Hello all, I'm having the itch to get into karting after getting a taste of it a few years back. I'm researching into getting involved more regularly, not necessarily for competing but more as a hobby. There is a great facility in the area that's run by some really good people. In the opinion of the people on this board what would you feel would be the proper type of kart to run? The brief experience I have was with the TAG karts and that was great fun. If I want to do mostly for hobby but maybe do some competition is this a good kart to look at or are there other classes I should consider? Thanks everyone!
I'm not a big kart fan for safety reasons. While it is apparently rare that anyone gets seriously hurt, it is a bit disconcerting to see black tire tracks on the backs of drivers' leathers. I'll take a NASCAR cage, Hans, and a 6-point belt any day. Dale
I've been racing in the TAG class for the past five years. It happens to be the biggest class at my local track so there's always a lot of good competition. Your local track may have a different dominant class. I have a 2012 32 mil Kosmic with a Rok TT (TAG engine) that I'll be trading in next month. If you think you may be interested in it send me a PM.
How long is a piece of string?..... My 02c; Go & spend some time at your local track during a meeting. See which classes are popular. I know you said you didn't want to compete, but I guarantee you will - Chugging around by yourself will get old in a hurry. There's more different classes than you can shake a stick at, and their popularity varies some by region. What other circuits are reasonably close? Gearbox or not? "Short track" only? Many, many decisions to be made before parting with any $ IMO..... You may even want to investigate if anyone does "arrive & drive" locally, even if for a test session rather than racing. This way you can get a feel for different setups etc. Good luck, Cheers, Ian
Rotax tag group is awesome but it all comes down to what is supported and run at your local track. This is key.
I agree with the last couple of guys, that you should research what classes/groups run at your track. I would recommend starting off in a 100cc HPV Tag kart and learn the basics. These karts are inexpensive yet fast and fun. When you improve your driving skill then you move up to a 125cc engine Tag kart and you will be much faster. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I raced PP Can 100cc to start in karting and it was an inexpensive fun way to get started and learn how to drive the right lines and be smooth. If you have to start in a shifter because you want to go that route, talk to some of the guys at the local track who are near the front and ask them why they are in what they are in and what they like and dislike about it. Karting is the best bang for your buck in the entire world of racing bar none. MB
Really appreciate all the feedback guys, you are all awesome. I believe there is a pretty big rotax involvement at the track and that was the route I was thinking. I'm trying to organize a ride with one of the club heads as he offers free rides, pretty sweet really. Still looking further into everything, keep it coming everyone you are all great
I have been racing karts for over 20 plus years- from 100cc direct drive to TAG and shifters. I highly recommend you to get a 100cc kart with a KPV100cc motor that has a dry clutch. The TAG and shifters (125cc) have too many variables that mechanically could frequently spoil the days for you at the track. They have more power and therefore you probably won't get the most out of it anyway. And they will exhaust you physically. After all these years of racing karts, I have more fun and less trouble with the 100cc than other classes. It gives me more seat time and less pit time. Need any help with finding the right kart, email me at [email protected] if you need any help. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hey! I trust you paid many $ to the Scuderia in order to use "their" logos & sponsors on that thing! I'm way out of touch, but is this 100cc / KPV class using "bump starting"? [for the noobs; Strong(ish) dude picks up the ass, runs & drops it] OK if you're the jockey, but starting got to be hard work! *Many* years back I put myself seriously out of action starting someone - Sucked!..... Cheers, Ian
Ian, The HPV/KPV that Kalvin was referring to uses a hand-held starter that has a battery. Just push a button and it starts right up.
S-w-e-e-t-!...... Thanks! I do know my days of picking 'em up are over! Cheers, Ian PS - Do any classes still use the bump start approach?
I had a Rotax and loved it. I wish I would have never sold it. In fact, I'm thinking of selling my ICC shifter and going back to the Rotax just because it is so low-maintence and hassle free. For a casual weekend warrior it offers the greatest bang for the buck IMHO. The Rotax fields here are massive and the support is great. They are really bullet proof and are fast enough to keep you smiling for a long time. Plus, there are always great deals to be found since they are so popular. Find out the preferred/supported brand at your track and check them out. Also, you can check out eKartingNews.com :: Index for more info than you will ever be able to read.
I also run a Rotax 125, I have a CRG Tag kart. The engine has almost 80 hours on it and it still rus strong. The only thing I have replaced is the clutch.
With apologies to Bryan for the hijack of his thread!..... As some may know, I'm getting close to moving back to the UK. Which of the classes being discussed here are "international"? Same rules? TIA for any insights, Cheers, Ian
Dont think any class in the US follow CKI rules. The only one is KZ1 which is open shifter 125 CC. Here in the states, most series do not run open 125 CC as we have all converted to 125 CC spec shifter which based on the Honda Cr 125.
Let's talk chassis. I always wanted to race but never could find an outlet. So one day a customer wants to trade a CRG shifter as part payment on major service. Needless to say I took the deal and in my first year won the championship at my local track. Once it was set up it drove so smooth and easy that I didn't get worn out. I drove other makes at the track and couldn't believe how hard they were to control. Don't know if I just got lucky and got the setup right or if CRG is that much better. Either way the kart did most of the work, I was just a passenger.
Craig, You probably just got lucky. The reality is that setup, ie, sprocket size, jetting, tire choice/psi, can be different from track to track, season to season. I own a 2008 CRG Kali Chassis and have beaten guys with a 2012 chassis. Some say that Chassis frame tubing is why. My kart has 32mm tubing and the trend seems to be that the tubing is getting thinner 28-31mm tubing on the newer karts. That allows for the chassis to flex more. I prefer a stiffer chassis personally. I would say that if your current setup is working for you and your lap times are consistent then leave it alone and have fun!
i bought a rotax(used), maybe ten years ago. as luck would have it i blew a disk before the cart arrived. been sitting since. any interest? at 75 it's time to clean out the shelves. motor was new, never started. some spares(unknown)
I have an ICC homologated TonyKart shifter kart. It's brand new, never been run and the same one that Schumacher used to win the Monaco Cup a few years back. I've been looking at getting back into it (I raced karts as a teen) but just haven't found the will to overcome the PITA factor. Anyways, it's the best kart money can buy. I did a ton of research when I bought it and I knew there was never anything better.
Just sold my Sodi ICC Shifter about 6 months ago ... just didn't have the time to commit to get to the level I needed to be. G
I've been a Rotax guy for several years but the most important thing really is to run what is most popular in your area... it's definitley Rotax in mine. Other advise- you can have lots of fun with an inexpensive setup AND you can spend a fortune and not be competitive. I started out with a cheap (but legal) setup and still feel the equipment exceeds my own abilities. Being older, it's hard to describe just how physically demanding 125cc Rotax can be with good tires! As you do it more, your wants list will change (at least it did for me). At first I was really thinking my first big upgrade was to an Arrow X1 chassis. As I did it more, I felt I would get more for my money by sepding it on fresh tires more often. It may be different in your area... but here in the northeast, if you want to run reasonably competitively on a race weekend, it isn't a cheap endeavor. Between a practice and race day including pit pass, entry fees, fuel, supplies and tires, spending between $500-$1000 on a weekend is pretty easy. It's a lot of fun and great workout though.
