 |
|||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||
International Karting Industry Buyer's Guide |
|||||||||||||
| THE RACERS EDGE | |||||||||||||
| FOR
THE NEW KARTER: TECH INSPECTION
To assure reasonable safety
and equality among competitors, sanctioning bodies and racing organizations
perform technical inspections prior to and after racing events. Though
guidelines vary, the procedures in the World Karting Association (WKA)
Technical Manual are representative of what to expect.
PURPOSE OF TECHNICAL INSPECTION
Spirit and Intent – It is not possible to establish rules and procedures that can provide for every possible condition and situation encountered at the track. In all cases, where rule interpretation is required, the primary consideration will be the “spirit and intent” of the written rule. Establishing the spirit and intent of a rule is the field is the responsibility of the officials in charge and ultimately rests with the sanctioning body board of trustees. Attitude – The attitude of those individuals charged with the responsibility of conducting technical inspection should be to (a) help the competitor be aware of possible deficiencies in a timely manner that may pose a safety danger or could constitute a rules infraction, (b) to help establish that all entrants are competing under equal conditions, and (c) that specifications and regulations established by the sanctioning body as shown in the tech manual are adhered to by all competitors. Pre-Race Inspections – The primary purpose of pre-race inspections is to establish that safety requirements have been met by each competitor prior to their entering the track at speed. It is the responsibility of the entrant to provide, for pre-race inspection, the vehicle exactly as it is to be raced on the day. If a vehicle has been pre-inspected and the entrant changes/adjusts, etc. components that have been inspected without making inspectors aware of said changes, the prior inspection may be invalidated and the entrant may be subject to disqualification for the event and/or suspension. Post-Race Inspections – It is the responsibility of the entrant to proceed directly to scale and/or inspection areas immediately at the conclusion of an event. Failure to do so could result in disqualification. Once a vehicle or components of the vehicle are submitted for inspection, they may not be removed from the inspection area without expressed permission of the official(s) in charge. The number of finishers to be inspected and the extent of the inspection of each is at the discretion of the official(s) in charge. It is required for National or Divisional point events that at least first place and one other top-five finisher be etched at the conclusion of the event. It is mandatory that each
entrant who enters the post-race tech inspection area (impound) as a top
five finisher, must provide an individual to stay with the kart and be
prepared to do post-race engine teardown until released by tech officials.
Failure to do so could result in disqualification.
GENERAL TECH PROCEDURES
Workmanship – General suitability for competition, workmanship and appearance of a kart will be considered in approving it for entry in an event. Decision of the race official(s) is final. Entrant Responsibility – It is the competitor’s responsibility to assure that all technical safety requirements have been met, including safety-wiring and other items specified in other sections of this document. Fuel Test Fee – At the discretion the officials in charge, a small fee may be charged for a one-time test of competitor’s fuel with the Digatron meter or similar testing device prior to qualifying or race starting time. Any competitor disqualified at a (WKA) national or regional race event for illegal fuel or oil, may be subject to additional disciplinary action (not limited to probation or suspension by WKA). This provision, which also includes the use of any potentially harmful or prohibited substances anywhere on the kart, will subject the entrant to disqualification and/or further penalties as outlined, but not limited to those in the manual. Post-Race Tech – It is recommended that post-race tech consist of only weight-check, fuel and engine tech or of items that may be changed is the course of the event affecting a performance gain, or which may cause a safety hazard. Refusal to Tech – Refusal to submit to post-race tech shall be considered an admission of non-compliance with specifications by the competitor, subjecting the competitor to disqualification for that event and possible suspension of membership privileges. Tech Tools – The technical inspector may utilize whatever tools deemed necessary to accomplish tech procedures. Tech Area – Inspection areas, impound areas and/or other areas so designated by the officials in charge are off-limits to all participants. Competitors may enter these areas only upon the specific direction of the officials in charge. Parts ID – It is recommended that tags with competitor’s name and kart number be attached to components submitted to the impound areas for inspection so the items may be returned to the rightful owners. Inspection Marking – Method of engine and/or tire marking is at the discretion of the official(s) in charge. Any means undertaken by a competitor to duplicate, counterfeit or otherwise avoid normal component-marking procedures is cause for immediate disqualification and possible suspension of membership privileges. Tire Requirements – Tires must be available on the general consumer market, to all competitors, for a minimum of sixty (60) days prior to an event in which they will be accepted for use. WKA reserves the right to prohibit tires from competition that are not generally available to all competitors. Spec Tires (All Divisions) – All classes; any means taken to remove or alter code or identification numbers on sidewalls is PROHIBITED and grounds for disqualification. Weights – In all cases, minimum weight is defined as observed total weight of driver and kart AS RACED condition upon completion of the event. Dimensions – Unless otherwise specified, all listed dimensions are plus or minus .001”, EXCEPT for stated minimum/maximum or “NO-GO” dimensions. This applies to all divisions. No-Go Gauge Defined – The tech tool (No-Go Gauge) may not enter or pass through the opening or gap of measured part. On chamfered or angular openings, the No-Go Gauge may not be self-supporting when the part is turned 90 degrees, i.e. tool cannot support itself at any angle. No-Go Gauge is to be used without a holder for this procedure. Port Checking – When using procedures described, if question arises regarding compliance of port, the cylinder should be torqued to 140 inch-pounds and checked. Tech Tools – The use of pointed dividers to check cord width of parts is not acceptable. The tech tool should have a minimum thickness of .060”.
Note: The information
above is courtesy of World Karting Association. For a complete, up-to-date
tech manual from WKA, please contact the association at 704-455-1606. For
other tech manuals, contact the specific karting association in your area.
For a complete list of national and international associations, please
see “Association News” on this web site.
END
|
|||||||||||||
|
Kart Marketing Group, Inc. Post Office Box 101 Wheaton, IL 60189 USA Telephone: 630-653-7368 Fax: 630-653-2637 Email: karting@msn.com |
|||||||||||||
| Neatconcept, Inc | |||||||||||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
