Gary Carlton is releasing his own kart - Thoughts?

Just found out it’s based on TB Kart I was informed
today. They have good brand presence, I’m surprised he didn’t just go with that. Perhaps there’s some details
that are different.

The aesthetic of GFCs brand is on point. But still, trying to get traction with a new chassis brand. Ballsy.
But then it’s GFC :facepunch:

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Aha thats where I recognise the axle bearing carriers from.
Good detective work!

Wonder if he needs a suit :thinking:

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IMHO it looks like pretty much every other bare kart out there. What innovation is there here? Using carbon reinforced plastics or something else for less weight - or what?

Aren’t all the brands made in just a few factories anyhow and then just sprayed with whatever paint you want with whatever logos you want applied?

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Ionic and Coyote are made in shops not factories.
But excellent question.

Metric or Standard, the really important question?
What is the caster/camber setup like?
Adjustable rear ride height?
Tubing material and dimensions?
Targeted motor package?

I am all in for more chassis makers and competition but if its another run as, no thanks.

I’m sure it’s just like most brands where Gary picked components off a shelf, had a few inputs on chassis geometry, and went from there. I think his main sell is going to be his race program.

As far as I’m concerned, a kart is a kart in most cases.

You can go to Parolin right now and say “I want to make the TJ Koyen Kart”, pick out a color for the frame, choose from their bin of parts to spec on it, and have them weld up 20 or whatever.

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They do often share similar hard components like brake systems, hubs, steering parts, wheels and so on, but there are (sometimes) differences in frames in either bends, tube selection or both. You can get some clues from the CIK\FIA: HomolgationSheets.pdf (62.6 KB)

The leading manufacturers (off the top of my head, and Not in any particular order)

OTK (Tony//Kart, Kosmic, Exprit and others)
Tinnini Group (CRG, DR, Kali and others)
IPK (Praga, FK and OK1).
Parolin (Parolin, formerly Benik
BirelArt (BirelArt, Ricciardo, Kubica)

A source reveals the GFC is possibly based on TBKart S197 shifter and S55 TaG.

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Honestly, I think that the name recognition will move the needle a little bit, and I think it’s cool.
But, I want to see if he’s still making chassis in five years. I hope so, but we’ll see. :slight_smile:

Is Benik making their own karts now? I was under the impression they were still Parolin’s just like Nitro and Merlin

Also to piggyback iff your list, even karts made in the same factory can still be slightly different. The DR S97 is a mixture of a couple different CRG frames, specifically the KT 1, 2, and 3. Danillo made his own modifications in a couple places but essentially tuning wise it is a red CRG. From what I’ve understood about iPK is that their frames have slight differences in front end geometry. Each brand is still essentially the same and will tune similarly, but sometimes slight changes do exist.

It’s kinda like being a karting forum member and contributing a lot… and then actually thinking… “well I’d rather have my own thing that’s more me and something I can get passionate about”

:wink:

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Well yeah, except the kart chassis part would be more like “the main chassis maker has abandoned making them. There’s really no other options around so I might as well make my own now”

:smiley:

So what I want to know has anyone found out for sure if the kart is more like a CRG or a TB Kart.? I am looking in to getting one just depends on what chassis it is based from. Can anyone help.?

From what I understand TBKart USA are working with Gary on this.

First time i saw the kart i thought “hey nice crg”

Yeah a couple of us (@NikG) thought CRG as well, but there were a couple of things that looked different.

Received official Press Release today:

Considered one of the all-time greats of American karting, Gary Carlton finally launches his plans for his future in the karting industry. After closing out the 2017 season with a big win in the famous Granja 500 with TEAM Barrichello/HERO, Carlton went silent. Moving from his Italian base that he had been stationed for the past 4 years people started seeing Carlton around a lot more in the Northern California area. Carlton had moved back home and many saw him couching drivers and even doing some testing on unbranded chassis with many different engine packages. Most had an idea what Carlton was up to with teaser social media posts but no official announcements about his plans, until now.

Carlton has released his plans to run an American based karting team, Team GFC, that also uses his own branded and developed chassis line, GFC. With his wealth of karting knowledge, that spreads over 23 years of working with numerous American and International factory teams along with engine factories overseas, Carlton looks forward to helping develop karting drivers young and old under his watchful eye.

“As for my team I am really excited to share all my experience that I have gained over my long career that has seen me work and learn from the absolute best in the Karting World,” states Carlton. “I think its so important not just to train drivers on how to go fast, but to also develop their skills off the track. I think so much of the success that I saw in my career was simply knowing my material and preparing myself mentally and physically before each event better than the others. With this, I want to share my tricks and experience with the drivers that drive under Team GFC.”

With starting a brand new team, Carlton wanted to do one further and even have his team driving on his very own chassis, GFC. “I’m never one to follow the norm. I’ve always tried to go at everything in my career at the absolute maximum and what better challenge to take on, not only starting a team, but also my own chassis line!” states Carlton. “Karting has been my life ever since I was 9 years old and I have no intention of ever leaving the karting community. With that being said; I want to build a brand of karts that hopefully will become a household name in the industry and be able to give back to drivers. Karting has taken me all over the World and I have met some amazing people and lived unreal experiences that most might never have. I hope with this brand and team I can continue to meet new people in the karting community and help them all live their passion for the sport like I have been able to do for so long.”

For now the GFC line of karts will feature only two models, the SS31 30mm (TAG) and the GT14 32mm (Shifter). With a unique black and white style, the GFC chassis will step out from the norm of karting liveries armed with months of on-track development that will be looking to impress with performance. “This has been a project that I started working on in December of last year when I returned home from Brazil after winning the Granja 500. It was the last kart race I had on my bucket list and I was fortunate enough to win on my first try. On the very long flight back to California I thought to myself what next?? I have always followed my fathers advice about following my dreams and not just taking part in my passion for karting, but living it. I have always had a dream of seeing a chassis’ on track bearing my name and it hit me. I have to do this, I have to live my passion and have my own chassis.”

It wasn’t long after people started seeing Carlton out at the track testing with numerous unbranded chassis’ and engine packages. “Its been a cool journey to see everything grow. At the start of December I only had a set of tools and a truck. Now being almost September, and I have my own chassis line, trackside support van, tents on the way, and all the rest one needs to have a fully operational race team. To put absolutely everything into such a huge project and see it grow has honestly been one of the most exciting and fun times in my whole career to date. But the most exciting was seeing the response of the people testing my chassis and the very positive feed back that was given.”

Team GFC will officially debut their race team and chassis on the national scene in Las Vegas for ROK the RIO and then also be present for the SKUSA SuperNationals 22. Arrive and drive opportunities are still available for both events at very limited quantities. Onward to 2019, Team GFC will be building National and Regional race services. “It’s a very interesting time in American karting at the moment and maybe a little too soon to tell where the tides may go. Either way, we will be eagerly waiting at the track in full force in 2019!”

For more information about Team GFC and GFC Chassis please contact: [email protected]

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6 posts were merged into an existing topic: Newer Bodywork Types - Advantages

Havent these been out for a while? ive seen them over a year ago

Aug 2018 it looks like…