Kart Expo showcases new one-man kart stands By Joe Brittin ST. CHARLES, IL - Several new one-man kart stands were on display at this year's Kart Expo International. With the weight of karts and classes seeming to be on the rise every year, the need for loading and unloading these heavy karts off the stand without having to break your back has become an issue (at least for the aging baby boomer kart racers). Another market for these stands is for the young kart racer who is not yet strong enough to help dad muscle the kart off the stand. One of the original, one-man kart stands, Kartlift, was on display. This stand is one of the original, modern, one-man kart stands and can be seen at www.kartlift.com. Two brand new one-man kart stands being demonstrated at the expo were the Kwik-Standz and the Pro 1 Kart Stand. Chris Seay had his beautiful powder coated Kwik-Standz on display near the TS Racing booth. This stand is adaptable to all sizes of kart frames by utilizing four elevated U-mount points that are adjustable to different chassis widths. The U-mounts also serve to elevate the kart off the crossbars so you can easily reach all areas underneath the kart without any obstructions. This stand also rotates the kart to multiple positions allowing the kart to sit at around a 45-degree angle for easy gear changes when the rear of the kart is elevated. Although this one-man stand does not completely unload a kart to its resting ground position, it does the job of unloading a kart off the stand with only one man, resting the kart on its rear bumper. The front of the kart must then be lowered after the stand is rolled out of the way. The stand rolls on large pneumatic tires. Another feature of this stand is an optional docking station for the kart trailer that allows karts to be transported on the stand at about a 60-degree angle. At this angle, several karts could be easily transported in your average 12 to 14 foot long kart trailer, while never having to take them off their stands. For more information, see www.pbandm.com. Another impressive one-man stand on display was the Pro 1 Kart Stand designed by Monty Garrelts. This stand does the complete job of moving the kart on and off the stand to its resting position without any lifting required by the operator. The stand operates with a hand crank or an electric motor option is also available. The stand has pneumatic wheels that automatically pull up and out of the way when the kart is lowered to the ground position. When in the raised position, the stand can be rotated about its lengthwise axis to allow access to working on the kart underside without having to bend you back. Another feature is a tool tray that can be moved to different positions on the stand. The stand comes with a black powder coating and an optional transport stud is available that allows the kart to be transported on the stand in the up position. Although this stand is the largest of the new one-man stands and may take up a more trailer space, it does the most complete job of moving the kart on and off the stand with a minimal amount of lifting effort involved. For more information, see www.pro1kart.com. Another one-man kart stand recently introduced is the Go-Lift from Columbia Engineering. This stand advertises itself as a one-man stand racing-kart carrier. This rolling kart stand uses two gas pistons to assist in lowering and raising the kart. Although the stand folds down to a fairly low position, the rear of the kart must still be lifted around ten inches to be set onto or unloaded from the down position of the stand. The stand weighs 70 lbs. and is capable of holding 300 lbs. The stand rolls on four ten-inch pneumatic tires. Although this stand does not rotate the kart for working on the underside, it has a little more user-friendly price of $349.95 plus. Optional tool tray and powder coating is also available. See www.golift.com for more information.