Gearbox VI (or velocity 1?) bodywork

[John Bosanek]

What sanctions is/isn't this bodywork legal for? I think it looks cool , but outside of that it looks as though it might give an aerodynamic advantage on the long tracks .I was told that this was gearbox VI bodywok, but on the ssc website it looks to be called velocity 1. Perhaps someone call straighten me out. I have a picture of the bodywork I'm talking about at
http://home.earthlink.net/~bosanekracing/misc.html

BTW I have no idea where I got this pic, so if I'm breaking any copyright laws, let me know and I'll take it down.

Thanks,

John

[ September 03, 2001: Message edited by: John Bosanek ]

[Dave Stevens]

The "Gearbox" brand name is owned by SSC, hence the name "Gearbox V 1".

You can use Velocity style sidepods in SKUSA and IKF shifter classes. I don't know about clutch dart classes. Of course it's allowed in the Rotax Max challenge.

A couple of racers I talked to had concerns that the Velocity pods might not take the kind of impact that the CIK style pods could take. I've heard stories of CIK pods absorbing the shock of a 60 mph plus direct side impact. I chose the CIK for that and the fact they are available most anywhere they sell kart parts or suppiles.

Dave

[Sean Robbins]

I used to run Velocity 2 pods on my shifter. (Velocity 2 differ from Velocity 1 in that they have more of a sidewall running the length of the pod, and are not open towards the rear.) First of all, I wouldn't let issues of perceived aerodynamic advantage influence your decisions--sidepods have virtually no impact here, and although Velocity pods have that "swoopy" front end, they also have an abrupt transition closer to the rear tires.

The advantages:
1. They look cool.
2. They have more surface area for graphics.
3. They are easily removed (if installed with Dzus fasteners), giving you full access to the motor, etc.
4. The steel nerf bars offer good protection in the event of a side impact.

And now the disadvantages:
1. They require special nerf bars. In the event of a heavy impact, the nerf bar will likely be destroyed.
2. The left and right side pods are different (meaning that if you want to have a spare, you need a spare set).
3. Hardly anyone carries them (meaning that finding a replacement at the track can be very difficult).
4. There are hardly any flat surfaces on them. Getting an adhesive rectangular number panel to lay flat on them is just about impossible.
5. Since they are custom cut to fit around your motor and pipe, they need to be removed frequently to work on the motor (although, as I said above, they remove very easily).

Sean Robbins www.kartlift.com

[Gary Kozuma2]

The gear box body work as stated has some unique features and functions. Since I've this setup before, I feel qualified to comment:

#1. I've been hit several times in the side pod and can tell you quite clearly that the other guy is replacing parts. Those things are very tough, the only thing I've had to do is bend the nerf back in place. The reason is because the nerf goes all the way to the perimeter of the pod not the inside. Also, the nerf has a hoop that extends up. So when they get hit, they're hitting the nerf, not a plastic structure.

#2. As far as aerodynamics, I've been told by a couple of roadracers that the Velocity 2 pods trap air so I would stick with the 1's.

#3. As far a number backgrouds, you just have to be creative.

Gary K.

[John Bosanek]

Thanks for the replies everyone! It was mentioned that if you were hit, the driver would be basicly making contact directly with the nerf. It seems as though that would have a tendancy to brake "other things" on your kart with such a solid impact. I got drilled directly in my side pod at 50-60mph on a road course a couple of weeks ago and the pod absorbed so much of the impact that it was the only thing damaged.

Thoughts on this?????