What are /r/Karting's favorite Products & Services?

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Sure thing! I realized I forgot to answer the book question, the driving books that I learned a lot from were Ross Bentley's Speed Secrets books - less so on raw technique and moreso on thought processes and way to approach things. Back when I read them the first time (I was probably 11 ish so... 2006 I guess?) They came as a series of books but they're now all compiled into one book: it's on Amazon here and is absolutely worth the money. Plus it's way cheaper than it used to be. It helps understand how to break down corners and think about what's going on which then applies the knowledge you have of the vehicle to apply it. It takes longer than reading a simple how to but as a result you'll be a more complete driver after - and potentially get yourself the skill set to drive the fsae car or other cars more quickly and easily.

A good way to practice is iRacing or rfactor or pcars - something with a more real tire model than say Forza or Grand Turismo. Obviously this isn't cheap, sim racing on a college budget can be tough but it's something to look into. It's much more forgiving than real life.

I worked as a surveyor for multiple winters, being forced to stand perfectly still for multiple hours at a time. These puppies are your new best friend:

https://www.amazon.com/HotHands-Hand-Warmers-Odorless-Activated/dp/B0B54375S2/

Buy this book and read it:

https://www.amazon.com/Sports-Sponsorship-Professionals-Guide-Autocourse/dp/1905334648

It’s a bit dated since it doesn’t mention social media and you’ll have to scale some of the ideas down to local businesses, but it gives you an idea of what is involved in sports sponsorship. It’s complex and difficult, and most people have no idea what it’s about, even those involved in the sport. Putting a business’s logo on your kart won’t do anything for them, and telling them how badly you want to be a racecar driver won’t impress them either.

fine for sprint however endus wear out even the experienced. look amongst this type https://www.amazon.com/Carhartt-Mens-Impact-Black-Medium/dp/B00DVJQKS8/ref=sr\_1\_54?crid=3MX6VPRCCAEZN&keywords=gloves+work+impact&qid=1662364034&sprefix=gloves+work+impact%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-54

If you're physically able to do the track time then my only advice is to wear a good rib protector (Bengio / Tillet) and tape your palms up with this:

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/SPORTTAPE-Zinc-Oxide-Tape-Strapping/dp/B07R99N6SW

God speed.

Start with this.

You seem to be very analytical - you need to understand the principles of what the kart is doing in relation to your inputs, combined with video analysis, seat time and lead-follow sessions with someone willing to mentor you.

What kind of trailer?

You don't want it sitting on its wheels for months at a time (developing flat spots etc), but for a few hours on trailer, no problem.

If you want a "small stand", you can buy the bottom half of a stacker kart stand. These are designed for carrying 1 kart on bottom 1 on top, you can just use the bottom. You'll need to email them to buy only half.

Finally, people transport karts on stands all the time. You will obviously need to strap your stand down or it'll roll around. Two on the bottom to hold the stand in place so it doesn't roll, and two on your kart frame to hold the kart down, going across your trailer. It shouldn't budge. Strap example: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08GQYN623.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08CV2DFDD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

i bought this hopefully going go karting this friday so i can test it out

A technique that is used in big boy racing is to lay a garbage bag in the seat and fill the space around you with two part polyurethane foam then tape up or cover the garbage bag with a stronger cover. I use 4 lb density foam but 2 lb is typical to use as well.

Foam link

Video on how to do it

Lmk if you have questions!

Thanks for the tip. Ever heard of Ron White Racing? There's a groupon that looks like a good enough deal: https://www.groupon.com/deals/ron-white-racing

https://www.amazon.com/Predator-212cc-Horizontal-Shaft-Engine/dp/B005U31ORU

These are cheap and easy, and there is a bunch of information online on how to make easy modifications to it, for when you feel you need to step the power up a little.

Bodyprox Protective Padded Shorts for Snowboard,Skate and Ski,3D Protection for Hip,Butt and Tailbone https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KJH6JK7 or something like that for hips and thighs.

HiRui Soccer Shin Guards Shin Pads for Kids Youth Adult, Calf Compression Sleeve with Honeycomb Pads, Support for Shin Splint Baseball Boxing Kickboxing MTB, Lightweight(1PAIR) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YNWKD7Q/ or something like that if your knees get clobbered by the gas tank.

And a regular karting rib protector should suffice, or you could look into padded shirts.

When you say data overlay, where are you getting that data? I don't believe the SJ records anything like g forces, etc.

If you're just going to review footage, you could go even cheaper and get an SJ4000 for like $80. It should be more than sufficient for reviewing the race, it just doesn't have the really nice dynamic range and clarity of the more expensive ones, but you won't need that if you won't be putting it on YouTube or some other public viewing format.

I like this one: https://www.amazon.ca/EVS-Sports-112046-0110-Race-Collar/dp/B008NVH9DY/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=Neck+protector+karting&qid=1639792163&sr=8-11

A few guys use it where I race as well - they are the one who recommended it to me and I like it.

It's a chin mount, it just straps on to the 'jaw' of the helmet and has a plastic bit to attach the camera to.

Theres the link if you want to see it. Works excellently for me but some other reviews seem to say otherwise. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09C8T87XD/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_1CXEBM53K7QBGZC2MXJ6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

These can help build forearm and grip strength, easy to use 4-5 times a day while sat at a desk.

For me it is a free app. You can download it and test what you can do with it. I don't have much experience with it since I don't use it at all. Maybe some lap time apps could do the same job

race chrono

If you're allowed to tune the kart, you could switch to a different jet. The Rotax max jetting app will tell you what you need (though I would go higher/richer if you're running regular and not premium) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.carburetorjetting.calculator

While I'm sitting in triple digits, prob not worth listening to any of my fitness advice. When I was taking it seriously, the Motorsport Fitness Manual was my bible

Yup. Agree with this, took a while to “get right” and trained myself over a few races. Got one fast right wrong as I was looking too far ahead and nerfed a tyre wall on the inside, but it helped me with EVERYTHING else.

Terence Dove’s Karting Book “Master the Art of Kart Driving”

so something like this would work?

https://www.amazon.com/Motul-31721L-Molybdenum-Bisulphide-Differential/dp/B004LEZPGK/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=motul+gear+oil+80w&qid=1619743864&sr=8-1

I don't think 500-600 would get you a working kart unless you try to DIY everything? But if the goal isn't go to track then might be worth looking into fun karts like https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K7NLDGT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_E7WJMD14K3YXG30QQR8T?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

This gps receiver works good with the Trackaddict app on your phone. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Qstarz-BT-Q818XT-10Hz-Bluetooth-GPS-Receiver-/361087859491?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hptuners.trackaddict

This

https://www.amazon.ca/WindSlayer-Windscreen-Windshield-Sponge-Xiaomi/dp/B07PFL57DV/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=gopro+sponge&qid=1600911513&sr=8-3

Something like that will work. I have that on my go pro and theres no wind noise.

Like this one? https://www.amazon.com/Taisioner-Windslayer-Housing-Protective-Reduction/dp/B07JB582PB/ref=pd_lpo_267_t_0/141-8569838-3120032?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07JB582PB&pd_rd_r=512fffaf-8e86-47a0-ae54-a4e6d81e2d9f&pd_rd_w=6kZ6u&pd_rd_wg=j2bph&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=8TR2BTPYC0J41YEGPNDN&psc=1&refRID=8TR2BTPYC0J41YEGPNDN

Ah that kinda sucks ngl not much you can do without buying either a new camera or try one of these a anti vibration mount but i dont know how they would mount to your engine cover

If you want a chin mount that is non-adhesive there is a 15$ mount on Amazon that works great and you can take off whenever. Chin Mount

I just bought a couple of these for our karting gear (one each for my kid and me) — fits helmet, suits, rib protection, shoes, etc with room to spare. Super lightweight and can’t beat the price!

‪AmazonBasics Large Duffel Bag, Black AmazonBasics https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GGNW2WI/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_QHd2Cb8ZF896Y

I just did the brakes on my kart for the first time and I got a fitting (just a 1/4" NPT nipple) for a Motive power bleeder that I already had for flushing fluid in my car (https://www.amazon.com/Motive-Products-European-Bleeder-Adapter/dp/B0002KM5L0).

The threads didn't exactly match (the top of my master cylinder didn't actually have the taper), but I could catch a thread or two without damaging anything and while it leaked, it sealed well enough to develop pressure. I didn't put any fluid in the bleeder, but just kept filling the master cylinder and pressurizing the system until all the air was out.

In reality, the $14 squeeze bottle might have been even easier if I didn't have this lying around already, but either way, it definitely seems worth a few bucks to have pressure. It's totally the way to go.

Got it. No two engines are alike, then? Is there any conventional engine for the karts at commercial/theme park tracks?

In a lab setting, I've been looking at this engine on Amazon. I can't feasibly own a go-kart where I live, but I could reasonably store and run an engine in a lab setting.

So, to answer your question-- it would be between this or, preferably, any engine that is commonly used at commercial tracks.

OK, so apparently I'm not done with questions yet.

After converting to ft-lbs I see that the sprocket needs 73 ft-lbs of torque, and that's alot. Since I'll be getting this tool, do you think I'll need to bolt this down to something like a piece of wood? It seems like it would be too hard to just hold this steady with your hand. The crank torque shouldn't be as bad as that will be on the kart already and locked with the flywheel locking tool.

Regarding the liquids, what do you think of this for the needle bearing grease? It's both high-temp and even suggests "sports vehicles" as one of the recommended uses. It also doesn't hurt that it's cheap and comes in a giant tub. As for loctite, it seems the manual recommends something different for the sprocket nut vs. the flywheel nut, can I just use blue loctite stick on both? I just want to make sure I'm not using something too strong that will make it impossible to take the sprocket off later, though, honestly, I'll probably never change this sprocket and have an extra drum if I can't get it off later.

Lastly, on another topic (instead of making a whole new thread), do you have any suggestions or observations about gear oil for the balancer and water pump gears (I have the old plastic ones)? The manual calls for conventional SAE 30, which is what's in there now (I found the nicest Chevron conventional SAE 30 oil I could), but can I run synthetic oil and something like a 5w-30 instead of just a straight SAE 30? I just want something as long lasting as possible as I only drive my kart a few times a year and it would be nice to just be able to leave something in there that won't degrade from age alone.

I think that covers everything...finally.

Thanks.

Plexus is the best I've found. I sell the Molecule in the small bottles of helmet cleaner but am yet to try it myself, however a few drivers I deal with swear by it.

https://www.amazon.com/Plexus-Plastic-Cleaner-Protectant-13-Ounce/dp/B00092CKN4

This was pretty interesting so thanks for doing it. I also want to see something like Andrace said and be able to measure temperature across the tires. I was going to suggest a crude method of taking a infrared temperature gun, but the pyrometer would be a even more accurate way of doing it.

It would be interesting to see temps after each lap, how the pressure affects how quickly the tires warm up/stay at peak temp, current weather, track temperature, length of run, how staggering your pressures affects your temps/times. Just some thoughts for future data.

What do you think of this one?

I think high oil resistance would be a key feature for this application.

I would suggest closed, just to be safe. Plus then you can use it any where that would require closed face in the future. I bought this about a year ago and really have liked it a lot.