Karting - advice wanted

[rammstein]

I am pretty svelte, this may be one sport where weighing in at an astonishing 150lbs might be a good thing.

The mention of being counter-intuitive as far as driving style goes was exactly what I was feeling- in cars, I am always at least sensible looking whtn AutoXing or doing a DE. In this kart, it was like everything was wrong. I agree- I think I have to learn all over again.

So can anybody with experience tell me where I can read up on some very basic technique advice?

And honestly, I can't afford a real kart anyhow, so that is moot. I just would like to beat all the people at the arrive and drive place and be the grand champion of that.

[svandamme]

just get out more on the track, and yeah, if you get rental carts
some are better then others

the difference can be quite big between 2 carts, after a few times you'll notice
you'll find a baseline of what your times should be, and if at some point you notice you're off
complain and get them to give you another cart...

[berettafan]

man this is a reality check for me too. i was thinking karting would be a great way to get my son on the quick path to decent driving skills. but for those figures he can play xbox!

too bad to hear about scamming co's too. i suppose the participant turnover is high enough that there is always fresh meat to fleece.

[rammstein]

Scamming is particularly rampant in South Florida for virtually everything.

There was definitely a HUGE difference on my second run last night- the 2nd cart felt like someone had put crisco on the back tires. I was struggling to keep the back in the back . I think the tires might have been toast or something.

I just need to search around for an article or something on the proper line in a kart, and when to brake-throttle, because you clearly need a degree of throttle steering to make it through a corner with any momentum. Off throttle and you just pushpushpush, and on the throttle you are on the verge of swapping ends the whole time. Doesn't help that the total pedal travel is like 1 inch. Also, you have to throttle steer a bit to keep the rpms up so that you don't bog on the exit. Nothing was more frustrating than the exits where I either went through too slow, or over gassed it and went sideways too much, and then when I corrected lost all of my speed and you are back down near idle just like that! My brain can't stop processing this... I need data!

[David]

A weekend of kart racing for me runs:

Entry fees $200
Tires $200
Engine parts $100 minimum
Race fuel and oil $100
Fuel to the track $100+

So there's $700 before anything more than basic maintenance. Costs were usually closer to $1000 because there always seems to be something that wore out or broke from the previous race weekend.


As far as tire pressures, we run 7 to 9 psi cold although that's on a big track in hot weather.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by dd74

Wow, I'm sorry to hear that. Track days in my car are now between $300 and $400, and I was hoping karts might be a nice financial alternative. Jeez! "Fun" ain't "cheap."

motorcycle + gear + Malibu hills

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by rammstein

It was the deal where they are semi-fast, you wear a helmet, etc.

We don't refer to them as semi-fast.
We call them half-fast.

[rammstein]

125Shifter-

You're the guy I am hoping has some ideas on how to drive these things. The discussing kind of spiraled into the cost of real karting, and trust me- I don't have the money for that.

But- I can afford this half-fast version for the time being, and I'd like to learn to drive them better. Any resources besides just more seat-time?

[JavaBrewer]

Has anyone tried the indoor electric carts? I have K1 Speed just a couple miles from the house. We would head there with our son's for some racing but they changed the minimum age/height rules that blocked our kids (9 yr olds). My Son, now 11, meets the minimum physical requirements (height) and I'd like to go back.

I like the electric motors for indoor racing and they pull really well out of turns. Too much throttle and they will swap ends. In the 30 or so races I've done I had 2-3 carts that ran out of juice with just a couple laps remaining. What I really like about K1 is the high quality track surface. No crazy bumps/ripples and lots of grip.

These machines definitely favor the slim/young. I've raced against some young teens that couldn't weigh more than 120 lbs soaking wet and they took lines and carried speeds I could never reach.

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by rammstein

125Shifter-

You're the guy I am hoping has some ideas on how to drive these things. The discussing kind of spiraled into the cost of real karting, and trust me- I don't have the money for that.

But- I can afford this half-fast version for the time being, and I'd like to learn to drive them better. Any resources besides just more seat-time?

Have you looked into a Karting Clinic? I am sure the venue your at gives them from time to time, normally on Sat or Sun mornings when its quiet.

Also if there is ever a race where you need driver changes, join up, the seat time is great and getting pointers from others will help a lot.

I try to follow the fast ones and mirror them on the track as well as stand off to the side and watch their lines then go out and try them.

[LeeH]

Jim - I'm still up for karting tonight or tomorrow night if you any time/energy left!

[David]

Originally Posted by rammstein

125Shifter-

You're the guy I am hoping has some ideas on how to drive these things. The discussing kind of spiraled into the cost of real karting, and trust me- I don't have the money for that.

But- I can afford this half-fast version for the time being, and I'd like to learn to drive them better. Any resources besides just more seat-time?

Like any other type of racing, it's all about being smooth. It seems counterintuitive sense you feel like you're going slower, but if you do it right it's faster.

On some slow turns it helps to step the back end out to rotate faster. On clutch karts like at the public tracks it's even worse because when you slide, the engine falls off too.

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by LeeH

Jim - I'm still up for karting tonight or tomorrow night if you any time/energy left!

Out of time and money Lee. We were on a budget of sorts on this trip, lots of eating in at the condo. We chose to spend our money on things the entire family can enjoy, Heli tours of the Canyon and a Jeep tour of the same.

We are on a plane heading back to the land of humidity in the morning.


Ram - seat time seat time seat time, let me know if you ever want to meet 1/2 way, give me a month or so to rebound from this trip.

I am out of AX probably until the spring, tires are shot and I cannot justify $1000 for a new set, even though they will last me 3 years. I cannot do them right now.

Maybe I will get my racing fix from somewhat fast karts too.

BTW - Your welcome to meet up with us for open practice at Moroso's Kart track one Thurs night if you want, I think if you co-drive with Mike in his Kart you pay $30 to run from 4-10 at night.