I was looking into Kerbs a while ago, just for info. to see what would be involved 'improving' internal and external kerbs at my local Fulbeck. Anyone who's raced there will remember some of the huge kerbs; they loom over you almost as a mountain would!! Maybe JJ has it right - big kerbs make for more precise driving and more defined standards / rules - if you run over a 'mountain kerb' - end of your race of kart even. So many at Fulbeck would not want it to change. No kerb or very large easy flat hard surfaced run offs - wider than a kart (so all the kart can be on the wrong side of the white line) can't be good for many reasons especially if you are allowed to run in that area - the track shape is changed and only limited by the fence - not good! Maybe a compromise - follow the CIK kerb spec. - external kerbs made with dished top drainage kerbs about 900mm wide then grass or grass create beyond that - at PFI the external kerb onto the main straight is a good example. Internal kerbs rise from level with track to 60mm above track over the first 300mm, then 300mm flat top, then taper down 60mm over 300mm to grass level or grasscrete. Both these external and internal kerbs allow a kart width to run on whilst keeping two wheels on the track side of the white line - any further beyond track limits and a penalty. Any form of hard surface track racing should involve clipping / running over kerbs - but to a limit - it's part of the spectacle and it still takes skill to do it well.
I know most track operators are limit with money and people to re build kerbs, but if they do why not use the CIK tested and proven design? Then run the rules simply two wheels must stay on the track side of the white line - in terms of all of the tyre beyond all of the white line is outside track limits - in F1 quali that's what they run!!
|
|