[mike clements]

I posted yesterday because I have renewed interest in running a kart again for myself. I’m old, fat, ugly and have survived 13 open heart surgeries. Also have a pacemaker. So, If a 4 hole can will pull me around the Phoenix sprint track, I might go play with one. Just wanted to know the difference between the can and a pipe.

[mike clements]

It’s been more than 6 months since someone posted here. Let’s get those old 4 stroke opens out and do some racing.  I have an old Gil Horstman Briggs open motor from 1975.  It made 12+ hp on my dyno. So, I thought I would run it with the vintage guys over @ Adams kart track next month. Boy, Was I invited to stay home or what ! ?  Seems those guy do NOT like 4 strokes.  But, I have to tell you, my first kart ever, Christmas of 1959 came stock with a Lausen 2.5hp 4 stroke. This was a race kart for it’s day and all my buddies got the same kart. By new years day 1960 we held our first race and we all ran 4 strokes. Then we raced against the 2 strokes and we were even up with them. Most of them ran the 2.5 hp west bend 580’s .

[mike clements]

On my Dyno my best KT-100 shows 17 BHP with my best pipe. Since it was blueprinted by Pete @ Superdyne I have to believe it is as close to being the best as we can get. With that in mind, what difference do you see between the best pipe and the 3 hole can or the 4 hole can ?

[mike clements]

You folks are posting some really good points. Thank you.

I noticed that no one so far has addressed the “Bad-Day-at-the-Track”. We all have them. Something breaks on your kart, you have an attention lapse and crash, or get involved in someone elses crash, you get DQ’ed for a very small “Letter of the law” infraction that you didn’t even realize was there, etc, etc.
How do you deal with that ? What makes you choose which division of karting to take part in ? Being a Steve Kinser fan might make you choose Speedway karting. Being a F-1 fan might make you choose Sprint racing. Being a NASCAR fan or LeMans fan might help you to choose Road Racing.
Or, whichever track is closest to home might be your choice.
thanks again, MC

[mike clements]

I am currently writing another book. This one is about karting. So, can I have the permission of all the responders here to use your words ?

There are a few of you that I would like to interview over the phone if possible.

thank you,
Mike

[mike clements]

The weak link in my square engine is no doubt that scotch yoke crank unit. I just don’t see how I can ever make any rpm with it.

[mike clements]

Billy, Thanks for the post. I have read similar quotes fro F-1 drivers and they all recognize karting as a sport unto itself. They used it as a stepping stone to where they are. But, they all still return to it when schedules allow.
thanks again,
MC

[mike clements]

Choose one:

Karting is a fun, Family motorsport. The entire family can enjoy a day at the track and the excitement of controlling your own speed.

Karting is an entry level motorsport. It is a training ground used for teaching kids how to race so that they can grow up understanding the requirements of racing while gaining the necessary skills to move on to another, larger form of motorsport…like Indy or NASCAR.

Karting is a motorsport all unto itself. It just happens to be less expensive in which to participate than those more famous big car races like NASCAR and Indy. But, it’s just as competitive and requires just as much effort and knowledge to preform at the top level as those other motorsports.

[mike clements]

Karting got it’s start in the Rose Bowl Parking Lot. It’s not the parking lot holding your club down. Just find another lot. But this time find a parking lot right beside a big freeway. The traffic passing right by your racing will turn around and find their way to you. A year of that and your membership will rise to the point where you can likely afford a purpose built track, etc.
Certainly worth a shot.
mc

[mike clements]

When I was involved with Junior Drag Racing for a few years, it was described as a contest of acceleration over a given distance. How does karting relate to that ?

To me, karting is much more complicated as the tracks change in design, length, composition and then there is the length of the race.
Ad in the various styles of chassis to compliment sprint racing, Speedway racing, Enduro racing, 2 cycles, 4 strokes, adults, kids, traveling, and…
well my definition is already more complicated than what I’m looking for.

[mike clements]

I believe Burris has these new pistons in .005″ increments now. You don’t have to go very far to get a new +.005″ piston to fit.
Might be a better idea for the wear factor to use a billet rod with a bearing insert. ARC has these in stock.
If you can at least change the oil at every fuel tank fill up, that engine should have another 5 years left in it.
Good Luck,
mc

[mike clements]

I believe Rohn Moon did most of his winning in the 90’s. If not, he can correct me.
In the 80’s the big money 4 cycle open races were won by Robin Bradshaw, Charlie Sox, whoever ran and Enik motor or an Otis motor or a George Owenby motor. Dicky Wilson won several also.
I was spending my time on the west coast and pursuing IKF Duffys, etc. We didn’t have many money races out here. We did have one pretty good money race up in Vegas though. Ronnie Emmick won a bag filled with 1000 Susan B Anthony silver dollars. I believe he still has it too.

To me, dirt oval karting died when the drivers layed down, all the body work went on, and tire prep took over. Combine that will slow as slug motors and you have single file, follow the leader type driving. For asphalt sprint racing, that died when the shifter kart, TaG motors, Rotax and everything “Spec” came along.

I would bet $$$ that if the sanctioning bodies would each promote one class for fully modified 2 and 4 cycle to compete in, their Grand Nationals entry list would grow by leaps and bounds. And when that class pulled out and onto the track, Everyone would be watching. Basically, put on a UAS series on asphalt sprint tracks. It would certainly bring back the guys who enjoy tuning engines and karts.

[mike clements]

James, I couldn’t remember if it was 4 or 8. But I did remember it was intended to make 1 cylinder move as much air as 2 cylinders. I did not know it ever made it to production for public consumption. I would love to see whatever they used for piston rings though.
thanks,
MC

[mike clements]

Alan, I read about that Honda engine also. It was an experiment to see if they could flow the same amount of air with a V Twin as they do with a V-4.   So, they used 2 BIG oval shaped pistons with 2 rods per piston and 8 valves over each piston.  I could see where the thing would Fly if they ever got the rings to seal.

The Scotch Yoke type crank I used is the main draw back to making HP with this little motor.

[mike clements]

Gino, I would love to run an Animal or WF with your group. I have a RH engine laydown kart and that would be about the right speed for me.

I have an LO-206 that I’m going to run with Bernies group at PKRA. Obviously in the “Really Heavy” class.  :-(

??    What is COTA ?  What gears do I need for Firebird ?  Will chain drive last the entire race ?   Alcohol or gas ?

Thanks, Mike @  480-704-4087

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