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+--- Thread: G Force Karting write up (/showthread.php?tid=1148)
G Force Karting write up - ScottyB - 10-11-2004
gather round children, it's uncle scotty's story time again! for those of you at work or just bored, i hope you enjoy this.
As we pulled up to G Force it almost didnÔÇÖt look like a karting venue at all. Blending into the somber gray loading bays of the adjacent warehouses, the front door was the only clue that inside this vast expanse of corrugated metal some amazing kart racing takes place. After filing into the lot and exchanging a few wazzups, we pretty much invaded the place to the tune of 20 MMÔÇÖers hungry for some high quality karting. Paperwork and politically incorrect team names out of the way, it was time to check the track out and get a little lecture from one of the employees on kart etiquette, which mostly involves not beating the crap out of their karts, and that green still means go and red still means stop, etc. Good stuff. After donning the sexy (read: dumb) looking head socks we grabbed our helmets and got our first good look at the karts and the track.
Looking through the scratched lexan shield of the helmet the karts look innocent. Cute actually. They have little blue side pods and a little blue shield over the steering column, little LED taillights, a meek looking roll hoop, and that goofy plastic halo that encompasses the entire cart so as to deflect blows from the tire wall and more importantly, other competitors. Despite their meager appearance though, deep down you know they are most likely no joke. The steering wheel is teeny, with little bulges where you hands need to be. The pedals have a cage over them to hold your feet in place. The front tires are wide, but the rear tires are FAT, and rear haunches of the kart bulge out shamelessly to contain them. The seat is nothing but a plastic bucket designed to wrap around your lower torso, and it has a noticeably thin layer of fabric stretched onto it making a weak effort to comfort you. The engine, although small, has a vented fairing over it and is very low set in the chassis, to the right of the driverÔÇÖs torso. Next to the fairing is the only other covering on the kart, which hides the rear axle directly behind the seat. Come to think of it, everything is low. Nothing mechanical really rises far above the height of the tires save for the steering assembly and the top of the engine and pedals. The lack of weight, low center of gravity, and wiiiide stance are blatant and speak strongly of the purpose of this machine. The thoughts of the go-karts at the fair or boardwalk were now totally absent. So much for cute.
One by one the first shift MMÔÇÖers took to their assigned kart. Drop in (and I mean drop, as you end up with your butt literally about an inch off of the concrete), slide your feet into the pedal cages on the left and right of the steering column, and pull the shoulder belt over from the left. This happens all very swiftly really. There really isnÔÇÖt much happening but everyone is anxious. The head guy, who I shall name Tiny since he was very much not, began to rip on the starter cord of every kart, and with the whisk of an armstroke the burble of each 6.5 horsepower engine filled the open expanse of the warehouse. The track begins to take on the likeness of a blank canvas, and the coughing little karts want to smear tire marks allllll over it. You can just tell they want to. Heck, when Tiny would start each kart it would jolt forward and try to take off unless the brake was applied because the choke mechanism added a little throttle to the engines. But really I knew those karts wanted to rumble.
I took off my helmet since I knew I had 15 minutes to wait (can you tell Im anxious?), and as I did I got a better whiff of the fumes. How they keep a place like this ventilated so well Ill never know. But anyway, the smell, sound, and look of 10 drivers ready to tackle the track was really getting to me, I almost wanted to run out really fast and beg Jay to let me drive first, even though I was kind of apprehensivethis being my first time and all (and considering we got NO warm up lap due to time constraints). But just as the thought crossed my mind, Tiny gave a wave of his arm and there was no mistake in anyones mind that it was officially go time.
In no time the track was being navigated by packs of roaring karts. Despite everyone leaving in single file, the lack of experience and a degree of caution by most of the new drivers meant 3 or 4 kart packs soon developed where faster drivers who were staged towards the rear were trying to pass. So for the first 5 laps or so it was mayhem, MM style. Passing, nudging, screeching, waving. Through the slower corners, the engines bogged down, but as soon as some momentum was gained and the engines hit the upper RPMÔÇÖs, they really took off down the straights and through the fast sweepers, no matter who was at the wheel. For 6.5 horsepower, these little things could move!
As I ran between spectator areas I came to realize one very apparent thing. These karts oversteer.alot. The hairpin, sweeper leading onto the back straight, and turn in front of the pit area were all ripe with the sound of chirping rear tires indicative of some drift action. At any given moment I could look around and see Maeng, Jack, or Jay (among others) leaning into opposite lock or blipping the throttle with abandon to tame the loose rear end. It had just never occurred to me that these karts had the power to pull that off! Eventually the field thinned out some more as the pace of each driver retained more of a rhythm and the faster drivers battled amongst themselves while the other karts vied for the occasional pass.
Someone yelled out, ÔÇ£2 minutes!ÔÇØ Whoa, it was already time for me to get the helmet on! I fumbled around with my gear, shaking from excitement. Headsock pulled on tight, helmet squeezed on, neck brace secure. I sauntered over to the pits, and in a minutes time Tiny briskly waved the checkered flag to signify that round one was over, and round two was up!
tune in tommorow for part 2 of the 3 part series! same time, same channel.
cliff notes: sea monkeys stole my money, Mike got his own class, Jack got to test the first airbag equipped kart and Dave raced a 69 charger over some railroad tracks on the way home.
- JackoliciousLegs - 10-11-2004
My summary:
The sound of the superkarts compared to that of the regular karts is like comparing a civic to a 5.0.
I got a flat tire my second time out and was draggin my front right side. When you're out on course, you really have no time to check out your kart because the turns come so quickly. There are no 10 second straights. I just thought I was doing something wrong.
I didn't get punted into the wall. I did hit Maeng by accident though. It was pretty early in the race though and it wasn't too hard a hit (I don't think)...
My arms are SO sore today.
Dave spun
.The wide left hand turn leading back towards the pits was SOOOO fun. You just get done coming out of the 'S'es so you're at almost full speed and you just throw the kart full throttle around this wide 90 degree left hander. The kart will slide ever so slightly. :drool:
Somebody (I really can't remember who) locked the brakes up going into the hairpin and just understeered almost into the far wall.
Even my RX7 feels fat after driving the karts. I want one.... BAD
- ScottyB - 10-11-2004
JackoliciousLegs Wrote:I got a flat tire my second time out and was draggin my front right side.
THAT might be why you were lifting your inside rear tire going into the hairpin. i thought it was just chassis flex.
the sorest muscles for me are also in my arms. it sucks too bc today i had to lift alot of junk like books and packages of paper at work (library).
- Mike - 10-11-2004
jacko, if you take the fast sweeper at full throttle correctly, you won't slide at all
- Maengelito - 10-11-2004
JackoliciousLegs Wrote:I didn't get punted into the wall. I did hit Maeng by accident though. It was pretty early in the race though and it wasn't too hard a hit (I don't think)...
haha, that was awesome because that was waaaay early in the race and the only thing i was doing was passing n00bs then out of nowhere i get punted hard. good times man, good times. and for all the people that i punted, i apologize, but damn, no need to get on the brakes so early.
- Mike - 10-11-2004
i hit kart #9 pretty well twice.... early braking = no-no.
- Maengelito - 10-11-2004
for those that wanted to know:
position/team name/laps/fastest lap
1) Drawing a Blank - 132 - 25.055
2) prez - 131 - 25.347
3)Shart Team - 129 - 25.129
4) Dr. Dr. - 129 - 24.101
hock: 5) Boosted Piles - 128 - 25.280
6) Golf Team - 126 - 25.444
7) behotch - 124 - 26.070
8 ) evo - 122 - 25.418 (edit - stupid eight and paranthesis makes the sunglasses smiley to appear)
9) two Joo - 117 - 25.979
10) soopra - 116 - 25.606
I'm not sure who was on what team, but break out the excuses!
me and chapin were in boosted piles. we were penalized a lap for the seatbelt fiasco (my fault, since i strapped john in at the driver change) but it looks like one of our laps didnt count because our lap time for that driver change was 2:34 where all the other driver changes were in the 1:2X range. grrrrr, had that been the case, we could possibly been third!
- ScottyB - 10-11-2004
if i could just hit the pit turn right i'd rock 24's allllllll day :twisted:
- Mike - 10-11-2004
should have had 8th or 9th, lost about 10 laps on my last stint with the kart bs. at that point my mind was out of it and i just sucked...
the docs were in a super kart btw.
- JackoliciousLegs - 10-11-2004
position/team name/laps/fastest lap
1) Drawing a Blank - 132 - 25.055 - Chris P and Hunt0r
2) prez - 131 - 25.347 - Jack and Chris Reed
3)Shart Team - 129 - 25.129
4) Dr. Dr. - 129 - 24.101 - Professors in a Super Kart
5) Boosted Piles - 128 - 25.280
6) Golf Team - 126 - 25.444
7) behotch - 124 - 26.070
8 ) evo - 122 - 25.418
9) two Joo - 117 - 25.979
10) soopra - 116 - 25.606
- ScottyB - 10-11-2004
Team Shart was me and Jay.
- Chris - 10-11-2004
Awesome time guys. Thanks for all who came out.
I felt a lot faster this time, and only got passed by Dr. Thomas in the superkart.
I'm pretty sure HuntOr got the fastest time at 25.055 and I believe my fastest was 25.267- damn light weight HuntOr.
For all of you I hit, sorry but feel good because it was never as bad as Jack got it. He's a pansy for not getting in my group- next time fool!!!
- Myuki - 10-11-2004
adam and I were supposed to be evo, but we got behotch...I ran the 26.070....slowest per team....but consistent, so I'm happy at least with that
- bluhayz - 10-11-2004
awesome write-up scotty, looking forward to the next 2 parts. Totally got broadsided during the hairpin. All in good fun though. It was a lot of fun even though I was sliding all over the place like I was a pengiun on ice.
- lyltoy - 10-11-2004
yea Scotty awesome write-up, can't wait till parts two and three
I can't wait to go home over fall break and go with my friends and hop into a super kart for the first time
- ScottyB - 10-12-2004
lyltoy Wrote:I can't wait to go home over fall break and go with my friends and hop into a super kart for the first time
hell yeah buddy, you earned that ish!
thanks for the kind words you guys...when i got home i was too sore to move anything except my fingers so i thought i'd write about what a great time it was, hehe
- ScottyB - 10-12-2004
round 2.....FIGHT!
The second set of drivers packed into the pit area, ready to jump in where their teammate left off. I see Boobies, one of the Professors, John, and Mike among us. The others faces are hidden too well behind the helmet face mask and Im too unobservant to notice what theyre wearing. Sliding through the last sweeper towards the pits I can make out the #2 on the front fairing of a kart, its Jay! I run to the back of the line of karts which are in the bustling process of switching out drivers. I meet Jay as he pulls in, and help him out of the kart.but as I do I make note that his grip is pretty weak, and he looks soaked in sweat. He doesnt exactly jump out either, more like waddled out as if he had soiled his drawers. Interesting, but Im too wound up to let it get to me and in a blur Ive squeezed myself into the seat. Feet locked onto the pedals, shoulder belt into the faded orange receptacle. Hands on the little wheel and..man this wheel is thick. And it doesnt turn so easy. This gets my attention right as I realize I should look up and notice Tiny is waving me on like crazy to get the hell out there and stop dicking around. Woops. He points to the exit but I misinterpret this for some reason as him telling me to go out through the middle of the pits where the super karts are parked. He looks at me like Im eating a crayon or something as I lurch through and bound onto the track, smacking the right rear tire guard hard into the pit exit tire wall as I go (this wont be the last time, because I never get used to how wide these karts are). Graceful indeed.
3 things right off the top. This kart does not like me, or anyone for all IÔÇÖm concerned. (A)The throttle is dull, then with a little more travel IÔÇÖm at full throttle (thusly the lurching out of pits). (B)The steering is kicking my ass and IÔÇÖm not even at the first turn. ©And where the hell are the brakes, and holy crap IÔÇÖm picking up some serious speed. Things looked so easy from the spectators areaÔǪ
Dumb ingrained instinct takes over and I lift hard to make the first 90 degree left towards the hairpin. It works, right up until I decide to steer. The tiny wheel moves maybe 10 degrees until I realize Im being a puss and GRAB the thing. The caster built into the front wheels ramps up the effort and I realize there is no possible way Im doing any one handed driving. The wheel turns in, then fights back, then I use more effort, then its too much..bloody hell I suck at this. Then I remember to get back on the throttle and mash it. Combined with my Mr. Roboto turning technique I careen into the most half assed, ugly, tank slapping slide ever and begin to realize I need to experiment with these brakes by seeing how fast they really stop this thing, because the hairpin is coming up in t-minus 20 feet and its definitely going to send me 180 degrees in the opposite direction at its exit. That means I stomp them, and there is zero feel until you realize youve already locked up the rear tires (because my left foot is used to a stiff clutch) and now theyre shrieking.argh. Im basically feel like Im learning how to drive all over again.
Suffice to say I learned that karts are very touchy machines in the few seconds that passed before I managed to wrestle it back under control. They donÔÇÖt like to pamper you, you have to fight back and master it. You would think that after driving pampering, power-everything cars all my life it would be a rude awakening, but it was seriously awesome, and by awesome I mean phenomenally sweet.
One lap later I realize this kart is going to beat me like a rented mule. The concrete surface is very smooth but it has its random bumps and cracks, and you feel all of it. The seat is smashing my hips at every turn, and the cornering gs are forcing me to lean into the turn with all the strength my abs/gut can muster. My forearms are swelled from trying to not only steer but hold myself up (no way is this engine only 6.5 horsepower.is it?.......), and my neck is under pressure from holding my helmets weight against the g forces. Im already sweating like crazy trying to keep up with this thing.
The world is blurred to tunnel vision and Im only glancing at things anymore. Theres no time to look at the corner youre actually at, you need to be looking at least one corner ahead. Quickly my eyes shoot a glance at the corner worker to check for a blue flag, aka the get out of the way grandpa, people are trying to pass you flag. None yet, a good sign all things considered. Quick glance over the shoulder as I enter a short straight to check for people behind me. Im pretty clear, so another fast glance at the corner coming up, and deep breaththen I fling the kart into the entry for another corner, a fast one, maybe the fastest one on the trackthe sweeper leading to the pit exit hairpin. The rear end is under the persuasion of full throttle as I aim for the apex, and the front is understeering slightly from my fast entry, but I hold on tight and just go..1.3 degrees of steering this way, 4.7 this way, 2.5 this way, but all in one motion..and Im in the most subtle of 4 wheel drifts, barely bumping the rear tire guard on the apex as I speed by. I cant believe that I actually made a clean corner. I eventually pass one or two people who are looking for a good line like me, or brake a little too late and leave me room to squeeze by. My subconscious is the pilot now since my eyes just cant focus fast enough for some parts. Im thankful too, because I have enough work to do just keeping myself upright. I actually start to get the hang of this kart. Its so direct; you can drive it almost by just thinking. 15 minutes is really feeling like 30, and Im very, very thankful when my first 15 minutes are up.
cliff notes: there's no retard in team!
- bassmangrammy - 10-12-2004
Pimp Benz + 4 hot chicks in a FX35 = Boobies!
Jack: Please feel free to explain.
- Dragon - 10-12-2004
Damn fine writeups so far Scotty, can't wait for the 3rd.
Just out of curiousity how long were the stints between driver changes? From the sound of it with a checkered flag at the end of the first stint, it wasn't hot pit changes (or maybe I read it wrong and that checkered was for the end of the warmup).
- Chris - 10-12-2004
Dragon Wrote:Damn fine writeups so far Scotty, can't wait for the 3rd.
Just out of curiousity how long were the stints between driver changes? From the sound of it with a checkered flag at the end of the first stint, it wasn't hot pit changes (or maybe I read it wrong and that checkered was for the end of the warmup).
they were hot pit changes, the guy just gave us a white flag to show when 15 min was up. We just pitted close to that lap.