Recreational Karting

[cherad]

I didn't want to bother the guys n' gals in the Motorsport forums as I'm not a racer but at the ripe old age of 37 I've discovered the joy of karting and was wondering if anyone could point me at some good resources/forums online for karts and kit?

My local kart circuit (Llandow) will happily accomodate me for the whole day for £40 if I bring my own kart, so I'm seriously considering picking up a second hand kart and whiling away the odd Sunday. With family and work I don't have a lot of time to spanner away from the track so I'm not sure if a highly-strung two-stroke is particularly suitable. Is there anyone else here doing something similar? I'd welcome any and all advice.

[HustleRussell]

Pro-karts are pretty widely used. They have two 160cc Honda 4-strokes and are well suited to most kart circuits.

[cherad]

HustleRussell said:

Pro-karts are pretty widely used. They have two 160cc Honda 4-strokes and are well suited to most kart circuits.

Thanks HustleRussel, I'll look into 2nd-hand Pro-karts and see what's about. Not much interest in this topic over here, although it was late on a Sunday, I'll give Motorsport a try.

[Chris71]

Depends how important the competitive element is to you. It's not just the wannabe Hamiltons that spend big sums - even club karting can be stupidly expensive.

I wonder how the more serious arrive and drive series like Club 100 or DMax stack up to owning your own kart? Okay, the organisers are going to be taking a substantial cut, but you wouldn't need to rush out and buy a new widget every time the front runners decide to invest in one on their karts.

[EDLT]

Chris71 said:

Depends how important the competitive element is to you. It's not just the wannabe Hamiltons that spend big sums - even club karting can be stupidly expensive.

I wonder how the more serious arrive and drive series like Club 100 or DMax stack up to owning your own kart? Okay, the organisers are going to be taking a substantial cut, but you wouldn't need to rush out and buy a new widget every time the front runners decide to invest in one on their karts.

I think the OP just wants to do test days in a kart.

[jon-]

EDLT said:

I think the OP just wants to do test days in a kart.

As if it ever ends there

[TonykartEVR]

karting1.co.uk is a good forum, full of good info

I have a rotax max which is 2 stroke. Very very good fun!

[Chris71]

jon- said:

EDLT said:

I think the OP just wants to do test days in a kart.

As if it ever ends there

Indeed. You don't need to be ultra competitive or have any illusions of F1 stardom to get drawn towards racing when you're in that environment.

[mat777]

If you want proper karting, google Club 100. 2 stroke engines, direct drive, 0-60 in 4.5 seconds and hugely close and competitive racing.

[cherad]

Chris71 said:

Indeed. You don't need to be ultra competitive or have any illusions of F1 stardom to get drawn towards racing when you're in that environment.

Heh, you might be right. In a sport where "Senior" is 16+ I think they'd need a whole new category though, "Geriatric"?

[cherad]

TonykartEVR said:

karting1.co.uk is a good forum, full of good info

I have a rotax max which is 2 stroke. Very very good fun!

I've seen quite a few rotax maxes for sale, far more of them than the TKM bt82 2-stroke karts. How much maintenance do they require if you're not trying to keep it race-ready?

[mat777]

mat777 said:

If you want proper karting, google Club 100. 2 stroke engines, direct drive, 0-60 in 4.5 seconds and hugely close and competitive racing.

Just to add, because I was on my phone earlier:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAKTGf2zhOw


The karts have plenty of power, and due to the instant nature of its delivery its quite easy to do slidey cornering should you so wish. Club100 runs our British Universities Karting Championship, and also run races for "adults" too with standard membership.

http://www.club100.co.uk/index.htm

Much much cheaper and easier both finacially and logistically than buying your own kart

[PAULJ5555]

Get down to llandow on a race weekend their are loads of people who can help you.

Their are people who will run/fix your kart for a fee (so you just race)

Delta karting sell loads of parts and I think still attend racedays with a big van(speak to Dean he may know of karts for sale)

[Synchromesh]

mat777 said:

If you want proper karting, google Club 100. 2 stroke engines, direct drive, 0-60 in 4.5 seconds and hugely close and competitive racing.

I race in this series for my university, and although I'm a bit useless behind the wheel of one, they are amazing fun.

I'd recommend a proper arrive and drive series like Club 100 or DMAX over running your own kart, as it'll save you a lot of time and hassle - all you do is turn up at a track and your kart is sitting there, set up and running, for you to get in and race. No messing about with storage, towing and upkeep.

ETA: I'll be at Llandow this weekend funnily enough, racing in the BUKC, so you could pop over and have a look. I can point you in the direction of the organisers if you want more info on the "grown-ups" Club 100 series.

Mat777, will you be there this weekend?

Edited by Synchromesh on Monday 25th February 12:26

[Chris71]

So how much are we looking at per race for something like Club 100 once you've factored in the various costs and what sort of track time do you get?

[mat777]

Synchromesh said:

Mat777, will you be there this weekend?

Sadly not. I was at the Bayford test day the other week (thats me in the blue overalls and jazzy helmet) and will be doing the Birmingham rookie race in July (there are a lot of very quick guys in our uni to fill the "pro" slots this season).

[mat777]

Chris71 said:

So how much are we looking at per race for something like Club 100 once you've factored in the various costs and what sort of track time do you get?

It costs us something like £40 for half an hours track time you can have smaller teams with more track time at more cost each if you so desire. I think the non-student prices are twice what we pay though, but its still bloody good value for some seriously close, seriously fast racing

[cherad]

Lots of really good advice in here, thanks all.

The kart would be an alternative to having a track day car. Cheaper and easier to store and transport as I have a van it can slot in and only a small shed, no garage. From what I've heard I'll soon change my tune but I'm not really competitive enough for racing, these arrive and drive series sound like a damn good idea if you're that way inclined though.

Synchromesh said:

ETA: I'll be at Llandow this weekend funnily enough, racing in the BUKC, so you could pop over and have a look. I can point you in the direction of the organisers if you want more info on the "grown-ups" Club 100 series.

Looks like fun to watch, PM me so I can spot you and I'll come and say hi.

[jon-]

mat777 said:

It costs us something like £40 for half an hours track time you can have smaller teams with more track time at more cost each if you so desire. I think the non-student prices are twice what we pay though, but its still bloody good value for some seriously close, seriously fast racing

Is there any point in even turning up if you've got weight behind you? I'm 6'4 and nearly 100kgs, I've yet to find a karting series I can be remotely competitive in.

[anonymous-user]

+1 on the Club 100 stuff. Absolutely awesome!