Go-Kart Safety
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13-Sep-2014 -
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Transcript of Go-Kart Safety
GO-KART SAFETY
1956 - first racing go kart built by California native Art Ingels.
1958 - the Go-Kart Manufacturing Co. was the first kart manufacturer.
1959 – McCulloch produced kart engines. It’s first was the McCulloch MC-10, a modified chainsaw 2-stroke engine.
Source: go-kartblog.blogspot.com
Art Ingels in an undated photo The MC-10, adapted from a chainsaw motor.
Ingels first kart, Kart One
Source: vintagekarts.com
Today’s go-karts use two types of engines: the 2-stroke and the 4-stroke.
Most 2-strokes are manufactured in Italy, by such companies as IAME, Birel, Tony Kart, and CRG.
4-strokes are used in kart racing and recreational go-karting and adapted from the lawnmower engine.
Source: gokartusa.com
Combustion: ignited charge pushes down on the piston crown (or top). Fresh charge is
drawn in through carburetor into the crankcase via Inlet Port I.
Exhaustion: exhaust Port E allows gases to discharge. Piston puts pressure on fuel air
mixture in crankcase.
Charging: first stroke is finished. Port E is fully open and inlet Port P is open to allow
fuel air mixture to enter space above the piston. Fuel air mixture sweeps out exhaust
gases.
Compression: piston moves up and covers all ports. Charge is compressed and creates
vacuum. Piston final upward stroke creates ignition.
Source: roymech.co.uk
Spark Ignition Cycle: Charging stroke: piston moves to let air-fuel into the cylinder; inlet valve is closed Compression stroke: piston compresses air-fuel; compressed air-fuel is ignited Working/Power: piston is driven out by ignited mixture; exhaust valve is opened Exhaust Stroke: products of combustion are driven out
Compression Ignition Cycle: Charging Stroke: piston moves to let air into cylinder; inlet valve is closed Compression stroke: piston compresses mixture; fuel is injected into compressed air; spontaneous combustion occurs Working/Power stroke: products of combustion drive piston out; exhaust valve is opened Exhaust Stroke: products of combustion are driven out
Source: roymech.co.uk
Karts are considered safe and unassuming because of their size
Earliest go-karts traveled at around 7-10mph. Today’s go-karts can reach up to 70mph!
Go-kart accidents largely go unreported since they aren’t too serious.
BUT ACCIDENTS STILL HAPPEN
Helmets help to prevent injury to one of the most important parts of your body: the brain.
Helmets are non-negotiable
Helmets can deflect airborne objects, sometimes pieces from a wrecked kart.
When a go-kart flips, a helmet cushions the blow once momentum takes over.
Source: southbayriders.com/forums Source: flickr.com
Source: blog.ironhorsehelmets.com
Secure your harness and seatbelt so you’re not thrown out of in the event of a roll
Go-karts are light and fast so tipping is not uncommon during a collision
Seatbelts make sure you don’t catch any air and get to flying like a bird
Source: towardszerodeathsdc.com
Race at a speed that suits you.
“Fast” is too fast for some people. Slow down.
Start slow when navigating a new track.
Speed up as you get more comfortable with the layout and the tricky corners in the track
Side impact hits
Sudden flipping
Whiplash
Head-on collision
Burns
Entanglement
Source: bustbubble.com
Keep an eye out for: Loose screws and bolts
Tires with low or high pressure
Leaks of any kind
Frame integrity
Test brakes and steering
If something feels off or handling feels wrong, pull off the track and examine the kart.
Wear clothes with padding or rent fire-retardant jumpsuits made for racing.
Never wear shorts when driving a go-kart, no matter how good you look in them.
Source: examiner.com
One of these guys is race-ready and it’s not the blonde.
Every new driver should know how to handle a go-kart; go-karts are so fast, a kneejerk reaction can cause an accident.
Practice responsible driving. Don’t try to impress your friends or try to make them laugh by pretending to be drunk.
Stop the kart if you sense danger. Don’t try to be a hero.
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