HardRock Racing

08/27/2026

It’s Friday eve, going into today on 1.5 hours of sleep…
But tomorrow is last day before 2weeks vaca and UAS Grand Nationals!!!

08/12/2026

Long nights in the shop to be ready for the UAS GN, Labor Day weekend in Tn

Serial #3 coming along nicely, she’ll be ready for a shakedown along with the fresh Buller Bama, this weekend.

As some of you may know, house karts are always day glow Orange…, unless they are not.

This one and its sister, will be for sell after the GN.

Why grey you ask?? ‘Cause she’s a MACHINE!

08/10/2026

07/23/2026

Just thought I’d share my opinion on air filtration.

Now most everyone will agree that good air filtration on the carburetor is paramount to engine performance and longevity.

However from what I’ve observed in dirt karting, all over the country, some racers overlook the filtration of the crankcase ventilation system on these 4 cycle powered karts. I often see the valve cover vent tube either not connected to anything or loosely fitted into a catch can ( as required by all sanctioning bodies and most tracks), but with the catch can vented to the atmosphere without any filtration.

When the flapper valve in the valve cover is working properly, the crankcase will have a lower than atmospheric pressure with the engine running - this means that outside air is constantly getting in the engine. With no filtration in this path, that track dust is going straight to the engine oil and turning it into a grinding compound. This kills ring seal, valve guides and all bearing surfaces- and it can do it quicker than a dirty airfilter.

These cheap fuel filters work great for vent lines and you can buy them for less than a $1 each at the jungle store.

You don’t need a fancy catch can either
A small plastic drink bottle works great and can be zip tied where ever you need it. I like the wide mouth bottles like gator aid type drinks come in. Two 5/16” holes drilled in the lid will make a tight seal around the typical 1/4” ID fuel line used on most karts. If the holes get loose fitting over time toss the bottle and start over. Same with the filter, if it looks dirty, spend that 79 cents !

Less than $5 spent and a few minutes of your time can be the difference between needing the engine freshened up every 4-5 races versus 12-20+ races…

Carburetor air filters are definitely important too, if the airfilter adapter (inside) is grimy at all after the race day, you need to step up your air filter game.

07/06/2026

Managed to pull another win yesterday at OffRoad Kartway, Norfolk NE.
That’s two 1/4 point NEUAS wins now-I rekon I need to make plans for the Grand Nationals in September to see if I can put together more that 5 good laps…

Several karts fell out early or didn’t make the grid for the main, but that’s racing. I missed the first heat , due to clutch and gearing issues, but got it sorted out for the second heat and the main event.

The Innovation Aero-Rock chassis was on rails again and for this race I had switched to the late Al Eshman built little Sudam motor -it was more than enough motor for the day.
Al, man I miss being able to call you to tell you how the race day went - ❤️‍🩹

None of this would be possible without great friends that help in the shop and at the track, Austin Rose, Wayne Van Eperen, Doug at DZ Machine, HardRock Racing, Dover Power, Laukatis Racing, Chavous Motorsports, AJC Tires, Track Tac tire preps.

Looks like I have a few weeks off from racing, so it’s time to get busy in the shop and crank out some chassis’s.

06/29/2026

Hot Sunday!
Thankful for the light breeze during the day.

Picked up the Nebraska UAS 1/4 point win.

The AeroRock chassis was on rails all day and the Laukatis internal prep had the Maxxis Whites on 🔥

The little HardRock Racing baby open was just enough to get the job done.

Couldn’t have done it without the support of DZ Machine (custom machine parts), Dover Power, and Austin Rose & Wayne Van Eppren for track side help.

04/20/2026

Well it wouldn’t be a HardRock Racing roadtrip without some kinda adventure. Turns out bolts had gone missing from one of the individual torsion axles under the jet ski trailer. Stopped for long John silvers and noticed one side a. It squatty compared to the other. A little investigation determined the cause. Grabbed a few tools from the local Wally World and back on the road again.

04/12/2026

Putting in the work all week and this weekend. Got all the tubing ready for 5 karts.
Finished welding this one Wednesday and dropper the powder coater Thursday morning.

Shout out to Hot Coat 751 here in Lincoln for the quick turnaround-picked it up Friday afternoon.

Fuel tank, seat and body left to mount and she’ll be ready for a new home.

-Rock, Innovation racing chassis, HardRock Racing LLC