The braking system prescribed in the guidelines is very simple:
- Braking is permitted on the rear axle only.
- A parking brake must be installed that is capable of holding the engine under power
The guidelines do not really dictate how you do this, but do state that typically hydraulic disc brakes are preferred.
As with many of the other components, GoKart disc brakes are cheap, easy to obtain and easy to install. Discs and disc hubs can be purchased that work on a variety of rear axle types. And are generally just a bolt-on affair.
Typically the disc(s) is mounted to the rear axle adjacent to the engine but within the rear bodywork. You may need one or two discs depending on your rear axle configuration.
Brake callipers and master cylinders from a GoKart can also easily be used. As mentioned in the foot pedal article, make sure that you buy a hydraulic line long enough to allow you to mount the master cylinder in the optimum position. Generally a line 2400mm long will do the job.
Other types of brakes are also allowed, for example brake drums, cable operated or any other style of braking. The only real requirement is that they actually work and have adequate performance. When deciding on what type of braking system to build, please consider that the engine will propel you to 60kph or more, so the brakes need to do an equally good job of stopping you from that speed.
Parking brake
The parking brake is a CCA event requirement as it addresses a common safety issue of runaway CycleKarts. This generally happens as a result of an issue with a stuck throttle and starting the car whilst standing next to it. The engine starts and then the CycleKart takes off at full speed, less the driver, out of control, only to stop when it hits something (or someone).
So most events now require one of two things. A safety lanyard, which shuts off the engine if you become separated from the CycleKart. OR a parking brake that is capable of holding the CycleKart with the engine running.
A manually operated brake or alternately a hydraulic line lock that can be used in conjunction with the existing hydraulic brake are both acceptable. The manually operated brake calliper can usually be mounted so that it operates on the same disc as the foot brake. These are usually cable operated and so can be connected to a period looking handbrake lever attached to the outside of the bodywork.