 |
|
| Getting Started. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS WEEKEND? |
| Karting is the most dynamic form of motor sport in the world. Simple in concept and easily accessible to the average Australian, it has grown from backyard hobby in 1968 to become a professional, well organised sport in every state and territory of Australia. The instinctive thrill of driving a racing machine capable of incredible performance at relatively little cost, still remains one of the main attractions of kart racing today. From humble beginnings karting has developed into the diverse sport that it is today. There are around 100 circuits nationwide that run every kind of karting event from club day through to international championship races. There are events held somewhere on every weekend of the year, giving endless opportunities for you to race as often or as little as you wish. Karting is an incredibly diverse pastime attracting weekend hobby races through to professional drivers. The Racing Kart The kart itself has developed immensely over the past four decades and still remains the centrepiece of the sport. Basic, althrough impressive in appearance, a modern racing kart is a highly developed, sophisticated racing machine. Every component on the kart has been specifically designed, tested and manufactured to be a vital part in the performance and reliability of a kart at full racing speed. The main part of the kart is the chassis or 'frame' which is designed to flex at specific points. This allows the kart to coner at the best possible speed under the given track conditions. The kart also has a number of adjustable components which alter the karts handling. The engine used are purpose built for kart racing. The entry level, beginner classes use identical engines of equal performance and are quite reliable. The more advanced classes use faster unrestricted engines that offer increased performance. The tyres used are also purpose made for kart racing. The National and Clubman classes use a harder, longer lasting tyre that make it possible to use a single set of tyres for four or five meetings. Race Meetings Kart race meetings take place at cicuits across Australia every weekend and are either club, regional, state or national level meeting. Race meetings are conducted in one of two ways; three to five heats of racing with the winner being determined by accumulating points throughout each of the race. Alternatively a race may be held to a championship format. These events consist of three or four heat races followed by a final of a longer distance, the winner of the meeting being the winner of the final. larger more compeditive meetings will also see qualifying used with grid positions decided as a resault of the times recorded. The Race Circuit The average race circuit is between 500 and 1200 metres in lenth and usally constructed with super smooth hotmix bitumen. The circuits across Australia are continuall improving their facilities and some of them have replaced their canteens and dirt pit paddocks with air conditioned restaurants and bitumen pit areas. In addition to comfort, safty is also a major factor when designing and building race circuits. karting has an excellent safety record and is one of the safest forms of motor racing there is. In addition to circuit safety, driver safety is also of paramount importance. Drivers are required to wear approved racesuits, gloves, boots and helmet. This is safety appeal that has been designed specifically for karting with driver safety in mind. The Ideal Tranning Ground The large number of children involved in karting are also being trained as the stars of car racing in the future. Karting is well reconised as having produced some of the best racing car drivers in the world. Almost every driver in Formula 1 has completed in karting at some stage in their career, including the likes of Michael Schumacher, Gianncarlo Fisichella and Jarno Trulli, who was twise world karting champion. On the Australian motor sport scene, drivers such as Craig Lowndes, Russell Ingall and Mark Skaife were all state or national karting champions before going on to race V8 Supercars. While many of the children who compete in karting aim to race cars, those who don't, have at least developed excellent skills behind the wheel of a vehicle at a young age in a safe enviroment. This in turn helps to make them into safe and competant drivers on the road. Getting Started Getting into karting is relatively simple, you need to become a member of a club (Oakleigh Go - Kart Racing Club (O.G.K.R.C) is a great club with a great track, so thats a great place to start if close by) and start out on a provisional licence. After gaining necessary experience you may elect to move up to B grade licence or graduate to a faster class of racing. Buying a kart has also been made alot simpler thanks to a professional trade industry which serves the karters of Australia. There are a large number of kart shops which can not only sell you the right kart, but also have staff who can assist you at the circuit, rebuild your engine and provide spare parts when you need them. It is not a matter of simply guessing when buying a kart, you can shop around so you don't regret your purchase. A Friendly, Family Sport Karting is a friendly, well run sport with the emphasis on having an enjoyable time. After the meeting, barbeque's are common place and usally coincide with the event presentations. Controlled Classes Sub - Juniors The sub - junior categories of racing; Migets and Rookies for children 7 - 12 years old. The idea of these two classes is to teach young children to drive karts to restricted performance at a low cost. Juniors The junior classes of Junior National and Junior Clubman are the mainstay of junior karting in Australia. The Junior National classes (in both light and heavy divisions) are basic low cost classes, allowing close compeditive racing in karts with reliable engines (Yamaha KT100J) still fast enough to teach the basics of racecraft. The Junior Clubman classes is for juniors making the set up from the National class, for more experienced drivers with faster engines (the Yamaha KT100S and ARC Spec 100). Junior drivers are aged between 12 and 16. Senior National The Senior National class is very popular throughout Australia as a compeditive club level class. The engine used is a reliable Yamaha KT100J which is the same as used in the Junior National class. This class is raced in both light and heavy divisions and it is very rare for this category not to compete at any club meeting across Australia. Senior Clubman The most popular class that exists in Australia. Utilising the Yamaha KT100S and ARC Spec 100 engines, this class offers relatively low cost, yet fast and compeditive racing. This is the next step up from the Senior National class and is raced in a number of weight categories. The Clubman class, as with all 'controlled' classes (such as Junior and Senior National) use a single brand and compound tyre, with wet tyres also an option for inclement conditions. Most karts are made for national class are also suitable for the Clubman class, making an easy transition from National to Clubman. Senior drivers are aged from 16 years and older. Advanced Classes Piston Port This senior class use the latest European Piston Port engine produced in Europe and offers high performance on a softer tyre. This is a step above Clubman and is not a beginner's category, with experience required to drive these faster karts and expertise to maintain the engines. Usually competion is at major Championship events and always offers excellent compertition. Formula 100 The elite domestic class of karting in Australia. Formula 100 karts utillise the latest 100cc reed and rotary valve engines as used in the international classes. The engines are virtually unrestricted and twise as powerful as a Clubman engine often reaching over 20,000 rpm. The runs on a soft, control tyre. Once again, not a beginner's class and for senior drivers only. Formula 100 attracts the more serious, experienced karter who wishes to race in a fast, open category. 125cc A number of senior classes with an engine capacity of 125cc have only recently been introduced to the Australian karting scene. Formula Rotax is a one-make class for the Rotax MAX engine, a watercooled motor with clutch, electric starter and non tunable carburetor. Formula Rotax is aimed at putting the focus on racing rather than kart and engine maintenance. 125cc intercontinental C is an international category of racing, which was only introduced in 1998. The karts use European 125cc engines with a six - speed gearbox. These karts also have front brakes on the purpose built 125 chassis. A very fast and spectacular class of racing, in it's infant stages in Australia. International Classes The International classes of 100cc karting in a national championship and other international races such as the Oceania Championships. The Junior International A class is for the country's leading junior drivers with karts using 100cc international piston port engines with clutch to allow Formula 1 style standing starts. The two senior classes are International A and Formula A. International A karts use 100cc reed valve engines mainly attracted the younger generation of senior level drivers. Formula A karts use 100cc rotary valve engines and are the elite class of karting in Australia and around the world, it's the class that competes for the world championship each year. All classes use super soft, open compound tyres, and attract the very best karters in Australia. An A Grade licence is required to complete in these classes. Hint: It's recommended that perople thinking or have joined the sport of karting attend one or two race meetings. Talk to a few drivers and karting dealers. Most if not all are always willing to give new people advice. State Contacts VIC NSW QLD WA SA TAS NT |
| phone: (03) 5449 - 6362 fax: (03) 5449 - 6442 phone: (02) 9834 - 3860 fax: (02) 9834 - 3861 phone: (07) 3844 - 8507 fax: (07) 3844 - 8557 phone: (08) 9409 - 4441 fax: (08) 9409 - 4442 phone: (08) 8242 - 3513 fax: (08) 8242 - 4137 phone: (03) 6272 - 6848 fax: (03) 6244 - 8026 phone: (08) 8978 - 2916 fax: (08) 8978 - 2472 |
|
|
| Page created 7th April 2002, updated 14th June 2002 Photos and HTML pages are 2002 (C) Copyright of Spengler Racing Team. |
 |
 |