Happy New Year everyone 

We have quite a line-up of events for you all for 2026.  Please see the news item at https://www.cyclekartsgb.com/news/oultonpark25-g42p8

LIMITATIONS ON NUMBER OF ENTRIES
Club membership rose significantly during 2024 and 2025, consequently there was concern that the number of entries for the 2025 events would need to be limited. Thankfully, whilst we reached a maximum for some of the events, we did not exceed it. Therefore, during 2025 we did not have to reject any entries, but this is likely to be an issue for 2026.
Membership continues to rise for 2026, so we are likely to exceed our expected maximum limit of entries for events. The maximum limit is
dictated by parking space, paddock space, track size and facilities. It is also limited by the amount of planning and on-the-day management that is required. Therefore, we will be seeking volunteers to assist with the running of each event.
Furthermore, for most of the events all entrants will be expected to assist with being marshals for one or two sessions during the day.   Subsequently, with assistance from the membership we can hopefully increase the maximum number of entries.

Please keep a watching eye on the “Events” section of our Forum for up-to-date details on each event.

Hi Barry, welcome to the madhouse.  Racing hovercraft was something I always wanted to have a go at, but other projects got in the way.

The problem with these types of fabrications is that the fasteners are at the points of highest load and subsequently are very prone to wear and becoming loose.  The stresses can be lowered by adding triangular webs at the joints, fish-plates, etc which also allows many more fasteners to be added.  All holes should ideally be close tolerance, but wear and becoming loose will always be a problem.

Looking great, I've not used clay before so I will be pestering you for info next time we meet up 

Hi Tim, my preference is to place them so the axle can easily come out of the chassis rearwards.  Generally, if the axle needs to be raised vertically to remove it, the engine is often on the way.
I generally use parts cut off a doner go-kart, so I have to consider the brake caliper mounting as well.  Consequently, the caliper/axle mount is generally "landscape" as you describe it, whilst the other end is "portrait".  A little bit more difficult to remove the axle, but still possible without having to remove or move the engine.

Hi Matt, welcome to the mad-house.  From your description, your in for a treat with your build.  There will be lots of head-scratching to do throughout your build, but its all fairly simple engineering, and there's lots of good gen on the Forum.
Dont get too hung up on details, as it can really slow your build down, plus your 90% certain to be building a second one or more, and you re-think during those builds 

Hi Paddy, thanks very much for the detailed response and the photo, its great to have some real-life experience and data 

Nice one Jim 
As has been mentioned many times, we are a "design and construction" club, not an "assembly" club.  At the end of the day it is all a compromise and each builder has their own reasoning and thoughts when building their cyclekart.  This guide gives lots of good information to enable members to reach their own conclusions and to have a lot of fun working out what is best for them