[Dan Breuer]

Very simple, the only other con I see is it can make you lazy. Works great..

[Dan Breuer]

Ran the KA100 since December of 2016, great engine package. Blueprinting helped slightly (it will with any engine) but the stock piece is not far off at all and will be fine for someone entering 2-cycle racing. We ran entire season (12 rounds at GoPro) on one engine (had a stock engine to practice with), no piston or ring replaced– it has over 20 hours on it and runs with any of them. As with anything, fresher will be stronger so rebuild as you see fit. In short, great economical engine that really does create a very competitive class.

[Dan Breuer]

I agree, would be cool to see manufacturer’s go head to head. Issue is karting is a niche market- there would be no return on investment for them. The reason they do this in Motocross is to sell more cycles, they have a major following, TV coverage, and the market share is there for them to capture; win on Saturday night sell cycles on Sunday. That being said, karting is not a spectator sport nor does it have the appeal of the motorcycle.

As for the Yamaha, I remember when it was introduced (I was very young). They actually had a kart and all (they may have been thinking along the lines of motocross for the future of karting), in short time reduced to just an engine supplier. They have been around since the 70’s with very little change, tells me the money is not there for them as they really put no effort into major upgrades or a new ‘product’ line.

I prefer karting to motocross, it just is not as popular with a majority of the people (check Craig’s list and see how many cycles for sale versus karts). Wish there was a way to make it more mainstream, but for now the best we can do is support the people and companies that are making it work for us!

[Dan Breuer]

In reference to the “spec” piece, thought about it for a minute and I think this should make the idea a little clearer.

“Spec” series in most racing really refers to specified (a ‘spec’ engine might be an IAME X-30), not a reference to allowing people to build to a specification as in F1. The parts are built by one manufacturer to a specification to help maintain cost and equality…

[Dan Breuer]

They are basically ‘asking’ kart behind them to push.

Funny thing, watching a recent race, one of the competitors (probably one of the best kart racers in the country) was sent out with to much air pressure (father told me he forgot to drop it). After two laps, she was falling like a rock. She began to ‘tap’ her helmet as people caught her….They actually pushed her back up to the karts she was losing ground to. I had to laugh, but the best learn to make the most of a bad situation.

[Dan Breuer]

I use Racerender, quick and easy to sinc up.

[Dan Breuer]

Pete, I have an older Margay (2004) that I would like to get out of my garage (so I mean cheap-$300.00). 40MM axle, 17mm spindles. I live close to GoPro Motorplex if you are interested in seeing it. It is in very good shape, hasn’t been on the track in a couple of years.

[Dan Breuer]

I may possibly run, will not know until last minute.

[Dan Breuer]

The ‘karting industry’ relies on its income from the racer, and it appears that the numbers have dwindled which makes it more expensive for those still in the sport. My take-work to attract more customers and the price goes down for all. Concession karting brings in a few, but I still believe the biggest ‘miss’ for karting is the appeal (or lack of ) to spectators. Shows are too long and they are not entertaining. Our local track has no place to sit and any fans that would show up feel like they are more of a burden, let alone the fact that the events run all day.

My daughter runs two totally different kinds of karts, a tag at the local sprint track while also running a ‘mini outlaw’ kart at a small dirt track. We will run the dirt track tonight, hot lap at 7:00, be at home in bed around 11:00. I have watched the track gain cars and fans- they will have around 400 people there tonight. We will race the sprint track in a couple of weeks, it will be an all day Saturday event. Not that it is bad, they do a great job and really try to give you as much time as possible for the money-but you can see the totally different mindset.

Bottom line, attract more people over all and the sport will grow…Spectators do become participants.

[Dan Breuer]

Yes, continues to get expensive….But make sure you compare apples to apples. A front drive roadster is entry level, similar to an entry level class in karting while your upper divisions (late models in circle track) would be more comparable to a tag or shifter. Sounds good running a cheap car, but just like in karting, the expense comes in as we all try to move to the next step.

Curt, it may seem a ‘good deal’ to go car racing (and it may be). Make sure you look at your son’s age, experience,etc. while also factoring in garage space, trailers, practice time. I could take my daughter racing in several venues but choose karting because it really does hone the skills that she will need to be successful in any form of motorsports. Plus I can jump on a kart and race with her.

[Dan Breuer]

I asked about this a few years ago, the way it was explained to me was that the predictive (when using just the beacon) compared the time difference from one lap to another by breaking down the ‘peaks’ (Example, best lap RPM peak before turn 1 is 4.8 seconds after start/finish line on “best lap”, you then peak at 4.6 seconds on a lap- mychron assumes you will run the remainder of the track the same as ‘best lap’ and predicts a .2 second gain for that lap. This goes on multiple times during a lap, so it continually updates the ‘prediction’.   Not sure if this is true but it made sense- but I have to believe using the GPS would be way more accurate.

[Dan Breuer]

Tony, thanks- I thought I had the latest update but will give that a try. Matt C- you do not need to have GPS for the predictive-used it long before I bought the GPS. Look at the manual for the Mychron 4, it explains the setting needed to get it to work off the beacon. When I say I switched off the GPS, I mean I physically took the unit off the kart-not just switched a setting. Hopefully the firmware update will allow me to use the predictive with the GPS as our track tends to forget to keep the beacon working from time to time.

[Dan Breuer]

I have a mychron 4, the only way I can get the predictive to work is if I am on the beacon (I do have GPS, but cannot get predictive with it). I have disconnected the GPS, run purely on the beacon and used the predictive. Any ideas as to why?

[Dan Breuer]

I have to chime in from the outside, having watched Emory race over the last couple of years-proof that we can rise above any ‘limits’ that are placed on us. Not only one of the smartest young men I have met, he is a top notch driver. For those who are a little reluctant to give someone with a ‘disability’ a chance, watch out-they’ll be driving around you soon enough! (I know I am personally tired of seeing the back of Emory’s kart!)

[Dan Breuer]

I didn’t say it would be easy! But you are correct, it would be an accomplishment to just run decent in all three Daytona events…. But I have to vote for Mr. Tucker- really think he could put up a realistic shot to win in all (only question would be on the road race, haven’t seen him in that venue). Won SKUSA, watched him win in a tough field of dirt karts (winged mini outlaws, shows he can get around that area as well). Let me know if you need a hand Nick, really think you should give it a shot.

[Dan Breuer]

The challenge isn’t  just running them- you have to win them!  Jack Hewitt- only driver to win all 4 divisions of the 4 crown nationals at Eldora on the same day.

[Dan Breuer]

Yes, they have everything you need on premises.

[Dan Breuer]

Paul, 11-79  is probably a good starting spot.

[Dan Breuer]

No bellows, no fluid (except it was filled before we figured out it did not connect to anything), almost like it is there for a different brake caliper set up. I’ll just leave it empty and go on.

 

Thanks,

Dan

[Dan Breuer]

It has a port with an allen plug just behind the ‘cap’.

[Dan Breuer]

Thanks for the reply John, but it is a new kart and the reservoir does not have any fluid in it. When I looked at another kart, same thing (the ‘reservoir cover’ has two screws to hold it down). The only difference was that on the other gentlemens kart it does have a rubber seal while mine did not (still no fluid in the reservoir). I did get the brakes to bleed out fine (through the allen headed port), just thought it would be easier if it actually had the reservoir working.

 

Dan

[Dan Breuer]

Hate to admit it but you are correct. Make sure you get the wires up…already made that mistake and had a ‘miss’ all through qualifying (only issue we have had and have run around 8 hours on two engines). Seems like it is going to be a big, affordable class at our track.

[Dan Breuer]

Having raced since the age of 4 (karts until I was 16, cars for the last 30 years, karts and cars now), my view has changed. The biggest issue is not being competitive, as some of the kids are very talented; a bigger problem is when things go wrong. I have witnessed an ‘adult’ smack another competitor on the helmet for a wreck he caused-only to find out it was a 14 year old kid. Personally, I wanted to race with the adults when I grew up and did not understand why I couldn’t- I now see that the playing field is not level.  A ‘slide job’ gone bad from a kid to an adult is acceptable, but turn the tables  (heaven forbid someone is hurt), we are all in trouble. The adults should not have to worry about the age of a competitor, keep them racing in their own age groups!

[Dan Breuer]

Having been involved in Dirt Late Models for the last 30 yrs, I will give you part of the difference in the sports. Late Models, sprints, midgets, etc. race for money; when I would look at an event it had nothing to do with how much ‘track time’ I would get- in fact sometimes just the opposite (cost money to run laps, less laps for more money was always a win). Although I do not drive them for a living, I did expect to come close to a ‘break even’ proposition when I owned my own equipment.

Getting back into karting (with my daughter) was eye opening. I truly think it is some of the best competition and thoroughly enjoy the time on the track, however it has been hard to manage the mindset. I wish there was a way to help ‘manage’ the cost with purse money, however that not only seems unlike but is probably not in the best interest of the kids- who the sport needs to be aimed toward.

In short, work with your local venue to produce the most cost effective, family fun you can. Run with them when you can and realize that it is a stepping stone (not below other forms, just not ‘profitable’ for most). Support those that give you the most ‘bang for your buck’.

[Dan Breuer]

Gentlemen, see the guys at Kartsport-very good people. I have a twelve year old daughter running a kt100 at GoPro- you will find a lot of very helpful people there to guide you along as you go. We are usually there a couple of times a week (a little less lately, but once summer is over we will be back on a more regular schedule). Private message me if you would like more details on some of the things I have learned in the last year and a half.

 

Dan

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