Getting my kid into karting

onewhippedpuppy · 08-01-2010, 06:55 AM

My 6 year old wants to get into karting, and the wife is on-board. Quite frankly, I'm not sure where to start. I know of two dirt tracks in the area, but that's it. I don't know where to go for a car, equipment, racing league, etc. Is there anyone that can educate the ignorant?

Tim Hancock · 08-01-2010, 07:13 AM

I cannot emphasize enough that you NEED to go to one of the local tracks and ask about the local cart classes, rules etc. Also ask where any other local tracks may be and find out what their rules/classes are compatible.

When I got into cart racing just after MX, we ended up racing the alky 5 hp briggs class (about 9hp at 6000 rpm) because it was the only local class that had many carts in it. No sense buying something and later finding out that there are no local tracks that run that class.

onewhippedpuppy · 08-01-2010, 07:21 AM

Thanks Tim, I'm going to send the local dirt track club president an email with similar questions. The only tracks I've found nearby are dirt, not sure if they're ovals or not. Personally I'd prefer to get him into a paved autocross type track.

Dueller · 08-01-2010, 07:24 AM

I assume asphalt/road courses? Or dirt track?

Wish I had known this was coming....sold a Gold Kid Cart (designed for 4-7 y.o.) for half what it was worth last year but I made sure it was for a kid going racing and not a flipper.

If you're talking LTO I have an older roller your welcome to for whatever it costs to get it to you. Perfect for a beginner just to see if they want to do it. We tried to set it up for RR and it did OK, but you canjust do so much with a chassis set up for LTO..

Dueller · 08-01-2010, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Thanks Tim, I'm going to send the local dirt track club president an email with similar questions. The only tracks I've found nearby are dirt, not sure if they're ovals or not. Personally I'd prefer to get him into a paved autocross type track.

Saw this after I posted. The latest trend around here is to do the Harbor Freight "clone" motors at 6.5 hp...motors retail for $129 but coupons are around to let you buy one for $99. About $100 more for allowed mods. They'll run young kids with a restrictor plate to keep the speeds down. Diggest expense are clutches at $200 (used) to $500 (new/trick).

Like I say...I have a roller you can have if we can figure out how to get it to you. It has an adult seat in it but I think I have a child seat for it somewhere if I can find it.

stomachmonkey · 08-01-2010, 07:36 AM

I'd consider the roller for my 7 yr old if Matt passes.

Zeke · 08-01-2010, 07:38 AM

There are 3 classes of kart racing: dirt oval (there are paved ovals too), sprint asphalt with turns (usually much less than mile in length) and enduro road race on larger auto and m/c tracks. No youths under 16 in enduro unless rules have changed.

The best advice here was to go out to a few events first. The various vendors will usually be there. Get to know the equipment and the names of all the manufacturers of even the smallest items. Kids are very sensitive and if you give your kid an xy clutch and all his new buddies have a zy, he'll resent the kart and maybe even you.

And, if everyone is using an xy, there is a reason. It's probably faster.

onewhippedpuppy · 08-01-2010, 07:42 AM

Jim, I'd love to take you up on your offer. Obviously I'd pay for shipping, any idea how we can ship such a thing?

You are correct on the Harbor Freight motors, the two rookie classes at the nearby dirt course require the HF motors.

Dueller · 08-01-2010, 07:50 AM

Here's a pic of ol' faithful

We were running Briggs 5 hp alcohol motor which is now obsolete...so that motor is worthless.

Too bad you're not nearer...we have a city owned kart road course that is leased to Miss Kaarting Assn...$50/year membership and you get a key to the track so you can let yourself in anytime to practice. If only I fit in a Kart

Link: Finally bit the bullet...Joined a Motorsports Ranch and bought a race car.

Tim Hancock · 08-01-2010, 07:54 AM

At this point racing is racing whether on dirt or asphalt. If the nearest tracks are dirt.... so be it. No sense building an asphalt cart if you have to travel 200 miles to race at it with a 6 year old beginner.

onewhippedpuppy · 08-01-2010, 07:56 AM

By the way, what does RR and LTO mean?

Dueller · 08-01-2010, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Jim, I'd love to take you up on your offer. Obviously I'd pay for shipping, any idea how we can ship such a thing?

You are correct on the Harbor Freight motors, the two rookie classes at the nearby dirt course require the HF motors.

I dunno...probably weights 100#'s sans motor.

Post the link to your local track and I'll look at the rules to see what they allow. I may be able to pick you up some spares (wheels, etc) dirt cheap or free. Have a friend whose kid was a national level competitor but is in NC working for a NASCAR tuck team tryig to get a ride and has abandoned Karting.

Dueller · 08-01-2010, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

By the way, what does RR and LTO mean?

RR= road race LTO=left turn only

Tim Hancock · 08-01-2010, 08:01 AM

Nice looking cart Jim. When I raced the 5hp briggs alcohol class on small paved tracks, we ran Coyote Free Roller chassis with no bodywork IIRC. We did not run airfilters and just ran a straight shorty pipe with no "muffler". Mods mainly consisted of milling the head to legal limit, boring the carb to legal limit, installing larger jets for the alcohol and removing the governor obviously. So long as your oil dipper stayed intact and you kept your gearing such that 6000 rpm was about all she would turn, the motors stayed together.

Dueller · 08-01-2010, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

I'd consider the roller for my 7 yr old if Matt passes.

You got it if Matt comes to his senses

Only thing I ask is that its for a kid who wants to race

Dueller · 08-01-2010, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

Nice looking cart Jim. When I raced the 5hp briggs alcohol class on small paved tracks, we ran Coyote Free Roller chassis with no bodywork IIRC. We did not run airfilters and just ran a straight shorty pipe with no "muffler". Mods mainly consisted of milling the head to legal limit, boring the carb to legal limit, installing larger jets for the alcohol and removing the governor obviously. So long as your oil dipper stayed intact and you kept your gearing such that 6000 rpm was about all she would turn, the motors stayed together.

We were turning this motor in excess of 7000 and it held together.

onewhippedpuppy · 08-01-2010, 08:14 AM

Here's what I've found so far: Wheatland karting Association go kart racing

There's several other nearby tracks, including Heartland Park, but I can't find information online.

onewhippedpuppy · 08:19 AM

I don't have any pictures of him on the go-kart handy, but here's one on his ATV.

onewhippedpuppy · 08-01-2010, 08:22 AM

Lets try that again.... I think he was 4 at the time, and yes he does have a helmet.

onewhippedpuppy · 08-01-2010, 08:28 AM

Here's another option from a KC PCA friend:

You can get your kid into autocrossing a jr kart at age 6 with the SCCA. They have events here usually held at the Police training ground out at the Community College in Independence. They are out there today and have another event on Aug 15. There are usually a couple of jr karts there every event. Autocrossog is the perfect way to get started, learning vehicle dynamics (braking, acceleration etc) and developing the ability to "read" a different track every weekend in a very safe controlled environment. Local autocrosses start in March and run through November, about every two weeks.