Vintage PowerSport

The 2nd Vintage Karting Association Event of 2010, was held March 25th –27th in Barnesville GA, at the historic Black Hills Circuit (Lamar Country Speedway). Race director Bob Barthelemy provided the following event summary:

In order to tell the whole story, I must start with the dedicated group of GSKA members that diligently labored at our workday on March 20th, Wednesday March 24th , and at the event Thursday through Saturday. I am very honored to be able to work with such a great team of people, thank you very much! With that said, I also want to thank each and every participant and individual at the event, (93) entries and over (120) karts were at this 4th annual event.
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In the early days of karting, with very open rules on engine types and models allowed, racers searched for motors to build the “hot setup”. One motor that found early success was a motor from the world of hydroplane boat racing made by a German company named Konig. Konig manufactured several class size motors, the Hydroplane A class motors were 14.8 cubic inches (250cc). This size motor was perfect for the fastest class in karting back around 1960, C-Open, which allowed up to 270cc motors with no restrictions on type or fuel used! Konig started making boat racing motors in 1928, and was still setting many racing class records over 40 years later.

Click link below to pop up article written on the Konig water cooled twin…

Konig Water Cooled Twin

Old School racing engine magneto ignitions have been replaced by modern electronic ignition systems. Today’s electronic ignition systems are precise, and can be programed with a defined ignition advance curve (varied timing over the full rpm range). What many people do not know is that a type of automatic ignition advance system was inherent in the old point-condensor magneto ignitions of years ago. Basically, these old style points float at higher rpms, when the return spring dynamics of the points no longer allows the points to close after opening. At these higher rpms, the fast moving flywheel magnets build voltage in the secondary coil winding fast enough to deliver a high voltage ignition spark. Sharp racers of years ago used this point floating phenomena to advance ignition timing at higher rpms, by placing the coil relative to the flywheel magnets in an advanced position, usually at least 5-10 degrees more advanced than the point timing setting. However, there were some drawbacks! ….

….below is a link to a compilation of article scans that explains in detail, the Maverick Spark and how it can be used to a create an automatic ignition timing advance in a magneto ignition system:

Mavrick Ignition Spark Explained