Need some major help and a karting sanity check! šš¤”
So Iām looking at the YouTube channel and wondering whether itās possible to do anything meaningful with it this yearā¦ and then someone throws a mega deal on a Superkart chassis at me that absolutely would be doable as project because potentially already have a partner in crime on the engine side.
Now Iām having an internal debate about how this will definitely be a big hit on the channel, and not just a case of me spending money I donāt have. š¤£š¤£
If you can talk me out of it, get in touch.!!!! Save me from myself!
.... or, even better, fancy sponsoring the effort š°š° I am more than happy to relieve you of your cash in exchange for a warm fussy feeling.
When I started F100 at Rye House back in 2010, I didnāt realise how much it would take out of me. Thereās something uniquely draining about creating something from nothing - and then having to race it as well. It's a mad combination of organizational responsibilities and obligations while having to be in 'selfish' mode for racing. Somehting I absolutely couldn't do in the first couple of races.
It took me until about race three to actually come out of that stressed state. It was the final March 2011 meeting, and for once I properly locked in. I was sitting third, started to reel in second, and I could feel myself getting quicker. First probably wasnāt on the cards - but second? Why not. I'd never actually felt reasonably fast in a race like this before. I had a weird knack for qualifying as a kid, but in races I'd generally just be rubbish.
Granted there was only a few of us left running, but this wasn't like I was fluking a podium due to actually just finishing.
The engine was absolutely perfect. Screaming to 20,000 without a hint of trouble. The Maxter was glorious. it was ex-World Champs engine, so it would be, right? It honestly never felt so good.
However, anyone who knows the 100cc game knows exactly what it means when the engine is just perfect. Thatās the danger zone. The moment it feels too perfect is usually when it decides, ānot today, son.ā
Sure enough, tipping it into Stadium, it nipped up.
And that was that
I never raced F100 again at Rye.
Later, one gent told me F100 āshould really just be ā90s 100cc kartsā and that it ought to include the water-cooled stuff too. I told him, quite bluntly, āf*ck off and do your own thing then.ā
A year or two later, he got back in touch asking if he could use the F100 name.
And, wellā¦ he was 100% right and the rest is history.
I seem to have this weird talent for spending a load of money and somehow coming away withā¦ about three laps of total running.
This was me at the co-organised House of Hundred Super National event in 2023. I was supposed to be running a Deavinson Sprint. Somehow I ended up with two of them, but still ran out of time and money to get even one kart properly sorted. Again, it's a rare talent I have.
Enter āŖ@GlennGuestā¬ - absolute legend - who loaned me his spare Wright kart last minute.
All I had available engine-wise was a freshly built Rotax DS100 and an eBay special Atomik (I can't actually remember how I acquired it tbh). Anyway, that meant I had to run in Rotax in practise. During running in, my finger guard failed, knocked the chain off. I buzzed the engine, and heavily bent the crank. Game over.
I didnāt want to run the Atomik because it was an eBay special, unran, and very much an āonly run it in the final if I somehow make it and have no other choiceā situation rather than all practise and all heats + final. It was always 50/50 whether I'd make it to the final anyway...
Loads of people offered to lend me an engine, which I genuinely appreciated, but I rarely take that option. Iāve never felt comfortable racing other peopleās engines. You never want to hand someone's engine back with a conrod sticking out of the front of it.
So anyway - weeks of work, a ton of money spent on karts I didnāt end up usingā¦ and I got about three laps of running in. In the end I was probably needed to help run the event, but I can't lie... it's very difficult watching other people race. Especially when the karts are this peak.
And yes there are more Moments Before Disaster to come.
So hereās my karting plan for the rest of the year! Strap in š
Spend most of my spare time thinking about how to get a Superkart together, which then leads to more thinkingā¦ and thenā¦ some more thinking about how to make it financially viableā¦ then some more thinking š¤š¤
Thatās it. Thatās all Iāve got. š¤£
To be fair, I did give it a proper go last year, but alas, itās a tad too fringe for any kind of sponsorship deals I was actually pitching for. I could build something, but that requires resources I donāt have, and the ROI on YouTube means Iād need to be hitting 100,000+ views per video. Realistically, I can only hit around 10,000 with anything Superkart-related. Anything above that is a bit of a pipe dream.
There was an Italian manufacturer who expressed interest in designing an inline 250cc, but the homologation situation with Div 1 is so murky now that itās not worth the risk. Twin-KZ is the only viable option given the cost of a VM, for which you really should always have a spare as well. That's big money. So alas āWe are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with sleep."
In 2011, I entered the MSA British Karting Championship. Do I regret it? No. I was trying to celebrate and hold onto the heritage of a historically important championship. I felt dutiful to enter.
The British Championship was already in dire straits. The move from the old 100cc classes to KF had been a disaster, as we all know. Add to that the dominance of Rotax and other alternative classes, and suddenly the British Championship was no longer the obvious, attainable pinnacle it once had been. The 2011 season itself was eventually canned and replaced with a one-off meeting.
For me, entering felt obvious. One rain shower and you could be British Champion. In the end, I think around 15 drivers entered. I still have to thank Bob Astill for the engines, Ricky Flynn for the kart, Steve Lake for the awning space, and John Hoyle for providing support too. It was nice to know there at least was still people within the sport who understood the project.
What really struck me, though, was the absence of drivers from Rotax. Why didnāt they show up? Even then, it felt like there was an inherent cultural weakness baked into karting. What were people scared of? Why did no one want to be the best of the best of the best, sir? It's not like they weren't spending vast sums, what's one more race for the country's biggest prize, even if it wasn't quite what it once was?
Obviously now Motorsport UK have designated Rotax and X30 as British Championship events, but to me they arenāt. They were ABkC National Championships, and single-make classes should never hold the mantle of British Championship. It should never be diluted. But then again, I once asked Motorsport UK to provide me with a list of British karting champions, and well, I still donāt have it. I donāt think anyone cares any more.
But back to 2011. In the final heat, we made a change to the kart and it was better. However, I was fatiguing very badly. Half a day in a KF and a little bit of winter karting was nowhere near enough. I was slow, but alas, driving OK. My body was giving up.
My kart went on two wheels at the hairpin, and I basically landed in the marshal post, much to the distress of the marshal. The kart was a write-off, as was my bank account. I broke my hand too, so that was a nice little Brucey Bonus.
I could have done things differently back then, sure. I think with some actual testing I might have been able to hold onto the pack for more than a lap and a half before the grip came and my head wanted to leave my torso.
Would I do something like it again, though? Absolutely not. Not under this governing body, thatās for sure.
San Carlo genuinely shifted my brain and my attitude towards karting. Itās been impossible to go back to ānormalityā since. If youāve spent any time around these parts, or my YouTube, youāll have witnessed how hard it's been to feel motivated to talk about anything modern in a karting context, unless itās to point and laugh and ask, āOh Godā¦ what are they doing now?ā
But back to San Carlo - 100cc karts on Italian streets. A true adventure! Iām honestly not sure it gets any better than that from behind the camera. Of course, I donāt really want to be behind the camera at all - I'd rather be driving - but sometimes it matters that things are documented, that stories like Oli and Sam's are properly told so karters the world can enjoy them too and understand there's a world outside of 'normal'.
Thatās why I push so hard on the degenerative idea of Formula 5, and why Iām so critical of the F1-ification of karting. Because when you experience something like San Carlo, you realise just how good karting can be - and how far itās drifted from that feeling.
However it may be time to call it a day. It's not good always fighting a losing battle, but it's good to know there are pockets of cultural resistance out there from which a revolution can grow.
Iām planning more videos for next year and Iām keen to collaborate with people who have interesting stories to tell.
If youāve got something unique, historic, or a great untold tale from karting, Iād love to hear from you.
Iām especially keen on stories from the Yamaha era of Superkarts, but if what youāve got is equally interesting or a bit different, donāt hesitate to get in touch.
Now just Ā£6.99 / $9.52 on Amazon. Perfect for Christmas š šš¤¶
Motorsport Sagas: Unlocking the Power of Storytelling in Racingā I uncover the narrative mechanics that make high-profile motorsport such a riveting spectacle. With thorough examination, I reveal why the drama and excitement of racing rival those of any Hollywood blockbuster, and why it is imperative for every racing driver seeking to broaden their reach to grasp the nature of high-stakes competition.
Delving into the precise storytelling techniques utilised by the world's foremost writers, I illustrate how these same narrative elements are woven into the fabric of racing. By understanding these mechanisms, drivers can craft motorsport adventures that resonate with a larger audience.
Whether you're a seasoned racing enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of motorsport, this book offers a captivating exploration of the symbiotic relationship between storytelling and motorsport competition. Prepare to embark on a thrilling journey where adrenaline-pumping action meets the artistry of narrative craft, all within the fast-paced world of motorsport.
Alan Dove
Need some major help and a karting sanity check! šš¤”
So Iām looking at the YouTube channel and wondering whether itās possible to do anything meaningful with it this yearā¦ and then someone throws a mega deal on a Superkart chassis at me that absolutely would be doable as project because potentially already have a partner in crime on the engine side.
Now Iām having an internal debate about how this will definitely be a big hit on the channel, and not just a case of me spending money I donāt have. š¤£š¤£
If you can talk me out of it, get in touch.!!!! Save me from myself!
.... or, even better, fancy sponsoring the effort š°š° I am more than happy to relieve you of your cash in exchange for a warm fussy feeling.
44 minutes ago | [YT] | 2
View 0 replies
Alan Dove
So this kart right here is the finest chassis I ever drove. Wright put out some absolute bangers back in the day.
A like to be a bit reclined in the seat, and this always leans towards a tiny but of understeer... but with that TT85 sat under my arm. šš
Look right, felt right, sounded right. Granted I was only fast enough for P2 on the day, but didn't really care.
6 hours ago | [YT] | 8
View 1 reply
Alan Dove
Moments Before Disaster ā Ep.3 šš
When I started F100 at Rye House back in 2010, I didnāt realise how much it would take out of me. Thereās something uniquely draining about creating something from nothing - and then having to race it as well. It's a mad combination of organizational responsibilities and obligations while having to be in 'selfish' mode for racing. Somehting I absolutely couldn't do in the first couple of races.
It took me until about race three to actually come out of that stressed state. It was the final March 2011 meeting, and for once I properly locked in. I was sitting third, started to reel in second, and I could feel myself getting quicker. First probably wasnāt on the cards - but second? Why not. I'd never actually felt reasonably fast in a race like this before. I had a weird knack for qualifying as a kid, but in races I'd generally just be rubbish.
Granted there was only a few of us left running, but this wasn't like I was fluking a podium due to actually just finishing.
The engine was absolutely perfect. Screaming to 20,000 without a hint of trouble. The Maxter was glorious. it was ex-World Champs engine, so it would be, right? It honestly never felt so good.
However, anyone who knows the 100cc game knows exactly what it means when the engine is just perfect. Thatās the danger zone. The moment it feels too perfect is usually when it decides, ānot today, son.ā
Sure enough, tipping it into Stadium, it nipped up.
And that was that
I never raced F100 again at Rye.
Later, one gent told me F100 āshould really just be ā90s 100cc kartsā and that it ought to include the water-cooled stuff too. I told him, quite bluntly, āf*ck off and do your own thing then.ā
A year or two later, he got back in touch asking if he could use the F100 name.
And, wellā¦ he was 100% right and the rest is history.
1 day ago | [YT] | 9
View 2 replies
Alan Dove
Moments Before Disaster š£Ep.2 āš¤£
I seem to have this weird talent for spending a load of money and somehow coming away withā¦ about three laps of total running.
This was me at the co-organised House of Hundred Super National event in 2023. I was supposed to be running a Deavinson Sprint. Somehow I ended up with two of them, but still ran out of time and money to get even one kart properly sorted. Again, it's a rare talent I have.
Enter āŖ@GlennGuestā¬ - absolute legend - who loaned me his spare Wright kart last minute.
All I had available engine-wise was a freshly built Rotax DS100 and an eBay special Atomik (I can't actually remember how I acquired it tbh). Anyway, that meant I had to run in Rotax in practise. During running in, my finger guard failed, knocked the chain off. I buzzed the engine, and heavily bent the crank. Game over.
I didnāt want to run the Atomik because it was an eBay special, unran, and very much an āonly run it in the final if I somehow make it and have no other choiceā situation rather than all practise and all heats + final. It was always 50/50 whether I'd make it to the final anyway...
Loads of people offered to lend me an engine, which I genuinely appreciated, but I rarely take that option. Iāve never felt comfortable racing other peopleās engines. You never want to hand someone's engine back with a conrod sticking out of the front of it.
So anyway - weeks of work, a ton of money spent on karts I didnāt end up usingā¦ and I got about three laps of running in. In the end I was probably needed to help run the event, but I can't lie... it's very difficult watching other people race. Especially when the karts are this peak.
And yes there are more Moments Before Disaster to come.
Al
pic Elizabeth Guest
2 days ago | [YT] | 15
View 0 replies
Alan Dove
So hereās my karting plan for the rest of the year! Strap in š
Spend most of my spare time thinking about how to get a Superkart together, which then leads to more thinkingā¦ and thenā¦ some more thinking about how to make it financially viableā¦ then some more thinking š¤š¤
Thatās it. Thatās all Iāve got. š¤£
To be fair, I did give it a proper go last year, but alas, itās a tad too fringe for any kind of sponsorship deals I was actually pitching for. I could build something, but that requires resources I donāt have, and the ROI on YouTube means Iād need to be hitting 100,000+ views per video. Realistically, I can only hit around 10,000 with anything Superkart-related. Anything above that is a bit of a pipe dream.
There was an Italian manufacturer who expressed interest in designing an inline 250cc, but the homologation situation with Div 1 is so murky now that itās not worth the risk. Twin-KZ is the only viable option given the cost of a VM, for which you really should always have a spare as well. That's big money. So alas āWe are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with sleep."
3 days ago | [YT] | 20
View 8 replies
Alan Dove
Moments Before Disaster - The Story
In 2011, I entered the MSA British Karting Championship. Do I regret it? No. I was trying to celebrate and hold onto the heritage of a historically important championship. I felt dutiful to enter.
The British Championship was already in dire straits. The move from the old 100cc classes to KF had been a disaster, as we all know. Add to that the dominance of Rotax and other alternative classes, and suddenly the British Championship was no longer the obvious, attainable pinnacle it once had been. The 2011 season itself was eventually canned and replaced with a one-off meeting.
For me, entering felt obvious. One rain shower and you could be British Champion. In the end, I think around 15 drivers entered. I still have to thank Bob Astill for the engines, Ricky Flynn for the kart, Steve Lake for the awning space, and John Hoyle for providing support too. It was nice to know there at least was still people within the sport who understood the project.
What really struck me, though, was the absence of drivers from Rotax. Why didnāt they show up? Even then, it felt like there was an inherent cultural weakness baked into karting. What were people scared of? Why did no one want to be the best of the best of the best, sir? It's not like they weren't spending vast sums, what's one more race for the country's biggest prize, even if it wasn't quite what it once was?
Obviously now Motorsport UK have designated Rotax and X30 as British Championship events, but to me they arenāt. They were ABkC National Championships, and single-make classes should never hold the mantle of British Championship. It should never be diluted. But then again, I once asked Motorsport UK to provide me with a list of British karting champions, and well, I still donāt have it. I donāt think anyone cares any more.
But back to 2011. In the final heat, we made a change to the kart and it was better. However, I was fatiguing very badly. Half a day in a KF and a little bit of winter karting was nowhere near enough. I was slow, but alas, driving OK. My body was giving up.
My kart went on two wheels at the hairpin, and I basically landed in the marshal post, much to the distress of the marshal. The kart was a write-off, as was my bank account. I broke my hand too, so that was a nice little Brucey Bonus.
I could have done things differently back then, sure. I think with some actual testing I might have been able to hold onto the pack for more than a lap and a half before the grip came and my head wanted to leave my torso.
Would I do something like it again, though? Absolutely not. Not under this governing body, thatās for sure.
4 days ago | [YT] | 17
View 2 replies
Alan Dove
San Carlo genuinely shifted my brain and my attitude towards karting. Itās been impossible to go back to ānormalityā since. If youāve spent any time around these parts, or my YouTube, youāll have witnessed how hard it's been to feel motivated to talk about anything modern in a karting context, unless itās to point and laugh and ask, āOh Godā¦ what are they doing now?ā
But back to San Carlo - 100cc karts on Italian streets. A true adventure! Iām honestly not sure it gets any better than that from behind the camera. Of course, I donāt really want to be behind the camera at all - I'd rather be driving - but sometimes it matters that things are documented, that stories like Oli and Sam's are properly told so karters the world can enjoy them too and understand there's a world outside of 'normal'.
Thatās why I push so hard on the degenerative idea of Formula 5, and why Iām so critical of the F1-ification of karting. Because when you experience something like San Carlo, you realise just how good karting can be - and how far itās drifted from that feeling.
However it may be time to call it a day. It's not good always fighting a losing battle, but it's good to know there are pockets of cultural resistance out there from which a revolution can grow.
5 days ago | [YT] | 33
View 5 replies
Alan Dove
Call outš£
Iām planning more videos for next year and Iām keen to collaborate with people who have interesting stories to tell.
If youāve got something unique, historic, or a great untold tale from karting, Iād love to hear from you.
Iām especially keen on stories from the Yamaha era of Superkarts, but if what youāve got is equally interesting or a bit different, donāt hesitate to get in touch.
Drop me an email alansdove@gmail.com š
2 months ago | [YT] | 34
View 0 replies
Alan Dove
Now just Ā£6.99 / $9.52 on Amazon. Perfect for Christmas š šš¤¶
Motorsport Sagas: Unlocking the Power of Storytelling in Racingā I uncover the narrative mechanics that make high-profile motorsport such a riveting spectacle. With thorough examination, I reveal why the drama and excitement of racing rival those of any Hollywood blockbuster, and why it is imperative for every racing driver seeking to broaden their reach to grasp the nature of high-stakes competition.
Delving into the precise storytelling techniques utilised by the world's foremost writers, I illustrate how these same narrative elements are woven into the fabric of racing. By understanding these mechanisms, drivers can craft motorsport adventures that resonate with a larger audience.
Whether you're a seasoned racing enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of motorsport, this book offers a captivating exploration of the symbiotic relationship between storytelling and motorsport competition. Prepare to embark on a thrilling journey where adrenaline-pumping action meets the artistry of narrative craft, all within the fast-paced world of motorsport.
2 months ago | [YT] | 5
View 0 replies
Alan Dove
Still time to grab a copy before Christmas. š¤¶šš Thanks to everyone who bought a copy so far!
2 months ago | [YT] | 6
View 0 replies
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