Driving with the KK.

[Kelly Wood]

No, there's only 2 K's there.

Anyway, a weekend off had me invited to drive with a group here in my area that's evidently been doing it for years. Every Saturday, they get out & drive in a warehouse parking lot and have permission to do it.

These guys locally call themselves Kovert Karts. After spending a day with them, it's basically a group that takes GX200's and any clone, hops em up and then race each other in the older go karts no longer in use at our track.

I sold my older race kart and now it's part of this fun group. Turns out, their families show up, kids, have a BBQ & all.

I figured Sarge would be a tad out of her element here due to all the better performing machines... but I was quite wrong.

As the day went on, I found that ole Sarge would perform... if you pushed it harder than ever before. Running on the street is one thing but that's just the streets. Running out at the track is fun too but it's just a big open place. Running against others however... Before I knew it (and my hips are paying the price today) Sarge will hold her own against even these machines.

She handled superbly and will corner quite well.

Sorry, no videos as I spaced off the go-pro in my excitement... but a few pics anyway.

A good day. There will be video next time so y'all can take a ride in my baby.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Man, that's awesome.

 

[Goat]

That sure looks like fun. What gear ratio are you running? Sprockets? Top speed?

 

[Kelly Wood]

That sure looks like fun. What gear ratio are you running? Sprockets? Top speed?

3.8:1 roughly. Sprockets? Um... Rocket-Sprocket brand split sprockets. #35 chain. Noram GE clutches, modfied.

For that day: 14T up front, 54 in back, tires 12" dia, motor topped out at around around 5100.

It was somewhere around 45 ish. I've gone faster in it but ultimately, there's a sweet area that is just the most fun.

Maybe someday, we'll throw on the 20T up front, and the 52 in the back... and a special engine I have for it... Then go to the salt flats.

 

[esfoder]

I dig to look of your cart but I have no idea how you steer it with the wheel so close to the foot pedals??? Any pics of it in action???

 

[Kelly Wood]

Thanks. Just look at the old school racers of the day. Sarge is based on true old school setup, and in particular, the Evans SPL. It was "the" racer of it's time and Sarge is quite similar in stance, right down to the mid engine setup.

You gotta drive it, not just sit back & let technology do it for ya.

LOL!

I'll do video in a couple weeks, you'll see. It's a riot to drive. You pay for it later though.

 

[Kartorbust]

May need a new clutch, she looks a bit toasty.

 

[Kelly Wood]

Nah, it's fine. Look back at the old pics of Sarge. It's the same clutch as it was 2-3 years ago. Nothing's changed.

It just gets red hot, yep. See it like this: With the heavier springs (4 tensions higher than stock, which are red) and heavy, but cut (lightened) heavy shoes, the engagement is much higher than average yard karting person would ever need. Keeping the RPM's up burns it a bit, but keeps it in the powerband range rather than some low engagement where it'll take a while to run up the engine again. That, and it is quite smooth rather than the usual chatter a lot of clutches go through.

Maybe new shoes sometime, but they're far from done.

Last pic shows another clutch I use from time to time (mainly for my kid's race kart, and they're quite good as well. The hillard Flame/inferno.

Anyway, all good. I don't know everything. No sir.

 

[Kartorbust]

Okay thanks, that explains a few questions I had on why people choose higher engagement springs on them. Makes sense now.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

That's funny, I thought you did know everything. Huh.

 

[Kartorbust]

Nope I'm not that smart. I try to look up what I can and try to remember what I read.

 

[Kelly Wood]

That's funny, I thought you did know everything. Huh.

Yea yea, I know... I'm a bit arrogant at times but, no, I do not know everything... and when I'm wrong, I'll surely admit it.

---------- Post added at 02:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:37 PM ----------

Okay thanks, that explains a few questions I had on why people choose higher engagement springs on them. Makes sense now.

And yes, it'll burn a cheap clutch out pretty quick if you do. It's why I used the GE's. I've seen the GE outlast a maxtorque by years.

 

[Hellion]

Ol' Sarge looks great and looks mean and menacing--those other karts look like appliances, ugly/boring appliances at that.

Glad he could hold his own and then some. Marvelous.

'Bout time for a chain guard to keep the chain oil off your back?

 

[Kelly Wood]

Meanwhile, in la la land... a local friend asked me to attend a local car show and bring anyone I wanted.

This show was basically a local towns...oh, day of who knows what, but nonetheless, a good time. So we showed up & had a good time. Nice & quiet country setting with gaggles of local I-80 travelers showing up.

Fun fun!

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Cool.