SW Karting hoon anybody?

[jitsukadave]

Following the Karting thread it seems there may be a few of us wanting a karting meet.

I stuck a pin roughly in the middle and the nearest place was Yeovil. A quick google later, and I came up with these two likely candidates as host:

[big]Karting Tracks in YEOVIL[/big]

[b]Salisbury Karting Nation - 69 minutes drive from the centre of YEOVIL[/b]
Unique 700 metre indoor asphalt track free of pillars with no ramps or bridges - which allows all of our karts to reach a maximum speed of over 50mph! Changing rooms with Showers.

[b]Bristol Karting Nation - 74 minutes drive from the centre of YEOVIL[/b]
World Championship Karts powered by 200cc Honda engines Purpose designed circuit for speed and ease of overtaking. Computerised lap timing. A 500 m track featuring one of the largest flyovers in the U.K.

There were some more, but the seem small and 'up north', rather than near Yeovil.
I did some more searches for places in Devon but couldn't find much.

If we get 8-14 peaople, the place in Sailsbury will let us book an 'endurance' event for about 50 quid each, 45 minutes racing.

if we get 20+ they will let us do a 'grand prix' even with trophies and everything, about 55 laps (I think we'd do something like 60 laps, to win) for about £35.

http://www.wessexraceway.co.uk/

Any takers?
I could also do with some dates you would be free, in order of prefernace, so we can try to get some time everybody is happy.

I'll Start:

Me!
25th/26th June
23rd/24th July

[miniman]

I would definitely be up for it later in July. If you want to give Mrs. Miniman a call and persuade her to cancel the wedding, then I could do 26th June

[GarryM]

Don't forget Clay Pigeon Raceway which is actually in Yeovil (well just outside actually). A big outdoor circuit with timing etc etc. July a v. busy month for me so unlikely I can make it but when things firm up a bit, I'll do my best.

[jitsukadave]

No worries mate - I'll drop her a line later and ask her if you could be excused for the day

I couldn't find anything in Yoevil when I looked (admittadly not that hard). Do you have a web site for them? I don't really do anything unless they exist in cyberspace
I'd like to push it a bit further west, like to Taunton, otherwise it may reduce the number of people that can come along from this forum.

I'm generally booked up most weekends as it's the only time I have to do anything (I spend 4 hours commutting a day ) - hence I only have those two free. However, I know that it's holiday season, so I'm happy to push it into August or September, just thought you guys would think I was mad looking that far ahead.

>> Edited by jitsukadave on Thursday 9th June 09:20

[GarryM]

Yeah, that'd be nice!

Just checked their very out of date web site:

http://website.lineone.net/~claypigeonraceway/profile.htm

has a pic of circuit though.

[miniman]

That looks like one hell of a good track

[neil_cardiff]

Never raced there myself but as a old Yeovil local I've heard many a good thing of it.

I understand they regularly hold 'proper' kart racing there i.e. serious karters...

I'd be up for it, but as suggested you have to consider other forums members as they probably want to, but maybe too far...

[x1m]

Thats the prob with living near Swindon, I don't really properly fall under any area As far as some of you lot are concerned, I may as well live in Scotland! Still might be able to make it for some date, but I shall make it clear now I'm a little disadvantaged as I'm a fat student

[jitsukadave]

That looks like a good circuit - never thought of looking at outdoor places.

I've put the word out to the neighbours, so Hi to anybody from not round ere. Please don't forget to keep away from dem der beasts, taw

So we have two contenders:
Clay Pigeon Raceway, halfway from Yeovil to Dorchester, Outdoor
Wessex Raceway, just outside Sailsbury, Indoor.

And late July to August as a traget weekend.

>> Edited by jitsukadave on Thursday 9th June 10:43

[ninjadave]

Oh well, looks like we're not going to be able to go at this rate. I may just pop up to Wroughton one evening this week to have a look at that track, and get a few mates over for a weekend of karting fun, you're most welcome to come too - when I know the date

[chimburt]

as i said in the other thread, i'm up for it.
maybe able to get a few other bodies along ( there was some interest in the SWPH'er's karting which never came off ).
July better for me of the 2 dates, as i'll be in a field in somerset in June.

[Mad Dave]

The Salisbury track is a corker, and I'd be interested in participating too. It's also situated on the A354 which is one hell of a road - could combine it with a car/bike thrash at the same time, though before the karting would be more sensible than after

[GlenMH]

ninjadave said:

Oh well, looks like we're not going to be able to go at this rate. I may just pop up to Wroughton one evening this week to have a look at that track, and get a few mates over for a weekend of karting fun, you're most welcome to come too - when I know the date

The Wroughton track is quite a good one - especially if you get their lpg powered karts.

Glen

[silverback mike]

Have a word with 'numbnuts' he has some works derived bonkers kart that can cover 0-60 in 2 seconds and go onto about 140mph.

That should be a hoot.

[GI Jnr]

Assuming I'm not already booked for something, I'd be up for it.

Tuan

[ninjadave]

Would everybody be happy with just the 5 of us - we could do an arrive and drive?

I'm off to the Wroughton track sometime in August so I'll post dates of that as and when if anybody wants to join in.

[chimburt]

better than nowt, but would appreciate a bit of notice

[anonymous-user]

www.karting.co.uk has details on their track directory of local circuits. clay pigeon is great fun, a real drivers track and a world away from the indoor places but is a bit pricey.

Wroughton is cool too but favours the lighter drivers as its quite twisty.

There is a place near Wells which is quite a good track and the guys that run it a a good friendly bunch.

The Raceway in Avonmouth has a flyover and they put oil on the track which actually increases the grip and is great fun.

certainly up for it and could probably get a few friends too.

[jitsukadave]

pablo said:

they put oil on the track which actually increases the grip

????

I'm off to Wroughton on the bank hol weekend of August, but yet to book a slot, I'll post the time up when I know more.

As there's a couple more of us, I think we could wangle a race of our own, how about the weekend before the August bank holiday? ... that would give me some practice for the weekend after