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Just looking for a bit of advice re karting, of course ive had a few laps myself but me and the other half are looking to get the boy involved, hes four and a half and a dab hand in his battery car (see the pic i posted earlier, he even fixes it himself 
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We have a couple of local tracks, the Bambino karts are available now for his age group, just wandered if anybody on here had their kids involved and what sorts of timescales and investments are involved to get them on their way? I have been to the tracks and asked about entry for him which wouldnt be a problem with his own kart and a session on his own to show hes capable, just looking for other peoples experiences. Ta
)We have a couple of local tracks, the Bambino karts are available now for his age group, just wandered if anybody on here had their kids involved and what sorts of timescales and investments are involved to get them on their way? I have been to the tracks and asked about entry for him which wouldnt be a problem with his own kart and a session on his own to show hes capable, just looking for other peoples experiences. Ta
I looked into karting and if you're looking to get serious with it (own kart, races and tuition etc), you're looking at £35,000-40,000 per year by the time he is 10. It's an unbelievably expensive sport if you want to stay competitive, and unfortunately this is what you'll need if you want to become recognized by the 'bigger players'. However, I've got a load of stuff lying around and I'll get to an advisable post soon.
911p said:
I looked into karting and if you're looking to get serious with it (own kart, races and tuition etc), you're looking at £35,000-40,000 per year by the time he is 10. It's an unbelievably expensive sport if you want to stay competitive, and unfortunately this is what you'll need if you want to become recognized by the 'bigger players'. However, I've got a load of stuff lying around and I'll get to an advisable post soon.
35-40k is top spec super 1 money or a bit more. not entry level 4-5 year old!!!slipstream 1985 said:
911p said:
I looked into karting and if you're looking to get serious with it (own kart, races and tuition etc), you're looking at £35,000-40,000 per year by the time he is 10. It's an unbelievably expensive sport if you want to stay competitive, and unfortunately this is what you'll need if you want to become recognized by the 'bigger players'. However, I've got a load of stuff lying around and I'll get to an advisable post soon.
35-40k is top spec super 1 money or a bit more. not entry level 4-5 year old!!!I'm talking MiniMax/Junior Max etc. These guys have new tyres every race/session, engine rebuild every season, a brand new chassis every season, then you have fuel costs, repair costs, race costs, race clothing costs (everything FIA approved), and any costs you may incur damaging the circuit.
slipstream 1985 said:
ok ok but dont put him off before he's got into it. its a fantastic way of life (it becomes your life ,lol) and he'll meet dome great people. best years of my life were the weekends away with my dad karting even if it was 9 hour journeys each way!
Not intending to put him off at all, it's just you really need to know the costs of motorsport. Nothing's more disappointing than spending year building up experience, then getting into the 'Max stage of things to find your family can't afford to keep you competitive (in other words, you can't do the sport any longer).However, if you're son does very well in the stages before this, you should try and strike up a sponsorship deal with as many companies as possible. This can pay off a fair chunk of the costs. As I said, I'll do a detailed post later.
911p said:
Not intending to put him off at all, it's just you really need to know the costs of motorsport. Nothing's more disappointing than spending year building up experience, then getting into the 'Max stage of things to find your family can't afford to keep you competitive (in other words, you can't do the sport any longer).
However, if you're son does very well in the stages before this, you should try and strike up a sponsorship deal with as many companies as possible. This can pay off a fair chunk of the costs. As I said, I'll do a detailed post later.
Id appreciate that thanks, although if the wife sees the 35-40k thing it might be nipped in the bud!However, if you're son does very well in the stages before this, you should try and strike up a sponsorship deal with as many companies as possible. This can pay off a fair chunk of the costs. As I said, I'll do a detailed post later.
Doesn't need to be anywhere near that expensive we were spending approximately a £1000 a season and won a club championship, that was on a shoe string budget though. We were spending the absolute minimum, doing the minimum amount of rounds required, making the engies last, in fact in the last round of the championship, my engine blew on the second race of the day, and I had to borrow my brothers. Luckily though I still managed to win by 22 points baring in mind I finished on 911 and the other lad finished on 889, it was pretty tight.
I'm making assumptions that you'd like to get the lad into the world of motorsport, the last stepping stone being F1. I'm going to use Buckmore Park's offerings as they are just about the best out there for getting your son nearer to F1. They also got me my ARKS license and helped me get this through their training program.
First, the only thing he can really do is get started on 6mph electric karts. Here he'll get the hang of the bare basics - steering and accelerating. Give him 4 hours or more total time on these (obviously not in one day!). You can view this karting here.
When he reaches the age of 6 you can get him going on the Bambino School. Here he will learn more advanced racing techniques (braking and the correct racing lines). There are three levels to the school. I would advise you to have him take level 3 twice before joining the Bambino Club. More info here. The Bambino club offers races for the little lad to compete in at £65 a time. They supply all of the clothing and karts for the races. There are owner/driver events but this means around a £3-4000 starting point with his own kart, as well as running costs. The hire kart races are a great way to introduce him into the competitive side of motorsport.
When he reaches the age of 8, he can move up to the 160cc Sodi Karts. I'd suggest having him take the Cadet Intro session, and then Cadet Tier 1 training. I'd not advise him to take Cadet Tier 2 and 3 training, as drivers who have been fully trained on how to fully utilize the Cadet karts on track really struggle when they get into a MiniMax. Info here. After he has done Tier 1 training, just get him going on as many "arrive 'n' drive" days as possible until he reaches 11, where he can move onto the MiniMax.
When he reaches this age, stick another post on PH, and I'll arm you with the ammo of what to do next of I'm still here. Remember, don't get advanced training on the Cadet karts as it has an impact on MiniMax driving later, which is where it really counts.
First, the only thing he can really do is get started on 6mph electric karts. Here he'll get the hang of the bare basics - steering and accelerating. Give him 4 hours or more total time on these (obviously not in one day!). You can view this karting here.
When he reaches the age of 6 you can get him going on the Bambino School. Here he will learn more advanced racing techniques (braking and the correct racing lines). There are three levels to the school. I would advise you to have him take level 3 twice before joining the Bambino Club. More info here. The Bambino club offers races for the little lad to compete in at £65 a time. They supply all of the clothing and karts for the races. There are owner/driver events but this means around a £3-4000 starting point with his own kart, as well as running costs. The hire kart races are a great way to introduce him into the competitive side of motorsport.
When he reaches the age of 8, he can move up to the 160cc Sodi Karts. I'd suggest having him take the Cadet Intro session, and then Cadet Tier 1 training. I'd not advise him to take Cadet Tier 2 and 3 training, as drivers who have been fully trained on how to fully utilize the Cadet karts on track really struggle when they get into a MiniMax. Info here. After he has done Tier 1 training, just get him going on as many "arrive 'n' drive" days as possible until he reaches 11, where he can move onto the MiniMax.
When he reaches this age, stick another post on PH, and I'll arm you with the ammo of what to do next of I'm still here. Remember, don't get advanced training on the Cadet karts as it has an impact on MiniMax driving later, which is where it really counts.
£35-£40k wow, 911p certainly doesn't know what he's talking about, it really frustrates me when you hear such rediculous claims banded around 'if you want to stay competitive'. I've been karting since the age of 10 and I'm still karting now at 28, I competed in the Super One Series or British championship for ten years and I can honestly say we never spent half that and we've been competitive at the highest level in this country. That's not saying that it not possible to do spend £35k-£40k you could spend double if you like. Karting is as cheap or expensive as you want it to be.
At four years old, you're probably a bit too far ahead of the game here but there's probably ways and means to let him have a go although due to insurance issues etc you're going to struggle to hire a kart because he's just too young. You could buy him one, but you'll then have a problem of a circuit not letting you practice inshort you need to wait a couple of years.
Let's say in two years time you ask the same question. Personally and it would depend on their terms I think a great place to start is the local indoor kart track, for starters that's not £65. Let him have a go and get to grips with it. I'm a big believer in letting him do that for about a year before you buy one. At this point, he's understand racing lines, flags, overtaking etc. It's a big leap to go out and buy a kart turn up pat him on the back and let him get on with it. He'll love it, that's for sure what kid wouldn't. I'd then recommend buying a second hand kart, you don't need anything new he'll need to apply his trade and complete his novice races. You'll find that people will fall over themselves to help you, not all the advice is good but everyone within the karting family has been in your position. Once your racing costs will increase as the expectation gets higher but you'll embark on a journey with your son with will give him a great life experience and you'll have a great relationship with him. It's never going to be easy.
I didn't do cadet racing, we went straight into TKM. To do Cadet racing at a British Championship level, you need a quick engine which are few and far between and trade for silly money. I'd have a look at easykart, it's geared to the beginner but the equipment is equal. Once you've got the kart you could do a season for about £1,500 and be competitive.
From then on it's really up to you where you want to take it. I've been lucky enough to race against some great drivers and to see many applying their trade on TV screens around the world. Everyone loves the Lewis Hamilton story but bare in mind pretty much every dad thinks they're working with the next one. 'Bigger players' tend not really to recognise you until such point as you're running in the British Championship and by that point you're already spending a fair bit and for their attention you'll probably need to spend a bit more. Sponsorship in karting?? I'm not so sure of that one.
Tuition, it speeds up the process but really he needs to learn for himself to start with. I actually think you're better off investing in more time in the seat. Once you get to a level that you're sticking at then get some help. Help is easy to come by but if you want a decent driver to spend some time with you, go to a British Championship round, approach anyone running at the front. Explain your situation and for £150 the driver will spend a day with you, this works and it opens the doors to lots of their contacts.
Whatever you make of this post, I simply suggest you do it. You'll find the level that you can afford although you will spend more then you'd like. Mike Conway was rumoured to of spend £100k on karting in 2001 to win the British Championship, but really what does that matter. Not everyone needed to spend that to compete with him. You have your own resources and you make the best of them, the most important component is the driver in the seat.
At four years old, you're probably a bit too far ahead of the game here but there's probably ways and means to let him have a go although due to insurance issues etc you're going to struggle to hire a kart because he's just too young. You could buy him one, but you'll then have a problem of a circuit not letting you practice inshort you need to wait a couple of years.
Let's say in two years time you ask the same question. Personally and it would depend on their terms I think a great place to start is the local indoor kart track, for starters that's not £65. Let him have a go and get to grips with it. I'm a big believer in letting him do that for about a year before you buy one. At this point, he's understand racing lines, flags, overtaking etc. It's a big leap to go out and buy a kart turn up pat him on the back and let him get on with it. He'll love it, that's for sure what kid wouldn't. I'd then recommend buying a second hand kart, you don't need anything new he'll need to apply his trade and complete his novice races. You'll find that people will fall over themselves to help you, not all the advice is good but everyone within the karting family has been in your position. Once your racing costs will increase as the expectation gets higher but you'll embark on a journey with your son with will give him a great life experience and you'll have a great relationship with him. It's never going to be easy.
I didn't do cadet racing, we went straight into TKM. To do Cadet racing at a British Championship level, you need a quick engine which are few and far between and trade for silly money. I'd have a look at easykart, it's geared to the beginner but the equipment is equal. Once you've got the kart you could do a season for about £1,500 and be competitive.
From then on it's really up to you where you want to take it. I've been lucky enough to race against some great drivers and to see many applying their trade on TV screens around the world. Everyone loves the Lewis Hamilton story but bare in mind pretty much every dad thinks they're working with the next one. 'Bigger players' tend not really to recognise you until such point as you're running in the British Championship and by that point you're already spending a fair bit and for their attention you'll probably need to spend a bit more. Sponsorship in karting?? I'm not so sure of that one.
Tuition, it speeds up the process but really he needs to learn for himself to start with. I actually think you're better off investing in more time in the seat. Once you get to a level that you're sticking at then get some help. Help is easy to come by but if you want a decent driver to spend some time with you, go to a British Championship round, approach anyone running at the front. Explain your situation and for £150 the driver will spend a day with you, this works and it opens the doors to lots of their contacts.
Whatever you make of this post, I simply suggest you do it. You'll find the level that you can afford although you will spend more then you'd like. Mike Conway was rumoured to of spend £100k on karting in 2001 to win the British Championship, but really what does that matter. Not everyone needed to spend that to compete with him. You have your own resources and you make the best of them, the most important component is the driver in the seat.
slipstream 1985 said:
ok ok but dont put him off before he's got into it. its a fantastic way of life (it becomes your life ,lol) and he'll meet dome great people. best years of my life were the weekends away with my dad karting even if it was 9 hour journeys each way!
Exactly. Get him into it, on a budget and you'll be fine 
And once he gets older and grows you can get a shot of the kart Mark, do you still have your kart?
I had a session with my brother using his old TKM 100cc kart, brilliant fun, and on 8 year old tyres, it was verey very fun! Cut myself up quite bad bumpstarting though.
911p said:
I looked into karting and if you're looking to get serious with it (own kart, races and tuition etc), you're looking at £35,000-40,000 per year by the time he is 10. It's an unbelievably expensive sport if you want to stay competitive, and unfortunately this is what you'll need if you want to become recognized by the 'bigger players'. However, I've got a load of stuff lying around and I'll get to an advisable post soon.
You don't have a clue. 
They're looking at getting him into motorsport, not looking at making him the next Michael schumacher.
I used to race Karts at Silverstone, Milton Keynes and a few places in Manchester, and had a lot of fun in doing so.
Guess what? It didn't cost me three million pounds to enter either...
Most people do it for fun, not to become the best...
Edited by Skylinecrazy on Sunday 8th August 15:51
Skylinecrazy said:
911p said:
I looked into karting and if you're looking to get serious with it (own kart, races and tuition etc), you're looking at £35,000-40,000 per year by the time he is 10. It's an unbelievably expensive sport if you want to stay competitive, and unfortunately this is what you'll need if you want to become recognized by the 'bigger players'. However, I've got a load of stuff lying around and I'll get to an advisable post soon.
You don't have a clue. They're looking at getting him into motorsport, not looking at making him the next Michael schumacher.
I used to race Karts at Silverstone, Milton Keynes and a few places in Manchester, and had a lot of fun in doing so.
Guess what? It didn't cost me three million pounds to enter either...
Most people do it for fun, not to become the best...
Edited by Skylinecrazy on Sunday 8th August 15:51
You can spend whatever figure you want with karting, as I said I managed to do club level for £1000ish a season, but I knew people that were spending £5000 at the same club, and others that were spending £50000 doing Super 1 with teams. I would suggest you go to your local circuits on a race day, have chat with the dads/drivers get an idea of the kind of budget they're spending, get any advice you can, and see if you're son is interested in giving it a go.
Skylinecrazy said:
Most people do it for fun, not to become the best...
The young lad in the OP probably does it for fun. Sadly "Daddy" here. Wants him to be the best! I fear this will end very expensively and very badly. Always bad when parents live their dreams through their kids...Don't be a fool and assume he wants to go ahead with it. First let him try a kart first....I did karting when I was a kid, competed in a number of races. The other kids either did it for fun or where pressurised by the parents (father) to be the best. And that's where it normally goes all wrong.
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