The essential kart tools for assisting the driver and the vehicle on the track

INTRO

In technical jargon, not only in karting, they are called “the tools of the trade”, that is all those tools and accessories which are used to better execute certain jobs or, in a broader sense, certain professions. When it comes to karts, the “tools of the trade” are all those which need space on the workbench. Here, we are not analyzing the garages or the most equipped workshops where, calmly, one can execute any type of work, but rather the benches used by the technicians during the competition weekends. A bench and kart tools are what we find under the Birel ART tent, although the tools are valid for everyone, clearly the amount, quantity and types of tools according to their needs.

1 THE MAIN TOOLS

Those who drive on the track and fix the kart on their own, know it very well: the place of honor on the kart driver’s bench is given to the wrenches, in all their variations (sizes). Of fundamental importance are the Allen wrenches, in the 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 sizes and the fixed wrenches in the 10, 13 and 17 sizes. Next to these, pliers cannot be missing, as well as scissors, screwdrivers and clamps, 5 mm socket wrench for the gear lever and the spring pulling hook wrench. Using these tools is 90% of the work done on a kart.

2 THE HAMMER AND ITS BROTHERS

Typically, the hammer is the symbol of any toolbox. In karting, on the other hand, it is certainly not the most used tool and, when it happens, very often a rubber hammer is preferred. The usefulness of the hammer is needed when it is time to replace the axle: if one does not have a rubber hammer, it is necessary to utilize a buffer on which to hit, so as not to hit the axle directly, with the risk of damaging it. In the photo, together with the hammer, one can see other tools which are not used very frequently: the water pipe cutter, the wire cutter for cable ties, the file to remove any possible burrs off the axle.

FIND OUT WHAT… ALL OF THE KART DRIVER’S TOOLS ARE