Awesome & 100% agreeed I run a 100cc KPV (Komet Sr); as does my girlfriend and her 2 brothers here in WI at Dousman and 3 of us run the RT66 Sprint Kart Series (travels through the midwest). We run Merlin chassis and also run a Kart Mini Brasil. Mine's a MR32 and a CRG for my g/f is in the plans. We see people going from the Yamaha class which has less power that the Komet class going into TAG and alot of them are sloppy drivers because they haven't refined thier racecraft. The Komet setup is a great palett to fine tune your driving style without having too much power & complexity to get you off-base. Once those skills are honed, then a step up to TAG is good. Out here, our series reduced the weight class of Komet to 335lbs for this upcoming season! Last year the class ran at 345, so its definately going to be a challenge for us to keep competetive with the flyweights that are weighing in right at the min weigh-in. Becasue of this, we are all most likely going to switch to TAG next year. But overall, for the 4 of us even taking the whole circus of karts from place to place isn't that bad and the cost is reasonable being in the KPV/Komet class.
I had a Gold chassis 80cc shifter back in '98 yet unfortunately at that time I was in the seismic industry just as another round of lay-offs came. A friend was letting me make payments and actually transported the kart to our local track for me. I ran across this video on YT and can relate to the feelings although mine was always tracked so no joy rides on public roadways. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZDwL2xuzkU]First Reaction to my new shifter kart - YouTube[/ame] My very first time driving a kart was in a 100cc that a local team had brought out for some testing in the off-season and we got to talking.....next think I know I was in the kart and within 3sec of the track record for that class. Not only was I hooked but was amazed and the team was as well. I need another kart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Awesome! I remember being in Florida visiting friends quite some time ago, their neighbor had a shifter kart and a stretch of road much like in the video you posted. It was a BLAST!!!
I was shaking from all the adrenaline running through me, nirvana. Before I left the track that day I went around the track and picked up used tires and made a display in my apartment, kart 'nerd' I guess LOL! The thing with karting just like any other motorsport is it can be as expensive or inexpensive as one wants. The following link is of the track I used to go to and all the 'Asphalt' is an addition since I ran the track. Gulf Coast Karters | Our Track | About GCKI | Kart Racing in Houston | Houston Kart Track I will be there on the 29th as a track volunteer and start rekindling my karting passion.
Here's Hinch in my kart when they were in Milwaukee. Our last race for the season in 2 weeks at Midstate Kart Club in Springfield, IL. Currenly 7th in points of 17- not too shabby for a karting rookie Image Unavailable, Please Login
That dude has a death wish!!! All those telephone poles, cars, boat trailer etc. a few feet off the road. Not to mention the road looks beat as hell. Hit one little patch of gravel on those slicks and he's going to wrap himself around a pole. I love karts but they need to be respected.
My g/f's brother has bruised ribs from an earlier race and I fractured my lower tailbone after getting forced off track at Michiana Raceway Park 2 months ago. A broken arse is no fun! My impact broke both an adjustable and a frame mounted seat strut. 2 other racers in our series suffered broken collar bones this season. These things are serious when pushed.
I would be cautious starting with a shifter, starting with a TAG or 100cc would probably be best. In terms of chassis selection, I would stay with a chassis that is supported in your area. In the end, the fastest chassis is the one with the most support.
When I stopped racing bikes, I bought a shifter. Ran the Infenion series, got 4th in class for the season my first year. Never raced again. I'd quit racing bikes because I was sick of going to the hospital, and could see where it was headed. Sold the Cart this year, 10 years after I'd stopped racing. Art
So I spoke with one of the track officials at GCKI and I am now a 'track/corner marshal' for the races being held on the 29th. I was taken aback when I was informed I could be 'financially compensated' for my time but I declined as I just want to get back into karting and support our local karting community. Good times!!!
