Looking to get into karting

  • Thread starter dan0543
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England
Stoke
dan0543
Hi all.
Like the title suggests, i'm looking to get into competitive karting. I have had a few experiences on small outdoor tracks, some indoor but not in any really competitive races(okay, maybe races, but i doubt anyone would call my friends competitive). Money shouldn't be a major problem because i have recently got myself a decent apprenticeship and have not got many obligations. I am 18 years old, and have been an avid fan of all motorsport for most of my life.
This is where i would like you, the experienced and helpful people of GTplanet to come in. I'm completely inexperienced in this field, and i was hoping some of you motorsport junkies would be able to point me in the right direction.
I know arrive and drive isn't really competitive, but unfortunately there doesn't seem to be too many opportunities around my area. After a quick search, i found one called midlands karting in staffordshire. They have 2 outdoor layouts, membership available and are within reasonable distance from where i live. This looks like one of the better sites in my area, but it seems it is still kind of limited with the events available.
Also, i don't want to throw myself in at the deep end. Since i am inexperienced, suddenly racing with a bunch of potential formula 1 recruits would not be the best starting point.
So I ask, are any of you experienced in karting and would you be kind enough to give a few pointers?
 
At a club level it's not as competitive as the Nationals.
And you should research what brands of chassis and engine are most popular in your area, and don't go for a shifter, too fast.
And as heads up it will cost a LOT of money, especially in your first year, and the learning curve is steep, but don't give up because it will come to you.
Single speed 2-Strokes are pretty popular, but definitely find out what the most popular equipement is, and don't skimp on gear, helmets, gloves etc. It's your skin, protect it.
 
To be honest, if the track has an arrive and drive series like they do here in Canada, then I would start there for your first year. If you are utterly dominant there then it is time to move up. In your case Rotax Senior would be good, fairly inexpensive but plenty competitive. I'm not sure what other classes are run in the UK.

But as I say, do a season in an arrive and drive series and move up from there. I see too many people jump into their own equipment for the first race, get utterly destroyed and lose all confidence and stop racing. A year in arrive and drive will allow you to develop as a driver before you add in all the extras of setting up your own stuff.

That's my opinion anyway

Rob
 
The kart shop near me has a few karts available for rent for the weekend at the local track. Pretty good kit too, Intrepid Direct drive 125's for the local TAG class. I've been very tempted to rent one out. If there is a shop offering a similar deal, that could be a way to go.

Or you could start out in a Chonda class. They're pretty slow, but the field is still very competitive. And they're cheap to run compared to the other classes.
 
Hi all.
Like the title suggests, i'm looking to get into competitive karting. I have had a few experiences on small outdoor tracks, some indoor but not in any really competitive races(okay, maybe races, but i doubt anyone would call my friends competitive). Money shouldn't be a major problem because i have recently got myself a decent apprenticeship and have not got many obligations. I am 18 years old, and have been an avid fan of all motorsport for most of my life.
This is where i would like you, the experienced and helpful people of GTplanet to come in. I'm completely inexperienced in this field, and i was hoping some of you motorsport junkies would be able to point me in the right direction.
I know arrive and drive isn't really competitive, but unfortunately there doesn't seem to be too many opportunities around my area. After a quick search, i found one called midlands karting in staffordshire. They have 2 outdoor layouts, membership available and are within reasonable distance from where i live. This looks like one of the better sites in my area, but it seems it is still kind of limited with the events available.
Also, i don't want to throw myself in at the deep end. Since i am inexperienced, suddenly racing with a bunch of potential formula 1 recruits would not be the best starting point.
So I ask, are any of you experienced in karting and would you be kind enough to give a few pointers?

I am also looking into karting and thanks to other karters here on GTP, I know that it's best that you look for a karting club near you, and all the kart classes that they have there. You might want to go for the more popular one that they have there though, as you will have more people to race against.

If you haven't already, you need to obviously get you a Level 1 or 2 FIA/CIA approved suit and helmet. After that you need to buy a kart according to the kart class that you want to enter. After that you just have to go to go-karting clubs.
 
I am also looking into karting and thanks to other karters here on GTP, I know that it's best that you look for a karting club near you, and all the kart classes that they have there. You might want to go for the more popular one that they have there though, as you will have more people to race against.

If you haven't already, you need to obviously get you a Level 1 or 2 FIA/CIA approved suit and helmet. After that you need to buy a kart according to the kart class that you want to enter. After that you just have to go to go-karting clubs.

Yep that pretty much covers it. Go to your local track (are you in stoke england??) look at what is popular there (rotax or tkm), look for used karts (if in the uk then look at www.karting.co.uk/mp ).

Get down on a practise day and get some in seat time.


If you have any uk specific questions sent me a pm and I'll try to answer them.


BEWARE karting can easily get extremely expensive, 1 race a month will cost at least £1200 a year (excluding travel costs and original buying costs.)
 
If you have any uk specific questions sent me a pm and I'll try to answer them.
BEWARE karting can easily get extremely expensive, 1 race a month will cost at least £1200 a year (excluding travel costs and original buying costs.)

I second this. If you are going to get into go-karting like me, then you must be prepared to buy the following things:
  • Petrol
  • Tyres
  • Oil
  • Engine Overhauls
  • Travelling Costs
  • Racing License
  • Kart Trailer
  • Rain
  • New Body Parts (if you crash and damage your kart)
  • Level 1/2 FIA/CIA Approved Helmet and Suit
  • Karting Shoes and Gloves
Got a karting club, driving skills and all the things mentioned in the list? Now you are ready to start karting!
 
Add tools to the list, it can easily run you several hundred dollars.
Plus you will need a tow vehicle, unless you have a really big van.
 
Thanks for all the replies!
Incidentally, seems like a pay rise might be on the way for me at work, fingers crossed.
Tools shouldn't be a problem, my managers at work are kind enough to give me some of the basics like allen keys and ratchets, and my dad's garage is full of over the top, redundant tools specifically for maintaining cars. Everything from power tools to a compressed air wheel nut gun (like formula 1 pit stop crews use) and torque wrenches are in there.
There is a ford transit i can use... but its from my dad's workplace. he uses it driving to and from work every night, but i think an 80 mile day trip might show up on the taco-graph! But we've also got an ex army heavy duty trailer, which has been used a lot for family holidays and the likes.
 
Add tools to the list, it can easily run you several hundred dollars.
Plus you will need a tow vehicle, unless you have a really big van.

Ford Transit for example... they're huge:

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I don't know about you, but I think most go-karts would comfortably fit in the back of that thing. If you are going to carry your go-kart in a van like this, make sure you strap it down securely. You don't want your kart rolling around.
 
Options at the moment are my dad's workplaces ford transit, just like the one pictured (my dad calls it a hot rod, lol) or our mitsubishi shogun 2.8 diesel towing an army trailer. If you're wondering, no i'm not particularly well off, I just happen to have access to these things!
Although i think the transit might not be an option because it belongs to my dad's workplace, and buying my own might be a little out of my budget...
 
Options at the moment are my dad's workplaces ford transit, just like the one pictured (my dad calls it a hot rod, lol) or our mitsubishi shogun 2.8 diesel towing an army trailer. If you're wondering, no i'm not particularly well off, I just happen to have access to these things!
Although i think the transit might not be an option because it belongs to my dad's workplace, and buying my own might be a little out of my budget...

Well what a coincidence that your dad actually has a Ford Transit! And whether the Ford Transit is an option or not really depends if the van is parked at work or somewhere near home and the workplace don't mind it being used outside of work. Probably not though. I think you better play it safe and go with the Mitsubishi carrying the army trailer.

EDIT: You might draw some extra attention to yourself since the go-kart is exposed but I'm sure you don't mind :D .
 
You can get away with the kart in the back of a truck, will be a bit cramped in the cab though. You will also need a high quality air pressure gauge, one designed for karting.
 
You can get away with the kart in the back of a truck, will be a bit cramped in the cab though. You will also need a high quality air pressure gauge, one designed for karting.

I don't think he has a pickup truck, as that is more of an American thing...
 
Although i think the transit might not be an option because it belongs to my dad's workplace, and buying my own might be a little out of my budget...

A guy I know bought a beat up one for under a grand. It drove perfectly. It was just a little dented (and had a hole in the back door).

If you're not too picky about how it looks, you could probably pick up a similarly priced van for yourself. The guy I know uses his van for his work 6 days a week, so if you can find one as reliable, you can't complain.
 
A guy I know bought a beat up one for under a grand. It drove perfectly. It was just a little dented (and had a hole in the back door).

If you're not too picky about how it looks, you could probably pick up a similarly priced van for yourself. The guy I know uses his van for his work 6 days a week, so if you can find one as reliable, you can't complain.

You can get a transit really cheap, however if you were to go down that route I would suggest spending a tiny bit more and getting a Merc Sprinter LWB, thats what lots of my mates use for karting and they are perfectly sized to have all of your karting stuff and also a small living/sleeping area.

I just use my dads audi A6 and a small trailer and we are fine though, does mean if we stay overnight we have to sleep in a tent. :(
 
A guy I know bought a beat up one for under a grand. It drove perfectly. It was just a little dented (and had a hole in the back door).

If you're not too picky about how it looks, you could probably pick up a similarly priced van for yourself. The guy I know uses his van for his work 6 days a week, so if you can find one as reliable, you can't complain.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Jeremy Clarkson buy a Transit for under a grand on Top Gear too?
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Jeremy Clarkson buy a Transit for under a grand on Top Gear too?

Yep, they are so cheap to buy. However beware of buying an ex builders van as they are never treated well.
 
lbsf1
Yep, they are so cheap to buy. However beware of buying an ex builders van as they are never treated well.

Yup. Find a good one and you'll be very happy. I have driven one before. They are so easy to drive. Like a corsa. You just need to resist the urge to drive millimeters behind the car in front. Beware the white van man.
 
Yup. Find a good one and you'll be very happy. I have driven one before. They are so easy to drive. Like a corsa. You just need to resist the urge to drive millimeters behind the car in front. Beware the white van man.

Buy a van like James Mays (another reference to that top gear episode) and you have completely solved that problem, then you have lots of room aswell.


This whole discussion about vans though, you don't need one for karting, I have seen many people and myself don't use one, if you are on a limited budget a trailer will do the job perfectly adequetly, then you can spend the money you save on something that will actually make you faster (engine fisching,new tyres).
 
then you can spend the money you save on something that will actually make you faster (engine fisching,new tyres).

I would take that money and spend it on practice days, it will make a bigger difference than tires ever will.
 
I would take that money and spend it on practice days, it will make a bigger difference than tires ever will.

When you are first starting the best thing is driving time, however when you start racing the biggest difference is in new tyres, new tyres give 2-3tenths a lap over a 1 meeting old set.
 
When......Your watching it as you type this.

A good one, but I was out on my balcony at the time. I have many childhood memories of my mum freaking out as there was a "white van man" close behind her car.

Anyway, we seem to have covered the transport part of Karting pretty well for the OP. I'm afraid more threads will end up descending into Top Gear references this year. Bring on next year.
 
I've made a pickup truck work. My friend's Birel Spirit kart fit like a glove in the bed. And the kart stand was tall enough to where the kart slid right into the bed with the tailgate down. Though there wasn't room for much else. There was barely any room for the kart stand.

IMG_2493.jpg

IMG_2494.jpg
 
I've made a pickup truck work. My friend's Birel Spirit kart fit like a glove in the bed. And the kart stand was tall enough to where the kart slid right into the bed with the tailgate down. Though there wasn't room for much else. There was barely any room for the kart stand.

IMG_2493.jpg

IMG_2494.jpg

That's very good, but won't you need to carry spares with you to trackdays/races?
 
Looks like a very nice kart.
The car i'll be using to tow the trailer has got generous boot space for tools and maybe spares, but seeing that kart pictured taking up all that room makes me think.
Do you know by any chance the length and width of the kart? I know it won't be exactly the same as other kinds of karts for other series, but just so i know if the trailer i have is in the ball park for size.
I've asked my dad about his transit, and he said that at weekends it could be used for this sort of thing as his workmates have borrowed it for similar things in the past. He'd just need to have a word with the boss and tell him how often it would be happening. He's only one of two drivers in the company now after all, and the other is usually working in the warehouse.
 
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