Cal Club Autocross Forums

I've always been thinking about Go-Karts & now re-thinking about this again.


Whats up with Go-Karts, since I was a kid I've wanted to race karts & AutoCross?

Being the broke mo-fo that I am, I wondering if in the long run if Karts might be the best Bang for Buck?

Who can enlighten me on this?
I figure it would easily fit in my single car garage & would also fit nicely in the back of my Dually...

No trailer needed.

I'm thinking 5 Grand total investment would make me very compeitive if I actually have the skills....

If I wasn't an out of shape fat dude, I'd be all over a Kart. Dave Monette has one advertised here that is very complete and ready to rock. You can buy a national competitive ride cheaper than any thing I can realistically think of. And cheap tires and maintenance.


You can probably lift it right into the bed of the slammed dually.

Steve Ekstrand wrote:If I wasn't an out of shape fat dude, I'd be all over a Kart. Dave Monette has one advertised here that is very complete and ready to rock. You can buy a national competitive ride cheaper than any thing I can realistically think of. And cheap tires and maintenance.


You can probably lift it right into the bed of the slammed dually.

Yeah I feel your pain about being a fat guy.
but figure this might motivate me to lose weight.

Might you have a link to that kart for sale?

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=86" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So does anyone know much about Karts?

Like brands frames & such are what winning out there & why?

what type of karts are autocrassing & racing the circuts & doing well?

I know there use to be karts you practically layed down in for the high speed racing & theres the sit up-right Karts..

Do alot of them show up at Solo events??

Hmmm.. where to start.

One thing, a source of good info and possibly used karts is ekartingnews.com

You want a normal shifter 125cc motorcycle engine based kart. Look for bigger names like CRG and Birel. The larger names makes it easier to get parts for. Very old karts....let's say before 2000, MIGHT have more problems getting parts for. You don't need much in terms of special parts, maybe brake stuff.

You want a kart that has both front and rear brakes. If you are tall, look for an extended porch option. Seat, you probably will want to get a new one to fit you. It is important that the seat be snug and hold you in.

Motors. 125cc Hondas are popular, but they are not your only choice. You can also get a "built" motor with more hp for some cost, but there is often a trade off in a torque band vs peaky.

Expect to pay between $2500 and $4000 for a used setup. Often if you pay less, you will pay more in add ons. It is not uncommon to see complete set ups for sale as people get in and out of karting. You will want some tools, kart stand, gloves, neck brace, rib vest, extra gears, air box, extra wheels.

Kart stuff is cheap. And easy to work on.

There is a guy named David H selling a CRG setup (I think) with a built Yamaha engine, tools, everything including a trailer, for $2800. $2600 without the trailer. This includes stands, suit, everything. I think this is a good deal. Downside is getting it from Texas to here. Shipping is about $400 for a kart.

Or go with the one the other David is selling on here. Lots of kart guys will help you out.

There are some very cool things about running a kart. Let me list the ones I thought were very cool.

1. You go fast. Nothing like flying 1/4" off the ground (or have your kart seat scrape the ground!) at over 80mph through the cones. There is hardly anything at all in the door slammer world that comes close to this in terms of cornering (near 3Gs), braking, or acceleration. And transitions. Holy crap it can happen fast. You spend most of the run playing catch up... and I like that. I hate waiting for the next corner in a slow car.

2. Visceral. You can see the tires, the slip angles. You feel everything. Wind. Noise. Errant cones in your lap. There is no closer way to be one with the machine.

3. Track days. Kart tracks are awesome and a great value (sadly we have lost the best one, Moran). Most kart days are from $20-30 and you can run until you are too tired to run anymore. And you will learn a lot.

4. You won't complain if the course designer makes the course too tight for the Vette.

5. Easy to haul. Throw it in the van or truck and get a small trailer. I used to haul my kart behind my 4 cyl Honda.

6. Easy to repair. Like being able to work on a lawnmower. Rebuilds are easy. Simple stuff.

7. Cheap to repair. Most parts are silly cheap compared to cars. New wheels for $30. Steering link for $12. Etc.

8. Tires are cheap. Less than $200 a set and you can mount them at home.



DOWNSIDES-

1. Noisier and dirtier than most street cars.
2. Some people don't like karts and will transfer that to you. They are few, but they think that karts should not be allowed in SCCA (and some dislike that you are faster than them, in your "toy.")
3. You will need to maintain the kart more than most cars. Easy and simple, but you have to keep fasteners tight, possibly change gears, check air density if you are serious.
4. It is harder to drive a kart fast than a car. Stuff happens much quicker. You need to develop techniques for getting in and out. For not stalling the kart. For restarts.
5. Having to be push started sucks a little. Learning how to run start your kart is cool, but a little scary if you are old like me.
6. In the rain. I would rather stay home or autocross the tow vehicle.
7. You have to learn where to gas ras fuel and mix it with oil.

For a good example of what a 125cc shifter is like on a kart track, download and run this
http://www.cpdserver.com/video/kart/one ... aceway.wmv" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is from the old days when we were developing video systems (late 90s!).

DOWNSIDES-
1. Noisier and dirtier than most street cars.
2. Some people don't like karts and will transfer that to you. They are few, but they think that karts should not be allowed in SCCA (and some dislike that you are faster than them, in your "toy.")
3. You will need to maintain the kart more than most cars. Easy and simple, but you have to keep fasteners tight, possibly change gears, check air density if you are serious.
4. It is harder to drive a kart fast than a car. Stuff happens much quicker. You need to develop techniques for getting in and out. For not stalling the kart. For restarts.
5. Having to be push started sucks a little. Learning how to run start your kart is cool, but a little scary if you are old like me.
6. In the rain. I would rather stay home or autocross the tow vehicle.
7. You have to learn where to gas ras fuel and mix it with oil.

I'd add to that that driver weight is crucial to performance. That's not a downside for a lot of people, but with my fat butt pushin' three bills, I couldn't beat someone who weighed 120-130 even if I drove like Ayrton Senna. But even if you're not competitive, it's fun as hell! Like you said, it's a visceral experience because there's nothing between you, the machine and the road.

That is less true in F125 class as everyone has to meet minimum weights and most people have to ballast up to get there. Advantage to the heavier guy that gets to use less ballast so his kart is lighter. The guy under 175-180 will have to ballast up, so there is no advantage to someone weighing 120 pounds in F125.

One theory has been put forth that a taller person can use his body more effectively in F125, ala Tom Harrington (Monkey Boy). He is not light either.

To take part in the SOLO karting experience, view my videos at:

http://mcontour.9250x.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I 2nd, 3rd, and 4th most of what randy said. It's hard to go back to a car once you've run a kart!

Michael

Thanks for the Input guys...

My weight really has been crossing my mind.... I'm 6'0" 250 lbs.
& kept thinking to myself if I start racing a Kart against 100 lbs kids no matter how good I drive the weight advantage will kill any chance I might have.

Since there is a weight limit INCLUDING driver, it will not matter if the other guy is 120 pounds, or 180 pounds. Now at some point, you will be above minimum weight so that will be an issue somewhat. Good news is, you do not need to ballast and that means your kart is a lot easier to lift. And you will find you lift them a lot.

There is a higher limit for karts running electronic ignition, the extra weight is the penalty for more power. So simply, you should use electronic ignition also. You won't be that far over the minimum.

The minimum weight for F125 is 385 pounds, including driver. So your kart would want to be 135 pounds. Programmable ignition adds 30 pounds, so now your kart wants to weight 165 pounds. Add some fudge factor, no sense in being disqualified for being a pound under. So assume you want a kart that weights 170 pounds. Expect your kart to weigh 190, maybe 200 pounds. Maybe less. Now you are only 20 pounds over weight. Maybe 30.

That amount of weight will be lost in the driver skill level noise.

Randy Chase wrote:Since there is a weight limit INCLUDING driver, it will not matter if the other guy is 120 pounds, or 180 pounds. Now at some point, you will be above minimum weight so that will be an issue somewhat. Good news is, you do not need to ballast and that means your kart is a lot easier to lift. And you will find you lift them a lot.

There is a higher limit for karts running electronic ignition, the extra weight is the penalty for more power. So simply, you should use electronic ignition also. You won't be that far over the minimum.

The minimum weight for F125 is 385 pounds, including driver. So your kart would want to be 135 pounds. Programmable ignition adds 30 pounds, so now your kart wants to weight 165 pounds. Add some fudge factor, no sense in being disqualified for being a pound under. So assume you want a kart that weights 170 pounds. Expect your kart to weigh 190, maybe 200 pounds. Maybe less. Now you are only 20 pounds over weight. Maybe 30.

That amount of weight will be lost in the driver skill level noise.

Thanks for that great motivating info!
I'm been working a diet plan anyways & it does fall pretty fast when I stick to it..

Michael Contour wrote:To take part in the SOLO karting experience, view my videos at:

http://mcontour.9250x.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I 2nd, 3rd, and 4th most of what randy said. It's hard to go back to a car once you've run a kart!

Michael

Thanks for the Video links!
I'm watching them now & loving them...

Great clips!

Michael Contour wrote:To take part in the SOLO karting experience, view my videos at:

http://mcontour.9250x.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I 2nd, 3rd, and 4th most of what randy said. It's hard to go back to a car once you've run a kart!

Michael

That's really cool, I always kind of thought the karters just floored it pretty much everywhere, it's interesting to see that you had to brake and/or lift in all of the same places I did while driving a car.

You have to do more throttle steering and modulation in a kart than most cars.

This has been a good read.

Thanks Randy,

Dmbrown34

Yeah. Get the idea that Randy likes karts a little bit?

I am buying another one.

From the above, it sounds like you need to. ;)

Randy Chase wrote:I am buying another one.

And you can tow it with the Noble.

Eric Clements wrote:

Randy Chase wrote:I am buying another one.

And you can tow it with the Noble.

And, you'll have the best handling tow vehicle out there.

Bob Beamesderfer wrote:

Eric Clements wrote:

Randy Chase wrote:I am buying another one.

And you can tow it with the Noble.

And, you'll have the best handling tow vehicle out there.

the tricks finding a trailer that can do 1.1g and not snap oversteer on you ;)