getting started! HELP!!

[bhoff123]

Hey guys,

So I have been so interested in kart racing. I used to race dirtbikes and quad race so I have a little race experience, but I really want to get started in kart racing. Are there any good leagues or series around San Diego that you guys can recommend to me that I should look into?? I saw CalSpeed Super Series which is a race league that they run and they provide all the karts for everyone and run 11 kart races throughout the year. Entering includes a practice session, qualifier, heat 1 and 2, and then the Main event, all for $125 dollars for each event!! I believe this would be good for me since I dont own a kart and I can get a feel for everything this way. What do you guys think about this super series?? Also, if I am going to buy a kart, should I go with a TAG kart? Also, I kind of want to buy a chassis and then a motor separate and sort of build my kart. Could I buy a solid frame including everything except the motor and then buy a TAG motor and put it in later? What frame/chassis would yall recommend for a 6'2 175lb man. Thanks anyone for your help seriously I appreciate ALL help!!!!!

[Hal Haley]

bhoff123,

Dirt bike and quad experience will help. The SDKA club racing is a great way to go kart racing, particularly because everyone is so willing to help. Regarding the Cal Speed Super Series, I believe that's the series that Isabella was running, and I spoke briefly with her father about it, and they both like it.

With your previous experience, TAG is probably a fine starting place. Yes, you can buy a chassis and add a TAG engine. Actually not a bad idea, as it's easier to inspect a chassis when it's sans engine. At 6'2", you might be able to use a standard sized (non-extended) chassis. My son is 6'1", and a little heavier than you, and uses a standard chassis. As for chassis brand, tubing size, etc., I defer to others on this forum.

Hal

[dougring]

Hi bhoff123,

WRT the Calspeed Super Series, I have not tried that series, but my impression is that it would be very similar to the K1/Miramar Speed Circuit type karts, run on a much longer track (Calspeed). They are probably much less powerful than our racing karts (KPV-4's run ~19hp, TAG's run ~29-30hp, and Spec Honda runs ~39hp), weigh more, and the tires are probably on the hard side. It would probably be fun to try, but not much of a comparison to our racing.

WRT racing in San Diego, our club is probably the best place to start. Come by during an event date and just walk around the pits, look at the different types of karts, and talk to the racers. Our "vibe" is much different than LAKC or ProKart - mostly San Diego racers, with the emphasis on clean running and having fun. Our track layout is much wider, longer, and faster than other tracks in SoCal, so we tend to give each other a lot of room.

WRT classes, for an adult of your size, you would have three most-likely classes to investigate: KPV (125cc, air cooled, spec motor and exhaust, rear brakes only), TAG (125cc water cooled, spec motor and exhaust, rear brakes only), or Spec Honda (125cc shifter, spec motor and exhaust, four-wheel brakes). I've been running a long time, and would strongly recommend looking at KPV or TAG. The same chassis can be used for either KPV or TAG; shifter chassis are, for the most part, good only for shifters. If you come to one of our events, you will see a variety of entries in TAG and shifter.

If you have any questions, or would like to see a TAG or shifter kart up close and discuss the pluses and minuses of either, give me a call at 858-243-8558

Doug Ring - Treasurer, SDKA