KART Racing

[sal07b]

Just wondering if any of you have tried KART racing? Mills, my wife, and I raced the smaller carts last weekend in Atlanta and it got me thinking again. I looked into it last year b/c I was thinking of getting my son started into racing (we went to a KART race here in Ohio last summer). They have classes for all ages. I've got to tell you, those 125 and 250cc shifter carts were darn quick! Of course, he is only 8 so he'd be in the B&S class to start out, but I though I may actually try the shifter carts out. What the heck, I've got to be there all weekend with him right? It is much cheaper then SCCAing the Saleen (probably tearing it up in the process). That's not to say that the Budget won't see an occasional track day, but not on a regular basis. It just looks like a pretty inexpensive way to enjoy some competitive racing. They even have a National Circuit if my son gets serious about it...

[mardis]

Never have driven a shifter cart before. Sounds like a blast though.

Our company has a bunch of gear heads and we use to rent a local track called Sugar River Raceway in Brodhead, WI. This was Danica Patrick's home track when she was racing the little guys. Even though the carts that they had for rental only had warmed over 10HP Briggs engines, they were an absolute blast to drive. Those little monsters would top out at 70mph down the front straight, and when your ass is a mere 2" off the ground, it felt like 100mph. I was hooked! Been out there a few other times, but nothing competitive.

Keep your eye on Ebay, carts are for sale all of the time. I can only imagine with the economy in the tanks, that many are selling out. If I was a tad younger, I'd give it a whirl. Like anything though, once the bug bites, it is hard not to want to keep up. (faster cart, more gear, etc.)

I have even seen a group out at Sugar River that race the little pocket rocket motorcyles. These guys are flippin' nuts. You would think they were riding 1000 GP bikes. Full gear, trailers, little pocket bikes that have thousands in mods. Crazy! They are fun to watch though.

Best of luck Sal, give it a whirl.

[tonylop33]

I have done some shifter carts. They are unreal. They will kick you butt in just a few laps.

Here is a real crazy Kart. http://videos.streetfire.net/video/crazy-Gocart-with-GSXR_55169.htm

[tbrodzeller]

I have done some shifter carts. They are unreal. They will kick you butt in just a few laps.

Here is a real crazy Kart. http://videos.streetfire.net/video/crazy-Gocart-with-GSXR_55169.htm

Tony - that video is ridiculous! That power to weight ratio is INSANE!!

You'd have to be nuts to strap yourself into that thing...

[sal07b]

Yea baby, just call me nuts! Of course, my little guy would be in the B&S class, but I sould see getting a 125 shifter to race. I've talked to a few people and it is definately ceap for the level of racing you can do. little over $100 to re-ring and rebuild it (it's just a 125cc motorcross motor), 2-3 races per set of tires, etc. I'm not sure if I'll do it myself or not, but I can see getting my son into it. Hey, maybe he'll buy me a big motorcoach and let me follow him around the NASCAR circuit some day...FREE TICKETS FOR LIFE!!

[05-0705]

It just looks like a pretty inexpensive way to enjoy some competitive racing. .

I raced karts as a teen. Inexpensive and competitive racing, if not some fashion of an oxymoron, can not be used in the same sentence. It is a blast however.