Kitewings! Long touted and advertised as a stand-up sail,have just as long been dismissed for buggies. Ive personally hit 35 in a buggy with a wing,and the only reason I didn't go faster is because I didn't feel comfortable in the PL Comp. I was asked in another thread how it works so here it is.

In my opinion, its probably tough or un worth while to do on anything but the playa or pavement. Little surface friction is crucial. Because you're sitting,you are unable to fully sheet the sail in. However,once you get going your power will increase without sheeting more due to apparent wind. So this means you need slightly higher winds than say what you can normally kitewing with to get started (about 20 mph the wing/buggy gets fun) Since you can't really lean against the lift,you steer more upwind than normal to counter it.

It has its pros and cons. Obviously jumping isn't impossible but unlikely. Upwind performance is just insane. Shorter turning radius than pretty much anything else you can kitewing with. You can still slide around,pop up on 2 wheels,ride hooked in. Still super safe and de powerable. Little cons other than the higher wind needed and view obstruction.

And if you still don't believe this, I'll be the guy in a buggy with a kitewing at NABX passing you...upwind!

Nice want movie

Oh and to answer your question Jaymz,yes if you sheet in too far then the tips will drag. Also you have to be careful with smaller buggies, if you sheet too far the tire can rub on the sail. I've only used a PL Comp and the basic Libre, but if I can get my hands on an Ivanpah Buggy (cough cough Kent) during some 25 ish winds I can give an opinion on heavier race buggies which are appealing because the tires are way behind the pilot.

*edit*
Kami over the years I know people have seen it and shot it,but I'll be ranged if I ever got to see any of it. Maybe the cameras will be rolling at this NABX

702, I sense a wonderful rivalry between the 2 of us. May it always be close to keep it interesting. :evil:

I suppooooooose I could leave the 35psi knobby tires on....just to make it fair-ish ;-) but I peg you as the "dont take it easy on me" type. In that case,I'm not above putting ninja swords on my wingtips

Bob, you might wanna get some wire leader for lines!

Yeah, I'm not sure how well even kevlar will fair against those ninja swords. Well, you always have to decide "fight or flight" I guess I'm flyin!

I have images in my head like ol' Borntofli and his umbrella

Or the NABX 09 chair races. One racer walked by my car saying that the upwind on his chair sucked.

Or NABX '10 when Ken rocked the wheelchair with a kite!