Lads got potential
Discussion
Hi there, I've got a bit of a dilemma and require some of your expertise please. My son is 10 and I recently took him go Karting with a few of his friends. It was their 1st time in a go kart so they were all a bit nervous. I'll cut straight to the point, my son ran rings around them. My lad was even counter steering with the back end kicking out around fast sweeping corners. Now I didn't teach him that, but I was really impressed with his kart control and consistently fast'ish, (I won't exaggerate). His main sport is football and athletics, but I think he has potential to do better in racing cars/karts than football and running, however, my dilemma is that although I (as I'm sure all fathers do) would like him to be successful in anything he does, this is something I don't think I can support him with. By that I mean I'm not really that good with a spanner, money will be a tough one as I can imagine racing is very expensive but being able to balance the time would be tricky. So I hope some of you might be able to relate to this and I'd like to know how any newbie’s manage.
Cheers
Dan
Cheers
Dan
D4N1EL said:
Hi there, I've got a bit of a dilemma and require some of your expertise please. My son is 10 and I recently took him go Karting with a few of his friends. It was their 1st time in a go kart so they were all a bit nervous. I'll cut straight to the point, my son ran rings around them. My lad was even counter steering with the back end kicking out around fast sweeping corners. Now I didn't teach him that, but I was really impressed with his kart control and consistently fast'ish, (I won't exaggerate). His main sport is football and athletics, but I think he has potential to do better in racing cars/karts than football and running, however, my dilemma is that although I (as I'm sure all fathers do) would like him to be successful in anything he does, this is something I don't think I can support him with. By that I mean I'm not really that good with a spanner, money will be a tough one as I can imagine racing is very expensive but being able to balance the time would be tricky. So I hope some of you might be able to relate to this and I'd like to know how any newbie’s manage.
Cheers
Dan
Take him to many more races and see if he's up for it - i.e: willing to do what it takes before any outlay for your own setup. Most tracks hold cadet sessions and arrive and drive 'practices don't have to cost the earth. Join karting1.co.uk forums if you haven't already and get the lay of the land from those that have done it.Cheers
Dan
Excellent advice from LDN. It may also be worth taking a look at www.karting.co.uk.
I started karting at the age of 16 with the help of my parents. I am still competing 19 years later (I did take a break of 7 years to progress a career and house purchase etc etc). There is no denying that serious competition will require considerable expense and time sacrifice. If your young lad definitely shows an interest, get yourself along to a meeting to see what you may be letting yourself in for!
Most circuits hold a practice/test day (the day) before the race meeting and this is an ideal opportunity to speak to the competitors before the serious business of racing begins.
Good luck and enjoy!
I started karting at the age of 16 with the help of my parents. I am still competing 19 years later (I did take a break of 7 years to progress a career and house purchase etc etc). There is no denying that serious competition will require considerable expense and time sacrifice. If your young lad definitely shows an interest, get yourself along to a meeting to see what you may be letting yourself in for!
Most circuits hold a practice/test day (the day) before the race meeting and this is an ideal opportunity to speak to the competitors before the serious business of racing begins.
Good luck and enjoy!
LDN, Magic33....I thank you 
I guess there is no harm in dipping the toe, in but then there is worry that he might say it would like to commit to racing properly, but I won't be able to afford it or if the kart breaks it'll just end up being sold. I know I know I worry too much. I'll take a look at the sites mentioned, thanks again.
I guess there is no harm in dipping the toe, in but then there is worry that he might say it would like to commit to racing properly, but I won't be able to afford it or if the kart breaks it'll just end up being sold. I know I know I worry too much. I'll take a look at the sites mentioned, thanks again.My reccommendation would be to take him to an open race session at a local public kart track. Most places do them for semi-serious people and usually run an open race about once a month (race fans, petrolheads, amateur karters out for a bit of practice etc.) - people who can't get the numbers together for private races or get involved corporate events. Shouldn't cost more than £40 a pop.
The standard will be far higher than his mates. So don't be surprised if he doesn't kick ass. There is a world of difference between people who know even a bit about what's going on and the endless hordes that don't have a clue.
To add a bit of realism and perhaps to rain on the parade somewhat, it sounds a bit like my first ever go in a kart at 12yo. Some local track. Started last, came in first, lapped the entire field in a 5 lap race, was doing all the limit correction and passing with ease etc. I never turned into a racing driver of any seriousness... but then, me and my dad never followed it up.
edit: to add in hindsight, I really regret not following that up! So you probably own it to your boy, if not now, but 20 years time.
The standard will be far higher than his mates. So don't be surprised if he doesn't kick ass. There is a world of difference between people who know even a bit about what's going on and the endless hordes that don't have a clue.
To add a bit of realism and perhaps to rain on the parade somewhat, it sounds a bit like my first ever go in a kart at 12yo. Some local track. Started last, came in first, lapped the entire field in a 5 lap race, was doing all the limit correction and passing with ease etc. I never turned into a racing driver of any seriousness... but then, me and my dad never followed it up.
edit: to add in hindsight, I really regret not following that up! So you probably own it to your boy, if not now, but 20 years time.
Edited by mattikake on Thursday 7th October 01:23
definately don't get carried away. There are several indoor and out tracks near you, utilise their junior race series to see if he has the passion to continue and indeed whether he has any ability.
Its probably about £50 per morning, do that once a month, its not over expense and you'll get brownie points from the wife as you are doing something constructive with your son, whilst taking him off her hands for a day.
You can progress up to a reasonably high level in arrive n drive karting and it doesn't have to cost the earth.
Other things you could consider is the under 17 car club. This allows 12-17 year olds the opportunity to drive cars in a controlled environment, it was where Richard Burns started, and again the airfields they use are all within an hours drive of you.
Its probably about £50 per morning, do that once a month, its not over expense and you'll get brownie points from the wife as you are doing something constructive with your son, whilst taking him off her hands for a day.
You can progress up to a reasonably high level in arrive n drive karting and it doesn't have to cost the earth.
Other things you could consider is the under 17 car club. This allows 12-17 year olds the opportunity to drive cars in a controlled environment, it was where Richard Burns started, and again the airfields they use are all within an hours drive of you.
Matt i do hope you race in Club F3 as i'm coming after you Sir.
OP
I was living on the streets aged 18 after being kicked out by my wonderful dad! i'll be racing in BOSS in a few years, the moral of the story being, if he really wants to do something racing related then don't feel you need to fund/hold his hand, just give him a steer and guidance. But like the others have said take him to a proper race test and see how he gets on, the cadet crowd really are a butch of assholes and really would not put any of my kids though that crap, pop along to Shennington and watch them all fighting ha ha, even had some father swearing his head off at his son for poor driving poor lad was in tears, sad case.
I know some of the best kart racers in the UK and they wont be in F1 anytime soon, luck/funds plays a huge part in this game, but the main thing to do is enjoy the sport and forget about trying to be the next F1 driver.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU-Rr81hkiM
I'm not intending to push any of my children ( i have 3 ) but there's a garage full of race karts and cars if they wish to take interest.
S
OP
I was living on the streets aged 18 after being kicked out by my wonderful dad! i'll be racing in BOSS in a few years, the moral of the story being, if he really wants to do something racing related then don't feel you need to fund/hold his hand, just give him a steer and guidance. But like the others have said take him to a proper race test and see how he gets on, the cadet crowd really are a butch of assholes and really would not put any of my kids though that crap, pop along to Shennington and watch them all fighting ha ha, even had some father swearing his head off at his son for poor driving poor lad was in tears, sad case.
I know some of the best kart racers in the UK and they wont be in F1 anytime soon, luck/funds plays a huge part in this game, but the main thing to do is enjoy the sport and forget about trying to be the next F1 driver.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU-Rr81hkiM
I'm not intending to push any of my children ( i have 3 ) but there's a garage full of race karts and cars if they wish to take interest.
S
Edited by superkartracer on Thursday 7th October 08:21
Edited by superkartracer on Thursday 7th October 13:12
If you do decide to get him racing you'll enjoy it almost as much as he does, but be prepared for long weekends, early starts and a few evenings out in the garage. Even if you're not that skilled mechanically, you soon will be. I came from a fairly non mechanical background and found most people pretty helpful at meetings with advice, tools even. At club level karting was a friendly place to be on a Sunday (may have changed now). I'd packed up racing by the time my two were old enough but we went mountain bike racing instead, thinking it was cheaper........it wasn't, but we loved travelling all over the place with them. I think that's the part I miss now that they do their own thing. And as you'll be paying for it, don't forget to treat yourself to a few practise sessions.
superkartracer said:
Matt i do hope you race in Club F3 as i'm coming after you Sir.
Ha I've had a dabble but I can't afford even that. It's my Uncle's series and try as I might, I can't convince him I'd do better than his son in his car!Something you're considering? You'll need at least £6K start-up and about £10K a year running costs. Even club racing aint cheap.
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