Memo Gidley's Secrets of Speed for Four Cycle Kart Racing
Part 1: Getting Started in Karting
Words: Jeff Grist and Memo Gidley // Photos: Sean Buur
Racing is all about mixing it up with others.Overview
First we will begin our introduction into four-cycle karting by looking at the history of karting, how to get started in karting, where to find information, the necessary safety gear and some of the tools and equipment you will need to go racing or just have an afternoon of fun at the track. Karting is more than just driving; it’s about working on your kart and setting goals. Karting is also a great sport you can enjoy with family and friends.
History of Karting
The man most often credited with building the first modern style kart that we identify with today is Art Ingles. Art built racecars and was an American airmen stationed in Europe during World War II. As a pastime, he and other American pilots built small vehicles from metal tubes to drive during their free time. Upon returning home to the United States, Art build a kart using semi-pneumatic tires, a West Bend 2-stroke engine, a steering system and chain and sprocket drive. He first demonstrated his creation in 1956 in a supermarket parking lot in Los Angeles.
Vintage karting at Adams Motorsports Park.Soon after, drivers began to bring out innovative designs and the speeds quickly outgrew parking lots. Before long karting tracks began to appear throughout Southern California and the sport of karting was born. The name go kart can be traced back to a company called GP Mufflers, who after seeing Art Ingles’ original creation, created their own versions and then improved on them.
Today’s race karts have numerous safety features. Over the years, kart manufacturers have developed bumper and nerf bar systems to keep drivers safe.
Getting Started in Karting
The sport of karting has experienced dramatic growth over the past two decades, marked not only by increased participation, but also by an increase in the number of karting facilities. While only a small percentage of karters become professional racers, many drivers from all levels of motorsport race karts to keep their skills honed or simply because they love it. Karting is very much a family sport, where everyone can get involved in the day’s activities. The first step to starting any new hobby or sport is gaining the proper knowledge. It is important to gather as much information as possible to help understand the world of karting. The best sources of information are your local kart track, magazines and the Internet.
Someone in the pits is always willing to lend a hand.By far the best way to learn about karting is to attend races at your local track. You will find plenty of racers anxious to tell you about their karts and their racing experiences. It’s important to learn what karts race in your area, and which are supported by local dealerships. It is best to consider a popular class so that no matter how fast or slow you may be, there will always be someone to race with.
Racing is all about mixing it up with others and small grids rarely make for fun racing.
This should be your guide to the kind of equipment you will need. Be careful when choosing your equipment. While most karts looks somewhat similar, each one is intended for a specific class.
The karting industry has a number of good consumer magazines available by subscription and on the newsstand. A subscription to one or more of these magazines is a good way to learn about karting. Many of these monthly magazines list clubs, provide technical articles, highlight drivers and karts and provide classified ads. In alphabetical order, here are four magazines that provide coverage of four-cycle sprint karting.
Another potentially good source for information is the Internet. I say potentially, because you do need to be careful. With traditional magazines you have an editor to verify that the information is correct and accurate.
On the Internet that is not always the case, especially in the area of forums and blogs. Always be careful with the information you gather from the Internet. Take information forums as advice and use with caution. Here is a list of six very good and reputable sites that feature some content on four-cycle racing.
LIST
Finally, always check with your local karting club for a complete set of rules and regulations. It is your responsibility as a driver to know the rules and abide by them. Understand the importance and spirit of sportsmanship and fair play. You should come to the race and leave the race with a positive attitude and a real love of the sport.
Memo in his Bell helmet and Alpinestar neck collar.Safety Equipment
In this section we will look at the proper safety equipment required for racing. All racing organizations require specific safety equipment, which must meet stringent standards. Karting is a dangerous sport that with common sense, proper safety gear and good equipment, can be injury free. Safety equipment is not an area you want to take lightly or skimp on. Too many drivers will spend excessive amounts on their engines and then buy the cheapest helmets they can find.
We will lay out everything you need to complete your driving safety kit.
A kart-racing helmet is made up of four different components: a rigid outer shell, a crushable liner, a chinstrap and comfort padding. The rigid outer shell adds load-spreading capacity and prevents objects from penetrating the helmet. The liner absorbs the energy of an impact by crushing. The chinstrap, when properly buckled and adjusted, along with the padding, helps the helmet remain in position during a crash.
The shield is another area of importance. Generally made of Lexan, a bulletproof material, the shield provides a clear field of vision and protects the eyes from flying debris such as rocks. It is important to take good care of your shield, as scratches will impede your vision. Different finishes are not just for looks, but serve a purpose to block bright sunlight or enhance the landscape in low light situations.
What helps drivers and race organizers stay on top of driver safety is the Snell helmet safety rating system. The protective capability of a particular helmet is difficult to measure. The Snell Foundation is an organization that destroys thousands of helmets every year to find out how safe they are. Snell certification is an assurance that a helmet has measured up to the highest standards for protective performance.
Visors come in a variety of styles and shades.It is important for drivers to understand that helmets do not last forever. Just because it still fits and looks good does not mean you are getting the best protection. It is recommended that you replace your helmet at least every five years. Glues, resins and other materials used in helmet production can affect liner materials, and normal wear and tear contributes to helmet degradation.
Taking good care of your helmet is also key to its durability. Having a protective helmet bag to store it in and being careful how you pack it is important. Many manufactures also recommend that if you drop your helmet on the ground you should replace it. Other factors like ultra violet rays, can break down the helmet from the outside. Additionally, experience indicates there will be a noticeable improvement in the protective characteristic of helmets over a five-year period due to advances in materials, design and standards.
If your helmet is Snell approved it will have a sticker inside. The adhesive label, or decal is usually affixed to the inside of the helmet. If it is not readily visible, check underneath the flaps of the comfort padding. Having this label in your helmet is a pre-race safety tech item that is checked at the track. Without it you won’t be allowed to race.
Make sure your hemet is up to date on the SNELL rating.Your race helmet needs to be snug. It should not be so tight that it hurts or so loose that it flops around. Due to varying shapes, heads that are apparently the same size when measured by a tape may not necessarily fit the same size helmet. Measuring your head properly is the first step to ensuring the right helmet fit. A cloth tape should be used to make your initial measurement. The circumference of the head should be measured at a point approximately one inch above the eyebrows in front, and at a point in the back of the head that results in the largest possible measurement. Take several measurements, to make sure you have the largest one.
The next installment from Memo Gidley’s Secrets of Speed for Four-Cycle Kart Racing we will finish off our look at safety equipment and review some of the tools, equipment and parts you need for a successful and fun day at the track.