Empower You
Team Blackstar
Blackstar Motorsports is a “boutique” team not a “Big Box” team. Team Leader Chris Hatch does not make his living running a race team, he does it for the love of the sport. While Blackstar Motorsports would like to help everyone they can be a successful racer, the reality is that resources are always limited. We want to provide individualized attention and support for every driver under our tent. There are only so many racers we can observe at one time; only so many karts we can download and analyze data. Because of this, we try and limit the number of racers in one class, as well as the number of classes we support. Our goal is not to make take on as many people as we can in and maximize profit.
What we most look for in our team drivers who demonstrate values of perseverance, competitiveness, sportsmanship, self-reflection, and compassion. Great racers not only have the competitive drive to win, but also can lose with grace and be happy for those who had a better day. We are here to help the racers on our team become successful not only as racers but as humans. If you are approached by Hatch to join Team Blackstar, it is because a team member has recognized these values in you.
Why not go with a bigger, “more successful” team. When a team has 20 drivers, they will always have a few winners, but how are the rest of the drivers doing? Will you get the individualized attention and support you need under the “big box” or just be another entry. The goal for Blackstar Motorsports is to have all their drivers in contention for a podium on every race day. I have worked under “the tent” of many successful teams and have observed that often the tuning is dictated by what the fastest driver is doing. While there is a sound strategy behind this, karting is not a one size fits all and what works well for one driver may not work as well for another. As a 6’3” in racer myself, I know that my set up will be very different from a 5’6” driver.
Many very successful drivers are becoming racing team owners, coaches, and tuners, so why should you trust Blackstar Motorsports? There is a big difference between racing a kart successfully and teaching someone else to do it. With my background in teaching, I have combined my 40 years of karting knowledge with research based teaching strategies to develop an effective learning program.
Kart Tune-Up
With 40 years of karting experience in spring, road race, and speedway, Hatch has developed a very complete understanding of how a racing kart operates and why. Many racer talk about adding or taking away grip which indicates a fundamental flaw in their understanding of how a kart operates.
It takes a lot of track time and experience for a driver to be able to give good, accurate feedback to dial a kart in. A good tuner uses their track observations to ask the guiding questions needed to not only get the communication needed, but help the racer truly understand what is happening and WHY.
Race kart handling is all about weight transfer: where the weight is going and why. If a racer needs more rear grip in means we need more weight to transfer to the rear tire and less to the front. Another very common mistake is believing that “more grip” is needed because a tire is sliding. This tends to indicate a lack of understanding of the traction circle. Again, this is why to maximize your racing success you need an experience, expert observer to determine if the sliding problem is being caused by too little or too much “grip”.
Coaches vs. Tuners:
What is the difference between a coach and a tuner. A driving coach works on developing driving fundamentals, race-craft, and the mental strength needed to be a successful racer. A tuner, focuses specifically on the kart handling and engine performance. The best tuners will work with the driving coach and driver on driving technique needed to maximize the machines performance for the track and conditions.
Race Coaching
“Good coaching is not an expense, it is an investment.”
The single best way to accelerate your learning in Karting as well as any other sport, is with good coaching. In about every other sport other than karting, the first day consists of meeting your coach and being given instruction. In karting, a new kart is purchased and the driver (who often hasn’t even driven a car or participated in driver’s training) is sent out on the track. They do their best, but in reality they are likely developing bad habits that may feel right, but don’t result in fast driving. The longer they drive without good coaching, the longer it will take to break the bad habits. In my opinion, a good coach is more important than a good tuner, a new kart, a new engine, or new tires.
Track Support
Blackstar Motorsports provides team support for racers at local and regional races that focuses on providing a fun and family racing environment while simultaneously improving results. Blackstar trackside support is developed with understanding that many kart racers do not have years of racing experience and will benefit from having expert guidance through the process in order to maximize their performance. Whether it is helping with set-up for a new track, understanding the different rules packages, or just managing the ups and downs of a race weekend, working with the support of a whole team is often better that going alone. Trackside team support includes (but is not limited to):
- Driver and tuner coaching and support
- Hatch observes every track session for drivers “under the tent” in order to help drivers develop communication skills needed to guide tuning.
- Data Analysis including MyChron and Go-Pro data
- Team atmosphere in which all members support each other; specifically drivers reviewing video and data together to help improve performance
- Access to chassis tuning tools including electronic scales, chassis tuning table, laser-alignment, spindle straightening.
- Tire mounting
- Tent space provided including tent floors and walls when necessary.
- Lunches and snacks
Kart Preparation / Maintenance
“Proper preparation prevents poor performance”
Because the race kart is a crucial component in racing, roper maintenance and preparation is fundamental component of racing success. Most individuals getting involved in kart racing have limited experience in mechanics and even less time. Blackstar motorsports has all the specialized tools in addition to the expertise to do all routine maintenance and preparation to allow you to focus your limited time at the racetrack on driving, not wrenching. The most valuable resource in racing is track time, do not waste this resource by having to spend it preparing the kart and/or fixing things that could have been prevented. Race day DNF’s due to mechanical issues in the biggest and most preventable waste of valuable resources.
Blackstar Kart Prep includes:
- In-depth cleaning and inspection of all components and fasteners.
- Frame inspection including straightness on frame table
- Laser alignment of front end including sweep
- Oil change (4-cycle specific)
- Filter cleaning
- Chain cleaning, oiling, and alignment
- Clutch cleaning
- Engine inspection including leak down test and valve clearance check / adjustment
Get in Touch
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