Thanks to the success of Formula E, electric single-seater racing has started getting recognised as a possible alternative to conventional fossil fuel-based motorsport disciplines.
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While there may be a long way to go before battery-powered cars take over from their gas-powered counterparts in competitive racing circuits, a case is already being made at the very base of the motor racing pyramid – karting.
Here we lay down the key differences between electric-powered and gas-powered karts.
Engines, torque and power
One of the major points of difference between ekarts and regular karts is the engines that are used. Gas-powered karts have two-stroke and four-stroke engines with wide ranges of horsepower, making them racer-friendly karts. The Rotax karts used in the Indian karting championships produce 28 bhp (brake horsepower) in the senior category, 22 bhp in the junior category, and 8 bhp in the micro max category.
While it is usually assumed that electric vehicles are low on power, that isn’t the case with ekarts. Electric karts have a huge amount of torque which is used particularly well in indoor karting where drivers can accelerate quickly through tight corners. An electric kart produces around 20 hp (horse power).
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Dimensions and weight
Specifications of regular karts tend to vary quite a bit; they differ heavily based on whether they were manufactured for racing or leisure. The Sodi Sigma KZ karts used in racing have a wheelbase of 1050 millimetres and weigh approximately 80-90 kilograms without the driver.
With ekarts, the difference in weight depends on the batteries. The Sodi RTX karts used in SMAAASH India’s indoor Sky Karting facility weigh 218 kilograms with lead acid batteries and just 180 kilograms with lithium batteries. The Sodi ekarts used by SMAAASH have a height of 630 millimetres, a length of 1850 millimetres and width of 1350 millimetres.
Price and maintenance
Gas karts are usually cheaper to begin with since buying or renting them comes at a reasonable price. A regular junior or senior kart, with a good brand of engine and chassis, costs Rs 5-6 lakhs. But since these karts have a lot of moving parts, it increases the maintenance cost. The large number of parts also leads to complications with maintenance since finding and solving the issue can become time intensive.
Electric karts are expensive to buy — especially since the batteries do not come cheap. They may cost two or three times the amount spent to purchase a regular kart. However, the maintenance cost and time spent on repairs are both low. The only downside to ekarts may be the constant need to charge the batteries.
Where they are used
Gas karts are used widely for racing, since they are considered the first step for young drivers eyeing a professional racing career. They are commonly used in national and international championships around the world. The success of Mira Erda, Kush Maini, Jehan Daruvala and Shahan Ali Mohsin through the Indian scene exemplifies the importance of learning and training in the well-established gas karting championships.
Electric karts are most commonly used for leisure but few stakeholders in the karting circuit have spoken about the possibility of championships featuring electric-powered karts. Since electric karts can be controlled and monitored in real time, it allows engineers to provide amateur racers with tailor-made experiences while also maintaining high standards of safety.
Environmental factors
The biggest plus point for electric karts is sustainability. With a worldwide emphasis on being environment-friendly, the zero-emission electric kart is perfect. They produce no harmful gases that pollute the environment, which also makes it possible to use them in indoor facilities like SMAASH Sky Karting. Furthermore, they can be used in and around residential areas since they produce very little noise.
The engines of gas karts emit fumes that can be harmful for the environment, much like cars used on the streets. They can also be responsible for a large amount of noise pollution when in use, which is why circuits for regular karts are usually built far away from residential areas.
Experts say…
Kaizad Bajina, Chief Technology Officer for SMAAASH India, says the Sodi ekarts used in the Sky Karting facility are of a superior build quality and have a higher acceleration than gas karts. SMAAASH uses two models of ekarts in its indoor facilities; one for kids and one for adults.
“The electric karts have a tremendous torque providing a high-quality driving experience,” Bajina said, adding that guests are able to drive according to their ability, getting a customized experience in a safe environment. “All speeds and acceleration can be electronically controlled by the operator,” Bajina confirmed.
Regular karts come with a basic setup and are finely tuned according to the specific driver’s requirements. This tuning also takes the track and weather conditions into account, said Sachin Mandody of the MSport team, which races in the Indian National Karting Championship.
Mandody, a veteran technical officer, adds that one of the biggest differences a driver will feel while driving a regular kart after a stint in the electronic kart, is the weight change. For an amateur to drive a regular kart, Mandody stresses on going through a “proper training” process.
“Since the regular karts are tuned to proper racing competition, the driver needs to understand the racing lines, the different apex, the steering input, acceleration and braking,” Mandody said.
One of the first competitions to utilise electric karts is the Red Bull Kart Fight being conducted at SMAAASH’s Sky Karting facilities in Mumbai and Gurgaon. The competition aims to provide amateur racers and racing enthusiasts with a chance to experience the professional side of karting. It’s a karting tournament designed to find the fastest amateur kart racer in India.
The national champion of RedBull Kart Fight 2018 will get a chance to watch the grand finale of this year’s Formula 1 Championship at the 2018 Abu Dhabi GP at the Yas Marina Circuit.
For more details on RedBull Kart Fight 2018, click here.
