A mate and myself are thinking of purchasing a kart for the odd day out?
I have somewhere to store it when I buy a larger shed!
It's just everything else I need to know about?

I am very keen on motorsport and would love to do it for a living, as this is never gonna happen for me unless I win the lotto jackpot, then I can start up my on production class BTCC team :D, I need my fix untill then!! HA HA!!

Can anyone who has experience with this help me out cause I don't know what else I need to do?

Thanks

Steve

I had one of these last year and it was a blast :cool: You have to think about what you want though, the one I had was about the fastest thing on track but needed the engine rebuilding after 2-3 outings :( It was worth it though :D A friend now has this kart and is looking to sell it cheap (£500ish) if this is what you are into. If you just want something that will run and run then a prokart I believe is good for that (but expensive I think) You dont need too much spares because anything that breaks can normally be bought on site :) where are you thinking of using it? I used to go to Rye House just off the north of the M25 :)

Paul,

Cheers mate, got a few other things to do b4 buying one?

I am not really that mechanically minded but have friends that can help out, so am looking for a kart that will run forever with little maintenance.

Rye House is round the corner from me so not a problem to get to.


Steve

Edited to say is there anywhere I can buy second hand karts??

[Edited by Stevep - 8/8/2002 12:21:34 PM]

Steve

There is a kart magazine that has ads in the back and you can find them in the trader too. Personally I would go for what I had again if I had the cash because they are the fastest to go for really at an affordable price. You just unbolt the engine which takes 5 mins and give it to an engine builder who checks it out for £80 :) bolt it back on and run it :) Rye house is superb fun and by the end of the straight with a sirio (sp) engine you can see 18,000 rpm :eek::cool: Makes an excellent noise too :cool::D

Steve,

Have a rummage through http:\www.karting.co.uk or if you fancy a "try before you buy" session have a look at http:\www.club100.co.uk I race these on a regular basis, the only downside being the direct drive system which means if you spin you stall. However, this type of kart (100cc c90mph) can also have a centrifugal clutch fitted for easier use.

Regards

Yex

[Edited by Yex - 8/8/2002 1:29:43 PM]

I have karted for 12 years now, the "karting" magazine is often available at wh smiths, if you can't get it, it is published by lodgemark press, whereever they are.

go to www.karting.co.uk for a start, there is a classified section.

there are plenty of traders and tracks are around the country, if you want to race properly, you really need to go to RAC MSA sanctioned events. To race as a novices you need to do ARKS training which is held at a number of approved centres and covers the basics of owning and running a kart.

some tracks will allow practice without a racing license, and this is how most people have started.

if I were you you want to look at the rotax max class. It uses a fixed gear, 125cc motor which goes for about 50hours between rebuilds, has electric start and is very easy to maintain.

chassis s/h £500
engine s/h £600 (but with rotax you only really need 1)
tyres new £120 set (need dry and wet)
helmet £100
suit £120
gloves £8

plus you will need some extra specific tools, fuel cans, and just lots of what can only be described as "stuff"

You can buy a kart to play with for less, but 100cc motors other than formula "TKM" require frequent rebuilds, and at £150 it gets expensive.

The above is cheap, in 2000 I spent £36k for a season.

Paul

Go to the Kart showroom at Rye House (Deavinsons) and ask them. New Rotax is around £2k.

Thanks peeps!!!
I will look into this in great detail when I get a chance.

Was jsut browsing through findit.co.uk and found this, what do you think??

100cc Solo Kart in prestige condition


The kart is a '96 Solo Kart. It has never been raced, and used only twice
in the last year (no joke). It has brand new: airbox, floortray,
petrol tank, plastics, brake pads, Vega MG tyres on rims X2,
brnad new wets, 6 unused pistons, spare carbs, suede steering wheel,
stand, cover the list just goes on.
Relucant sale, down to new commitments.

£650 ono


Steve

Steve

My mate can probably do you a deal for 3/4 of that price :D

Spot-on reply from pavlo.

Hoppy-Junior raced in National Champs for five years, finished 3rd in Juniors 1999. Prolly the best years of my life... until the money ran out.

Points to emphasise: www.karting.co.uk is the karting equivalent of ScoobyNet. You will get friendly answers to every imaginable question there.

If we were starting again, it would be Rotax without any doubt whatsoever.

You need some expensive safety kit on top of the kart, obviously. And if you're keen, it will get expensive. And if you're keen and good it will get very, very expensive.

Biggest cost of serious competition is transport and accommodation. Van + caravan + awning, or motorhome + trailer + awning. £10k a year minimum :eek: Just thought I'd warn you :D

Good luck.

Richard.

Cheers Richard.

I love it to bits!!!
But we are just starting it for a bit of a more regular adrenalin rush, instead of the odd work day out where me and him always win ;) Not blowing my own trumpet of course;) but we normally do a 2/3 hours sesh and do pretty well!! Even though I am a fat *******! and he is a skinny ****e.
I think we will see what happens

Cheers for the advice people.

I will let you know how sucked in I get but I don't think I can afford 10k a year

Steve