29th June 2006
Well I took out my JP Sprinter with CR85 for the very first time untried at the Superkart Nationals in Mallala. A 1450klm road journey is a bloody long way to try out something new...never to hit the track.
Brian Stockman fitted the engine to my sprint kart and decided he should challenge me to complete in a restricted version of the 85cc class against some seasoned 85cc drivers. Firstly my specs.
My Restricted Kart
85cc Regulations
Engine: Stock CR85 Engine, as delivered standard in a CR85 bike Intake: Stock CR85 Reeds and Carburetter
Exhuast Chamber: Stockman Spec, set to restrict over rev
Ignition: Vortex, programmed to suit chamber and restrict over rev
Chassis: Unmodified Sprint Kart Chassis, "C" section front end
Brakes: Cable operated, rear caliper only
Tyres: Restricted SL type compound, used Dunlop SL6 tyres
Fuel: Premium Unleaded Fuel from service station, used Shell Optimax
Open to any internal mods up to 85cc displacement Open to any Reeds and any Mod Carburetor
Open to any Exhaust chamber
Open to any Ignition
Open to Superkart chassis regs incl, Upright front end
Open to Front and Rear Calipers
Open to any 5" or 6" kart tyre available
Open to any fuel within CAMS Schedule "G"
Well I took some mods and Avgas with me incase my machine was well below par. In the end NO mods were ever used and the fuel in my tank remained as Shell Optimax. I used Friday Practice mostly as a chassis setup and gearing day. While I got the chassis tuned OK, the gearing had us a bit stumped. I felt the kart not revving as well as I thought it did, so I had it shortened, tried with and without bodywork but no real improvements. I later found that the bearing used to keep the axle/engine tension had shit itself and we could not get a replacement bearing in time for Sunday Race Day. So only one thing to do, take a chance without it!!!
Race 1: I was able to Qualify 3rd and in the first race I was the lead by Turn 2 and lead the entire race to win the 85cc class by some 7 secs. This was despite the fact I had to nurse the kart a little to stop the chain from jumping the sprocket under high loads (No replacement chain adjuster bearing).
Race 2: Again I was able to lead into Turn 1 with chain and axle whipping. On lap 3 the other 85cc boyz had caught me and we had a show down in the braking zone just before the esses. It was at this point where the front brakes of the others made there mark against my cable rear brake and I locked the rear over the bumps, stalled and spun. I was able to restart the kart from dead last to finish 8th, if not for a couple of Yellow flags 6th. My best time was just fastest of the 85cc karts.
Race 3: From Row 2, I was able to lead into Turn 1, but you would think I would have learned from my previous mistake. I did exactly the same thing in a show down of grip and brakes, spun and stalled the kart in the very same place!!!!!!! bloody idiot, anyway again from very last on the track I finished 7th. My lap times were in par with the front runners.
Race 4: I started from 3rd row to again lead into Turn 1, I promised myself I would not make the same mistake and plan for a win this time, Rob Trimmer had caught and pasted under brakes, I just followed nice and easy waiting for the laps to count down. Well along came a couple of 125Max to mix it into with us. On the last lap I had to make my move for 1st place but the 2 Max's were in my way for the 1st big braking zone. I spun in avoidance not to hit the Max's who were fighting out for minor placing in their class, but this time I managed to keep the engine alive and finished 4th in the final.
Overall all a great weekend of racing, though I'm in the process of being X-Ray for fractured ribs or something I had been complaining about after Race 1. Still a week on and I'm still hurting real bad even whislt I'm just breathing.
Massive congratulations to Rob Trimmer, the 2006 85cc Australian Superkart Champion. He drove well and consistent all weekend and deserved the win more then any other.
Big Thanks to all the 85cc entrants, especially Mehmet Sinani who prepped 4 karts for this meeting. 1 for himself and 3 for other drivers.
For now the Sprinter/CR85 will be my weekend fun/test kart at the local sprint track, but I do have plans to bring it out again at Wakefield Park on Oct 28-29.