How to get into Karting
Discussion
My 14 yr old lad seems to have a natural talent for karting. He's only ever been on the "fun karts" - but the other day, as an example, he absolutely slaughtered everyone else on the track, many of which were far more experienced and older than him.
He's dead keen to get onto the "bottom rung of the ladder" in terms of competitive racing. I know absolutely nothing about the sector, or indeed engineering in general! However, I do own and run a profitable company so I have the resources to be able to sponsor him.
Anyone got any suggestions? (I live in Hampshire by the way).
He's dead keen to get onto the "bottom rung of the ladder" in terms of competitive racing. I know absolutely nothing about the sector, or indeed engineering in general! However, I do own and run a profitable company so I have the resources to be able to sponsor him.
Anyone got any suggestions? (I live in Hampshire by the way).
At 14, the obvious route would be the junior rotax max class at club level to begin with but these karts are very powerful for someone who has never competed before and demand a lot of respect,depending on where you are in hampshire, I think i"m right in saying "Clay pigeon" kart track isn"t that far from you, my suggestion would be to look it up and try one of these karts out there.
Good luck
Tony.
Good luck
Tony.
Srebbe64, take a look at this - www.karting.co.uk/ABkC/startkart.htm
Gives you the basics about what you'd need to do. I raced in Jnr TKM and then senior TKM from 14-18 and it's simply incredible. There are other classes such as the rotax or JICA etc but these are often populated by very experienced top flight drivers - TKM provides the training ground for these classes and is the best place to start (ask Jenson). The karts are much different to arrive and drive dross and run single cyl, two stroke units capable of 80+mph and rolling-60 in 4secs. They also handle like nothing else. If you can devote a proper budget to it then there would be no better way IMO to introduce your youngun to car control techniques and competition.
For suppliers of karts, parts and gear see
www.zipkart.com/
www.msauk.org/trade/CatList.asp?Letter=K#Karts-Industry(BKIA)
I could recommend chassis', engine tuners and basic start up requirements if you decide to go ahead - I very much regret leaving the sport so would be happy to help someone start-up.
>> Edited by stumartin on Friday 3rd December 10:24
Gives you the basics about what you'd need to do. I raced in Jnr TKM and then senior TKM from 14-18 and it's simply incredible. There are other classes such as the rotax or JICA etc but these are often populated by very experienced top flight drivers - TKM provides the training ground for these classes and is the best place to start (ask Jenson). The karts are much different to arrive and drive dross and run single cyl, two stroke units capable of 80+mph and rolling-60 in 4secs. They also handle like nothing else. If you can devote a proper budget to it then there would be no better way IMO to introduce your youngun to car control techniques and competition.
For suppliers of karts, parts and gear see
www.zipkart.com/
www.msauk.org/trade/CatList.asp?Letter=K#Karts-Industry(BKIA)
I could recommend chassis', engine tuners and basic start up requirements if you decide to go ahead - I very much regret leaving the sport so would be happy to help someone start-up.
>> Edited by stumartin on Friday 3rd December 10:24
I think you need to consider that any hobby with your son will take up most of your time - my family could have helped me race karts etc ,but dad worked away for alot of the time, and there was no way round the amount of weekends etc that you need to commit to it - I really hope your son gets the chance , karting at that level is great and will really make him a driver in the future.
One thing I thought about is will you need a van and/or a trailer to take a kart and tools/spares with you... what do most others use ? would a kart fit in a car with the seats folded ?
One thing I thought about is will you need a van and/or a trailer to take a kart and tools/spares with you... what do most others use ? would a kart fit in a car with the seats folded ?
Firstly there are plenty of teams hiring proper two stroke race karts ranging in cost. Sadly this is where the mind field begins because they all have vested interest's in chassis, tracks etc. So my advice would be this.
Visit this site www.karting.co.uk/ for all relavent info about teams, circuits, classes etc....but take everything said on the forum with a pinch of salt...theres allot people who like to think they know allot when actually they no nothing but all like to put their vested idea in. Then you need to get hold of a copy of Karting Magazine, the link is at the top of the above page.
I would only recomend doing Jnr TKM. The only reasons to favour Jnr Max in my book is because the karts look more serious and that in my book is'nt a reason for a serious wannabe racer of any age.
If your in Hampshire, look for meetings on the above site happening at Clay Pidgeon (Dorest), Little Rissington (near stow on the wold), or Shenington (near Banbury).
Finaly, each class has between 2 and maybe 3 main dominant chassis manufacturers. Don't waste your money or time on anything but one of those manufacturers. To find which chassis are best look at the whole season and only at Super 1 level in your exact class choice to see which is best. Some less efficient chassis can work very well on specific tracks but are pants anywhere else. Oh and before someone tries to bushwack you into buying a new chassis........ don't waste your money in his first year.... your boy will go off, he will damage it and the difference between a new and old(no more than 2 seasons) chassis is tenths of a second, which to the front runners is the world but to a first season racer is never going to be a concern.
Hope this helps.
>> Edited by Simon Mason on Friday 3rd December 18:11
Visit this site www.karting.co.uk/ for all relavent info about teams, circuits, classes etc....but take everything said on the forum with a pinch of salt...theres allot people who like to think they know allot when actually they no nothing but all like to put their vested idea in. Then you need to get hold of a copy of Karting Magazine, the link is at the top of the above page.
I would only recomend doing Jnr TKM. The only reasons to favour Jnr Max in my book is because the karts look more serious and that in my book is'nt a reason for a serious wannabe racer of any age.
If your in Hampshire, look for meetings on the above site happening at Clay Pidgeon (Dorest), Little Rissington (near stow on the wold), or Shenington (near Banbury).
Finaly, each class has between 2 and maybe 3 main dominant chassis manufacturers. Don't waste your money or time on anything but one of those manufacturers. To find which chassis are best look at the whole season and only at Super 1 level in your exact class choice to see which is best. Some less efficient chassis can work very well on specific tracks but are pants anywhere else. Oh and before someone tries to bushwack you into buying a new chassis........ don't waste your money in his first year.... your boy will go off, he will damage it and the difference between a new and old(no more than 2 seasons) chassis is tenths of a second, which to the front runners is the world but to a first season racer is never going to be a concern.
Hope this helps.
>> Edited by Simon Mason on Friday 3rd December 18:11
TonyF said:
At 14, the obvious route would be the junior rotax max class at club level to begin with but these karts are very powerful for someone who has never competed before and demand a lot of respect,depending on where you are in hampshire, I think i"m right in saying "Clay pigeon" kart track isn"t that far from you, my suggestion would be to look it up and try one of these karts out there.
Good luck
Tony.
Tony did you use to race with club 100? Your name rings a bell.
Perhaps a trip with your son to: www.autosport-international.com .
All the clubs & manufacturers should be there, and you'll get a lot of information in 1 day.
All the clubs & manufacturers should be there, and you'll get a lot of information in 1 day.
If he's interested and you're happy for him to try it then by all means go for it. Autosport would be a good place to start as mentioned. Don't forget though that at 14 he will more than likely weigh a lot less than the people he was competing with. Both up here at uni and back home the track records are held by part time marshalls who are 14-16.
I did 100National about 10years ago and even then some people were speding alot of money£30K+, i.e. buying say ten engines, picking the best two or three, using a different engine for heats and then a fresh engine for the final, one engine for long circuits and one for short(with different power/rev band). The 100 Nat. class was pretty free so money made a big difference. I would recomend a class that has sealed engines like the tkm which will help keep the costs down as you don't know if he will keep on doing it/is any good etc. Also a secondhand kart for the first season, maybe look for the last seasons class winners setup that will save about half the cost and you will get all the pit gear as well. It is quite easy to fix/setup a kart, all pretty simple, find a good engine tuner and get the engine checked regulary as it is cheaper to do that than wait for them to blow up !! Two stroke karts are completey different from the 4 stroke arrive and drive karts, they are much much faster, responsive and probably the most exciting four wheel racing you can do, except for maybe gearbox karts and F1!! There is nothing quite like 30 odd karts on a rolling start, then all of them trying to get round the first corner!!! You will be spending most weekends doing it though so it does take up alot of time. Check out Karting mags and speak to a few teams/chassis makers etc. to get an idea and go to an event or two to get a feel for whats involed. Blackbush is another circuit thats near to hampshire. It is a brilliant start to motor racing, but you need to know of the time and commitment required to do well. Being small and light is a great advantage !!
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