The bars supporting your sidepods can actually be considered a tunable item on the kart, as are the front and rear bars.
Setup Tip: Sidepod Bars
The default setting varies a bit by manufacturer, most racers at HCKC leave these loose for example. Having the bars tight can improve grip, while loosening them can reduce grip and help with lack of front grip/understeer.
Setup Tip: Rear Bar - unless you have a CIK style plastic bumper
Keeping this bar tight can improve grip at the rear, in very much the same manner as a rear torsion bar.
Setup Tip: Front Crash Bar
Bolts shown with the blue arrow - normally left tight with a rubber spacer between, can be loosened which will result in less front grip. When you loosen this bolt make sure it is not enough to cause the bar to slide forward or back, as this also changes the angle of your nose.
If you would like a close seat on the racing action, and a free one as well, we welcome anyone who wishes to volunteer. Corner Workers have the best seat in the house, on race day HCKC can use up to three in the outfield. Pit-passes are free for volunteer corner workers, and you do not need to be a member to help out, anyone who is willing to help is welcome. Please show up around an hour early and ask for the Race Director, so we can show you some of the basics - flags, radio operation, etc.