General Cadet Kart Novices

[Almeric1102]

My son and I have just purchased his first kart with the goal of competing in the CKC Honda cadet class in 2024. We will be running a Project One chassis with an RPM GX200.

Having been to watch the series in Llandow this weekend (and what a great weekend it was!) I was wondering if I am OK to install a plastic rear bumper in place of the steel one we are currently using, or is this exclusive to the synergy Kart. If this is an option, where I might find one suitable for a Project One chassis?

I'm very new to managing a Kart so any advice or wisdom is greatly appreciated.

TIA

 

[mandelbug]

We used to run a plastic bumper on our P1 chassis, although not in CKC. B68601801 from Dartford Karting. Be warned it's £130 +VAT

 

[Almeric1102]

We used to run a plastic bumper on our P1 chassis, although not in CKC. B68601801 from Dartford Karting. Be warned it's £130 +VAT

We used to run a plastic bumper on our P1 chassis, although not in CKC. B68601801 from Dartford Karting. Be warned it's £130 +VAT

Thank you for that! Definitely one to consider if it's actually worth it. It seemed to be quite common amongst most karts however the P1's were outnumbered by the synergy so was hard to tell. Appreciate the help

 

[mandelbug]

I don't think it makes any difference. My lad only wanted one because he's a tart. I got ours when he bent his metal one and had to replace it. A friend swaps between metal and plastic and no difference. It's not going to make your lad any quicker. Bum in seat time, a good coach, that will make your lad quicker.

 

[Almeric1102]

I don't think it makes any difference. My lad only wanted one because he's a tart. I got ours when he bent his metal one and had to replace it. A friend swaps between metal and plastic and no difference. It's not going to make your lad any quicker. Bum in seat time, a good coach, that will make your lad quicker.

I was wondering if there would be any noticeable difference for him but if there's none then it definatley isn't worth it. At the moment he's just happy to have a kart, although he's seen some bits he wants already, I'm sure he'll be just as much a tart in no time! He's just stepping into the kart after being in the clubs cadet karts for a while so the jump will be quite big. Keeping him on track with the coaches and building some trust in what the kart will do. Keeping the setup neutral for now and giving him laps to work it all out.

 

[mandelbug]

Save your money on a bumper and pay for two extra test sessions

 

[Almeric1102]

Save your money on a bumper and pay for two extra test sessions

Amen

 

[Team13Karting]

If he's new, then he won't notice it. The main reason for using a plastic rear bumper over a metal one is that metal is stiffer, and therefore dependent on your setup, can cause the rear of the kart to "bind up" (sometimes referred to as "gripping up").

The less stiff rear end by virtue of a plastic bumper (or by running whatever bumper you've got loose) removes rear grip, thereby allowing the kart to release better off the corner. Better corner exit speed = extra speed down any subsequent straights....

 

[Almeric1102]

If he's new, then he won't notice it. The main reason for using a plastic rear bumper over a metal one is that metal is stiffer, and therefore dependent on your setup, can cause the rear of the kart to "bind up" (sometimes referred to as "gripping up").

The less stiff rear end by virtue of a plastic bumper (or by running whatever bumper you've got loose) removes rear grip, thereby allowing the kart to release better off the corner. Better corner exit speed = extra speed down any subsequent straights....

Thank you for the insight! That's information worth considering once he starts really pushing lap times.

Would running a less stiff rear negatively impact corner entry, as in losing the rear under braking or is that a more negligible/nil difference?

Thank you again

 

[Team13Karting]

There's no such thing as a "perfect setup" and it's all down to compromise on the day, conditions, how the driver is driving etc. What you're looking for is something balanced, predictable and consistent. I always like my karts set up with a little bit of understeer, with a loose rear end. However, it would be a case of building just enough front in (through width, caster, stiffness) and just enough rear in (stiffness of axle/bumper, width of rear wheels etc) to make it the three things that you can see above.

Until your lad is consistently posting laptimes within a tenth or two of each other, seat time rather than fiddling with setup is more important. Then, once you've got some kind of consistency you can start making changes to see if it makes him faster or slower and whether your change is going to throw him into the nearest tyre wall...

Finally, don't necessarily follow the crowd. By following everyone else, you're only ever going to go as fast as they are. And what works for them, may not necessarily work for your lad. The way I had a prokart set up when racing Endurance was commented on as being "borderline undriveable" by some....