FEbRuARy 2009 - International Kart Federation

Figure 3: Bystrom axle clutch
the rapid evolution of technology and kart styles in
road race karts was in full force. what started with sit-
up karts with fuel tanks mounted on the back of their
seats quickly evolved into hybrids just for road racing.
the road race kart had evolved in only a few years
from a sprint kart with rear mounted engine to a full
lay-down chassis.
other technologies were also being introduced. while
KARTER NEWS - FEbRuARy 2009
the first sprint karts were direct drive, the road race karts
needed clutches. the first clutches were engine mounted
and were not much better than fun kart clutches. by the
late 60’s this problem was solved with the introduction
of the bystrom axle clutch. it seems that good ideas
need fine tuning. the axle clutch put extra loads on
chain that was already over-stressed. in 1974, a racer
named arnold lockwood, built belt drive pulleys and
13