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Post by berational on May 27, 2010 23:13:44 GMT -8
After a bit of reading and plenty of youTube videos I would like to get a TaG kart and run a few races. I am really just interested in having some fun driving fast and don't need to place in the races.
My question is can you come out with a used kart on used tires and not completely dialed in tune and drive, but not be a danger to the really dialed in competitive racers out there?
I have done autocross in the past, but this sounds like even more fun, but I don't have the time to rebuild everything one a month and spend $200 on tires each race.
Also, for a newb coming out that is going to make some mistakes am I going to piss off the competitive folks or is everyone used to newbies coming and going.
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Post by benchracer on May 28, 2010 9:49:33 GMT -8
jumping straight into a tag and entering a race may be a stretch. Besides class racing in a parking lot there is one track anywhere near San Diego and thats perris. Knowing what i know now if i had to do it all over again i would by a solid used 80 shifter and run open practice with friends. With the 80 you still only have the one rear brake saves money, no more dealing with 219 chain saves money, you get a 428 chain and steal gears that last forever. Engine parts for the 80 are as easy as your nearest motorcycle shop.pistons,bearings seals, ect. And best of all the gearbox takes alto of the novice out of you. Meaning nothing beats the gears in the corners. To sum that all up the 80 shifter is the best bang for your buck. And your right nothing beats mini Indy car lol. good luck have fun
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Post by benchracer on May 28, 2010 10:27:18 GMT -8
The main point that i left out for some reason. Is with the 80 shifter chassis the engine combinations are almost limitless. As with mine i have had a kt100,parilla 125, and the cr 80 on the same chassis, And i don't see why you couldn't bolt on a rotax or any of the air cooled hpv 100's or 125's . you get all those combos and stay with the smaller non 125 chassis. So even if you never enter race you will have a viable kart to play around with.
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Post by berational on May 30, 2010 10:03:08 GMT -8
Good insight on running an 80 instead. So how does practice work at the Qualcomm events? Are you suggesting just doing the practice time, but not enter a race.
How much time do you get on the track in open practice?
Thanks.
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Post by Hal Haley on May 31, 2010 11:10:29 GMT -8
berational,
> I would like to get a TaG kart and run a few races.
TAG is a great class, and there are some who would counsel you to start in a slower class, but I think you can be safe if you do it right.
> I am really just interested in having some fun driving fast
No better place than kart racing.
> can you come out with a used kart on used tires and not > completely dialed in tune and drive, but not be a danger > to the really dialed in competitive racers out there?
The answer is yes, but your question is not complete. You need to be very comfortable driving the kart at speed FIRST, before you enter a race. I recommend indoor karting to start, and when your times are fast and you are consistent, go to a track (Perris Apex comes to mind), rent a TAG kart, practice and get comfortable. Check your lap times with the TAG times at the same track (MyLaps.com).
> I have done autocross in the past, but this sounds > like even more fun
It is.
> but I don't have the time to rebuild everything one a month
Even TAG karts take maintenance, but as an example, we run a Rotax and ran a 13 race season, including practice days, and the only thing we replaced on the engine was one clutch. As far as time, We usually spend several hours cleaning, checking, tightening and doing routine maintenance before each race. Occasionally more. > and spend $200 on tires each race.
Tires are a major expense, and you need to budget for them. Maxxis tires from JLS Karting are currently around $175 a set, I think (check with Jeff Shadoan), and you should be able to get a couple of races out of them (maybe three races on the rears) with the abrasive track at Qualcomm. As for the cost of karting, of any kind of racing, budget for every possible contingency and then quardruple that figure. It helps if you've won the Lotto.
> Also, for a newb coming out that is going to make some > mistakes am I going to piss off the competitive folks
Everyone was a rookie once. You will start in the back for several races, and have a big "X" on the back of your helmet to let the other drivers know you are inexperienced. Drive smooth and consistent, don't stray from the racing line, and the faster drivers will not have any problems getting around you.
Hal
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Post by benchracer on Jun 3, 2010 11:13:02 GMT -8
Yea the 80 idea is more of a get to the track go fast and have fun. And as far as entering a race slap a kt100 on there and go. I would first check with the sdka rules about using an 80 chassis. But there just a 100 chassis with a shifter handle. So if you look at like this you can get a kart with 2 engine packages for somewhere in the 2000 to 2500 price range. Or just the 80 shifter for 1500 or so track ready. Set it up with the kt100 for races and run the 80 for fun. I did a quick search and there's an 80 for 1200,one for 1350,and one for 1400. There all the cik 99 bread box body work. Power wise I'm 280 lbs and the 80 does me good. The real ? is do you really want to enter races or turn laps and have fun. Under the just for fun title the 80 is the way to go. You cant go up from a 100, but you can go down from a 80 on the same chassis. If you don"t have the means to get to a track your best bet is to check with sdka and see what classes they have and look for a used kart in one of them.
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Post by benchracer on Jun 3, 2010 11:30:55 GMT -8
apex has open pratice like 5 days a week so it really depends how many times you want to go and pay track fees. I don't do the Qualcom thing so maybe someone can give you advice on that. And you can sit out there for 9 hours if you want. It's a 200 dollar day with gas for your truck,for your kart,track fees,lunch etc. There's nothing cheap about it. But with 2 people we do 60 to 70 lap days split. 4/5 hours at the track.
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Post by Kellen Guthrie on Jun 3, 2010 14:44:51 GMT -8
Yeah it would be pretty hard to just jump in a kart and race. In any new form of motorsport you always have to have that seat time. I'd recommend just going to Apex for a few practice days before you decide to race you'll learn faster at practice since you can get more sessions in. I'm going to do some testing at Apex this Sunday by the way if anyone wants to come out. And feel free to come check out a race which i believe is not this weekend but next weekend. Karting is awesome though you should definitely get into it.
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Post by gabyopelk180 on Jun 3, 2010 15:15:24 GMT -8
$200 for a set of tires??? I found this tires in Ebay... item # 170441505539......I am using this tires for a lot less money... try them...
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