UNDERSTANDING A KART CHASSIS: MEASURES AND CHARACTERISTICS

TKART Staff

11 September 2018

From parameters you need be observe to obtain international approval to the diameter of the tubes. From track width to weight ... A short guide to learn and understand the salient characteristics of a kart chassis

Physically, a kart frame consists of a handful of steel tubes welded together. However, behind the apparent simplicity lies a complex process, both in the study and design phase and in the construction phase. The second aspect has already been analysed by TKART, showing both the manual and the automatic and robotic processes for the production of a frame.
We shall focus on the main parameters required to "understand" a kart chassis: from the characteristics of the tubes to the main measurements of the frame. Indeed, varying one of them by even just a few millimeters results in a kart adopting a different behaviour and reactions out on the track.

The main measurements of a kart

WHEELBASE, TRACKS, FRONT AND REAR, AND CENTRE OF GRAVITY: MUCH OF A KART’S BEHAVIOUR OUT ON THE TRACK DERIVES FROM THESE FOUR BASIC PARAMETERS

WHEELBASE

This is the wheelbase of the kart, i.e. the distance between the front and rear axles. Generally speaking, a shorter wheelbase makes the chassis more responsive, while a longer wheelbase facilitates driving on longer and faster bends. Indeed, increasing the wheelbase allows the frame to flex more and generates more grip at the rear. However, any difference amount to no more than a few dozen millimetres.
The majority of chassis on the market have a fixed wheelbase (the most widespread sizes are BETWEEN 1045 AND 1055 mm), but there are also models with variable wheelbases, such as the Tony Kart Racer 401 S, which exploits the use of 5 or 10 mm offset flanges (optional).

The Tony Kart Racer 401 S offset flanges that allow you to vary the wheelbase