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THE RACERS EDGE 11-01-00

The New Karter’s First Decision:
Determine The Type Of Engine You Wish To Run
By Bob Cycon

The most important decision to be made before purchasing equipment is to determine which type of engine you wish to run. You’ll need to make this decision even before deciding on what brand chassis, as the engine type will determine what style chassis is correct for you. First thing to do, is to talk to as many experienced people as you can about this subject, but remember that everyone and every kart shop will have a personal bias.

Four-cycle engines such as Tecumseh, Kohler, Honda and Briggs have gained in popularity in recent years and they have several attractive features. Because they are “generally” the slowest engines, they make good rookie or starter engines. Events on the track happen slower in a 4-cycle kart, allowing for a new driver more time to react to mistakes and avoid problems. Also, the initial cost of a 4-cycle engine is relatively low. In fact, these are the same type of engines found on lawn and garden equipment.

Eventually, most 4-cycle racers have their engine “blueprinted” to improve performance. This process is done by many kart shops and involves machining and fine-tuning to reduce internal friction and increase horsepower. While blueprinting is often performed by experienced racers to “gain the winning edge”, it is only a small part of the total racing package and in no way guarantees success. Additionally, blueprinting and engine rebuilding can add significant expense to the total racing effort.

Unlike other karting engines, 4-cycle engine require oil in the crankcase for lubrication. Straight gasoline or methanol (alcohol) is used as the fuel, depending on the club or track rules. A word of caution - If your application requires methanol, make sure you have a reliable source for fresh methanol as it is not always easy to locate in all areas. Finally, remember that 4-cycle engines were originally designed to run in less stressful conditions. The high RPM-strain that kart racing puts on an engine can lead to random parts failure, once again increasing the cost of the racing effort.

The other predominant engine used in kart racing are 2-cycle engines. These engines have fewer moving parts than a 4-cycle engine, and obtain lubrication form oil mixed with the fuel. They spin at a higher RPM and are usually much faster than 4-cycle engines.

A 2-cycle engine’s speed does not allow as much time for a driver to react to changing conditions and it is best that a driver be experienced and constantly alert to be successful. Additionally, the initial investment required is higher than that of a 4-cycle set-up.

An important point to consider when choosing between a wide variety of 2-cycle engines is the simplicity of an engine. It is best for a new racer to keep things simple when learning the sport. The more complex and exotic engines will prove to be more frustrating to race competitively, and will also be harder to resell. A basic engine will be much easier to resell to another beginner when the time comes.

For the new racer, the purpose-built Yamaha KT100S is a good 2-cycle engine to start with. It has proven its reliability since it was introduced to the U.S. in 1977 and in Japan in 1970, and is among the least expensive of the 2-cycle engines. There are also an increasing number of imported 2-cycle engines that are worth considering.

In certain areas of the United States, the 2-cycle US 820 engine made by U.S. Motor Power, East Troy, Wisconsin is a popular choice. This engine bridges the gap between 2-cycle engines and 4-cycle engines by offering a 2-cycle “feel” at slower speeds than the Yamaha classes. The price of this engine is higher than most 4-cycle engines but lower than other 2-cycle engines.

For those who do not choose the Yamaha KT100S or the US820, there are several factors that must be considered in the purchase of a more exotic 2-cycle engine. The cost and availability of replacement parts is a major issue because most of these engines are imported in relatively small numbers.

Also, the age of technology is important. It is obvious that, regardless of the price, this year’s “hot” model will be easier to resell than an older version, and will probably be quicker on the track. Very few manufacturers can hope to stay in business by producing products that are inferior to the older ones. Even if old engines are sold cheap enough to become “steals”, they may not prove to be wise investment in the long run.

Finally, there are other expenses to be considered with 2-cycle engines. Like their 4-cycle counterparts, 2-cycle engines are usually blueprinted as racers search for the extra, but legal advantage. Most 2-cycle engines also require the use of auxiliary electric starters which cost in the neighborhood of $175. Additionally, most 2-cycle clutches and exhaust systems are more costly to purchase and maintain that their 4-cycle counterparts.

The hottest trend in karting today is the use of 125cc motorcycle engines on shifter karts. These complex engines are extremely fast, and a growing number of professional shifter classes have been created. Replacement parts and accessories are readily available through an established network of kart dealers throughout the USA and internationally.

However, there is one thing to keep in mind. Because of the high speeds involved with shifter kart racing, it is highly recommended that racers have some track experience before delving into this portion of the sport. It is not for the faint of heart!

No matter what type of engine you choose, remember that you will have to do constant work and tuning to be competitive. Familiarize yourself with the many available engine options, and choose a package that delivers the speed and degree of maintenance that you desire. Keep in mind that if you start with a very basic engine, you can always move to another level once you become more experienced.

About the author: Bob Cycon is the former editor and Co-publisher of Kart Marketing International and resides, with wife Jo Ann, in Lombard, Illinois.

Karting Roots Pave Path to NASCAR
By Aubree Foust

Most school yards, local YMCAs and sporting complexes have countless baseball fields, basketball courts and football fields for young children to learn the ropes of sports considered to be American pastimes. Learning how to his a fast ball like Mark McGwire, slam dunk like Michael Jordan or catch a winning ”Hail Mary” pass thrown by the likes of Dan Marino is all possible for the hundred of thousands of children who participate in organized sports.

But, what about the children who want to grow up to become a NASCAR hero like Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt or Dale Jarrett? They can’t practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway or Daytona International to hone their skills. So where can hey find their “field of dreams”?

Just ask NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Tony Stewart where his racing background was developed? “It (karting) got me started in racing at a young age”, Stewart said. “Being able to start at the age of eight was a big benefit. When you’re young like that, you feel like you’re invincible and you’re not scared of anything. You learn to drive at fast speeds and it doesn’t bother you. It teaches you things at a young age, whereas if you’re older, it takes longer to learn.”

Jason Jarrett, A NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division driver and son of 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Dale Jarrett, echoes Stewart’s sentiments on the importance karting plays in a young racer’s career. “WKA (World Karting Association) is pretty organized and has things laid out well as far as the way they do the championships and the different classes,” Jarrett said. “It’s important to get kids involved in something that’s organized. If you’re going to play football, you’ll obviously be playing an organized sport. So in racing, you need to be involved in something that is organized too. Karting is also very competitive and keeps the competitive fire going”, Jarrett continued. “I didn’t know anything about cars, or go-karts for that matter, when I started. So as far as the mechanical side of it, it started me out in that direction. I learned how to drive around other cars and the things that you should and shouldn’t do. You could make big mistakes, but it really didn’t show up quite as bad as if you were running 200 MPH at Talladega (Alabama) Superspeedway. You have a learning curve in karts, but you can make mistakes without it being too drastic.”

The benefits of karting have been proven by former karters turned NASCAR stars, even though the costs involved are slightly higher than football cleats or a ball and glove. However, for children serious about the sport of racing, karting provides an affordable introduction.

“You don’t have to go out and spend $100,000 to learn whether you want to be a race car driver or not,” Stewart said. “You can do it for a lot less than that. Karting is a good form of racing, and you can do it in a way that’s affordable.”

And if you’re worried about spending the same type of “quality time” with the family while participating in karting – don’t be. Stewart pulled this karting memory from the recesses of his mind without hesitation.

“The memory that stands out the most is probably the first time my family and I left our home track in Indiana. We went to the Grand Nationals in Iowa and I really didn’t know what the Grand Nationals were – I just knew it sounded big. I was 12 years old and we beat a kid that had won the championship two years in a row. We showed up with our operation, and we looked like we could barely get by with what we had, but we ended up winning the race by a straightaway. That was probably the highlight of my racing career in go-karts.”

Jarrett says karting allowed him to be with his friends, plus do something that he loved - race. “It just seemed like a good way to spend time with my friends,” Jarrett explained. “I always went with a couple of friends and I also had one friend that raced with me so we always rode together. We always seemed to turn it into a good time. Looking back on my time with WKA, it was a lot of fun without so much of the business side of things,” Jarrett continued. “I know it (the business side) now, but at the time I took it a lot more serious than I should have. Looking back, maybe I should have had a little more fun with it, but at the same time I did have a lot more fun than I’ve had in the past couple of years (in NASCAR) with the business side of it. The NASCAR Busch Series, and for that matter, racing in general, has gotten pretty tough.”

The World Karting Association is a member-owned corporation founded in 1971 to regulate and promote the family sport of competitive kart racing and provide a safe and fair environment for the fulfillment of racing dreams. Learn more about WKA at www.worldkarting.com.

END

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