Rear Bumpers

[speedy king]

Are their any plans in Europe, America and Asia to change their regulations so that rear bumpers must cover the rear wheels like they have to in britain? I was reading a race report from a Biland race abroad and one of the drivers was quite alarmed at how they didn't covere the wheels at all and caused several karts to flip over.

I knew this existed but it's always baffled me why it's like that. I'm aware members here race in Europe and outside of the UK so they might have a opinion?

[yelodwg]

speedy king, I have been a big proponent of getting wider bumpers in the US. I actually helped to get them allowed in IKF road racing. Now they are allowed in IKF Sprint racing. As of 1/1/5, they will be required in all IKF classes for drivers 8-11 years old.

The reason against the wider bumpers was simple. The argument goes like this: first you add the wider rear bumpers, then cages, then seat belts, then you don't have a go kart anymore.

Doesn't hold water for me, but then again, I sold my kart and bought a Formula Vee strictly and only because I decided I didn't want to race without a roll bar anymore, and there just isn't anyone with similar wishes to race against out here in California!

Tom Stephens
www.kartfinder.com
www.tvracer.com

[speedy king]

I don't see how widening rear bumpers no longer makes them go-karts, we're fine in Britain and it actually i think makes the racing more aggressive as well as stops your neck feeling lose if you get too close to a kart infront! The rear wheels are leathal and it's rediculous not having them covered i think. Seat belts aren't needed as if you flip over your best to come out of the kart, which is alot more likely with shorter bumpers than longer ones

[yelodwg]

Originally posted by speedy king
I don't see how widening rear bumpers no longer makes them go-karts...

The wider rear bumpers in themselves are not the problem in these people's eyes. As I said, it's "first you add the wider rear bumpers, then next 'you safety guys' will want cages, then seat belts, then you don't have a go kart anymore."

I'm not saying this is how I feel, I'm saying this is how people feel who would rather not see the wider bumpers.

I'm in complete agreement with you, but then I'm for the wider bumpers.

What I have told you is why others do not want them

Tom

[hgmonaro]

in years gone past, an argument against these types of things is it encourages nudging, etc. With open wheels you tend to respect them a little more. Having raced in the pre-nosecone era, adding a simple plastic nosecone definetly changed peoples behavior, they were much happy to give someone a nudge with that than the pedal bar with their toes nearby. Having said that, I know I was happy to have that thing on there a couple of times when t-boneing someone who'd spun in front of me!

[yelodwg]

hgmonaro, good point, I forgot about the nudging excuse. I do think it's a valid point, but I also think having the bodywork is better in the long run.

Tom

[speedy king]

So what if there's a bit of nudging, what do we have officials for? to see who's doing it and take action. Bumpers are ment to be a safety precaution

[yelodwg]

speedy king, you're being too logical Over here in the US, there's a lot of the mentality that "rubbin' is racin'", and the officials look the other way. My idea is to pull off a clean pass, now that feels good!

I surely wish more people had your attitude about the bumpers. I do think the tide is slowly changing over here.

Tom

[hgmonaro]

Speedy, it's hard for officials to police deliberate nudging, and IMO, not something to be promoted in karting. Add the fact that the officials don't penalise on track racing incidents much anyway. As you'd know, it doesn't take much of a nudge to put a kart already at 110% cornering or braking off line or off track. The guy behind never looses out.

I remember talking with some real old timers (unlike me, I'm just an old timer ) who reckon sidepods lowered the skills involved in passing and running close. One hotshot who used to win regularly always had grubby sidepods, cause that's how he passed... stuff it under someone and use them to get around the corner. IMO, ok on occasion but not if thats normal method of operation. However, I don't advocate getting rid of sidepods or nosecones, but turning karts into battering rams is going overboard.