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Post by Kevin on Aug 31, 2004 10:11:17 GMT -8
I am new to Karting and would like to race with SDKA next year. I have been racing off-road for the last several years. I am 35 and have been looking at the EasyKarts. Are they a good kart to buy? What class would I be racing in?
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Post by marcum on Aug 31, 2004 10:27:23 GMT -8
Kevin,
Welcome to SDKA.
My suggestion would be to come out to our next race on September 12th at Cajon Speedway. With the Easykart you would be running in the TAG class which usually only gets 1-2 entries at each race. As a Rotax driver I, of course, will try to steer you to Rotax. It is consistently the largest class in the club and all of us racing in it now are easy to get along with and always willing to help each other out.
I don't recall exactly how much a brand new Easykart costs but you can get into a Brand new Rotax for under $5,000 and can get a decent used package for around $3,000.
Again, the best thing you can do is come out and spend a day with us and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions.
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Post by John on Aug 31, 2004 13:34:08 GMT -8
I too am new to Karting any suggestionson places to look for a new or used kart that can race in the rotax class???
Or even the TAG class?
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Post by marcum on Aug 31, 2004 15:15:48 GMT -8
Probably the best place to look is www.ekartingnews.com They have a forum that has a classified section and it always has a ton of karts available, many of them in SoCal. Another option is Ebay, my friend and I have bought or sold 6 karts in the last year on Ebay and haven't had any problems.
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Post by Kevin on Aug 31, 2004 23:52:06 GMT -8
Are rotax and tag the same class? I am confused.
Thanks
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Post by Ed Wood on Sept 1, 2004 6:38:31 GMT -8
No, Both are electric self starting karts with an on board battery and starter button. Beyond that the big difference is Rotax is a sealed motor which keeps anyone from working on it themselves. Thats good in that the class leaves it up to driving skills and chassis set up. It is also guaranteed for 6 months when you buy a new one. Tag is limited on what you can work on but its not sealed. Both classes have weight limitations such as in our Rotax class driver and kart must weight a minimum of 385 lbs. (most karts weight around 185-190 lbs). I dont remember exactly what the Tag weight limit is. Rotax can run in both the Rotax class and the Tag class, but by class rules, the Tag kart cant run in the Rotax class. We do run both classes together in our races. The e-karting link mentioned earlier has both Tag and Rotax forums you can look at. Also in our club internet info there is a class breakdown of weights and such you can look at. Come on out and we can show you and explain better to you what the difference is. They are both fun. Ed Wood
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DFeng
New Member
Posts: 11
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Post by DFeng on Sept 1, 2004 14:51:50 GMT -8
Kevin, When new into the sport, you are going to run into all sort of little things that are not obvious. If you get a Rotax and is having a problem, one of us ten or so regular Rotax drivers probably have seem it before and can help you get going. With a Easy Kart, you will be out of luck as nobody here run it. Also, I know of no Easy Kart dealers in SoCal, where as a number of shops have both Rotax and Leopard (a very popular TAG in SolCal). Again, as Greg mentioned, our Rotax class is waaay bigger than TAG. OK, I am a Rotax driver, but I don't think I am biased Dai
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Post by belacyrf on Oct 8, 2004 13:53:38 GMT -8
I also have a question, I'm a newbie. I started in Road Racing about 2-3 years ago, and became decent, but not awesome or anything. I started getting tired of beating my daily driver so I started get into karting. Ive only done some indoor so I understand the speeds aren't near what you get with some outdoor racing.
Anyways, here's the question. I'm currently looking to pick up a kart along with a couple friends of mine. If I got my wish, I'd like to pick up the RM1 from Rotax. Seems like a great compramise from shifter to non shifter.
Does SDKA have a class for the RM1?
If I'm not able to pick up an RM1 or maybe a Rotax on a CRG Rebel chassis.. then I'm looking for used karts.
Is there a big class for the KT100 engine? Thanks
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Post by Jim Abbott on Oct 9, 2004 16:05:58 GMT -8
I know in the formula y/c heavy class we had 6 reg drivers showing up at all the races with a few other drivers showing up on occ. next year we will be loosing i believe 2 drivers to go to other classes and we will have a few stepping up. In the y/c heavy class the driver must weigh at least 190lbs, cart and driver in full racing attire is 390. good luck on your shopping and hope to see you out here next season.
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Post by bfisch on Oct 11, 2004 6:03:02 GMT -8
I am also investigating the wild world of karting. I would like to get into racing with my 12 year old son. Since I am keen on the rotax class and I realize that the minimum weight is 390 lbs., is there any possibility of sharing a cart in this class. Are there any realistic options for sharing a cart in any class?
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Post by Peter B on Oct 11, 2004 14:53:29 GMT -8
I believe there will be a proposal submitted for the 2005 regulations to split the single weight class currently running in Rotax (385 pounds for kart and driver) to an International weight class of 355 lbs. and a Master's class of 400 lbs. The proposal is to run together, but scored separately.
My opinion is that Rotax is the easiest way to get into karting -- spec. motor that's sealed, spec tires and fuel. The main thing is how good is the driver and how well did he set up his kart for the particular track.
I've read about the RM1, but have never seen it race live. It sounds interesting, however.
FYI, the SDKA series hosts the largest Rotax class in Southern California club racing.
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Post by marcum on Oct 14, 2004 15:17:04 GMT -8
The RM1 has been slow to catch on, probably because of the price? I'm not aware of any clubs that have RM1 classes, but I know the Gatorz Rotax Max Challenge series has a RM1 class, although I'm not sure what the number are like.
I would suggest getting a regular Rotax, race for a season, then decide if you want to switch to a shifter.
You can pick up used turn-key Rotax karts for under $3,500. In fact I have an extra one in my garage that I plan to sell......
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Post by belacyrf on Oct 14, 2004 21:11:19 GMT -8
Thanks for the suggestion.. I've been poking around the internet and have learned a bit... ekartingnews is a great site as well. I've definately decided against the RM1.
This is what I've picked up so far. CRG chassis while nice use alot of proprietary parts, so when they break, they can be a bit more to fix right? Margay is local and makes a decent chassis. Personally I'm really liking the Avante chassis as as well as the trackmagic chassis. Oh and I forgot Alpha.. sheesh there's to much to chose from.
As for engines it seems the Parilla's are popular. But do they make a good 100cc engine? Does TaG run a 125cc class? Are there 125cc motors that arent' shifters? I'm sorry for the basis questions, but these are the ones that seem to be taken for granted on most boards... so I have to be the one to ask the stupid questions. Thanks!
Oh and please any feadback on the leopard engine would be apprecited.. that's the one I'm looking for mostly. Are there places locally that maintain these? I live in Orange County, but SD is where I plan on doing most of my karting.
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woody
Full Member
Posts: 50
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Post by woody on Oct 15, 2004 7:11:16 GMT -8
Two suggestions, I just started with the club in May in a new KRT Rotax.(57 years old). Its out of Carlsbad and a winning kart. Marc the owner builds new and has some used karts at times. He is nationally a winner if you look at the results of races in Go Racing Magazine, and has the inside back cover page ad in the magazine, phone is (760)804-9087. Also, look at the bottom of our club home page and on the left is Mike Manning Karts out of Orange county. Lars at MM has raced with us, been to our meetings and showed karts at our races. Give him a call, I believe they have Avanti.
Ed Wood
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Post by Brian Felix on Oct 15, 2004 15:08:03 GMT -8
Ed, How are you feeling? I assume the surgery was a success. It’s good to see you back on the board giving great advice as usual. You did leave one kart shop out that deserves some credit. Andy Seesemann at Full Throttle Karting in Orange. He is now selling CRG in addition to Birel chassis. www.fullthrottlekarting.com. Andy is also a local RMC racer and I rely on him to get my Rotax back on the track after a breakdown.
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Post by DaiFeng on Oct 15, 2004 20:56:39 GMT -8
Andy at FTK sells both the Parilla Leopard and the Rotax Max. I believe the Rotax Max is more popular than the Leopard (both 125cc tags) in SoCal. For SDKA the Rotax is way more popular than the Leopard. This past season we have around 10 Rotax entries vs 1 Leopard. For next season, we will have 10 regulars plus 3 who races with us and other series plus who know how many new ones. So if you plan to race with SDKA, you may want to give Rotax some more thought.
Dai
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Post by DaiFeng on Oct 15, 2004 21:01:46 GMT -8
I don't think it is feasible to share a kart with your 12 year old son since he will have to use a jr engine if you are thinking Rotax. The jr Rotax Max engine is different from the sr engine in that it has no power valve thus using a different cylender.
Dai
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woody
Full Member
Posts: 50
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Post by woody on Oct 16, 2004 11:15:36 GMT -8
Thanks Brian,
Was home Friday nite after Tuesday surgery. Weak and sore and it will take a while to get stronger and the pain to quit but Im better everyday.
Yes, Brian is right, Andy at Full Throttle Karting is a good source for Rotax, he races them, works on them and is a great help.
ED
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Post by JohnCarter on Oct 31, 2004 18:20:51 GMT -8
Great forum with lots of answers. I, too, am looking at getting into karting. I see that Rotax seems to be the favorite of the majority. I am 45 and would like a little more excitement than golf. I see schedule but it seems to end at Oct 31. Is there any events after that?
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Post by Brian Felix on Nov 1, 2004 6:54:51 GMT -8
John, Our season runs February through October, but this is a great time to start preparing for next year. I was new to karting this year and the SDKA family welcomed me with open arms. I purchase my kart used from another member and it was great to have that person around to answer my questions. Currently we have 4 Rotax members with used karts for sale. I suggest you attend our final meeting of the year on November 11 and ask as many questions as possible. If you decide karting is for you these forums should give you the resources to get started. ;D
Good Luck! Brian Felix
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