Nose Cones??

[Mr X]

Was just wondering what you guys reckon about running nose cones. Are they good for safety or not worth the bother? As not many people have them....

[outlaw19]

AIDKA again is probably the only class of go kart racing not to take up the use of nose cones or made them compulsory. At the rule change meeting it was brought up to ban the use of nose cones because some drivers were using them to lift the back wheels of the kart in front of them in corners causing spin outs. I have never seen this happen but really its no different than using the front bar and doing the same. The rule change was thrown out "as it should have been"(my opinion). So they are allowed but drivers so far have chosen not to take them on for what ever reason. My daughters outlaw has a nose cone , my other outlaws don't. Do they benefit the karts on dirt I would think not a lot! For cosmetic looks to the karts yes they look ok

[tom]

If you are unlucky enough to hit something really hard head on, then you will be glad if you have a nose-cone fitted. I run a nose cone, (and extended rear bar), and believe both items make no difference to kart speed. I just know from experience that they are safer.

As for using the nose cones to spin people out, it's easier to unload someone without the nose-cone. If you are thinking it will be easier to create havoc with a nose cone you'll be disappointed.

Looks isn't an issue for me. I could care less what my kart looks like, speed comes first, then safety, after that i might think about what it looks like.

I think a lot of the reason people don't use nose cones is the stupid rule that says they have to be CIK homologated, and be able to be removed without tools (which the CIK no longer include in their rules making it a bit of a joke). If you use the standard mounting system the nose cone is vulnerable to becoming detached. There are fairly straightforward ways to overcome this though..

[tom]

In the name of research i managed to try out most of the safety gear i have on the kart on the weekend at ADKC.

There was a pretty big shunt into the first corner and i was involved, can't remember exactly what happened, but i was turned around and as i stopped (facing the wrong way) another kart hit the front of mine with his rear wheel. The impact was hard enough that i went forward into the steering column and bent it with my chest.

Due to wearing a chest protector, and having the kart fitted with a nose cone, i was able to continue racing for the evening.. Without it the front of my kart would have been a mess, as well as the rear wheel/axle of the other kart.

To the people that are thinking of banning nose-cones, please explain why i shouldn't be able to protect myself from that sort of impact??

[goughey888]

i would agree i have no problems with nose cones i have run them before just to save the metalwork at the front of my chassis on the same token it is racing u do get hit and bumped these things happen it does then make another item that can come of or get caught in your wheel and stop u from finishing the race its completly driver choice

[mike]

I think it should be personal choice. Personally I dont run one. I have had one come off after a small tap and take me out. I have also seen the good it does in a crash. Also if you leave it off it saves a bit of weight too.