Here you'll find the latest progress reports on the 2007 Superkart project.
03.18.07 Pre-test prep...
We've been anxiously awaiting our test at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit...we're heading out this Wednesday and decided to do one last shakedown before we load. The forecast is 40% chance of rain so we may reschedule for the following week, stay tuned. She looks good in the sun, eh?
This is how you load a Superkart!
Kind of a tight fit compared to the enduros, even after Dad expanded the lift by an additional six inches, but it's solid and will ride nicely...see you at the track!
02.10.07 Where there's smoke...
We lit the torch for the first time today...all systems are 'go'. Drove around the hangar a few times with no problems, so we brought it back in, cleaned it up a little and stood around looking at it for a while then decided to tear it down, go home early and celebrate with a couple beers. High-five to Dad...he makes it look easy, I'm tellin' you, it wasn't. The effort and meticulous attention to detail he puts into building our karts is amazing.
01.30.07 Does this wing make my butt look fat?
Scaling for weight distribution went smoothly to say the least. The Anderson was exceptionally well balanced. We were very surprised that we didn't have to turn a single screw to get the balance we want. Thank you Russell Anderson, great job. Cheers.
01.28.07 A few finishing touches...
We have begun adding graphics, clutch installation is complete...very nice. Just need to cinch up a few loose ends for the pump-around and we should be ready to fire.
01.20.07 And then there was color...
Spear MotorSports would like to thank Alan & Kathy Ivey at Auto Body Supply for providing the Sikkens paint and first class workmanship. We are in the final stages of wiring and installing the hydraulic clutch...as soon as we're finished with that, we'll see if it makes noise. More to come!
01.12.07 The engine...
One more piece of the puzzle falls into place! (OK, so maybe it didn't "fall" into place...Dad makes it look that way. He only spent about 5 eight hour days on it. Thanks Dad...)
01.07.07 Progress update...
The engine is scheduled for delivery middle of next week. We've striped the bodywork and sent it for paint. I'll have some pictures up next weekend.
12.30.06 Next Steps...
We've safety wired and / or applied Loctite to about 50 nuts/bolts, installed 11lbs of weight in the frame, fabricated our dashboard, mounted and balanced one set of wheels and tires and installed the sprag / spacer on the axle (the sprag allows the axle to keep rolling forward in case the motor seizes or fails). We've taken all of our measurements and are now waiting for the engine to arrive from Germany. Then the fun work begins, motor mounts, plumbing for the twin radiators and wiring all electronics, including an ignition interrupt for no-lift shifting, then painting the bodywork. January will be very busy.
Stay tuned!
12.28.06 Looks are deceiving...We've unpacked and have begun fabrication...looks ready to go, right? Nope. Not much more than loose parts attached for shipping.
First, we'll completely disassemble the bodywork. We have plenty of work to do from electronics wiring, seat fitting, weight distribution, safety wiring, seat mounting, plumbing, sprag installation, dashboard fabrication for guages and taking all chassis measurements for castor, camber, toe, ride height, wing angle, and cross weight to establish a baseline before making changes at the track. The seat was too small so will have to order a larger size from the UK. The total process will take Dad and I about 45 days.
12.26.06 "Got a package here."
The chassis arrived from Anderson Racing Karts (UK) today. Dad called this morning and said his door bell rang at 7:30am...A grumpy truck driver was at his door, takes a long drag off his cigarette and grumbles "Got a package here." Well, alrighty then.
And here it is as we first saw it...we've unpacked it, transported it to the hangar and are ready to begin making it fit. It looks ready to race, but alas, it's just a shell. We have a long way to go before it's race ready.