To gather evidence regarding the Zip nose fairing issue I've decided to conduct a set of d.i.y. crash tests in January. I'm too busy up to and including Xmas to undertake such a venture in December.
I will test the following geometries (a) moving nose against stationary side (90 degree impact), (b) moving nose against stationary nose (head-on impact).
These tests will be conducted in measured conditions on flat tarmac at (say) 35 and 55 mph Cadet speeds. For each scenario I will test fresh Zip nose fairing and a blunt fairing combinations.The karts will not have engines, but will be weighed at 100kg and have correct weight distribution considering'engine' mass and position (I must have correct CentrOfGravity.
The tests will be open to the public (including MSA reps) and I will publish a report containing all data including photgraphs, videos, GPS speeds, accelerometer data and other measurements for submission to the MSA.
The drivers will be suited dummyies with crash helmets. The dummies will be anatomologically correct, will be weight correct (say for a 10 year old) but will not be have lim rigidity. So in a sense the dummies will be rag dolls.
I still need karter community help, please.
(1) I haven't decided on method of impacting. One option is to take off the rear right passemger door of one of my motors, and build a boom extending 2 or so metres. As I approach parallel to the target kart I will release the kart from the boom before impact. With practice, GPS speed in car, and GPS speed on kart I can get speed consistently to within 1 mph of my plan. I'll have to fix the front wheels fron turnning too. Another idea is to build up a radio controlled kart. I've got plenty of R/C kit and high torque servos, stepper motors and the like in the workshop. It'd also be fun post-tests to remote control drive the kart around too.
Any other suggestions ?.
(2) Rather than old clothes for the two rag-dolls, does anyone have any child sized racing suits which they intend to thow away ? i.e. are damaged and unusaeble. I need two to keep my costs down. I'll pay postage.
(3) Same for two damaged / unusable helments. I'll pay pastage.
(4) I've got an old Zip Storm chassis at the back of the workshop, it's my lad's first chassis and is fine for my needs here. My lad is most interested in this project too and doesn't mind us trashing it. To save me a few quid, does anyone have an old rolling chassis they can donate to this project to use as a target kart ?. Only necessity is that the chassis cannot be bent. Same again I'll pay shippnig or pick it up if it's in Lancashire or nearby.
(5) I've been mooting for a while getting a high speed digital camera (shoots 100plus frames per second) but end up spending it all on kart stuff. Could anyone support by bringing along any high speed digial cameras or high speed video equipment on the day ?
We'll have to see how the weather goes, but I'd expect we have a small BBQ on the day too so it should be a fun day, albeit a serious one too.
I appreicate there are other factors and variables, for instance a stationary kart on track will usually kave a 'sticking' effect as hot tyres bite. Considering a Jan 2010 test window I'll test when no rain, but the track may be damp.
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D.I.Y. crash testing by 'IamSparticus' << You are here!
