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| CentralCoaster | Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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Senior Guru
 
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I figure someone here has some experience in these.
I might have a knack for it, seems like it'd be a fun hobby, and more competitive, yet a little cheaper than racing the vette. I've only done a 1-day school by Willow Springs, but I'm gonna be browsing Craigslist to see what money can buy... |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 2:51
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| bogus | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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Grand Imperial Pooh-Bah
 
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I have always wanted to do karts... but I am too fat.
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 3:38
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| pianoguy | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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I never got to race, but got to drive some practice laps at Brainerd International Raceway years ago. It has to be the best bang for the buck there is for racing - what a riot.
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 4:05
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| CentralCoaster | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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Senior Guru
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Used karts are cheaper than I've seen before. I'm seeing $2500-$5k in various condition...
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 4:32
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| bogus | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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Grand Imperial Pooh-Bah
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you need to ask BillH... he is big into it.
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 4:40
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The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place. - George Bernard Shaw Education is the best tool to overcome irrational fear. - me |
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| Jeffvette | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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Elite Guru
 
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Just like everything else, speed costs money. I know a few guys who are competitive with Karts and spend about 15k building one and then the costs of upgrades and maintenance through out the year are not cheap.
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 4:41
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| JrRifleCoach | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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Elite Guru
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CC would be a good candidate for karting.
He's light, (I didn't say short) still young with good reflexes, and cocky. I raced karts at dirt ovals in Eastern NC 30 years ago. BS spec motors burning alcohol. Running around the track with that red X (ROOKIE) on your helmet, you got taught some lessons!!! |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 4:44
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| CentralCoaster | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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Senior Guru
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Jeff,
I'm reading up on this TaG spec kart class. Sealed motors, very restrictive rules. Supposedly that means big spenders won't gain as much of an advantage as they might in other classes. One thing that sucks though, is we don't have any kart tracks down here. They run at the Chargers stadium parking lot using cones. |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 5:35
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| Jeffvette | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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Elite Guru
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Most tracks will have karting events. I know they do at Laguna.
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 6:26
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| CentralCoaster | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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Senior Guru
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Kart tracks in Lake Perris, Riverside, Cal Speedway. Those aren't too bad I guess, but a long haul just to do test-n-tune type stuff. A full size race track really isn't suitable for these types of karts.
This kart school in Perris looks interesting. Rotax karts seem to be a versatile choice that fits multiple classes. If I lived in my mother's basement, I'd be 20 minutes from Willow Springs. Kart track there too. |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 8:45
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| Matatk | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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Hmmmm...I thought that's where you lived already?  Matthew |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 11:47
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| BillH | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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The Stig Moderator
 
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Quote:
You aren't over 250 are you? I've seen many guys running at that weight. |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 13:50
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| BillH | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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The Stig Moderator
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Quote:
Yep, can be, it really depends on the class. I have $10k in my 125 shifterkart (pics in our roadrace section) and the competition was at a club race was useing new tires for every event, $230 a set. But, shifters are the most expensive. |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 13:55
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| BillH | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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The Stig Moderator
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Quote:
Laguna's are very few because of the noise requirements. I was only there once. But I've raced at: Sears Point Buttonwillow Portland Seattle Willow Springs Firebird Phonix Intl. ThunderHill There's a lot of racing going on at the big tracks. That being said, the big tracks are dangerous in a kart. |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 14:00
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| BillH | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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The Stig Moderator
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Quote:
Actually, a lot of guys run the full size tracks. With a TAG the changeover is no big deal. You change the clutch hub to incresae the number of teeth on the chain sprocket and change the rear gear depending on the track. You may have to add a chain oiler if they're still allowed. And that's it. Anyway, you're looking at a TAG? That's probably the best class around now. I think they have both 100 and 125ccs. I'd stay away from shifters unless you want to spend a bunch of money. If you want any info ( like why Italian chassis only last a year) call or PM me. For roadracing on the big tracks, search SCK, Southern California Karters. Also search NORCAL Karters for more links and www.ekartingnews.com Sorry I don't have the web sites, I haven't been on them in quite a while. |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 14:17
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| BillH | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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The Stig Moderator
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To follow up, karting is the best bang for the bucks if you want to get into racing. I raced karts for 12 years.
I bought my first kart for $1,300 and raced it on the sprint tracks and the big tracks. And you just throw it in the back of the pickup or buy a $100 trailer to get it to the track. The maintainance is low cost but: If you're going to race competively and run for championships, nothing about racing's that cheap. Maintaining the kart takes a little less time than a car about 2 hours per hour of track time. I've had a blast running karts and got to run all the big tracks on the left coast. In 10 years of roadracing, I won 5 N. California Regional Championships. I also (along with 10 other guys) built the kart track in Reno. That being said, racecars are a hell of a lot more fun and 10 freeking times as expensive. " With Age comes the Cage" |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 14:30
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| CentralCoaster | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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Senior Guru
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I've seen the enduro karts run at big willow, not sure the high speed stuff is for me (yet).
One concern I see that comes up a lot, is newbies worried about lack of passing. Narrow track, highly competitive, and they end up finishing where they started plus or minus a spot. I expect that's just part of the game, it isn't Nascar, and any form of racing with right turns doesn't see much passing. |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 15:28
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| BillH | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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The Stig Moderator
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Quote:
Yea, less passing than ovals but ovals are fairly boring. Passing comes with experience which a lot of newbes don't have, they're just trying to stay on the track. Passing on a sprint track is way more exciting for the driver than on an oval. Out braking and shoving it in there is what you live for. With what you did at the indoor, you'll be passing. Most of the sprint tracks may look narrow but aren't (I hear this a lot). The tracls in Reno, Infineon, 3 in Sacramento are at least 2 wide in the middle of the corners and 3 wide on the straights. |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 15:42
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| BillH | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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The Stig Moderator
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Quote:
1993, The RoadRacing Grandnational Championships were at Willow, aaaa in August. It was a 5 day race, every day was 125 degrees. Do the hgh speed shit whenever. Racing on the shorter tracks gives you more chances to run side by side and pass, etc. It's hard to believe that there's no Sprint track close to you. |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 15:47
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| bogus | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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Grand Imperial Pooh-Bah
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sadly, yes... sniff... about 300 now-a-days. I really need to loose weight. |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 15:48
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_________________
The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place. - George Bernard Shaw Education is the best tool to overcome irrational fear. - me |
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| BillH | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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The Stig Moderator
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Outdoor Kart Tracks
Adams Motorsports Park Riverside, CA (new 7/31/07) Altamont Raceway Tracy, CA (updated 7/30/06) Amago Raceway Pauma Valley, CA (updated 8/2/07) Apex Kart Racing Perris, CA (new 4/1/07) Barona Speedway San Diego, CA (updated 8/03/07) Blue Max Kart Club Davis, CA (updated 8/03/07) Buttonwillow Raceway Park Buttonwillow, CA (updated 8/05/07) California Speedway Fontana, CA (updated 3/24/07) Chowchilla Speedway Madera, CA (updated 8/05/07) Cycleland Speedway Oroville, CA (updated 8/06/07) Grange Motor Circuit Apple Valley, CA (updated 8/07/07) Infineon Raceway Sonoma, CA (updated 8/25/07) Irwindale Speedway Baldwin Park, CA (updated 8/07/07) Jim Hall Kart Racing School Oxnard, CA (new 3/31/06) Kings Speedway Hanford, CA (updated 8/25/07) Kinsmen Kart Club Dixon, CA (updated 8/25/07) Lakeport Speedway Lakeport, CA (updated 8/25/07) Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Monterey, CA (updated 8/25/07) Monterey Bay Karters Marina, CA (updated 9/3/07) Moran Raceway Beaumont, CA (updated 8/26/07) Pioneer Speedway Empire, CA (updated 9/2/07) Prairie City SVRA Raceway Park Rancho Cordova, CA (new 5/24/05) Sacramento Raceway Sacramento, CA (updated 9/03/07) San Joaquin Raceway Park" Lemoore, CA (new 8/8/07) Santa Maria Karting Association Santa Maria, CA (updated 9/03/07) Shasta Kart Klub Redding, CA (updated 9/02/07) Stockton Motorplex Complex Stockton, CA (updated 9/15/07) Thunderhill Raceway Park Willows, CA (updated 9/15/07) Tom Dash Memorial Speedway Atwater, CA (updated 9/15/07) Tulare County Kart Club Tulare, CA (updated 7/6/07) Ukiah Speedway @ Lakeport Lakeport, CA (updated 8/25/07) Willow Springs Rosamond, CA (updated 9/16/07) Yuba Sutter Fairgrounds Yuba City, CA (updated 9/16/ |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 15:57
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| CSS996 | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 16:55
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| BillH | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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CC, go here - www.ikfkarting.com (International Kart fereration)
Click on - Sprint Tha S.Ca. schedule is under Region 7 Rules too. |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 17:12
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| BillH | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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Humm, another stupid Geico commercial with a car insurance company that should be concerned with safe driving showing a kid racing with a toothpick in his mouth. |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 17:15
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| BrianCunningham | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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Go-karts can be a lot of fun, especially at an autox or dedicated track.
I saw a driver go backwards into the wall at NHMS Instantly broke his neck  I'd stick with the smaller tracks. Then again I don't ride bikes either. |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 20:18
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| CentralCoaster | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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That list is a little out of date, to say the least. Amago has been gone for 10 years, Barona just has a parking lot. Looks like the closest is Perris, 1.5 hrs away. San Diego is like the black hole of racing. The only paved race track we have around here is a 1/8th mile dragstrip with a gravel return road and access road. |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 21:02
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| CentralCoaster | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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Sorry, but I think cones belong at a construction zone, not a race track. I hate cones. Unless they have ice cream in them. |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 21:05
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| BillH | Re: Anyone here raced Karts before? | ||
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The Stig Moderator
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Quote:
Wow, I just popped that list off the web. It's a damn shame about the racing in SD when there's a huge amount of racing everything elsewhere in Ca. Hell, Sacramanto has 3 kart tracks. Anyway an hour and a half isn't too bad. Every time I race the car, it's a minimum of 4 hours so, I guess I'm used to it. |
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Posted on: 2009/1/7 23:31
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