Thomas;
Just a quick note of acknowledgment for your spot on synopsis. I am an engineer by background and have run an engine dealership, complete with machine shop for 40 years. I raced KT100 and pro shifter karts for 6 years (mid 90’s) just to have the learning experience with 2 cycle tech which I find fascinating. What recently brought me to this site was a wake up call from an old karting buddy who is campaigning his grandson’s jr karting effort and is asking for some input. My buddy won a jr class national title in 1978 at the same event Lake speed won a national title. Needless to say he is thinking big with his grandson but being early in the little guy’s career he is not ready to throw mountains of money to the current crop of purported engine guru’s for the best engines when the prevalent need is seat time. Just for fun I spent several days of my time off during this labor day weekend to visit everything karting including what todays best engine building science is preaching. Being an engineer I am impressed with the ring/cylinder development that has taken place over the last 30 years: cylinder finishing to compliment ring sealing. Although I am sold on the science that using a tool like Mitutoyo ST220 surface profilometer with its software compliment, we certainly aren’t at the point to justify it for our current level of karting. It is tempting to apply it to the smaller displacement dry sleeve diesels of which we do plenty and admittedly every now and then we get a surprise with less than ideal oil consumption. But back to my reason for this reply, as we see it, what you outlined is the perfect menu of practical thinking. A good understanding of how things work, respect for measurement accuracy, tolerance, cleanliness, tool maintenance, and attention to detail. And although I respect that the best science is always an advantage, it will not win races when simply bought out of the box and put to work by any johnny come lately enthusiast who is only focused on the winners circle. Afterall, it really is about the journey (learning). And for the life learning hands on type, the destination only serves to validate our understanding. Your history is testimony to this.
Best.
2 Likes