Karting or track days?
Discussion
I have a Caterham and do a few track days a year... but I have to confess that I'm finding them less and less 'exciting'. I even sometimes get a bit bored towards the end of the day and just mooch round or leave early 
You can't go wheel to wheel and 'race' and you can't really time your laps either. Plus, being my own car I always drive with a certain level of sympathy (ie I could drive quicker in a like for like car if it wasn't mine!). I've done track days where I've enjoyed the convey/roadtrip as much as the track outing!
Karting is much cheaper and you can actually 'race'! You can drive the wheels off the things and even have a little nudge if two are trying to go into a space big enough for one.
I know that many of you would say take the Caterhan racing - I hear you, but that takes costs to a level that I'm not willing to go to at the moment. Plus the car has been buggered about to the point that there isn't a class it will work in.
I look at the overall cost of a few track days - and it buys a whole lotta karting!
Anyone else ponder this one?
You can't go wheel to wheel and 'race' and you can't really time your laps either. Plus, being my own car I always drive with a certain level of sympathy (ie I could drive quicker in a like for like car if it wasn't mine!). I've done track days where I've enjoyed the convey/roadtrip as much as the track outing!
Karting is much cheaper and you can actually 'race'! You can drive the wheels off the things and even have a little nudge if two are trying to go into a space big enough for one.
I know that many of you would say take the Caterhan racing - I hear you, but that takes costs to a level that I'm not willing to go to at the moment. Plus the car has been buggered about to the point that there isn't a class it will work in.
I look at the overall cost of a few track days - and it buys a whole lotta karting!
Anyone else ponder this one?
Edited by Matt UK on Wednesday 14th May 09:43
Ponder it all the time. I actually quite fancy joining the mighty mini series, however, with 2 young children it is both unfeasible from a cost point, and the fact I'd see less of my kids as they wouldn't come and watch me. Once they're old enough to come and watch daddy race then I might go down the route.
Also thought about doing some hillclimbing...
Also thought about doing some hillclimbing...
I looked into karting a few years ago and as above it was the time commitment that was a killer for me. I usually go to midweek trackdays and take the day off work so it doesn't interfere with family life, plus I got to pick a suitable date and location. When I looked at karting there were set dates and the races were all over the place (assuming you wanted to enter a race series), essentially being whole weekends away. Great if you've got the time, but for me it was just a none starter.
Obviously you can just enter races at your local circuit but these were pay and play by me, and I didn't consider that much different to a trackday. If racing I'd want to race the same people each time so I could judge my performance.
Obviously you can just enter races at your local circuit but these were pay and play by me, and I didn't consider that much different to a trackday. If racing I'd want to race the same people each time so I could judge my performance.
Karting is way better, nothing comes close to a fully lit 2 stroke kart on a great circuit (most are in mainland Europe).
Get yourself a secondhand Rotax Max outfit and do some arrive and drive sessions at a local club. The racing can get serious and expensive quite quickly but in terms of driving technique and speed it's great.
Get yourself a secondhand Rotax Max outfit and do some arrive and drive sessions at a local club. The racing can get serious and expensive quite quickly but in terms of driving technique and speed it's great.
Keep the Catherham for weekend blasts, and do some karting as well?
Have a look around at your local tracks and see if any of them do an open race series you don't have to commit too. Many of the big tracks both indoor and out do it.
I've just entered into the one below (means a 50mile round trip but meh), signed myself up for two events with a friend to see how we get on, then if we really enjoy it we'll consider getting some kit and joining one of the local club meets.
You literally pay your fee, turn up to the open event and use their kit to race against 20-30 or so others. All the fun and none of the commitment.
From when I last looked http://www.daytona.co.uk/ do a none commital open grand prix, and this is the one I've entered. http://www.grandprixkarting.co.uk/competition/ulti...
I can post back here in a few weeks and let you know what it was like, how I got on if you like?
Have a look around at your local tracks and see if any of them do an open race series you don't have to commit too. Many of the big tracks both indoor and out do it.
I've just entered into the one below (means a 50mile round trip but meh), signed myself up for two events with a friend to see how we get on, then if we really enjoy it we'll consider getting some kit and joining one of the local club meets.
You literally pay your fee, turn up to the open event and use their kit to race against 20-30 or so others. All the fun and none of the commitment.
From when I last looked http://www.daytona.co.uk/ do a none commital open grand prix, and this is the one I've entered. http://www.grandprixkarting.co.uk/competition/ulti...
I can post back here in a few weeks and let you know what it was like, how I got on if you like?
Everyone I know expects me to be a track day addict, honestly I can`t think of anything worse or more frustrating!
MASSIVE stress on what are essentially heavy road cars (unless you are in a Caterham / Atom etc)
What`s the point unless you are driving at 100% on a track? And driving at 100% by it`s nature means a high risk of leaving the tarmac and giving your pride and joy a smack!
You can`t race (can you REALLY ignore someone who is doing similar lap times on a track day and resist the temptation)
Why do people always say - it drives like a kart? because karts at race speed are fantastic like nothing else!
No matter what I have driven after a kart race it has always felt big / heavy / unresponsive and a bit lame!
You don`t even have to do it the hard way in a 2 stroke without a clutch anymore because there are these now http://www.karting1.co.uk/rotax-dd2-track-test.htm
Or just sign up to Club 100
60 / 70mph side by side in karts is SO much more exciting than 160 mph in a road car!
You`ll love karting, you`ll really love it!
MASSIVE stress on what are essentially heavy road cars (unless you are in a Caterham / Atom etc)
What`s the point unless you are driving at 100% on a track? And driving at 100% by it`s nature means a high risk of leaving the tarmac and giving your pride and joy a smack!
You can`t race (can you REALLY ignore someone who is doing similar lap times on a track day and resist the temptation)
Why do people always say - it drives like a kart? because karts at race speed are fantastic like nothing else!
No matter what I have driven after a kart race it has always felt big / heavy / unresponsive and a bit lame!
You don`t even have to do it the hard way in a 2 stroke without a clutch anymore because there are these now http://www.karting1.co.uk/rotax-dd2-track-test.htm
Or just sign up to Club 100
60 / 70mph side by side in karts is SO much more exciting than 160 mph in a road car!
You`ll love karting, you`ll really love it!
Multiple threads? http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1406965
As posted in the other one:
Go and do a round (or even a test day) in a club 100 kart:
http://www.club100.co.uk/
Or as mentioned, if you can get some friends together, try an endurance race:
http://www.teessidekarting.co.uk/championships/epe...
As posted in the other one:
Go and do a round (or even a test day) in a club 100 kart:
http://www.club100.co.uk/
Or as mentioned, if you can get some friends together, try an endurance race:
http://www.teessidekarting.co.uk/championships/epe...
Karting is not cheap - total mis-conception! the closer you get to the front, the more you spend to gain those last few tenths! (and thats just at cadet level with my son)
Club100 is more reasonable, but you are driving karts with bumpers.
F6 Karting Championship (www.F6karting.com) is a great 4-stroke championship based on tracks across the South and East
Or have you thought about Autograss? its an option we are looking at for my son after cadet racing....
Club100 is more reasonable, but you are driving karts with bumpers.
F6 Karting Championship (www.F6karting.com) is a great 4-stroke championship based on tracks across the South and East
Or have you thought about Autograss? its an option we are looking at for my son after cadet racing....
I've still got my old TKM at my folks. Track days are good fun, but I doubt I drive as hard on a track day as I do in the kart.
Racing does get very expensive, but if you just want to get out driving it isnt so bad. Annual membership for my nearest club is less than the cost of a full track day. Pick a day to practice, haul it up and thrash a kart all day for the cost of a gallon or two of fuel. Break or crash the kart and it'll only be a big deal if you break yourself doing it!
Racing does get very expensive, but if you just want to get out driving it isnt so bad. Annual membership for my nearest club is less than the cost of a full track day. Pick a day to practice, haul it up and thrash a kart all day for the cost of a gallon or two of fuel. Break or crash the kart and it'll only be a big deal if you break yourself doing it!
mattman said:
Karting is not cheap - total mis-conception! the closer you get to the front, the more you spend to gain those last few tenths! (and thats just at cadet level with my son)
Club100 is more reasonable, but you are driving karts with bumpers.
F6 Karting Championship (www.F6karting.com) is a great 4-stroke championship based on tracks across the South and East
Or have you thought about Autograss? its an option we are looking at for my son after cadet racing....
Yep, mate of mine runs in super one and my step dad mechanics for him, with his dad supplying kit at cost price, to do a super one season worked out to be £250k with new karts engines travel and hotels etc. crazy money.Club100 is more reasonable, but you are driving karts with bumpers.
F6 Karting Championship (www.F6karting.com) is a great 4-stroke championship based on tracks across the South and East
Or have you thought about Autograss? its an option we are looking at for my son after cadet racing....
You can do it on the cheap, we run a non MSA day at llandow karting circit where you turn up on any kart and get to race in a catogry.
A CRG with a rotax engine is the best combo, which will cost you about £5k new but we have used anywere from 800 upwards.
It's so much more adrenaline filled than a track day, we constantly have people come in who own gtrs gt3s rs4s etc and say it's so much more fun.
mattman said:
...is a great 4-stroke championship
Oxymoron? 
2 Stroke over everything. The smell is luurverly!
As above, couple grand gets you a Rotax Tony Kart/CRG. Some spares and a trolley (essential) and many many tyres. Keep an eye on fuel/oil and you'll be fine. Engine rebuilds are every 20-30 hours. Depending on spec But not horrendous. If you've got any mechanical ability you'll be ok. May need a couple special tools.
Loads of circuits do race series. Not every week obviously, but often enough to be good.
Something like
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/rotax-max-senior-tonykar...
or
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Birel-rotax-max-Go-Kart-...
No connection.
Bear in mind you'll need a way to transport it. We used to use a Transit, but we saw others with largish estate cars and some with small trailers.
Edited by Rich_W on Wednesday 14th May 22:37
Have you thought about sprints and/or hillclimbs. Lots of local and national championships plus the Lotus 7 Club championship (see here). Just you against the clock so nobody to hit you (the scenery can be a bit close at some places ) There is a thread on it in the PH motorsport section.
) There is a thread on it in the PH motorsport section.Agree with Mr Rumpus! You can not beat going door to door, so i'd always opt for racing.
As an in-between step, you could get your race license (cheap), which opens you up to test days (no rules on overtaking).
Also, if you want to become a better driver, find a decent coach to push you! Datalogging is also invaluable; i love pouring over data as much as i do driving.
I find it almost as competitive/exciting as racing because it pees me off if anyone is faster than me in MY car!
As an in-between step, you could get your race license (cheap), which opens you up to test days (no rules on overtaking).
Also, if you want to become a better driver, find a decent coach to push you! Datalogging is also invaluable; i love pouring over data as much as i do driving.
I find it almost as competitive/exciting as racing because it pees me off if anyone is faster than me in MY car!
don logan said:
Or just sign up to Club 100
60 / 70mph side by side in karts is SO much more exciting than 160 mph in a road car!
You`ll love karting, you`ll really love it!
and the rest, they were hitting 75mph at Clay Pigeon when I raced them, before they increased the engine size to 125cc60 / 70mph side by side in karts is SO much more exciting than 160 mph in a road car!
You`ll love karting, you`ll really love it!
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