Quote:
Originally Posted by unclebilly
I got my 5 year old son into karting last year at our brand new local track.
I have since bought myself a Rotax Max kart and a 4 stroke kart and plan to make the jump from car racing to karts this year.
My motivation is that karting is a family activity and most of the tracks I race at now don't let kids (families) into the pits anymore. This rules out bringing the family to races. My son and eventually my daughter will be able to be on track with me on practise nights doing lead follow training and we can work on the karts together at the track and at home.
Anyone else done this? How does karting compare to racing 911's? I have been racing for over 10 years, am a PCA instructor and have done quite a lot of endurance racing the past few years at tracks such as Laguna Seca, Daytona, Watkins Glen, Brainerd, The Ridge, Race City, Spokane, and Stratotech.
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You're going to have a great time! I did some karting 20 odd years ago and got back into it again about 4 years ago when my kid was 11. I wish I started sooner...It's an awesome time together with your kids and family. We started with just some club races, and before we knew he was driving the US Open in Las Vegas last year. I drive 4 stroke myself, (too old for Rotax) and out of town I am the wrench for Sam. The kid drives 4 stroke (lo206) and Rotax. 4 stroke LO206 is an awesome class to learn, and highly competitive for a relative small budget.
Another great benefit is the technical skills your child will learn when wrenching on his kart later on. From what I have seen kids who kart grow up to be good citizens. The learn so many life lessons when driving kart competitively. They will see the rewards if you work hard and your stuff is in good shape,maintained and ready to go or pay the price if you slack.
PM if you want more info. I am also the Vice-Pres. of the West Coast Kart Club/Greg Moore Raceway in Chilliwack.
I will be out your way a few time as racing in the states (Can-am, US-open) is getting expensive with the current dollar.
Me in the LO206 club race
Sam at the Canadian Nationals Ontario
Cleaning the kart
Our Team in Vegas