2 Stoke drivers guide

1. Introducing CLUB 100

Welcome to CLUB 100! The CLUB 100 Driver Guide is aimed at helping drivers new to two-stroke racing get the most from this exciting sport. New drivers at CLUB 100 should always feel free to ask the staff or more experienced drivers about any aspect of karting. As a starting point, however, here are a few notes you should find helpful in getting started. At CLUB 100 we believe in a friendly, relaxed, atmosphere but our first concern is always safety so there are a few ground rules. We ask that everyone follow the rules and use their judgement and common sense on and off the track for the benefit of all. Happy karting...

2. Clothing

Correct clothing is important for safety as well as comfort. The main points to remember are:

Your helmet must have a visor. The kart in front will often kick up stones and gravel so keep the visor down whenever you’re on the track (or just cracked open if misting is a problem).
Your helmet must have a chinstrap, fastened at all times.
Overalls should be worn to prevent clothing from tangling with the kart as well as to keep clean. Make sure any belt straps on your overalls are securely fastened.
Wear gloves to avoid burns and abrasions and for better grip on the wheel.
Wear comfortable shoes and keep laces tied short. Soft soles will give better grip and feel for the pedals.

3. The Kart

CLUB 100 use 100cc two stroke engined karts. These are lighter and more powerful than indoor karts and pro-karts and for those who haven’t driven a two-stroke kart before, you will find them extremely responsive and great fun to drive. The karts used by CLUB 100 are also direct drive, which means no clutch, thus reducing weight and increasing response yet further.

Here are the main parts of the kart and what to check before you go racing:

Before you get in:

Count the major parts: 4 wheels, 1 engine, etc.
Check you haven’t got a flat tyre.
Check the exhaust is secure (mind it might be hot!).
Check the front and rear bumpers and side pods are secure.
Check the seat and seat stays are secure.
Check the chain is engaged on both sprockets and correctly tensioned.
Check there is petrol in the tank (at least half full) and that the tank and cap are secure.
Fix your driver number onto the front of the kart.

Getting in:

Try not to stand on anything vulnerable (cables etc.,)
Try not to get caught up on anything (and fall over).
The easiest way to get in for most people is to put a hand on the steering wheel and step over the side pod onto the middle of the seat. Facing forward, grab both sides of the seat back with your hands, slide your bum down the back of the seat and lift up your feet. If you’re not sure, watch a few others do it.

When you’re in:

Check the brake pads clamp onto the disc when you press the brake pedal.
Check the carb lever moves freely when you press the throttle.
Check the front wheels turn together when you turn the steering wheel (steering is heavy and full lock is only about a quarter of a turn of the wheel).
Check the spark plug cap is on the plug.
Check your leg is not covering the holes on the air intake pod.

If you find any problems with the kart or are not sure - don’t ignore it, ask someone - it’s for your safety!

4. Getting Started

Direct drive karts have to be ‘bump’ started. The process is very simple in principle but takes a little practice to perfect:

Push starting in the pits:

Starting the kart needs three people, two to push and one to drive. Any less will make it very difficult.

For the pushers:

The two pushers should stand behind the kart.
Check the driver is ready, leaning forward, and there is clear space ahead to drive away in.
Each put your outer hand on the rear bumper bar being careful not to touch the exhaust.
Each put your inner hand on the driver’s shoulder or the top of the seat back.
Lift the back of the kart a few inches off the ground, lean forward and push the kart hard forward then drop it, still pushing forward. This will start the engine rotating.
Run forward and keep pushing until the engine starts or the driver indicates there is a problem, or you run out of breath.
As soon as one of the above happens quickly move off the track checking behind for following karts.

For the driver:

Make sure you have two pushers.
Check you have a clear space ahead to drive away in.
Lean forward to take some weight off the back wheels and make it easier for your pushers.
Don’t press on either of the pedals.
When you’re ‘bumped’ and the engine starts to rotate wait two or three yards before very slightly pressing the throttle.
Remember the engine is turning very slowly at this speed and full throttle will just flood it.
When the engine fires wave your thanks to your pushers and drive away.
If the engine gives no sign at all of starting, steer to the side of the track and raise your hand for the pushers to stop pushing. Don’t run your pushers into the ground on the off chance the engine might fire - it won’t make you very popular.
During multiple starting in the pits be especially careful to avoid the pushers of the karts starting in front of you.

Getting the engine to fire and pick up then driving away smoothly takes a bit of practice so don’t worry if you don’t get it right first time. The most common mistake is using too much throttle too quickly (especially when the engine is cold) so remember - just a little bit of throttle, and if the engine starts to stall back off a bit. Take pity on your pushers and try hard to get this right as soon as possible. If, once away, the engine does not seem to pick up properly don’t worry, it can take up to a lap to clear the engine and get it running smoothly. Just keep feathering the throttle and wait for that crisp note before flooring it.

Push starting on the track:

If you are unable to get your engine to fire at the normal push start, or you have stalled for some reason (???) during practice or racing you will need to be push started on the track. For safety reasons this is not done by people pushing but by using special ‘pusher karts’. At most times during practice and racing two or more pusher karts will be circulating on the track or waiting at track-side. These are Pro-karts fitted with special lifting equipment at the front, which serves the same function as normal pushers. If you do need starting on the track, ensure your kart is off the racing line (see later), pointing the right way, with you sitting in it with your hand in the air. When the pusher kart arrives adopt exactly the same procedure as described above for starting in the pits.

5. Getting out of the Pits and onto the Track

There will often be other karts on the track as you pull out of the pits. They can be travelling fast and will not usually be paying much attention to you. This isn’t a contact sport so some simple rules:

Look back down the track as you approach the pit exit and check there is a safe gap to pull out into.
Keep to the pit exit side of the track until you are up to racing speed.
If there isn’t a safe gap, don’t just pull out anyway - stop. You can easily be restarted.

Cold Tyres: When you first pull onto the track your tyres will be cold and grip limited (especially in the wet). The tyres are racing compound rubber and really do need to heat up before they work properly. Treat the first few corners with respect and don’t try to go fast too soon - you will be given time to warm up your tyres before racing starts.

6. Handling The Kart

100ccKarts accelerate and corner at amazing speeds when driven well, but can easily spin off if driven wrongly. Since most karting tracks have few long straights (boring bits) and lots of corners (interesting bits), cornering well is one of the most important parts of driving a kart. Here are a few hints, which should keep you on the track:

As you approach the corner place the kart toward the outside edge of the track.
Brake firmly but smoothly in a straight line.
Come off the brake and gently back onto the power as you turn into the corner.
Aim towards the inside edge of the track using the power to keep your speed even as you approach the apex.
As you pass the apex, gradually unwind the steering wheel using the full width of the track to smooth the corner.
Increase the power smoothly as you straighten up and accelerate towards the next corner.

The key is smoothness. Any sudden movements on the steering, brake or throttle - or bouncing over the kerbs and other karts - can and will cause you to spin. This is easier said than done with no suspension on a bumpy track - but don’t worry, it’ll come with practice.

Important: If the track is wet be very, very careful. Slow and on the track is better than fast and off it!

7. The Racing Line

The fastest line around the track is the Racing Line. This is not the shortest route but is fastest because it combines straight braking lines with the smoothest, fastest curves around each corner. The basic corner was described above, but here are a few corner combinations to watch out for. Note: the best line is not the same for everyone with some drivers good at late braking and others better at getting the power on early out of corners. Explore which is best for you.

8. Overtaking

On the track look for the places where you can take a different line to out-brake or out-accelerate slower drivers and use these to overtake. The two most usual manoeuvres are out-braking into a corner using a tighter line, or using a wider line to out-accelerate onto a straight.

Important: When trying to out-brake some one you should be at least level with them by the time they turn into the corner. If you are not then you must back off and give them the corner. ‘Do or die’ dives only cause accidents and may lead to disqualification.

9. Flags

While on the track you may get a number of flags waved at you. Here's what they mean:

	Start of the race. A solid green flag or green lights are used at some circuits.
	Caution: Incident on the track ahead - no overtaking until you have passed the incident.
	Race Stopped: Return to the pits with extreme caution, or stop where you are as directed by the marshals.
	Give Way: Move aside for drivers who are about to lap you.
	Mechanical Problem: There is a problem with your kart or clothing - return to the pits with caution.
	Oil Flag: Slippery surface ahead.
	Disqualification: You have been disqualified - return to the pits immediately.
	End of Race: The practice session or race has finished.

A black and white diagonal flag indicates a driver warning: you are warned for infringing the rules - don't do it again!

Print friendly version