New karter, where to begin?

[Adam B]

Hey all, great site!

Lets see, Im 15, turning 16 in May, looking to get into a more competative karting environmonet. At one point I use to go to K1, a few months after they opened, pretty regularly. I usually found myself wanting faster people to compete with, so I entered the adult “F1 Sundays” grand prix race. I finished second overall out of about 40 people, but they felt as if I should enter the “Junior F1 Sundays” due to the weight advantage I had. (I was abit smaller then, so I guess it’s understandable). I went to an Adams Kart Track racing school and that was really fun, and the increase in speed and learning lines was challenging yet refreshing and really sparked my interest in racing outdoors.

So now, I find myself very interested in racing but not knowing where to start. What class to enter for my age? (15 turning 16) What kart to buy? What tracks to go to and what people to talk to?

Thanks in advance for all your help,
Adam

[Q5]

You Have to be @ next race 11-4-06 and See all the options for you and Ask the master Tom lavenberg

[3champcarfans]

Adam, looks like you have a good intro to the sport of karting. Outdoor karting is a big step up from K1 and a lot more fun. Most people (including myself) have purchased a decent used kart and equipment to get started. I actually have a good CRG Heron, Nash motor w/HPV 3 & 4 pipes for sale. Lots of other extras too. If you run the HPV class this would be your age group. You may want to go to you next local club race and just check things out and see how things work. With the end of the season approaching, now is the time to get your own kart and go out and get some track time, track time, track time in. Then by the time the '07 season begins you'll be ready run your first race with your local club. Remember, one has to "FINISH" in order to win so first couple of races just go out and learn the tracks and your equipment.
Most important...BE SAFE & HAVE FUN !
Shoot me an e-mail if you would like more info on the kart.

[Bayan54]

I personally think that TaG is the best way to go. Try to look into that class. It is the biggest class in san diego too.

[Richard and Jacob Pearlman]

Adam,

It is about time you considered racing outside...

This is a great time to be in the market for a kart. As the season winds down, there is excellent used equiptment available and the new 07 stuff is just around the corner.

We recommend two next steps:

1) Take the drivers school at the Moran (www.moranraceway.com). The two-cycle karts and the track are much faster than Adams, which was a good start. You will have a blast.

2) Hit the local club races and see what Sr. Classes are running. LAKC (www.lakc.org) is at California Speedway this weekend, SDKA is racing the first weekend in November and Tri-C (www.tri-ckarters.com)is racing at Grange on Novemember 10th.

The key to starting off on the right track is to pick a kart and racing class that is popular at local clubs (club racers are a great source of info and help) and gets good trackside support from the local shop(s). Jacob and I will be a LAKC and Tri-C for sure. You and your dad are welcome to come by our pit. We are still TBD on SDKA, but would like to get a Qualcomm race in before the year is up.

Jacob sends his regards.

Good Luck!

-Rich Pearlman
------------------
Jacob Pearlman #25 DPK Birel
HPV-2 and Junior Superbox

[Adam B]

Thanks for all the help you guys, I really do apreciate it! ;D
I'll for sure go to Moran and do a racing school there, I checked out their website and the track looks super fun!

Now, If I cant convince my dad to pitch in on a kart just yet, Ill just have to wait a few months...Ill get a Job and pay for it myself lol...

[Hal]

Hi all,

My son (16) and I purchase a TAG kart a couple of months ago. We've had a couple of successful outings to the track (Moran) and we'd like for him to run the Nov. 4 SDKA race, but have some prep questions. Who can best answer these for the TAG class?

1) We need to add weight to the kart, possibly up to 25-30 lbs (looks like the SDKA website has our motor at 365 lbs?). Where should we add it, and how to attach it?

2) Where do we buy race gas? (we've been using some 113 octane mixed with regular pump gas, with synthetic 2-stroke oil, but it looks like we need 98 octane with a castrol based lubricant?)

Thanks in adavance to all who can help, or can pass along an email or phone number to someone who can!

Hal

[Geary Launder]

Hal,

Since this is the last race of the season, I'm guessing you won't be racing for points....just for the fun and the experience. Until you become a club member and are racing for points, you don't need to worry too much about the fuel. They will black flag you tho if you are using a fuel additive like an octane booster. If you want to add the weight so you can see how you compete against competitors racing under the same regs then unless you have scales to see where to best position the weights I'd suggest that you keep them as low as you can and near the center of the kart (like under the front of the seat or anywhere on the rear of the seat). Be sure you mount with drilled bolts for cotter pins. They are required by tech for safety reasons. If you want to use the MS98 fuel, Brian Campbell usually has that fuel at the track for sale on race day.

G.

[Adam B]

Got back from that class today, what a blast! The karts were really quick at Moran, but I felt under control the whole time. In the karts I was in (the 100cc beginer class karts...limited engine) I ran 1:15.xxx. My instructer said he went out a few days earlier in those same karts and was doing 1:14's so I feel pretty good about that.

It seems now I just need to do alitle convincing ;D

[Adam B]

Just for your enjoyment....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZZFXKF7ZY