Engine change

I've bought a new engine. It's not as quick as the old one but is nearly there. "But why?," I hear you ask, "why get a slower engine??" The answer is very simple. I've changed class and require this specific engine to compete. I could hire one but the cost of doing so over a year would probably be the same as buying one, and I wouldn't be able to practice on it either. Ah well, it wasn't 'too' expensive (these things are all relative after all) - 600 odd quid for a new engine is pretty good - and it's an old school, direct drive, air cooled 100cc too. The way club level karting should be... [insert argument here]

Mmmm...Engine.... (I had to post at least one picture didn't I??)

I broke the engine in today which was totally painless. It was kinda nice to pootle around the circuit and not go at it like a juvenile dog humping the armchair. I did break one of the seat stays though. Apparently it's pretty common, especially on the engine side due to the vibration. A quick bit of welding sorted it out.

The second round is in two weeks (^___________^) [that's a really big smile by the way]

First proper days practice

Finally a fulls days running. My ribs stood up quite well - they were aching a bit through the day but some adjustment to the new seat (a lot of padding, especially where my arse is as I have no arse!) made all the difference. The next they still ached but weren't too bad.

We started off with the teams bosses practice tyres (they don't wear, but neither do they have any grip) and then in the afternoon stuck on my new fresh rubber. They needed a lap to bed in but I set my fastest lap of the day on my first run with them - a 37.485 - my best lap ever!
The times were a bit all over the place though as the rear was a bit lively, so the boss increased the rear track width a bit which made all the difference. I couldn't set as quick a lap time but 10 consistent laps in a row - all at 37.5 to 37.9 made me very happy indeed.
So next, the team boss wants a go. Well, he did build the thing... His first lap is within a tenth of my quickest (remember, this is the first time he's driven this kart!) and he finally sets a 36.551! I've still got a long way to go...

Not a total loss though, the boss was totally finished after these laps!

Testing!

I've finally finished editing the video of the first taste of my new kart. It was a good day but it was sooo long ago. I went to watch some racing at Suzuka circuit last week and had a quick go in a rental machine just to see if my ribs were good. My ribs have now recovered so next week I'll be trying a new seat.

Kart racing

I've started racing karts properly this year. Well, not quite. I've done 2 rental kart races and lots of practice in this rental kart. It has a 100cc air cooled engine - the Yamaha KT100. It's not a common engine in the UK but forms the backbone of kart racing in Asia, Australia and the States. It's not so powerful for a racing engine with only about 15 horses, but it is cheap at around $700 (350 quid) a pop.

The video is from mid-summer. Was over 37 degrees C that day, really hot! Being a rental kart the tires are very hard, but on a hot day like that it really didn't matter. It was nice being able to keep up with everyone else for once! (at least in the corners anyway...)

Satellite shot of the course below:

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First post

Did some racing of Tamiya minis yesterday. I'll try and put some video up later in the week. I went to Sakai kart Land today to watch some kart racing. I should've been racing my-self except I broke my ribs a few weeks back and am still out. First post so please forgive me for being short, sweet and pretty much meaningless. Sorry!

If you want more then check out my old blog from when I was last in Japan.