starting up in karting

[Nebby]

My son who is 12 years old would like to start up karting, i might be asking a stupid question but how do i go about this.

I've done a bit of a search on the internet and i can't really seem to find much information about starting up, have tried to speak to my local Daytona track but they have not really come back to me with anything.

Do they only race at specified tracks like Daytona or are there tracks just for racing championships, The Daytona sites seem to me that there a bit more geared up corporate days out or am i wrong in thinking that.

Also what sort of kart would i be looking at for a 12 year old is it a junior, cadet or something else.

Any help much appreciated.

Neb

[andye30m3]

Would you be looking to buy and run your own kart or arrive and drive?

Here's a link to the classes in the UK http://www.karting.co.uk/KandK/classes.html worth going along to your local club meet to see what grid sizes are like for each class.

There's also a good classifieds section on karting.co.uk (or at least it used to be, been a while since I owned a kart)

Also a forum on there http://www.karting.co.uk/notice/

Edited by andye30m3 on Wednesday 19th June 11:18

[Nebby]

Hi thanks for that will take a look, would depend on costing of arrive & drive against owning. I suppose the arrive & drive is possibly more favourable to start as he can get a feel for it first.

Neb

[anonymous-user]

Arrive and drive is fine until you get the random nail kart and they fly past you on the straights! Its not common though and places like Daytona have a good reputation for fielding even fleets. At least see if he likes it and wants to continue, though I suspect that will be a yes!... the Daytona series are good and competitive though, dont assume that because its "cheque book racing" it doesnt attract some fast drivers.

As for owner driver, at that age you're best off looking at mini/junior rotax max classes but it depends where you are in the country and what grid sizes are like at your local club as it varies. There is no point picking a class without seeing the size of the grid he will be competing against, bigger grids are more fun, so head down to your local club and have a look. They will be happy enough to give you some advice.

Budget around £2500 to get on a grid, you can pick up good complete packages like this for under £2k, most often at the end of the season as people move on/up, but you will need a fair bit more pit equipment to get started as well as race suit/helmet etc... and thats before you start on tyres and a spare engine...

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 19th June 16:59

[woof]

Have a look at Daytona various offerings and give them a call for advice.
http://www.daytona.co.uk

[Nebby]

I should of put he has been on the very basic arrive & drive at Daytona and does really enjoy it, its just when we've been they just slot you into which ever time suits us best which there has not been much of a grid to race against. Think i need to talk to them again.

[woof]

Nebby said:

I should of put he has been on the very basic arrive & drive at Daytona and does really enjoy it, its just when we've been they just slot you into which ever time suits us best which there has not been much of a grid to race against. Think i need to talk to them again.

The guys there are pretty good - as you say, give them a call and tell them what you want from it.
The have various mini race series that might be worth checking out - dependent on how old yr son is