Kitebuggiers try Blokarting, Canberra

[meteor27]

This is an impression of Blokarting from the point of view of a kitebuggier.

During the week I contacted Peter from Ultimate Blokarts (0412023779) in Canberra after seeing one of his karts displayed at the local windsurfing shop and scored an invitation to take one for a spin. Not being one to resist trying a new toy, I headed down with Dave who is a kiting newbie and was later also joined by Paul VB.

When we arrived we found a neat 100x50m asphalt netball court surrounded by Blokart flags and windsocks. As I was about to find out, Blokarts are much more fun in compact areas than kitebuggies. I had a brief but unexciting Kitebuggy run on the netball court which reminded me that kites are much happier in larger areas and less gusty winds. After putting the kite away, Peter introduced us to the karts. For those that haven't seen one, Blokarts are small landyachts, which have been redesigned for ease of use and maximum performance. They pack up in a bag just a bit bigger than a kitebuggy and can be assembled without tools. You can see pics and read propaganda on www.blokart.com

First up, Dave went for a run with Peter on the tandem rig which is two Blokarts joined together, front to rear. The front kart steers and both control their respective sails. I was impressed with the speed that the dual sail set-up allowed and was equally impressed when Dave managed to tip the rear kart and do a picturesque hand-plant on the asphalt! This was entirely unnecessary as the Blokart has a seatbelt and is designed to protect the rider in the event of a rollover - as long as you keep your hands inside. Of course, what Peter didn't realise was that Dave was in a hurry to join the hall of fame of the "Crash Test Dummy Kiters", so there was really no chance that he would obey the pre-sailing brief and keep his hands to himself. Anyway, I'd like to welcome "Hand-plant Dave" to the Crash Test Dummy club! ;-)

After we had examined Dave's resurfaced hand, it was my turn for a run. As I had windsurfed and sailed boats, Peter put me in a solo kart. Whilst I was preoccupied with the briefing, Dave seized the opportunity to steal one of my kites and go for a fly. So much for a sore hand!

The Blokart I scored was Peter's racing kart with a 4m sail and a very cool looking aerodynamic pod on the front. Unfortunately, the wind decided to taunt me and we had a lull. I was joined by two more karts, both piloted by children who proceeded to run rings around me in the light conditions! One of the karts was fitted with a second seat, which was fitted beside the pilot's seat. A great idea for children.

Fortunately, it wasn't long before the wind picked up and I was able to really see what a Blokart can do. I was impressed with the smooth, fast turns. The karts turn like they are on rails and it was nice not having to co-ordinate turns with a kite, for a change. I found it was possible to tack and gybe without forethought and loved the way the tyres squirmed when I tightened up the turns. I wasn't expecting much from the acceleration compared to kites (which offer slingshot-like acceleration due the their ability to be dived and moved around) but was pleasantly surprised to pull the sail in and experience instant acceleration.

What I enjoyed most was the wheelies! I found it was very easy to put the kart on two wheels during gusts by pulling on the sail rope. Letting out and pulling in sail as required could then balance the kart. I would love to sail a Blokart in less gusty conditions and see how far you could go on two wheels.

At this point, Paul VB joined me and we found it was great fun to casually race the karts. The best thing was that we didn't have to worry about tangling kites and it was possible to sail very close whilst chatting!

With failing light and rain clouds on their way, Paul and I conceded that we might have to return Peter's Blokarts to him. It was very hard to stop ourselves! I was very impressed with the Blokarts and have now added one to my wish list! :-)

Thanks to Peter for a top time. Hopefully we will see the Blokarts sharing the wind with the kiting crowd at Lake George on the 19th of March.

Cheers,
Wato

[schultzie]

glad to see you like them... it was and still is much the same with myself and kem... i BELIVE that i can still beat him and i dont even own a blowkart... how ever the buggie is faster in the long run but as you said the experience of geting on 2 wheels is great... nice fun little toy... but you cant jump with them and do 360 grabs.... but 360's are still fun on the ground


Cheers Jusitn

[Kembro]

Anytime you want a race Justin, last time I thought I set the quicker lap time anyway, not to say you can't sail well, (and talk it up even better), with your many years sailing Cat's. But Nigel's buggy's faster, I find it harder getting past that Libre at the top end(not until the going gets tough, eh Nigel, like charging through seaweed), but i'll be interested to see how fast it can race laps.
I have posted a calender of events for the Gippsland Wind Sports Group at Sandy Point for 2005 in the 'other pics' file. All welcome to come and have a free demo in the blokarts, as Justin has been given many times. Or just get your gear out and have a go at keeping up.
The thing that wasn't experienced in the excellent review was the ability to 360 at up to 60km/h. Last weekend I pushed the GPS up to 85.2km/h in the 50knot hail storm that blew through last Saturday.
How quick were you on your board Justin?
Cheers
Kem Brown
www.gippslandadventuresports.com
0429782687

[schultzie]

look 60kmh would be possable and i would be guessing has been occasionally reached... but i say hell to that... i wouldnt want to be going that fast unless i was sliding... SPEEED WOBBLES....but im in it for the jumps and tricks..

[nigel]

I am sure that a Dirtsurfer would handle the speed better than an ATB.

How fast have they gone on a Dirtsurfer?? 100+ kph??

Unknown to most of you, I have had a spin in a Blokart, and I too tipped it over. :lol:

[meteor27]

I must say that the Blokart was easy to 180 on the grass, but I didn't try a 360 because I didn't want to shred a kart that wasn't mine (and it was a 4m sail which I am told is not ideal for 360s). No probs with this on my kitebuggy, though. :-)

There is no doubt kitebuggies are fast, but what I loved about the Blokarts is their racing potential and ease of use. They are dynamite in small spaces and you've got to give the Blokart crowd their dues, they've done a great job promoting the sport (including racing - which is half of why I'd buy one if I had the money at hand).

Cheers,
Wato

[Kembro]

Nah, i've only had the Kitewing and Dirtsurfer stoked up to 50km/h, much more PSS (puckered sphincter syndrome), so just get into cruising on the wing.
Plenty of sliding at speed on the blokarts though with massive powerslide gybes possible as well as some wicked 360's and 180's at over 60 km/h. Racing on the beach is a lot like speedway racing with turns in both directions. Your right though Wato, the smaller sails are much better for freestyling, I was running the 2m on Saturday and that was heaps of power.
Nigel i'm surprised you tipped, as most people don't tip over unless there's heaps of wind or they stuff up a gybe, maybe should have stuck with the luff turns eh.
This weekend looks a bit lame so racing at Sandy Point will be postponed until the 19th and 20th, low tides are 1 and 1.30 so racing will start at 10am. B there if you can.
Cheers
Kem
Gippsland Wind Sports Group
0429782687

[nigel]

Kem, I only tipped as I wanted to get it on two wheels and as I found out at almost no speed. The turning circle of the Blokart is not as tight as the buggy, so I could not turn down wind enough when I got it up a bit too far.
It was one of the softest overs I think I have ever had.
End result, Blokart on its side, Nigel laughing with Melbourne Blokart boys taking pics. :lol:
I was only laughing, as I told them that I should get my helmet on before I went out in the Blokart as I knew I would do something silly, or I would tip it.

[Kembro]

The main advantage the buggy has over the blokart is the power is delivered forward and lift instead of forward and downforce with a mast which helps on softer sand.
Kites don't turn up wind or luff turn just gybe's.
All wind sports are wicked they all have there advantages and disadvantages and are just different experiences.
Kem Brown
www.gippslandadventuresports.com
0429782687
P.S The 19th and 20th is thge new date for the Gippsland Wind Sports Group meeting.

[nigel]

I assume Kem that you mean that kite buggyies can't turn upwind.

But, the problem is that you CAN, it is quite hard to do though.
It's quite easy to do when under powered and on a shorter wheel based buggy. I will have to show you some time. :D

[meteor27]

G'day Kem,

Not only can buggies be turned upwind, but you can also do it on two wheels (in fact you can do complete tack-gybe circles in a buggy). The real problem is that buggy technique is not very evenly spread amongst buggiers and that there is little incentive to tack for most folks given that gybing is so easy. But it does give you an advantage in racing upwind and it is necessary for good freestyle technique. True, it is harder to make a smooth arcing turn when you are powered enough to jump, but you can still tack. Not quite as easy as with a Blokart (and it slows you up a bit), but I wouldn't describe it as difficult, by any means.

Cheers,
Wato

[Kembro]

Cool, I've just never seen it done as the gybe turn has more power in it.
360's on 2 wheels must be tricky, do you need enough wind that your kite is lifting over your head as you go through it.
So I can set races in the GWSG in both directions around marks, so no excuses buggiers, is that right or that going to be too dangerous for novices.
If we get wind on the 19th and 20th, get down to Sandy Point for a blast. Events will include Short and Long course racing as well as Freestyle sessions. B there if you can.
Prizes will be awarded for the quickest Kiter/Kitewinger(handicapped races), best trick as well as fastest blokarter(handicapped races).
Cheers
Kem