Welcome to Eircooled
Our Ethos is simple; We promote, maintain, and encourage the use of classic aircooled vehicles. We run the club in an open, inclusive, and democratic environment. We encourage all members to have an equal say and part to play in the club.
Register

Eircooled Soapbox Derby

beag

Club Member
Club Member
July 16, 2009
2,609
17
Tipperary
When I first read this post and replied it was on my phone, and the bold text doesn't show up on my phone! That's why I didn't cop it and was wondering why you were asking...doh :D

I thought you didn't get it alright.............:D
 

colin

Club Member
Club Member
January 10, 2008
1,178
0
Monaghan
0 wacker wacker
22. Kobat79 & Danzig
11. beag
13. trev
76(1). Tsar - Dirty1
666. Kvinyl
7. Riggsi
53. Ross (How am I the first to choose this number??)
100. Colin
 

Mikey

Moderator
Club Member
February 3, 2009
6,221
162
Dublin
0 wacker wacker
22. Kobat79 & Danzig
11. beag
13. trev
76(1). Tsar - Dirty1
666. Kvinyl
7. Riggsi
53. Ross (How am I the first to choose this number??)
100. Colin
999. Mikey.
 

trev

*****istrator
Admin
November 11, 2007
13,987
1,710
Co. Laois
46.jpg


549911d1285337714-kart-build-pics273.jpg

yea, I know it's a powered gokart but the steering setup might provide inspiration to someone...
 

colin

Club Member
Club Member
January 10, 2008
1,178
0
Monaghan
On all the karts I see, The steering is towards the front of the hub, whereas on cars it's always towards the back..

What's up with that?
 

trev

*****istrator
Admin
November 11, 2007
13,987
1,710
Co. Laois
it shouldn't matter where it is, I suppose on a kart it's to allow clearance for the drivers feet, on a car it's to package the steering rack neatly against the bulkhead. So long as the camber, caster, ackermann angles are all set up correctly either system will work fine.

here's a good article I found on steering geometry on powered gokarts, the principles could be transferred to soapboxes. You're getting beyond the "plank of wood and baling twine" with this kind of stuff though... :ROFLMAO:

http://blog.kartbuilding.net/2007/07/12/steering-geometry-and-setup-for-go-karts/
 

Tony

Club Member
Club Member
April 20, 2012
394
34
Arklow
0 wacker wacker
22. Kobat79 & Danzig
11. beag
13. trev
76(1). Tsar - Dirty1
666. Kvinyl
7. Riggsi
53. Ross (How am I the first to choose this number??)
100. Colin
999. Mikey.
64 tony


I started a kart for the kids a couple of weeks ago. well drafting plans collecting bits. I'm building an electric kart but I will remove all motors and power for the race. My daughter has now been renamed "Test pilot one" and "test Pilot two" waits in the wings in case of an injury. Should we add a kids category before the big boys race?
 

Kevin O'Brien

Club Member
Club Member
February 18, 2008
1,356
2
Dundalk/Dublin
0. wacker wacker
22. Kobat79 & Danzig
11. beag
13. trev
76(1). Tsar - Dirty1
666. Kvinyl
7. Riggsi
53. Ross (How am I the first to choose this number??)
100. Colin
999. Mikey.
64. Tony
 

Kevin O'Brien

Club Member
Club Member
February 18, 2008
1,356
2
Dundalk/Dublin
Should we add a kids category before the big boys race?

I don't think that would be a good idea Tony. Have you looked at any of the videos on YouTube yet? Be under no illusion that this will be dangerous! A dozen or more karts hurtling down a public road together at speeds in excess of 30/40/50mph depending on the gradient. Wouldn't think it'd be suitable for kids!

Also, because the races are mostly run on public roads the races are held very early (like 7am) on a Sunday morning in order to mitigate any chance of encountering other vehicular traffic on the roads. It is not legal to run a race like this on a public road, hence the "I" for "illegal" in the various federations acronyms around the world. Again, not suitable for kids (barely suitable for adults)...
 

trev

*****istrator
Admin
November 11, 2007
13,987
1,710
Co. Laois
It is not legal to run a race like this on a public road

out of interest, what law would be broken? If we were on bicycles, nobody would blink an eye at a dozen fellas hurtling down a hill. I don't think there are any laws against recumbent bikes but a dozen of those would draw some weird looks.

anyway, legal or not, I think 7am on a sunday morning would still be best ;)