Thanks Cthree
I really didn't need to see that in my head.
just all the talk about karting not being manly and then you say that.
I see a big harry man in pink making the crap fall out of 12 year olds Bullocks.
I guess its time to go to bed for me

 

Even though I only raced in a rookie league, I learned a hell of a lot. I think I'll start doing it again next year! FYI the average age in my club was 32, and my 61 year old father raced with me, 220lbs made him slow, but he looked great out there! lol He didn't race against 12 year olds lol his class was all old men

 

That's because we don't run FA over here.

Highest direct class is ICA; which is still somewhat of a "junior" class over in Europe

 

They are just as much work as full size race cars to maintain and stay competitive with. I stayed just as busy working on a 125cc Shifters as a TAFC Funny car.

They are the most cost effective way to go as fast as possible in W2W racing.

 

Gentlemen, manly or not, karting will definitely improve your racing skills more than any other activity.

My 2 friends and I (between us) run several different track cars at the local LA tracks (including my S, a Supra, and an Evo). Two years ago we picked up karting as a casual hobby (HPV100, TaG, and Stock Honda shifters). We don't race competitively ($$$!) but we're hyper-competitive with each other and according to our laptimes, would be midpack with the local clubs.

Without a doubt, we've had more fun, more seat time, and more full on go-for-broke dicing at the kart tracks than at Streets, WSIR, Buttonwillow, and HTM combined (and at a fraction of the cost).

Your racing reflexes, awareness of traffic, how to go fast on (and off) the line, and sensitivity to sliding, rotation, and slip angle will be honed to the maximum extent that your talent will allow. Since the vehicle is so responsive (and somewhat "expendable" compared to a big car), you're more prone to "explore" the limits. This all translates to more confidence and a higher level of dynamic awareness in the big cars.

Nowadays we run 3 or 4 kart days per big track day. It's $40-$45 to drive at Moran, Grange, Adams, or Apex (all day, usually no sessions, go out when you want as long as you want). If you go practice before a big race, the fastest guys in the nation are often there (and humbled, you will be).

BTW, I've gone off many times at the kart track (with little or no damage to myself or kart). I can't say the "off's" at the big tracks have been as uneventful (punctured tire, dented fender, rock chips, etc...)

PM me if you're interested in dropping by our next outing! Um, which will probably be Sat...

Mike

 

To bad the Scumachers still have a karting track in their home town and Paul Tracy's company make kart's, so your pre-teen statement is just DUMB

 

So how does one get started in karting anyway?

 

I raced Rotax Max for 2 years and have been running 125 modified moto shifters for about 3 years now (although I hardly ever race since I graduated law school).

Clutch karts (Rotax, etc...) are really great for learning. Stuff happens fast in a kart. Learning fundamentals without worrying about shifting is a good way to start. However, if you are a real speed freak (and a decent driver) you will want to step up to a shifter pretty quickly. I would recommend buying a really good shifter chassis even if you dont plan on running a shifter class. That way, when you want to step up, all you have to do is swap motors and sprockets and add front brakes.

I personally think it is the best form of wheel to wheel racing a person who makes less than $500,000 a year can do. Lots of speed, relative safety, easy maintenance and not cost prohibitive.

After your initial expenditures (a tow rig, tools, and your kart/gear/spares) you can really run an entire season on $1000 or so. There is no other way to go that fast for that cheap.

 

Talk about missing the point....

If Jimmie Johnson or Fernando Alonso owned a brickmaking factory, would that make brickmaking the best way to learn to be a racer?

 

I know some people who have really been f'ed up by karts, and that's at the low speeds of a rental place.