JSMCPN
June 28th, 2006, 10:56 AM
Has anyone on the list driven the Leopard-powered karts at ActionKarting (Bandimere)? Ben Travis and I visit that track on a fairly regular basis and have about 100 laps in the 6.5-horsepower Honda karts. We finally drove the 28-horse Leopards 2 weeks ago...HOOOOOLY KRAP they are FAST! I knew they were going to be powerful, but was still blown away by how much torque they have, and I wasn't able to hit it's top speed even once in 20 laps. Braking is a whole new skill compared to the Hondas, in which you can pretty much go full throttle through the entire track. Not so with Leopards, you actually have to modulate both pedals often.
I am pretty sure you have to show the track officials a 58-second lap in the normal rental karts before you can drive the Leopards. Running clockwise in the Hondas, I am fairly consistent in the 55-second range and am quite comfortable in them. Running clockwise my first time out in a Leopard, I was turning low 45-second laps with 11mph faster average speed, so you can imagine what they can do with an experienced driver.
Anyway, if you can afford the $14/minute, get yourself out there and have a blast! Note: they only run 2 Leopards on the track for safety reasons.
JesseM
I am pretty sure you have to show the track officials a 58-second lap in the normal rental karts before you can drive the Leopards. Running clockwise in the Hondas, I am fairly consistent in the 55-second range and am quite comfortable in them. Running clockwise my first time out in a Leopard, I was turning low 45-second laps with 11mph faster average speed, so you can imagine what they can do with an experienced driver.
Anyway, if you can afford the $14/minute, get yourself out there and have a blast! Note: they only run 2 Leopards on the track for safety reasons.
JesseM