What is a gear ratio, and why do I care?
” Let’s say you are new to a track, and your engine builder or fellow kart racer in your class recommends that you run about a 4.42 ratio. Your next question is, what clutch and gear makes a 4.42 ratio. 4.42= 53 divided by 12. It’s just a mathematical equivalent. A ratio is just like a fraction but in decimal form so that it is easier to compare. example… 14T clutch, 56T rear gear. 56 (divided by) 14 = 4 This would be the same ratio as 15T (divided by) 60T = 4. 56/14 = 4, 15/60 = 4 Likewise 12/53 = 4.42. It’s just 6th grade math and pre-algebra that many of us took for granted back then. Whoever said algebra was useless? Math is extremely useful in racing! Something you can try for yourself…lets say your gear chart only goes up to 19T, but a buddy of yours has been running a 20T clutch for street races or bigger tracks, (not uncommon). He is running a gear set of 20T clutch, 58T rear gear. You only have an 18T clutch with you. What do you do? A.) Pack up and go home cuz you can’t b
