[borrani]

Got coerced by fellow alfista Blair Nelson to try out the 80cc laydown shifter karts he'd been renting. I'd never even seen these karts before, let alone drive one.

Did that Saturday, April 15, at Portland Int'l Raceway (with chicane). It rained all day, so that made it even more interesting.

Phenominal little carts. Endurance style, so they're really quite comfy. Your eyes are less than 2' off the ground I think. Visibility is only wished for. Cannot see behind you whatsoever. 80cc Honda, 6 speed sequential, no clutch for shifting, and a sprague clutch so no compression starts.

What a completely different experience to drive. We'd make over 100mph on the straight, with practically no buffeting.

I survived the 45 minute race to tell this tale.

Steve Schaeffer