When To Add Seat Struts To Your Go Kart and What They Do
When it comes to fine-tuning your go-kart for optimal performance, adding seat struts can be a game-changer, particularly in terms of enhancing rear grip. In this post, we'll explore what seat struts do for your kart, when you might want to consider using them, and how to effectively test their impact during practice sessions.
What Do Seat Struts Do?
Seat struts are metal brackets that connect the seat to the chassis, providing additional rigidity and support. By reinforcing the connection between the seat and the kart frame, seat struts help transfer more of the driver's weight to the rear tires, thereby increasing rear grip. This enhanced grip can lead to better traction, improved handling, and more consistent lap times.
When to Consider Using Seat Struts
Seat struts can be particularly beneficial in the following scenarios:
- Low Grip Conditions: If the track is light on grip, either due to weather conditions or track surface, adding seat struts can help improve rear traction.
- Driver Feedback: If your driver reports the kart feels loose or unstable, particularly in the rear, seat struts might help stabilize the kart.
- Performance Testing: When experimenting with kart setup to find the best performance, seat struts are a useful tool to have in your arsenal.
Testing Seat Struts on a Practice Day
To determine the effectiveness of seat struts, it's essential to test them under real track conditions. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to approach this:
- Preparation: Install the seat struts on your kart before heading to the track. Ensure they are securely attached and properly aligned.
- Baseline Session: Have your driver run a session without the seat struts. Record lap times, driver feedback, and any notable handling characteristics.
- Strut Session: Install the seat struts and have your driver run another session. Again, record lap times, feedback, and handling notes.
- Comparison: Compare the data from both sessions. Pay attention to any improvements in lap times, changes in handling, and the driver's overall feel of the kart.
- Driver Feedback: Discuss with your driver how the kart felt with and without the seat struts. Their input is crucial in understanding the real-world impact of the modification.
Keeping Seat Struts in Mind
Once you've tested seat struts and have a clear understanding of their impact, keep them in mind for future races. Whenever you encounter a track with low grip or conditions that challenge rear stability, remember that seat struts are a quick and effective way to enhance rear traction.
By integrating seat struts into your karting toolkit, you equip yourself with another valuable option for optimizing performance. Whether you're racing in competitive events or fine-tuning your setup on practice days, understanding and utilizing seat struts can help you stay ahead of the competition.
At Rev Performance Materials, we understand the importance of every component in your kart's performance. That's why we offer high-quality seat struts, kart parts and other karting essentials to help you achieve the best results on the track. Visit our store today to explore our full range of products and take your karting experience to the next level.