Ready to get started, but need guidance

[silverstonefd]

Hey all,
My name is LJ. I just moved out here about 3 months ago and would like to get into karting. I just saw I missed the race today, and would have loved to go and get my feet wet and learn about whats needed to get started. Ideally I am looking for someone to take me under there wing and show me the ropes. I am also looking for someone getting out of the sport or with an extra set up for sale. I would like to avoid spending a lot of money, but don't want to have to upgrade right away either. Where does everyone practice between race days?

[David Chong]

Hello LJ,

I've helped several guys who are new to the sport get on track this year, and I'd be glad to help you find a place that suits you! I am also new to karting this year. I started with a group of four friends, did all the research, and then helped each one find a used kart, prep it for racing, and then helped them in the pits and on the track. We started having fun immediately, and so far I've helped a half dozen more guys get hooked up with the SDKA. Once you are at the track, you'll find that just about every single driver in the SDKA is willing to check out your kart and help you.

Here are a few steps to get you into a kart that suits you:

1) Purchase Budget - How much do you want to spend on the kart? How much do you want to spend per year? A used Yamaha setup will cost $1500-$2000, while a used shifter will probably be in the $4000-$5000 range.

2) Racing Budget - Faster karts burn through equipment faster; it's just the nature of the beast. For example, the faster karts (TaG and shifters) generally get only one race out of their $200 tires. In contrast, the pipe and can classes can get 3-5 races out of a set of tires if they are rotating. The faster karts also require more frequent engine refreshes/rebuilds, so you'll want to establish a relationship with a local engine builder or learn to do it yourself. In return, you get to go 100 MPH. ;D

3) Tuning Preference - How much do you want to work on tuning and repairing the kart? In general, the more complex the kart, the faster it is, but the more tuning is required. The slower karts are fairly straightforward, with about a dozen things to tune on to make the kart's handling and performance change. The faster karts add clutch tuning, carb needles and tuning, gears, additional suspension options, and all sorts of other fine adjustments that can be optimized in order to compete for wins.

4) Mechanical ability - Even the most basic race kart requires quite a bit of wrenching, so mechanical aptitude as well as a willingness to study and learn are important. People will give you assistance, but they won't fix your kart for you, so you have to learn to identify your own issues, read manuals, and look up answers. The less you enjoy this or are willing to learn, the more seriously you should consider one of the less complex classes.

5) Experience - The more racing and mechanical experience you have, the faster the class you might comfortably consider. Note that your enjoyment and tolerance of the previous factors are more important to consider than your experience level, as you can start slow in anything and eventually get comfortable. However, it is likely to be more frustrating if you dive in over your head immediately, and you may never get to the point of enjoying it before you burn out.

Having said all that, the classes to consider in rough order from "slowest (65 MPH), cheapest, and least complex" to "fastest (100 MPH), most expensive, and most complex" looks something like this:

Super Sportsman (Yamaha KT100)
Formula YC Heavy (Yamaha KT100)
HPV-4 (Horstman HPV motor)
TaG (Touch and Go electric start, various motors)
Stock shifters
Open shifters (built motors)

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For me, I started in Formula Y/C Heavy and moved to Super Sportsman after a few races. Even though I have 15 years of racing experience in full size cars, I am extremely cost-conscious and I am looking for the most bang for my buck in racing dollars. I find that 60-70 MPH 1 inch from the ground is plenty fast for me, and the limited tuning options in Super Sportsman keeps things easy to understand and tune. Also, the limited power makes the tires last the longest, and the motors go a long time between rebuilds (generally over a season).

Another thing I like is that everyone in the class is pretty much a newbie on old used equipment like me. Most of the experienced guys have "moved up" to the faster karts. I am pretty happy where I am at, and even though Super Sportsman just re-started this year as a class, it is one of the largest in the club and growing, so the competition is great.

There are several used setups for sale in the club for just about every class. I know of two guys who have run Super Sportsman for the first half of the year but unfortunately they have to quit racing. They are selling their complete running karts with starters, stands, and spares. I think they are asking about $1200 each. They are late 90's chassis, which are older, but one guy regularly placed 2nd and the other guy 3rd in those karts. Again, we're all on pretty old equipment in this class so you don't have to have the latest and greatest to compete.

I hope this helps you. As you can see, all the classes have great things to offer, and it really depends on your skill level and what you enjoy doing. If you end up getting a Super Sportsman kart, you are absolutely welcome to pit next to my group and you can see anything and everything we do; I share my setups and data openly so you can compare your stuff to mine; I want everyone to be fast, successful, and happy on and off the track.

Regards,
David Chong

[David Chong]

PS: I have an extra Super Sportsman kart that I keep for guests and friends. We usually run practice days up at Apex Raceway in Perris, 80 minutes north of San Diego on the 15. If you want to come out with us, you can rent one of their karts up there or you can run mine for $100 (which basically just covers gas, tires, wear and tear, etc.).

[Nimitz Martin]

Hi, I am new to this kart racing as well. Your thoughts are very helpful. I will keep in mind about those things ^__^