What kart does everyone think is the best and why??

[karting legend]

I personally want to know what kart chassis do you think is the best. I would like a reason for your answer. I have tested alot of kart chassis` for the Rotax MAX classes and have found that the Intrepid (silverstone) chassis is very good.

[Alex Hodgkinson]

when you ask which chassis is the best, do you mean for the Rotax Max class? And when you say best can I presume you mean quickest?

[Mackmot]

From an engineers point of view (not karting) I think the Swiss Hutless is beautifully made.

[Alex Hodgkinson]

++ from a drivers point of view the Swiss Hutless karts are damn good, but having compared a 2004 chassis to a 2002 chassis in a back to back test, I prefered & went quicker in the 2002 "Corsa"

So maybe they're going backwards...

[toot toot]

Intrepids are good but will last you a max three race meetings then they're no good. Maranello's have been very quick over the last couple of years and are well built thought out chassis, there 2005 chassis came out around 6weeks ago which is supposed to good although i've not tried it yet but last years RS1 was quick. There is also the ever reliable Tony Kart always gauranteed to be competitive and easy to setup.
Not one chasssis is better than another all of the time, it all depends on track, weather and most importantly the drvers personal preference.

[#15 tkm 4/]

What about Birel when ever i go to a race meeting where Rotax Max race the birels are always near the front!?

[karting legend]

Yes I am talking about the best kart chassis for the rotax classes and the quickest kart. Birel is very strong in the wet. But really i do not agree with that Intrepids go off after three races. It is simply that the intrepid doesnt work as well in the colder weather, or wetter weather. My Intrepid lasted around a year and was still very fast, and didnt go off. Maranello is also a very competitive chassis. The birel I find lacks the quick lap times on the dryer warmer track!

[karting legend]

what do you also think of the tecno chassis

[toot toot]

[QUOTE=karting legend]. But really i do not agree with that Intrepids go off after three races. It is simply that the intrepid doesnt work as well in the colder weather, or wetter weather. My Intrepid lasted around a year and was still very fast, and didnt go off. [QUOTE]

The reason it is doesn't work well in colder and wet conditions is that it is too soft, and that is because it is worn out.

Personally for max next year i would have the new Tony Kart (can't remember what it's called) or failing that the Maranello. But it should be down to the drivers personal preference and driving style, but you can bet your boots that the TonyKart will win both Jnr and Snr super1 classes.

P.S. The tecno's are legendary, i'm sure Jenson will agree.

[karting legend]

How do YOU know that the Intrepid is softer than other types of chassis

[toot toot]

It's not made from as strong materials as most other chassis's, which means it wears out quicker, which makes it softer, which is why it is good for three races maximum, and less competitive in the wet and cold where a stiff chassis is required.

TECNO

[Tom Horley]

You could make any one of about 10 karts go a very similar pace if you put in enough time and money testing. Some karts are easy to set-up straight away and some need a bit more work.

Maranellos are very good karts and from my experiance are easier to set-up than the CRG which you really need to work and find the sweet-spot. I have heard the Birel is similar to the CRG in being tricky to set-up.

Next years TonyKarts are the Racer EV and the Kinex.

Alot of people say TonyKarts are the best cos they win alot, but there are just as many at the front of the grid as in the middle and at the back! Its just that there are alot around and when you ahve more drivers on the karts, there will be more people working on set-up etc. etc.

[Tom Horley]

CRG Road Rebel 125 if u can get hold of one.

[Alex Hodgkinson]

cool cheers, what about the birels? or is crg THE one?

[Nigel Wilson]

The CIK type chassis that were successful in Super 4 and NKF last season were the Birel, Tony, Kosmic and Energy (also won European ICC title). I think there was only one CRG and not very high up but that may not be a reflection of the chassis. We've used one once (in Max) and it seemed all right.

[Tom Horley]

I dont really know about Birels, they obviously work well abroad but that means nothing in england. I know the Maranellos definately work well in england and the lastest Road Rebel is also really good.

[topwelshman]

Why & how is there so much difference between the different types of Chassis? My son has just started in Cadet's and I'm looking to buy one for him but it's simply a minefield, there are SOO many to choose from. I thought these things had minimal set up anyway, what am I missing?

[Mackmot]

Originally Posted by topwelshman

Why & how is there so much difference between the different types of Chassis? My son has just started in Cadet's and I'm looking to buy one for him but it's simply a minefield, there are SOO many to choose from. I thought these things had minimal set up anyway, what am I missing?

Please take one bit of advice. Dont become a karting dad. Let your son have some fun and use it as a reward for schoolwork. Let him decide for himself if its something he wants to take seriously. I think its too easy for dads to end up more competitive than the kids.

[topwelshman]

Originally Posted by Mackmot

Please take one bit of advice. Dont become a karting dad. Let your son have some fun and use it as a reward for schoolwork. Let him decide for himself if its something he wants to take seriously. I think its too easy for dads to end up more competitive than the kids.

I competely agree. I took my son Josh for the 1st session in our Local Race Academy in January and it scared him and he didn't want to go back. Then in November he asked to go back so it was his choice. He comes with us to all my race meetings and loves the whole thing, I never realised that racing is such a GREAT family weekend before I started. I think him karting is an extension of that and I see it as my way of supporting him as he supports me throughout the season but I'm not going to push it....if he wants to do it he'll do it. It's also a hell of alot better than the xbox, but the Bacon rolls at the cafe aren't doing my increasing waistline any good at all!!

[bart_jacobs]

Originally Posted by topwelshman

Why & how is there so much difference between the different types of Chassis? My son has just started in Cadet's and I'm looking to buy one for him but it's simply a minefield, there are SOO many to choose from. I thought these things had minimal set up anyway, what am I missing?

Don't say that they have minimal set-up... You can set-up more on a go-kart than on a Formula 1 car! There are so many things you can do with it, you can't even imagine

My personal choice of schassis is a Birel, because the work on a lot of tracks with a basic set-up, from there you can build towards fine-tuning. But as said above the truth is, that there aren't any bad schassis... If you buy one from the top ten market leaders, you will have a good schassis... Besides, a lot of schassis are build in the same factory... CRG -> Maranello as good as the same, and so on...

[Alex Hodgkinson]

There's not really that much difference at all. With the same engine on & same driver, most chassis should be able to lap within half a second.
Hmm the setup I wouldn't really call minimal, it's rather expansive and complicated when you get into it. Obviously there's tyre pressures, then you've got torsion bars, weight distribution, ride height, castor/camber, track, various things to alter chassis stiffness such as seat stays and so on.
The best chassis is the chassis which you personally decide is the best

[Tom Horley]

Ignore the last post as in cadets you wont have to worry about torsion bars too much as they are only allowed a fixed bar at the front which you can't change so that only leaves the rear. I'm also pretty sure your not allowed caster/camber kits in cadets.

The Zip cadet chassis has proved to be the best over the last 10 years I think you will find.

[Nigel Wilson]

It's not just cadet dads that are a problem, and I suspect that it's not confined to karting, esspecially with car racing now accessable to 14 & 15 year olds.
Some of us actually enjoy the bond it creates, the social life it creates, the friendships forged, as well as the thrill of driving for the kids and the sence of achievement for both when we taste success.
I remember earlier this year Sarah and myself were sitting in a pub in Cumbria after a tough pracice Saturday when I had to go back to work and leave her to look after herself. Well we were chatting and she said, "Dad, I can't ever imagine a time when I won't want to race."
Long may it last for both of us.

[Tom Horley]

That is what i originally said. You can make any one of 10 chassis as quick as each other. A good driver will do well on any of the leading manufacturers karts. Yes your right you cant go wrong with a Tonykart, but if you put in work with other karts then maybe you can beat them, not join them.

[speedy king]

Certainly their fields are filled with them. Good to go with the most popular too as there will be plenty of people around to help you out.