Racing Kart Buying Tips?

[onewhippedpuppy]

I've been toying with this idea for several years now, and today my wife suggested that we get rid of my 8 year old's two broken Razor ride ons (atv and kart) and just get a racing go kart instead. So looking around I realized that I have no idea what to look for, what brands are good vs bad, features to look for, etc. I'll be interested in a used kart for $1000 or less, paved use only, and right now not looking at any particular racing series. There's a track semi-close that offers daily open sessions, and our local SCCA chapter allows karts. So I'm appealing to the brain trust, what should I look for?

This one caught my eye, comments? CRG Racing Go Kart Cart

[porsche4life]

It's been on OKC clist since mid jan..... I'd bet 5 bills would buy it....

[Icemaster]

Interesting....after watching the two boys on one of our local indoor tracks, I've been contemplating he same thing. Too bad you're not closer...I'd partner up with you on the rig. Interested in the responses.

Check out kartparts1.com.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

It's been on OKC clist since mid jan..... I'd bet 5 bills would buy it....

My thought as well Sid, I noticed its been on there a while and getting cheaper.

Originally Posted by Icemaster

Interesting....after watching the two boys on one of our local indoor tracks, I've been contemplating he same thing. Too bad you're not closer...I'd partner up with you on the rig. Interested in the responses.

Check out kartparts1.com.

Thanks Pete. We did an indoor track in the DFW area a few weeks ago, my son was on the intermediate karts (35 ish) and did great. He started 8th and made it up to 3rd, and was getting faster each lap. I think he'd be just fine on something similar or a bit faster.

[porsche4life]

There's a nice indoor track in OKC as well, pole position raceway.. You guys should come down and play.

[Jim Bremner]

Stay away from ANYTHING sold by Joe Ramos of SSC racing. He's a big importer wholesaler in Palm Springs. It's Joe Ramos's wallet and all other things are second. I don't know if he's still doing CRG but the front spindles on CRG are designed to bend befor the frame get's damaged. sounds like a GREAT idea? but they just plain bend and to be honest I have never seen a frame get damaged where the splnde mounts to the frame. I have only had TWO kars that have had the spindle SHEAR off of it's upright. Both have been CRG!

Look at what shop is showning up at the tracks. If there;s a guy showing up with a big trailer full of spares and treating his customers right BUY from him tust me. it will lower your stress.

Kid karts can be fun but some dads think that their son is the next F1 champ. I've seen Dads tossing BIG money at their kids. Pro chassis tuners, 10 spare engines 4 chassis etc. yes! they're out there.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Thanks Jim. We went to a semi-local dirt track several years ago just to check it out, I was shocked how many had tow rigs with large enclosed trailers, multiple karts, etc. No thanks, I have better things to spend money on.

[romad]

You have to decide 4 or 2 stroke, then road course or circle. Second chassis is going to be your most critical decision, next is going to be engine builder. I could only race doing my own. Don't think this will be some cheap form of racing, but club level can be. My suggestion would be to find a track with a strong club program, even if its a couple hours away. Then if you want make the jump to a divisional series (WKA etc.) you are making an informed decision.

If you decide on 4 cycle get well tuned to 4cycle.com ..... the best site for this class.

Good luck even at the cost its alot of fun.

Also, many tracks are running clone classes with the cheap china engines, it might be a go starting point.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Road course. A little clarification, the plan would be to start casually without an official racing series. There's a decent little track two hours away with daily open practice, and our local SCCA allows karts at their SOLO events. If he decided that he wanted to get serious then we could address it then. Considering his love of sports and that we spend a lot of time on the lake in the summer, I don't see it escalating into a serious organized thing.

Cost is probably a good question to ask, based on the above what can I expect for running cost? I assume tires periodically, basic maintenance/repairs, and the occasional engine? Without the need to seriously compete, I assume that would help keep engine cost way down.

[stuttgart46]

IIRC he will be in a Cadet. It's a lot of fun. Based on my experience, I would suggest that you
A. Practice a lot before you throw him in to a race with other kids. Some of those kids he will be racing against have been doing this a while and they are fast. It can be very intimidating and discouraging to get lapped by the pack your first time out.
B. Talk to Stuart Robinson at Kart Nation at MSR Houston. This guy knows his stuff and he will be able to give you a realistic approach to the sport. He can also help you move forward to cars as your son gets older.
Best of luck and please keep us posted.
My son did his first Spec Miata test on Saturday and it was great. One of the most emotional moments I've ever had at a race track.

[North Coast Cab]

Just go to the track and talk to some people. You'll find the best fit for your area.
Don;t forget helmet, suit, gloves, shoes, spares etc. will set you back a couple hundred to start, more if you go for a head/neck restraint.
4 cycles are much much easier to manage than the 2 cycle, plus you don't need a $200 starter.
My son and I do it just for fun, KT100 Can Karts, and have learned a lot the last few years.
Racing competitively is a whole other ballgame. Racers are serious, well funded, and committed to paractice all the time. I am amazed at the investment some people have in their rigs....biger than many at the PCA/NASA events.

Good luck!

[Tervuren]

I have to +1 all the posts about actually going to the track/tracks you plan on running at first, checking it out, and seeing what your local supply chain for parts is.

I'd leave it at just turning laps - racing eats more equipment, and can be very frustrating. When you want to go race - use the indoor track. As mentioned, the $$$ spent by the front runners is a lot, often six figures a year, for a few, its approaching seven.

Even in "stock" classes, there will be guys who buy 20+ motors, dyno them, and take their pick for different tracks.

I am lucky to have an awesome indoor track near me with awesome racing action and an owner that is very passionate about offering a good racing environment. In this environment, you draw for karts, you don't just outspend the other guy to get a better kart. The facility has a much closer field of karts due to increased maintenance work, although due to wrecks, crashes, and wear, there are almost always a few hot ones, and maybe a few dogs.

A lot of the serious young racers run our league in their off seasons, those guys out drive the ones that don't come out when the season kicks off again.

I've been to a lot of indoor tracks, and sadly, not all are great experiences, and even less run actual competitive race leagues. I'm fortunate to have a great one near me.

One last thing - make sure when there is work to be done on the kart - that he is always hanging around to help. Knowing how the kart works, and how to setup it up, can help as a driver down the road!

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by North Coast Cab

more if you go for a head/neck restraint.

Good luck!

If you love your child, you get the restraint. Whiplash isn't something to joke about, and the modern head and neck systems are very good.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Road course. A little clarification, the plan would be to start casually without an official racing series. There's a decent little track two hours away with daily open practice, and our local SCCA allows karts at their SOLO events. If he decided that he wanted to get serious then we could address it then. Considering his love of sports and that we spend a lot of time on the lake in the summer, I don't see it escalating into a serious organized thing.

Two Dad's in my neighborhood started with a similar philosophy. Both are gear heads like you Matt. They now drive 1/2 ton trucks with dedicated trailers and are wrenching seemingly day and night. They boys are 14 and 12. Very slippery slope ahead.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

Two Dad's in my neighborhood started with a similar philosophy. Both are gear heads like you Matt. They now drive 1/2 ton trucks with dedicated trailers and are wrenching seemingly day and night. They boys are 14 and 12. Very slippery slope ahead.

My wife drives an F150, so I guess I'm halfway there.

[romad]

Karting is a slippery slope, you will not be satisfied as a back runner, and that is when the cost goes up. As said find a local track with a good club, see what everyone is running and go from there.........I would love to give you a breakdown of cost, but it all depends what level you want to go.........You could easily get into it for less the 1000 bucks but, don't think you are going to run competitively. The kart and engine are easy it’s the support equipment that breaks you

Min to start
Driver suit and safety equipment, helmet, neck brace, chest protection, gloves.
Kart
Engine
Kart stand
Trailer (enclosed is best you can keep all your kart gear loaded and stored.) Min 8x 10'
Generator
Tools
Go racing

competitive racing
The entire above plus
At least another engine
2 or 3 clutch set up
Complete gear set front and clutch
Tires at least a rotation of 1 new set
Rain tires note all tires you want to use mounted on wheels
Wheels sets with different off set and widths
Canopy tent
SCALES do not go racing without them
Parts chassis and engine
TIME you never stop working on it during or after the race.
The list could go on but this alone is all ready into the thousands.
I don't want to discourage but these are the realities.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Anyone have any more comments on the kart linked to above? It's one of the better priced ones that I've seen.

[porsche4life]

I'd bet at 4-5 you wouldn't get hurt on it.... Getting it out of BFE should help its value

[romad]

Honda engine classes are far and few. Also CRG are two generally two cycle chassis, too stuff for 4 cycles

[weseeeee]

Matt, I got my son involved in kart racing when he was 8. We purchased a used kart form the track owner for 1k and just started turning laps. That kart ended up winning us a state championship 2 years later. Where we raced it was all about the tires and that's where we won and lost races. When he was 15 we called it quits so he could play HS basketball. The time we spent together racing was AWESOME. He is 21 now and we are as close as ever. Kids don't remember what you buy them, they remember what you did with them. Enjoy your time together, you will have a blast AL