KART History
This team has been launched by less than 20 students since december 2003. A small poster gathered us. We have been designing and building racing cars since then, overcoming numerous difficulties and crises to be dismissed. Now, we 30 buds who are in the fifth team are actively constructing the 6th racing car. Out team name KART stands for "Kyoto Academic Racing Team", and this also indecates we build a step-up formula car from the racing KART. Details about our past vehicles are seen in TECHNOLOGY.
| year/month | Vehicle | Activity |
| 2003/12 | YJ-R00 | KART launched!! |
| 2004/08 | Vehicle finished | |
| 2004/08 | Joined the 2nd competition in Japan ≫ 21th out of 32 teams | |
| 2005/05 | YJ-R01 | Vehicle finished |
| 2005/08 | YJ-R02 | Vehicle finished |
| 2005/09 | Joined the 3rd competition in Japan ≫ 12th out of 45 teams | |
| 2006/08 | YJ-R03 | Vehicle finished |
| 2006/09 | Joined the 4th competition in Japan ≫ 14th out of 50 teams | |
| 2007/07 | YJ-R05 | Vehicle finished |
| 2007/09 | Joined the 5th competition in Japan ≫ 6th out of 61 teams |
Activities
We construct a racing car, which has the following specifications to take part in the Formula SAE Competition. - 600cc engin displacement (YAMAHA YZF-R6)
- length: 3m or less, width: 1.5m or less, height: 1.5m or less
- Weight: 250kg or less
We students are responsible for all activities including the planning, designing, machining, testing and even public relations. Thus, we are more similar to a small manufacturer or a venture company than just a club.
KART's Policy
Our goal is to win the Formula SAE competition in Japan. Then, going farther, we swear we will win the competition in Korea, in Australia, and finally in the States. However, our priority is that we ourselves grow through this experience and acquire as many skills as possible. We know this activity tells us what we cannot learn at through lectures and would have a great influency on our lives.
Tradition
Long long before KART launched, in 1952, a vehicle had been made by a few student at Kyoto University. It was called "Strong-Heart". The students who made the vehicle in the era of post war were in the mechanical engineering department and gathered with a great ambition.
We are currently collecting materials about the "Strong-Heart". We would be grateful if those who knows that time tells about the story (mail to: info@formula-kart.org)
Members
KART now consists of more than 30 members who are from various fields. There're two big departments in the team, one is a manufacturing dept. and the other is a management dept. The former designs a vehcle, orders materials and subparts, and builds the car by machining, welding, and assemblying it. It is devided into four parts, that is frame, engine & power train, suspension, and cowl. The latter makes contacts with various sponsors and supporters, who help us with budgets, subparts, and technical support. It is also responsible for the public relations.
