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]

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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