Fastest go karts in the UK?

[jenzo]

Hi all

Hope this is in the correct section.

Where in the UK can one drive the quickest go karts - even if it means hiring for an hour?

Thanks.

[jenzo]

aponting389 said:

Ring a kart racing team and tell them you want to test a KZ1.

Any idea whom to speak to?

[jenzo]

djmotorsport said:

That would not be cheap nor advisable unless you are aquatinted with what a real kart can do - Maybe the DMAX karts that Daytona have? Depends on the experience/skill level of the drivers.......

Are the DMAX Karts with Daytona quick? I am based in London - any idea where their nearest track that caters for the DMAX would be located?
Happy to then make the necessary enquires : )

[jenzo]

andye30m3 said:

I think the DMAX karts use junior engines without the power valve


Could speak to these guys http://kkckartshop.co.uk/pc/Experience-Rotax-Max-a...

I expect anything much faster will get very expensive if you can even find anyone to rent to you. The fastest karts I suspect are the long circuit superkarts but not sure you could rent one easily as they do the best part of 160mph.

Excllent. Thanks for this.

All I am looking for is something quicker than the "standard" 125cc karts you get, at most tracks.

[jenzo]

Some great input here guys. Thanks. I will have a look and get something booked up soonest!

Cant wait now : )

[jenzo]

I am definitely going to : )

alfie2244 said:

Any excuse to post up a bit of nostalgia.... I actually hired out 250s to people, even hired the entire Silverstone circuit once...........have fun OP and let us know how you get on

[jenzo]

I ve driven many karts in the past *at Buckmore park etc., but wanted something different and "quick".
I am not scared of power or lack the confidence or basic experience.

What is the quickest version they do - cc wise?
What does it feel like driving one : ) ?

alfie2244 said:

Any excuse to post up a bit of nostalgia.... I actually hired out 250s to people, even hired the entire Silverstone circuit once...........have fun OP and let us know how you get on

[jenzo]

Fantastic feedback. Thank you : ) This is why I love PistonHeads!

ClassiChimi said:

Well yes I was understating it somewhat as I don't know if the OP has driven these things before,
Head ripped off, hips battered and bruised, arms fading as your trying to turn the blighter's,
The nearest thing I can think of is an F1 car as in the 80's and 90's, Brutal but fantastic.
I read an interesting article once about an experienced race car test driver who'd driven some mighty beasts but never grew up in carts,,,
He had a test in a 250cc cart and it blew his mind,,, until you've done it it's hard to explain or even imagine, inner organs shifting about your body, if your not training for this stuff it will leave you totally spent within a few laps!
It takes such physical effort if your not fit you'll notice your brain lacking oxygen and a sense of slowly loosing conscienceness as your driving,, I'd raced some Iron man races and was very fit so I coped ok but after a day's testing, every muscle aching etc,
It's worth it for the knowledge of pain and big G's that real racers experience, crash gearbox allowing you to barely lift the throttle between gear changes and that smack in your back as you do it,, pure adrenalin fuelled stuff, these guys wear leathers,,,, ?
The final thing I'd like to point out is the brakes, gearbox carts employ front discs as well as the single rear disc,,
My little 125 does 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds,,,, but it stops from 60 mph in 1.5 seconds,,, you can't change gear fast enough,, phenomenal feeling and braking from 6 th gear down to 2nd for a hairpin at such high speed and stopping so fast is inspiring,, it takes some bottle to trust it but they will respond to good driving and you'll feel epic.

[jenzo]

Sounds incredible. What engine size do you suggest I drive - for the time...

alfie2244 said:

Quickest by a long way 250cc 6 speed gearbox (125's maybe not far short).......I had involvement in a circuit and had many an "experienced" racer scare themselves "shi..ess" when I let them drive a 250.

Short circuit is very very hard work.....long circuit not so hard but a lot faster due to gearing, for example my avge around Thruxton IIRC was about 95mph....the winner's was about 112mph and all that without a seatbelt and 1" from the ground.........awesome feeling.

There are a few vids of superkarts around Darley that are worth a watch...a good circuit to learn on and in between long & short circuits but still avge around 85MPH in a race IIRC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ewBfbfyky8

[jenzo]

I don't want to kill myself here! All I want is something quicker that the standard you get at say Buckmore Park (that's all I have driven so far).
Never driven a geared kart before or Rotax Max.

This is something I must off course now all bear in mind...

daniel-5zjw7 said:

OP, what is your karting experience so far? If you've not been outside of a 4 stroke corporate kart yet I would be very careful thinking about going anywhere near an Aixro or gearbox kart.

A Rotax Max on a proper chassis and tyres (not a lardy four stroke on chassis designed for abuse on hard tyres..) will be more than enough to give you something to think about.

I've always said to people that unless you've driven a proper 2 stroke race kart forget what you know, the difference between a corporate kart is night and day. The difference in straight line speed is only a very small part of it.

Ps. I'm not sure which is worse, calling them go karts or carts..

[jenzo]

I agree and as many others have also stated, I will go Rotax Max first. Its not worth any risk, trying to drive the Superkarts.

I am based in London - can drive, but anyone have any recommendations as to whom to speak to, to hire a Rotax Max, for say an hour?

alfie2244 said:

Go for Rotax max.....still be a lot quicker than a standard hire kart....you did ask "Fastest go karts in the UK?" but maybe a step too far to start with if you have limited experience.

keep us updated

[jenzo]

Fab! I will giove them a call. Is the X30 quicker than the Rotax Max?

mcbook said:

Scroll down to the bottom of the page here http://mlcmotorsport.co.uk/services/

Full day test in a Rotax Max with mechanic to help you - seems a bargain at £195.

[jenzo]

Hi guys. Yes, I will send over info, once I have spoken to them.

Riccardino said:

Jenzo if you are calling them and get all those info (they mention that karts are always not older than 12 months so at least for that it might be more reassuring) let me know as I would also be interested (even if I think that one full day for me would be too much)
If you have to bring your equipment (ie race suit, helmet, gloves, rib protector) that would be also a big issue

It would also be good to know in which circuit you can have the session!

[jenzo]

bicycleshorts said:

If you've only ever driven circuit hire karts, try http://www.club100.co.uk

The guys who run it are great and the grid is very competitive, you'll be shown just how fast a kart can go.

If budget is tight, look for a test day or their advance leisure races.

Eta: for reference, as someone who has driven 3 years of club100, a season of mx5 racing and have had 350bhp+ cars, I'd be stting myself getting into a gearbox kart

Edited by bicycleshorts on Thursday 25th August 09:09

Many thanks for sharing this. A test day with club100, where you can arrive and rive one of the race prepared karts looks like a great option. Will def be giving them a call - also fact that they offer such a service on a Sunday is great.