Page 1 of 1
Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 3:47 pm
by Steve Ekstrand
Steve Coe, owner of C2 Motorsports down in San Diego is sending me up a Bell Star 500 kids helmet and I go to the deep OC to pick up a Top Kart Kid Kart with new style Comer engine. The Top Kart is $300 more than the CRG or Biesse so it must be better right? Red frame with yellow floor and blue bodywork. And the Italians are supposed to rule style and fashion???? Capital U-gly.
Anyway, I've been stressing for weeks, but "Santa Claus" and his "helpers" have come through. Thursday morning there is going to be one VERY HAPPY LITTLE 5yo.
Now to figure out how to introduce him to driving it. And figuring out where to get gas, oil, tires, etc. How to rebuild the carb and clean out the tank... How to maintain, jet, tune, setup, fix, and otherwise do my role as kart dad.....
Caution to the course workers. Robert isn't afraid to take out your ankles. He is my son. }:) }:) }:) }:) }:) }:) }:) }:)
Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 3:48 pm
by Steve Ekstrand
Oh yeah.... My "L" is sticking....
Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 3:54 pm
by Sebastian Rios
Congrats! I'm sure Robert will be super stoked!
http://www.adamsmotorsportspark.com/racing-school.html
Adams kart track in Riverside has a very good school, but Robert may still be a little young for it (5-7).
Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 3:54 pm
by Jeff Shyu
fearless kids are great fun to watch..
will he be out at the jan event? i'll be out with the camera assuming no rain..

Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 4:11 pm
by Yuki Haneda
yay another kid kart in the crew!
Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 4:38 pm
by Robert Puertas
If you're coming anywhere near Irvine, stop by!
Not that I'd want Finn to see a kart yet... }:)
Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 4:43 pm
by Steve Coe
Steve,
Congrats and thanks for the sale too. Bell Is swell!
Get Memo Gidley's book on karts
http://www.mgspeedsecrets.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Steve
Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:25 pm
by John Kestler
If it warms up, We might be going up to the Willow Springs kart track between Christmas and New Year. This is the perfect place to get your kid some empty (almost) track time. Let me know if you are interested.
Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:44 pm
by Steve Ekstrand
Hey John, what do the kids need for safety equipment at the kart tracks? For solo, I think they just need a denim jacket and jeans.
We'll have the helmet and the kart, not much else.
Also what fuel do these things run on? The LAKC website shows the kid kart rules and it shows VPMS98 plus Burris Castor Oil.
Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:02 pm
by Kurt Rahn
Sweet! I wish my parents would have done that for me! Then they wouldn't have had to pay for Poly for 12 years

Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:07 pm
by Steve Ekstrand
Are you including any of the repeated years???

Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:19 pm
by Eric Clements
Steve Ekstrand wrote: For solo, I think they just need a denim jacket and jeans
+ neck collar and gloves.
Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:22 pm
by Steve Ekstrand
Good. I knew the gloves part. Wasn't sure on the neck collar.
Are rib protectors needed\recommended even if not required????
Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:33 pm
by Kurt Rahn
Steve Ekstrand wrote:Are you including any of the repeated years???

I started in 8th grade ;)
Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 3:01 pm
by Larry Andrews
Steve Ekstrand wrote:Good. I knew the gloves part. Wasn't sure on the neck collar.
Are rib protectors needed\recommended even if not required????
I'll offer this: Shifters can't pass kid karts in the corners. The fastest and slowest karts both do the exact same 1.5+ Gs on sticky tires.
You also may want to consider contacting Doug Fleming at
http://www.flemingmotorsports.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for help with the C51. Ask about Colin...
Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 5:53 pm
by Steve Ekstrand
Picked up the Kart today. Really sweet. Totally clean and ready to go.
I ordered a set of tires and wheels that'll be in next week. They put a fresh set of dark blue body work on that I like better than the baby blue.
I got some basic supplies. Burris Castor and VP98 spec gas. I got him a dedicated tire gauge for the kart with lower range. I got tri flow numbers, number plates, and a spare spark plug. They cleaned the tank and carb as part of their sale prep. Looked brand new. I got a kart stand.
So, he's just gloves away from being to able to run. I think I'll pick up a rib protector when I pick up the tires and wheels. I'd like to get a measuring cup and dedicated fuel jug for the kart.
They run a spec gear in sprint kid karts of 10-89. I don't know if that is a local rule or a WKA rule. So, I don't know if we are stuck with that. On a solo course, I think the little comer will be looking for another gear.
Its a fresh blueprinted motor. It doesn't have any of the trick lightweight parts like the PKT hollow axle or lightweight brake or feather weight floating sprocket.
It is pretty amazing how low the friction is though. Kill the motor and the rear tires just spin forever and ever and ever.
Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 9:47 am
by Larry Andrews
http://www.valhallaracing.com/armadillovest.cfm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.ribtect.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Let the spending begin...
Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 1:28 pm
by Mako Koiwai
the rear tires just spin forever and ever and ever.
Does that mean very little compression? Is it different with a 2 Stroke engine? Or does a clutch disengage the axle?
Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 4:40 pm
by Steve Ekstrand
THe clutch must disengage. There was not resistence at all. And these aren't the super trick ceramic bearings and such. It was also a solid axle which stores some energy.
Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 5:40 pm
by John Kestler
Steve Ekstrand wrote:Hey John, what do the kids need for safety equipment at the kart tracks? For solo, I think they just need a denim jacket and jeans.
We'll have the helmet and the kart, not much else.
Also what fuel do these things run on? The LAKC website shows the kid kart rules and it shows VPMS98 plus Burris Castor Oil.
Sorry, Don't check the site on weekends. As the Clements stated, gloves (can get at motorcycle shop), neck collar, and highly recommended, the chest protector (not to be confused with a rib protector). The rib protector helps us heavy guys not break a rib while cornering and hitting bumps, the chest protector is to keep a kid who hits a hay bail or other kart from breaking a sternum when hitting the steering wheel. An affordable one is made by K1 that meets the current safety standards. Although it is not required during open track days, I feel for the safety of my kids, I will take every precaution.
http://www.k1racegear.com/p-36-go-kart- ... ector.aspx
The Comer 50 is fairly low compression so for open days I use standard 91 with a semi-synthetic 2 stroke oil at either 24:1 or 20:1...I need to check my cans at home
Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 5:53 pm
by Steve Ekstrand
I have a helmet, neck collar, shoes, gloves. I will definitely get a chest protector. I would think those would be great for pitchers all the way up to college. With an aluminum bat in High School I could definitely have killed a pitcher. I swung a golf club back then 114mph. In long drive tourneys I managed some wild 125mph swings (A hard swing for Tiger). I could swing a bat too. Every couple years a pitcher gets hit in the chest and dies, couldn't these solve that???
I'm going to stop by Empire Karts on the way down to Palm Springs for Christmas this week. They seem to have a lot in stock, if not I'll have to order one. Any recs on a suit John? I remember your kidlets really looked great. They looked ready for an ad photoshoot. We'd like a cheapie though because Robert grows so fast, I can't imagine it fitting long.
I got vinyl cut today for his name on the kart and the helmet. And his number.
I love kart parts.... I saw the trick Kelvar composite ring gear for $23 today that saw on one of the killer champion Kid Karts. Gesh, if it was a car it would be a grand....
Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 6:31 pm
by Mako Koiwai
John ... hasn't your little one grown out of his suit, ie. available 4 sale to Robert?

Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 6:36 pm
by Steve Ekstrand
They are so cute..... I just melt. I'm a sentimental sucker for kids in drivers suits. Stacey just wants to put him in jeans and that makes sense.... But I want pics in a drivers suit!!!
Here's his halloween costume at age 2 and 10 months.

Re: Looks ike we have a new Jr. Karter
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:06 pm
by Mako Koiwai
Young'en/puppies ... big eyes, big heads, big helmets = cute