Kart Road Racing

chris57 · 02-24-2008, 04:56 PM

I am going to be racing my 125cc TAG kart on the big track at infineon raceway this coming saturday. My question is this I have raced mazda miatas in scca there as well as running a formula mazda with the russell school, I am wondering if this is going to be fun or is the track just too big for go kart? Anyone race a kart on full size tracks before?

motion · 02-24-2008, 05:06 PM

I've raced full-sized cars and motorcycles at Sears Point. I'm thinking the track is way too big for a TAG kart. An enduro 250cc kart would be great, but I think you're gonna be pretty bored in a 125. Just my opinion, so hey, you might have a great time

Dueller · 02-24-2008, 05:19 PM

Hey, Chris. Welcome aboard. Show us some pics of your kart and a little background in racing. I have road raced bikes and cars and wished I could try Karts...alas genetics and my own bad habits have made me too tall and too wide to try them. Looked to be a hoot...esp the shifter karts

chris57 · 02-24-2008, 05:33 PM

I will post some pics after the race as the wife will be there taking pics. I have raced motocross, spec miata and my formula mazda open wheel car. I bought this kart a year ago and have driven some local kart tracks over the last year. These things are super fun, best bang for the buck to drive with out a doubt. As far as being to big for karts I dont buy it. I am six foot tall and 250lbs, I made a plate to move my engine over an inch and a half beefed up my seat mounts and I fit fine. though most kart drivers are 150lbsI have seen guys bigger than me at the track.

Dueller · 02-24-2008, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris57

I will post some pics after the race as the wife will be there taking pics. I have raced motocross, spec miata and my formula mazda open wheel car. I bought this kart a year ago and have driven some local kart tracks over the last year. These things are super fun, best bang for the buck to drive with out a doubt. As far as being to big for karts I dont buy it. I am six foot tall and 250lbs, I made a plate to move my engine over an inch and a half beefed up my seat mounts and I fit fine. though most kart drivers are 150lbsI have seen guys bigger than me at the track.

No chit? We have a small rr kart course here that is owned by the city but leased to the Karting club and RC airplane club for $1/year. If you are a member of the karting club (dues $50/year) you get a key to the track so you can practice anytime you want except alternate weekends when the RC guys use the facility.

What exactly is a TAG cart?

chris57 · 02-24-2008, 05:57 PM

TAG stands for touch and go. They are 125cc water cooled engine with electric start. No remote or push starting. Just sit in the seat and push the start button. They are parilla brand engines (italian made). They are typically faster than 80cc shifter karts and a little slower than 125cc shifter karts

porsche930dude · porsche930dude's Garage

depends on your top speed id say. or as fast as you dare go

TheMentat · TheMentat's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris57

TAG stands for touch and go. They are 125cc water cooled engine with electric start. No remote or push starting. Just sit in the seat and push the start button. They are parilla brand engines (italian made). They are typically faster than 80cc shifter karts and a little slower than 125cc shifter karts

Geared appropriately, the Parrilla Leopard (or Rotax for that matter), will get you going plenty fast on a big track. However, if you are in a sprint chassis, your top speed will be somewhat limited due to drag.

LakeCleElum · 02-24-2008, 07:06 PM

I dunno, I ran a go-Kart that had a six cylinder outboard engine and separate 4 speed trans at Seattle Raceways back in the early '70's. It was a project a friend of mine built and he was afraid to get in it.....Going 140+ sitting an inch off the ground was not all that boring.....

motion · 02-24-2008, 08:13 PM

140mph would be a blast, but I'm afraid 60-56mph around Infineon would be a bit of a yawner. Carousel should be fun, though

SlowToady · 02-24-2008, 08:14 PM

I've been thinking about this lately, as I always wanted to Kart when I was younger. How much does it cost to run these things? I know, obviously, that being at the top all the time requires exponentially more $$. But on average, what does it cost to hit the track with a Kart for the weekend and just have fun? Something like a 125 shifter kart, or maybe a Super Kart

Sorry to thread-jack, but there seems to be some experience here.....

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

I don't know the class, but I also heard about some carts going down the esses at 120+. That sounds plenty exciting to me. Gotta agree with Richard though that at 60 it might get a little tedious.

There is also an outstanding dedicated Kart track at Sears Point as well - up on the upper level.

trekkor · 02-25-2008, 08:43 PM

If you can break 2:00, you'll have plenty of fun.

KT

trekkor · 02-25-2008, 08:51 PM

KT

SlowToady · 02-25-2008, 09:01 PM

OMG that looks like a blast!

I really, really have to try that....

Jim Bremner · 02-25-2008, 09:02 PM

the tag motor class should get you around 95 mph in a sprint kart

PatrickB · PatrickB's Garage

It may be urban legend... But didn't a shifter cart set the track record at Street's of Willow a couple of years ago?

Go to a track and rent one for some real fun! Be warned though, short wheel base, small tires, no suspension will beat the crap out of you! 4 years ago, I did a day long clinic at Moran Raceway (recently closed.) Lots of instruction, and about 2 hours of track time left me feeling like I got run over by a truck the next day! Maybe someone else can chime in, but the G loads you can reach in these things are quite surprising!!! Tons of fun, but make sure you can take the physical punishment before you buy one!

Jims5543 · 02-26-2008, 06:03 AM

If geared right he should be able to break 110 on the straights. My KT100 with the right gears will hit 110 its just a little slow off the line. BUT, I am 5'7" and weigh 160 lbs. an extra 90 lbs will slow him down.

I would imagine a 125 Shifter would be a blast on any track. The straights might be a little boring but once you get int he turns... yeehaw!!

Jim Bremner · 02-26-2008, 07:52 AM

well, with 28 hp and a 400 pound class we couldn't break the 100 mark @ fontana or streets of willow. I guess that your narrower areo package helped

motion · 02-26-2008, 07:55 AM

Isn't the KT100 good for about 13-14 HP? At least, that's what mine was. I'm having a hard time believing you can get 100mph out of that!