alvin l nunley
Site Supporter
Well you're right, they are easier to build that way, and it was a consideration when I built it. I looked hard and long at what was being accomplished with kingpin inclination. My conclusion was; it's not necessary. So I built the first kart without it, and guess what, it worked, really really well. At the 1975 Quincy Nationals, I qualified 3rd in 2 classes, and that was against 3 of the best drivers in karting. Lynn haddock, Rick Gifford and Ernie Fisher. Lynn haddock had fast time in Reed open with Rick Gifford 2nd. Rick had fast time in Mac 101 with Ernie Fisher 2nd. The 1975 Nationals was my first Nationals.Al,
I believe what SoCo Tire is pointing out is that chassis, tires, weight, wheels, spindles, and axles have all changed pretty dramatically over the last couple of decades.
If your experience with a "kart that worked really well" was on Goodyear Bluestreaks or Carlisle tires, on a kart that was 36" wide and weighed 115 lbs.... well, things have dramatically changed. I suppose a valid question would be: did you ever try to change the front end on the kart you built to incorporate any kingpin inclination? To be perfectly honest, back a long time ago, I think one of the reasons we didn't see KPI was because the chassis and the spindles were easier to build without it.
PM