Congratulations that’s really cool! Definitely look forward to updates!
Well my plans for domination in 2024 went good and bad the first weekend back in the KZ. On the positive side I was able to win both days in our Shifter Heavy class at our Padholder Super Cup regional series. On the negative side, Saturday after the final my ribs were feeling less than great (after taking most of last year off to let them heal). I installed the Tillett wing add-on things for Sunday to try and help and I believe they did, but Sunday was rough to say the least. Now I have a few weeks until the next race, we’ll see how they feel by then.
1 Like
The deepseat would also work until you are 100%.
Yeah, I’ve definitely considered one but haven’t done so due to worries of messing up the handling as I’ve heard the deep seats are REALLY stiff. I currently use a T9.5t and am pondering whether or not that seat and the laid back position is leaving my ribs more prone to injury. My injuries in '22 were in this seat using both bengio then a stilo rib protector. Not sure at all about it, I really like the T9.5 but I am curious. @tjkoyen I know you have some experience with the deep seat, how does the sizing compare? In a Tilllett I’m in a T9.5 ML (albeit an ML being a tad loose up top) which is 33.5cm at the top which seems like it would equate to a 13.5 in the deep seat, but the size chart which includes weight says that size should be for a 120lb driver which I exceed by about 70lbs 
.
Honestly it’s been 10 years since I ran one so I don’t remember the sizing comparisons unfortunately.
But they are definitely more comparable in stiffness to a standard seat than a Ribtect. The Ribtect is really stiff. The DeepSeat was much softer and we always suggested trimming the curled edge off for more softness if you needed it.
I’ve mentioned it before but I basically was the kart to beat at a few USPKS TaG races with busted ribs and a DeepSeat so it isn’t a death sentence to your pace for sure.
1 Like
Pulled the trigger and ordered one up after getting some comparison pictures vs my current seat. Hopefully doesn’t mess with the kart too much as it was working so well this past race. I had so much front end dialed out but the kart was still turning great and jacking was smooth and exactly when and where I needed it on that track. Not too concerned, but a seat can be a big difference.
1 Like
Just ask if you have questions 
I preferred running a standard seat when I could but obviously you gotta do what you gotta do. I don’t feel it hampered me much if at all.
1 Like
Copied from my Instagram:
I’ve mentioned it a bit but haven’t officially posted anything, but excited to continue the relationship with @bestkart_ for the remainder of the 2024 season as a chassis development driver while contesting the rest of the @starschampionshipseries. Working alongside the folks at @prodigy.motorsports and @amvkartcomponents we will be doing a ton of testing hopefully getting some results along the way. Part of my learning about the BestKart will include lots of posts online about tuning the kart, relevant information on how the karts work, and what my experience from the driver’s seat is throughout the year. Huge thank you to BestKart and Prodigy for letting this “old” fart have another go at national competition and trusting my judgement to help them dial the karts and drivers in over the course of the year. It’s going to be a fun and very collaborative effort, so I am amped up to start putting more time on the kart and to come out swinging in New Castle for Stars round 2.
I will be doing a fair bit of driving with the karts at Dousman on Fridays, so if you see me, feel free to ask questions about the kart! I’m happy to share. #bestkart #amv #Besties
7 Likes
Well, I feel like I’m a getting close to my goal for 2024. I’ve steadily reduced my lap times to where I’m only 1 second off race pace at my club track. Being a noob, I certainly didn’t realize the amazing difference new tires make! I’ve only been on the used tires that came on my used kart I bought in November’23. I know it must sound stupid but the difference was literally overwhelming (if a good way!)
4 Likes
Honestly I think this is big. Even after years in the sport I blame my driving before tires and of course that’s a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy too. I need to keep reminding myself that, whenever I can afford them… new tires are worth it. I see others make that same mistake of pounding laps on old tires and being frustrated… even folks on this very forum but I won’t call them out 
1 Like
I’m certainly a believer now! I actually found 2 seconds the first session after mounting new Evinco blues. I will say that I’m glad I pounded the hell out of those old tires so I could actually feel the difference. Tires ain’t cheap but the grip is priceless 
2 Likes
Well this past weekend I had my first race with the deep seat, also switched to a Tillett P1 rib protector. This was on a left dominant track so didn’t stress the left ribs as much as the next few tracks will, but so far so good. While I could feel a bit of soreness in my ribs there was never any pain which was a relief. We’ll see how it does on the next couple track which are right dominant, but I’m hopeful this is the solution to my rib issues. Side note: the deep seat is tighter in the hip area compared to a similar “rib area” sized Tillett so if you get one go up a size or two. Comparing the rib area size for my Tillett (T9.5t - ML) to the Deep Seat would have put me in a 13", so I ordered a 13.5" for some buffer and it’s a good thing I did. Really should be in a 14", but at this point don’t want to order another. Once I get on track it’s fine, but very tight getting in especially once the hips start bruising and swelling.
2 Likes
As we draw to a close ( one can feel the season begin its change) it is perhaps almost time to reflect on the season that has been. We get to enjoy a couple more months of the best that karting has to offer as the leaves change and the days grow short.
We won a big race and I found happiness on janky karts at GRX. I, for one, am quite pleased! I have no more big adventures planned, no Supernats on the horizon, but I feel satisfied with the year as it has played out.
How about you? How will you bid farewell to the season and how has it gone?
1 Like
I finally got full seat time in a kart. CAKC finally opened up fully to owner karts as I was stuck to once every 3 months being invited out by the owner to drive the track.
I am beyond motivated to continue front running as the newer guys start to catch up. I have to fine tune my driving style as i’m now realizing driving a kart is a ton different from dirt and just any other race car in general.
I’ve adapted pretty well already, learning how to load the kart, and how to brake and now it’s just about finding what driving style works. I’m going to continue driving through the harshness of winter, the amount of progress i’ve made over the last 2 months has been super motivating to see. Even from when I posted about my seat being f** up, i’ve completely changed my driving style and dropped nearly a second after reading Terence Dove’s book and using his techniques.
1 Like
Maybe see if Terence is down for some remote coaching or perhaps TJ. Sounds like you are in an interesting place developmentally and could make important strides as you adjust driving style. Perhaps the eyes of others will open yours to things you hadn’t considered.
I’m definitely going to get coaching later on, i’m finding time pretty well right now just because everything is so new. inevitably it won’t be enough and i’ll have to get coaching
1 Like
I have 100% done this, even after three years of karting regularly!
I encourage people to learn how to utilize data. I only scratch the surface of Mychron data usage, but I’m able to show my sone where is slow with actual data, vs just day “you look slow in that corner”, or “You’re getting gapped in that part of the track”.
What’s even better is when a really good driver will let you download their data. Last year my sone complained his kart was slow. I was lucky enough to have a national champion driver get in it. Demolished the track record. But, I was able to overlay his data with my son’s data to show him where he was losing time.
If your driver vs nat champ time difference trace shows peaks and valleys, he’s not too far off. A few years back I had Billy Musgrave drive my shifter and the time diff trace was just a steady slope increase with no peaks or valleys. That was pretty depressing and useless.
1 Like