Karting: Motorsport For The Masses

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ntroduction

Karting is best described as an open-wheel sport that involves karts. Depending on the nature of the design, the vehicles can either be karts, go-karts and shifters. Given the chosen vehicle, the sport involves racing on circuits that have been scaled down. The understanding is that karting creates the foundation for developing into much more competitive and larger sports. When placed in the context of the public, the karts are often limited to 16mph. Such a safe speeds are intended to better protect the public from the risk of injury in the event of a collision.

History

Karting has its history located in Southern California. It was started in the year 1956. It is widely acknowledged that Art Ingles came up with the original idea of karting. Upon its inception, karting gained the favor of most people in the region. With time, karting became a national phenomenon.

Image credit: “Bundesarchiv Bild 183-B1007-0016-001, 5. Berliner K-Wagen-Rennen” by Bundesarchiv, Bild

The development of karting has been attributed to the actions of both McCulloh and Go Kart Manufacturing. The former designed and built the engines that were used on the karts. While the latter, built the body and the first version of the engines. At first, the karts primarily used chainsaw 2-stroke. However, with time motorcycle engines were later adapted for these vehicles. The beginning of the 1960s ushered in the building of dedicated engines that were especially designed for the karts.

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Components

Chassis

Given the nature of the sport, the karts are built using steel tubing. There are no provisions for incorporating suspensions into the car. Therefore, the steel tubing structure has to be both flexible and strong to ensure that it accommodates the role of suspensions while not being weak enough to give way when making tough corners.

Different kinds of chassis are used for different weather conditions. Chassis used in wet conditions will not work effectively for dry conditions. For wet conditions, a much flexible chassis is often employed in order to ensure that the kart is able to accommodate the effects of wet roads. The ideal situation is when the chassis is able to accommodate the bends and slides. On the other hand, when in dry conditions, a much stiffer chassis is preferred. In such conditions, the driver needs that kart to have a high degree of traction.

The braking system is located in the rear end of the car. However, in some situations, a front mounted system is preferred, which in most cases is the class of shifter karts. In some designs, the shifter class often accommodates two breaking systems, one in the front and the other in the back. In this way, depending on the bias, shifts between the front and back can be implemented.

Engines

With regard to the engine capacities, there is the 4-stroke option and the 2-stroke option. For go-karts, there is the alternative of the 4-stroke engines and the electric motors. On the other hand, racing karts, there is the option of the 4-stroke and the 2 stroke-engine.

Racing categories

International racing

The international championships are KF1, the KF2, KF3, KZ1 and the KZ2. The aforementioned classes are the highest levels of karting.

National racing

Dirt oval classes are the most common classes in the U.S.

Racing licenses

In order to qualify to race for karting, an individual needs to have a license. Depending on the region, either clubs or associations can provide the licenses. There are some situations where an insurance coverage is necessary. However, this is not always the case. Various countries have different requirements for licensing. In some situations, a capability tests is required.

Driver equipment

Driver safety is critical in karting. There are various equipments that are needed are those that have been perceived as enhancing the safety of the drivers. Full-face helmets, driving suits, gloves and boots are required.

Cost

Karting is a low cost undertaking. The only cost-intensive measure has to do with setting up the facilities for competing best exemplified by building the circuit. However, aside from this, the other associated costs are quite low budget. The costs of acquiring a license are quite low. Even when there are additional requirements, the additional costs cannot increase the expenditure associated with the sport.

It is highly likely that the demand for karting will be perpetuated well into the future. Given the current trend, it is highly likely that people will start to appreciate the fun experience that is associated with the sport. The low costs associated with the sporting experience are expected to further motivate additional demand for the sport.

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Autocross: An Exhilarating and Affordable Motorsport

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When the words motor and sports come together, there is this sudden rush of adrenaline that begins surging in the body just like fuel surges inside the engines. Motorsports are usually aggressive in nature and while they require a lot of focus from the driver, the audience on the other hand are viewing the fierce aggression of automobiles as they compete against one another to the finish line. As for Autocross, it is a little more refined with a course which is about a mile long and where emphasis is put on the manner in which the car is being handled and the skills of the driver.

Safety is considered foremost in Autocross and the sport encourages participation of more people. Autocross races are the kind that pack in a lot of activities which is what adds energy to the races. They are inherently slower than other races but the amount of buzz they create is because of the elements which are included in these races.

History

It is difficult to track down a history for Autocross races. They seem to have made their appearance after World War II when the soldiers who returned from the war were trying to look for ways to overcome the dreariness of the war. This made them buy old cars which may have been considered fit for the junkyard and they fixed them up and began racing. They used Autocross events to show off their cars and the ways in which the car can be handled.

The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) was created in 1944 and it began gaining popularity with local time trials. These races initially had the courses set on public roads but they gradually began taking better form and the races moved to concrete parking lots and abandoned airfields where they could race in a more organized manner. The goal of the sport was the same as it is today which is to race against a competitor in a course to achieve the best possible time.

As Autocross gained fame, the SCCA was able to attract more members and by 1958, the club had around 10,000 members. Today, the SCCA has over 114,000 members and it manages over 300 events every year.

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Equipment

Autocross is seen as an entry level sport. The requirements are pretty basic for the racers and with safety in mind, some of the equipment that are recommended for an Autocross are:

• A helmet to make sure that you drive safely. While certain events may loan helmets to first timers, it is best to carry one of your own. This ensures that you have a helmet that is comfortable for you and one that fits you well.
• A good pair of shoes is the next things that you would like to focus, something that offers a good pedal feel will help you maneuver the car more easily and stay comfortable throughout the event.
• The car numbers are also an important. Every car that participates in an Autocross event must be marked clearly. There are kits that can help you with class letters and magnetic numbers.
• Harness belts are another equipment which are focused on the safety aspect of the race. While the factory seat belts work perfectly well when you are driving home, the harness belts are created for races. They hold you to the seat in a better way and they help you control the car more effectively.
• A tire gauge is another piece of equipment that can prove very helpful because the right amount of tire pressure can help you get a good grip.
• A racing car seat is also a great way to ensure that you are comfortable while driving the car. Racing car seats are designed to ensure that the driver is seated in the best position to have complete control of the car without being uncomfortable.
• Race wheels, especially if they are strong and lightweight can make a notable difference in the race.

Cars and Classification

Every sanctioning body has their own set of rules for the car classes. For most of the races, cars are usually lightly modified or not modified at all. SCCA classing is followed by most of the clubs in America. The SCCA classes vary from Street classes which are lightly modified to the SCCA D and E classes which can be completely modified.

Cost

Autocross events have different prices for entry fees but most of the local events are priced between $25 and $60 for entry. This price differs based on the place where the event is held and the cost of operation of the event. National Autocross events can be priced from $100 to $150 for entry. The cost is lower than many other events because at most of the local events, the participants also help out in organizing the event. This helps them save money and reduce the costs of the event.

Events

You can check the events on the SCCA website which also discusses the tracks and where they are being held. You can register for an event online. Some of the events allow you to be registered at the site of the event. Go through the details carefully and register yourself for the event. Getting help is easy. You can ask the participants for help and they will assist you with registration if you are new. Local events are built on friendly races and you will find most of the racers extremely helpful in most of the events that you attend locally.

Conclusion

Autocross is a race between the drivers and time. Inevitably, the clock ends up winning all the time. It is a sport that promotes camaraderie among the racers who end up gathered together after the event talking about the cone that tipped and the race they almost won. All the fierce competition seen in the race simmers down as racers join in the tales of their wins and losses remembering where they started making memories in one of the most thrilling ways.

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24 Hours Of Le Mans- The Oldest Car Race

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24 hour of Le Mans is an amazing sports car race that was started long back in 1923 near a town named Le Mans in France. This is the world’s oldest car race that is packed with all the elements of the sports drama. Both the performance and endurance of man and machines are tested in 24 hours of Le Man that goes on for 24 hours and each year a new chapter is added in the automobile history.

Purpose:

Before 24 hours of Le Man got popularity in France, Grand Pix racing was the most popular form of Motorsports and the 24 hours of Le Man was mainly introduced to bring a different test in the race. So, the manufacturers concentrated on building the race cars that are not only speedy but also sporty, reliable and fuel efficient. Along with all these, the track required to introduce cars that have better aerodynamics and are stable at higher speed as well.

Reliability was mainly important because the public road is not made for the racing cars as a result the parts need to bear more strain which increased the need of reliability. Also the oil crisis in 1970 forced the companies to follow a fuel economy formula. Another reason of fuel efficient car is that, this enduring racing requires the car to spend as little time as possible in the pits. And all these technology was used in the consumer cars.

Image credit: “Le Mans 2008 Rolling start” by Wonker

The Race:

This race generally takes place in hot weather of June when rain is very common. The race is started at the mid-afternoon and lasts for long 24 hours. That means the race is ended on the next day. During that long 24 hours the competitors travel as long distance as possible. The modern competitors travel approximately 5000 km distances. The record is 5410 km that was made in 2010. The drivers are required to avoid mechanical damages while striving for speed. Also the primary car consumable such as fuel, tire and braking materials should be managed well.

Cars:

There are 50 competitors in the game. And each car should have two seats. But now a car with the ability to put up a seat in the cockpit is good to go in the racing. The car should not have more than two doors but the open cockpit cars will not require any doors. In 2014, all the cars of LMP1 category were instructed to have roofs to maintain safety.

There are different classes in the race and the overall winner and winner of each class is rewarded. The number of classes varies each year.

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History:

26 and 27^th May in 1923 were the day when 24 hours of Le Man was first ran on the public road of Le Mans. Primarily it was planned as a three-year-event and the winner was awarded with the Rude-Whitworth Triennial cup. But it continued and the races were dominated in the beginning by French, Italian, British drivers while the top brands cars such as Bugatti, Alfa Romeo, and Bentley were used in the game. The race was cancelled in 1936 due to a strike in France. But the Second World War II brought a long 10 years gap in the game.

The race again resumed in 1949 and with time various changes have come to the game. The major automobile manufacturers have incorporated various innovative technologies in the cars to make them more reliable and efficient.

Different manufacturers have won each year and as of 2015, Porsche is the most successful winner by a record of 17 victories.

Major accidents:

24 hours of Le Man has witnessed various fatal accidents but the worse case is the 1955’s accident that took life of 80 spectators and the driver Pierre Levegh.

In 1972, another accident took place when Joakim Bonnier was thrown in a forest and he died immediately.

In 1985, Briton Dudley Wood faced an accident during a practice with a Porsche 962, but fortunately he survived when the engine block was cracked.

Two major accidents took place in 2011 where the no.3 car driven by Allan McNish collided with another car and it was smashed into the tyre wall followed by which it was thrown into the air. In the eleventh hour another accident took place with the no.1 car that was driven by Mike Rockenfeller. The car collided with another car and his car was thrown outside the barrier at 170mph.

In 2012, Anthony Davidson’s car collided with a Ferrari GT2 as a result the car became airborne and it got crashed into the tire barrier of Mulsanne corner.

In 2013, another accident took life of the driver Allan Simonsen when his car was crashed into the barrier of Tartre Rouge.

Top Drivers:

Tom Kristensen-won 9 races

Jacky Ickx-won 6 races

Derek Bell, Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro- won 5 races

Olivier Gendebien, Henri Pescarolo and Yannick Dalmas- won 4 races.

Conclusion

24 hours of Le Mans is a very popular game that carries a tradition of French. The race has been running smoothly since the inception except in 1936 and during World War II. Every year new technology incorporated into the car mechanism has brought new excitement and there are many other things to enjoy in the coming year as well.

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Header image credit: “Audi R10 1” by Fabrice Pluchet – photo taken by Fabrice Pluchet.

Background image credit: “Andy Prialux Dirk Muller Joey Hand BMW Motorsport LMGTE Pro BMW M3 Le Mans 2011” by David Merrett