The future of go-karting is simply an electrifying experience…
From the first initial tug of the speed pulling you back into your seat to the adrenaline rush that comes from dominating your final turn, go-karting is an exhilarating and addictive experience. At the heart of any go-karting experience, however, is the kart itself. Professionally made go-karts differ across brand, make and model to create different user experiences. At Hyper Karting Moore Park in Sydney, the RiMo Sinus Ion kart is the model of choice. Reflective of the latest karting technology and trends, the RiMo Sinus Ion kart makes for a smooth and sleek racing experience.
The kart itself is manufactured by RiMo Germany, a leading go-kart manufacturing brand. The company has been in business since 1964. It started with the construction of transport containers, and progressed into the karting industry in 1995 with the production of kart components. With the expansion of the industry throughout the ’90s, RiMo then progressed into manufacturing its own karts.
Since then, they have numerous different models, with RiMo Sinus Ion being the latest, released in 2014. General trends in the go-karting industry show electric karts to be on the rise – the Sinus Ion is no different.
Diverging from traditional petrol karts, the RiMo Sinus Ion is 100% electric, fume free and environmentally friendly. The electric experience differs from petrol in numerous ways. The most notable difference is the acceleration and role of momentum. Electric karts, such as the Sinus Ion, take longer to build speed. Any decrease or drop in speed is ultimately much more detrimental to your lap than it would be in a petrol kart. Once drivers have built their momentum, the Sinus Ion is able to reach a top speed of 55km/h.
Hyper Karting has been using RiMo Sinus Ion karts since opening in February 2021. Starting with just 12, the fleet has since expanded to 37 of these bad boys. Shipped all the way from Germany, the karts were prepared by the team before their unveiling at the track. The team tested and raced on different tyres to compare traction, drive and drift. Eventually, they settled on the Dunlop DFH 5” slicks. These tyres performed the best at Hyper Karting’s indoor track surface without drifting too much around the corners, which is imperative due to the role of momentum in maintaining higher speeds.
The karts undergo extensive daily maintenance to ensure they’re in tip-top shape and condition. The karts are all individual seaters, equipped with three point seatbelts.
The seats can be adjusted by a lever, located underneath the steering wheel, between the drivers’ legs. To protect both the person, and mechanics, the kart is supported by a metal frame. This frame is the first thing to be checked, seconded by the sacrificial pieces and steering wheel. In the event of an accident, the sacrificial pieces are designed to break upon impact. This minimises damage to the frame and kart itself, and ensures the ongoing safety of the driver.
The kart is controlled by the use of two pedals, the accelerator and the brake, and is additionally fitted with two buttons on the steering wheel, the reverse and boost buttons. The boost button at Hyper Karting is programmed to last three seconds and is able to be used every 30 seconds, giving drivers an additional push to their speed.
At Hyper Karting, the latest karting equipment is combined with special technology that enables them to create a personalised racing experience for each guest. Essentially, the karts are connected to a server that allows their speeds to be controlled online real time. On top of this, the company has developed its own automatic speed control system. Racers are presented with a series of threshold lap-times that, once achieved, mean their kart is sped up automatically.
Drivers, as such, are totally in control of their own speeds and race against both others, and against their own previous lap times. This customisable system means that the karting experience is adaptable for drivers of all ages and abilities.
Hyper Karting is equipped with pedal extenders, seat inserts and cushions that can be added to the karts for the comfort of each driver. If you love go-karting and you feel the need for speed, then this truly exhilarating experience is for you! ■
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF HYPER KARTING
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