FAQ

You need to do the following for a CAMS Licence:

•    1.   Attend a motor sport lecture - learn about driving etiquette, flags, roles of officials, etc.
•    2.   Get a driver medical - ensure you are not dead or about to be.
•    3.   Present yourself at three full race meetings, starting form the back of the grid on "P" plates. Drive carefully and have the clerk of course sign your licence each time.

You need to do the following for an AASA Licence:

•    1.   Join the Club.
•    2.   Fill in the licence form and pay the fees applicable.

On the 125cc karts we run Bridgestone YGB or YGA compound at $330 AUD per set. $75 front, $90 rear.

A classic quote from sir Jack Brabham to his son David (during interview for Australian F1). "In my day motor racing was dangerous and sex was safe, how things have changed! "   Yes, motor racing can be dangerous, but it is all relative. The average age of the superkart driver is late 30's. Gone are the desires to risk all to win. These vehicles command respect. Spending even one lap in one will quickly indicate you have to be careful. Rubbing paint like in sprint karting will get you in serious trouble. Serious accidents happen when you hit something, so track design and runoff areas are the important issue here. Circuits are getting better, many of the tracks that hold bike racing are extremely good. Like sprint karting the majority of incidents start and end with a spin. With body work protecting the wheels, the risk of rollovers from wheel touches is greatly reduced.

There are several benefits for running a team. The following points are considered to be the major ones.

• •  Safety. Naturally having people there to help you should you come off the track is extremely important.
• •  Common transport. By forming a team the issues around transport become easier.
• •  Common spare parts.
• •  Pit help/crew.
• •  Sponsor presentation. Sponsor are more likely to be attracted in signage on more than one kart.
• •  Presentation for sport. More people are attracted to the sport when teams as well as individuals are represented.
• •  Karts weight 90kg. They are difficult to lift, get a team member to help.
• •  Many jobs require two people. Loading karts, starting.
• •  Common infrastructure  will help reduce costs.
  •     ◦   Air compressor.
  •     ◦   Tyre gauges.
  •     ◦   Mechanical Tools.
  •     ◦   Electrical tools and spares.

• •  Go to some races and watch how fast each class is. Take clean underwear!
• •  Visit your local club and find out all the information you need to know.
• •  Check out what are the popular classes in your local club. If there is a weakness is one of the categories then keep this in mind. Ultimately you will be racing, make sure there is sufficient regular member in you category.
• •  Driver experience. Do not overestimate your driving ability. Superkarts are very fast.
• •  250cc International superkarts.
  •     ◦   The acceleration, cornering ability, braking and physical demands of these machines are best suited to people with a good motor racing background.
  •     ◦   Although some courageous people start in 250cc Superkarts, if you have not had any previous racing experience it is best not to start with these categories.

 

• •  Reliability of engine categories.
  •     ◦   125cc Rotax Max Superkarts should last 20 hours without too many problems and little maintainance.
  •     ◦   125cc Stock Honda Superkart should last a couple of years without too many problems and little maintainance.
  •     ◦   125cc Gearbox run Honda RS125 or TZ125 or Rotax 129/ 130 engines that are design to run at high rpm for extended periods of time.
  •     ◦   250cc National are motocross engines. There is also some vibration issues with some of these units.
  •     ◦   250cc International are bespoke Superkart engines and GP motorcycle racing engines.

 

• •  Cost
  •     ◦   The motocross-motor based classes have motors that are more readily available (because they are used in common motocross motorcycles) and hence are far cheaper than the GP motors. In contrast, the GP motors are more difficult to obtain and more expensive and have higher running costs.
  •     ◦   Obtaining a GP motor will take some time. Sourcing the right motor with good history will generally take longer than a motocross engine.

 

• •  Personal equipment do I need

 

• •  Race suit or leathers
  •     ◦   Leather is mandatory for all 250cc classes in Australia, it is not for 125cc Superkarts. You only need to look at GP and Superbike racing to realise leather is going to provide the best protection. It has very good abrasive qualities and most suits are provide with significant padding in all the right areas. Leather does have some drawbacks though. It is very hot in summer and humidity. Leather is not as easy to apply sponsor advertising.
  •     ◦   Cordura or Cordulon for 125cc classes. These suits have been derived from sprint karting. The cut of the suit often matches that latest F1 styles. Both types of nylon (Cordura or Cordulon) provide good abrasion resistance. These suits are cheaper than leather and provide a good base for embroidery of sponsor advertising.
• •  Helmet
  •     ◦   Fibreglass vs Carbon/ Kevlar. Both helmets are built to meet international standards so are more than capable. The Carbon and/ or Kevlar helmet will generally be lighter and exceed the standard in strength more than the fibreglass unit.
  •     ◦   Motorcycle vs Motor Racing helmet. The debate could go on for many pages... There are many features on the motor racing helmets that make them safer in a racing environment. These features would make the day to day use on a bike helmet difficult (eg large neck roll, locking visors, narrow eye ports, duck bills). The racing helmets made specifically for open wheeler vehicles have also had significant R&D spent on them for aerodynamics as related to open wheelers nor bikes. On the other hand bike helmets are cheaper, are often available in many colours, visors are cheap, they have very good ventilation and anti-fog devices. Go try a range of helmets on get an appreciation for the benefit of each. Don't forget of all the safety equipment you will use this one will contribute more to saving you life than any other, spend good money on it!
• •  Visor - Get two visors if you can. Tinted and clear. Remember they should be easy to change at the track. Keep them in a clean soft/padded container to protect them from scratches.
• •  Gloves, any abrasion resistant Kart racing variants will do. Be mindful they are there to
  •     a)   protect you fingers
  •     b)   give good grip.

  They must have very good abrasion resistance.

• •  Neck brace, this is not only a safety issue, but also reduces fatigue. Remember you head weighs 5kg + helmet. If your karts stops suddenly then your head will keep moving. Whiplash! Ouch! These machines generate incredible G forces the neck brace is going to help support your head and helmet.
• •  Change of underwear, any clean pair will do. Usually only needed in first season.
• •  Balaclava, well it's a personal thing, the main reason people use these in superkarting is to absorb sweat or fight cold, and make a firm fit for their helmet.
• •  Boots, like your gloves they are there to do two things,
  •     a)   protect your feet and ankles
  •     b)   give you grip and feel of the pedals.

  Most Kart racing boots are good, just remember try them on when you are in the kart. Often the foot well is very cramped. You may need to adjust the pedals or heel rests to enable you to clear the body work. Splaying you feet may work , but you feet will bounce around quite a bit with the larger bumps, make sure you are comfortable.

 

Here is a good reason to form that team. Sharing the costs of the spares will enable you to keep a full inventory of parts. There is nothing worse and making you way to the track, paying the track fees/entry fees and breaking down only to find you don't the part to replace. We carry all but major components that are not really suited to track-side replacement.

• •  Chain
• •  Tyres, slicks and wets
• •  Fuel Pump or fuel pump kit
• •  Clutch cable
• •  Throttle cable
• •  Throttle return spring
• •  Exhaust pipe springs
• •  R clips for holding on bodywork
• •  Fuel line
• •  Brake line
• •  Assorted metric bolts
• •  Assorted metric nyloc nuts
• •  Washers
• •  Pop rivets - Aluminium
• •  Loctite thread lock
• •  Fuel filters
• •  Air filters
• •  Batteries
• •  Cable ties - A must
• •  Motor bike clutch/brake cable length adjustors
• •  Brake pads
• •  Gearbox oil overflow pipe
• •  Carburettor fuel overflow pipe
• •  Overflow catchment bottle (small plastic orange juice bottle)
• •  Stainless steel tie wire
• •  Spake plugs
• •  Electrical wire and connectors

Well here is the check list.

• •   Clean your kart
• •   Type pressures
• •   Water level in radiator
• •   Chain lube every time you come into the pits
• •   Battery voltage under load - use a multimeter to check for voltage when fuel pump and other accessories are on.
• •   Brake fluid level
• •   Spark plug appearance - it's the easiest way to check what you engine is up to.
• •   Brake disk clearance (rubbing pads)
• •   Loose body work
• •   Enough fuel - don't run out out the back of the track.
• •   Wheel nuts

Clean your kart, keep the presentation as good as you can get it. This helps keep sponsors happy and attracts new people to the sport. It will also help you retain as much value as possible. You may sell your kart to another member of your club. They will recall your attention to details. Check for any damaged fibreglass, even small rocks can do damage due to the ride height. If you have come off the track or had a minor shunt, check the wheel alignment and chassis measurements. Record your race or practice information in a log book. Number of laps, laptimes, tire pressures, wheel alignment measurements, engine hours (important for rebuilds).