Some Chassis Humor

Chris Ortenburger · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2001 4:22 pm Post subject: Some Chassis Humor

Is it just me, or do chassis come and go like boy-band pop groups? I swear, since I have been in the sport of karting, the "chassis of choice" has changed more times than costume artist.

It seemed like the Tony was the way to go. Then, came the CRG. Then, it was over to Trackmagic everyone went. Low and behold comes KGB. Now it seems the Tony is back on top.

Dont even get me started in 100cc racing either. My gosh.. Tony, then Top, then CRG, then Energy, Fullerton, Arrow, Paul Tracy, Sodi Kart..

I know there are more factors involved.. but its just funny to reflect every now and again about the guy who said "Oh... THIS is the chassis to have..."

Mark Dismore Jr · Advertiser Joined: 21 Jul 2001 Posts: 1099

It's really just a matter of who is giving chassis away this week!

Greg Bell · Advertiser Joined: 24 Jul 2001 Posts: 271

Amen mark

Doug Welch · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2001 3:16 am Post subject: Some Chassis Humor

I still believe that there isn't a really bad chassis out there. All the companies are making good ones that will work. It just takes a racer who will take the time to figure it out and make it work. However, many guys think that if they get the same parts as XYZ racer has, they will be just as good. It takes more than parts to go quick.

Doug

Mark Schmidt · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2001 4:21 am Post subject: Some Chassis Humor

Well I started in a Comet Mach I, was told a Birel was the hot ticket, so I pushed the Comet into the Corner, and got a used Birel, ran it with success, then I did some reading and looking and ended up with a MacMinerilli. I still have the Comet and still play with it. It is an older model still great at club races.

But Mark is right is boils down to what the big dogs are getting the breaks on which chassiss woill be the Hot ticket. Myself, I would go back to a Comet in a heartbeat if I did not have so much wrapped up into the present chassiss. I just love the handling for my driving level and my driving style. Oh well, I never did follow the crowd thats why I am lost so often.

Just for the record the Comet I have did win to series championships before I retired it.

Darren Swisher · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2001 5:46 am Post subject: Some Chassis Humor

What about the Italian factory that builds most of the chassis? They are just trying to gain more market share.

What percentage is driver?
What percentage is engine?
What percentage is Chassis?

Darren

Ed Weathers · Joined: 19 Jul 2001 Posts: 36 Location: Hood River, Oregon

The chassis Soap opera isn't it just wonderful. In my opinion way to many importers and chassis for the amount of Karters in the U.S. Really kind of the fault of the factories as much as the people on this side of the ocean. I agree that just about all the chassis work you just have to find out what they like. So that being the case I think fit and finish and availability are the major issues to consider. My teammate and I have been on Tony's, MBA's and a CRG product. They all have had there pluses and minuses but the new Mitox in my opinion is the best. When it was assembled it all went right together with very little modification. The brakes are a dream and the Chassis reacts (good or bad) to every change we make. Last and not least the availability seems to be great with both east and west coast distribution.

Drew Cleaver · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2001 7:08 am Post subject: Some Chassis Humor

quote:
Originally posted by Darren Swisher:
What about the Italian factory that builds most of the chassis? They are just trying to gain more market share.

What percentage is driver?
What percentage is engine?
What percentage is Chassis?

Darren

Driver= 40%
Engine= 50%
Chassis= 10%

Any chassis can go fast with the proper tuning.

Drew Cleaver www.vmaxracing.cjb.net

Jeff Welch · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2001 7:48 am Post subject: Some Chassis Humor

quote:
Originally posted by Darren Swisher:
What about the Italian factory that builds most of the chassis? They are just trying to gain more market share.

What percentage is driver?
What percentage is engine?
What percentage is Chassis?

Darren

My opinion...you need all three equally. If one of these three components is not working right, then you probably will not be fast. I think that a great engine is worth nothing if you don't have somebody to drive it or a chassis that can transfer the power to the ground. I agree with the other posts: any chassis is fast when you set it up right. We just use whatever chassis someone is willing to give us a deal on

Jeff Welch
Weltek Racing

Rick Volz · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2001 11:21 am Post subject: Some Chassis Humor

Mary-Ann,
What do you mean by "private label Topkart or Gillard". What makes the previous brands "private". I guess I do not understand this hom... stuff totaly. Thanks Rick

bird · Joined: 17 Jul 2001 Posts: 147

By "private label", I mean brands such as Fullerton who presumably did the sums and worked out it would be better to have Topkart manufacture their chassis for them rather than set up their own factory.

If you homologate a kart with the CIK you have to submit hundreds of them for checking and you have to prove you're the actual manufacturer. It's done in the second tier "intercontinental" classes and the manufacturer isn't allowed to change the design for three years. Benefit for us plebs is that you don't have to buy a new Mitox or whatever every spring unless you crash it a lot

- Mary-Ann www.kartlink.net

[ July 25, 2001: Message edited by: Mary-Ann Horley ]

Pete Van Ginkel · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2001 11:36 am Post subject: Some Chassis Humor

Chris,
I see the chassis part, but where`s the humor?

Doug Welch · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2001 3:38 pm Post subject: Some Chassis Humor

Mary-Ann

I know that it not a secret on your side of the pond but it is on ours. Many racers think that each imported chassis really comes from an independant manufacturer. They don't realize that many are just marketing companies that use off the self components, including chassis, to make their kart.

Doug

Rick Blood · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2001 4:37 pm Post subject: Some Chassis Humor

quote:
Originally posted by Doug Welch:
Many racers think that each imported chassis really comes from an independant manufacturer.
Doug

I think it would be interesting to see the "real" list of who makes what. Everybody I talk to says that the kart they drive builds all the karts for everyone else. yeah...right!

Jeff Morningstar · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2001 4:54 pm Post subject: Some Chassis Humor

quote:
Originally posted by Mark Dismore Jr:
It's really just a matter of who is giving chassis away this week!

I agree with you totally.