11 Oct 2012 Posts: 27

Matt, the radiator is an Italian Motors piece. Just found the bill of sale.

http://italianmotorsusa.com/collections/radiators/products/im-large-rad-with-bracket

Jim Derrig · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 1:04 pm Post subject:

Aaron, hi from France. I'm over here with the Italian Motors team for a race and by all means come and race at SIMA. You could drive 1000 miles and not find a better track.

Current plan is for a year-end end event on November 24 with $10 for all day practice, driver coaching, and so forth. As for winter races, right now the thought is that SIMA will watch the weather and if things are looking good a race will be scheduled on fairly short notice, so watch the website.

Please bring your Miata so we can do doughnuts in the parking lot.

What weight and age class will you be in? If you're a car guy, get ready to hop on the learning curve for 2-strokes.

Matt, I had an IM radiator for my leopard and it was absurdly oversized for the NW climate. It's really a shifter radiator, but things get hotter in FL. Built to withstand a direct hit from a tactical nuke.

Aaron Witzke · Joined: 11 Oct 2012 Posts: 27

Hey Jim I read your writeup from this past week. Looks like you had a ton of fun. I am a car guy getting into karts, however I have ridden two stroke dirtbikes a lot and understand the fundamentals. Originally an old co-worker sparked my interest when hearing about his son (Tanner, perhaps you know him?) who used to race with IM.

I wish I would have gotten into it 3 years ago instead of spending absurd amounts of money on my Miata. I've done plenty of track days and a bunch of hill climbs, but want to make the step towards actual w2w racing.

I hope to be in town for that event I'd love to come down and meet some of the local drivers and get some tips. I went through all the parts I got today and I feel slightly overwhelmed as there is so much stuff and so much to learn. From what I understand I'll be running in TAG Sr. (I'm 24).

Going back to the radiator, I may put the stock one back on for the winter time because I agree, it's HUGE and looks like it will not let the kart get up to temp.

Jim Derrig · Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 3:55 pm Post subject:

Aaron Witzke · Joined: 11 Oct 2012 Posts: 27

Went down to SIMA today to check the facilities out, and all I can say is WOW! World class facility. The track looks phenomenal. Inquired about a membership and chatted with one of the guys there a bit about the upcoming winter series. Got a few good answers in regards to rear bumpers, classing etc. and picked up a rib protector. Gotta finish up my trailer and I'll be out there ASAH(umanly)P.

Smile

Aaron Witzke · Joined: 11 Oct 2012 Posts: 27

Had a chance to check out the health of my motor today at work. Quite pleased with the results. 160PSI compression and %2 leak down past the rings at TDC (didn't have port plugs to check for leaks anywhere else). This is a 20 hour motor as is! Not bad!

Jim Derrig · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2012 10:02 am Post subject:

160 psi actually is on the low side, as you can expect about 240-250 new. At 20 hours the lower conrod bearing is probably at the end of its life and you do NOT want that to fail at 15000 rpm.

Aaron Witzke · Joined: 11 Oct 2012 Posts: 27

So with having such good leak down, why would the compression be "low" (sorry I put it in quotes because I'm used to dealing with bike motors which that would be quite high).

My plan was to dis-ass. and put new bearings/rings in.

Mike Peltier · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Canada, Alabama,

Hey Aaron,
Welcome to the karting world.. as you know with motorsports this is one very addictive sport. I have been racing for the past 7 years and started out with IM running the Leopard class at the track in Chilliwack. I plan on doing some racing at SIMA next year as well the GOLD CUP series. Heading to VEGAS next week to watch the SUPER NATS with my team.

Take care,
Mike

Aaron Witzke · Joined: 11 Oct 2012 Posts: 27

Very addicting. I've had two afternoons out at SIMA this week and am going to go crazy with them being closed until after the supernats. The kart is a blast to drive.

Aaron Witzke · Joined: 11 Oct 2012 Posts: 27

Very addicting. I've had two afternoons out at SIMA this week and am going to go crazy with them being closed until after the supernats. The kart is a blast to drive.