Texas Karting

stuck · #1 (**permalink**) 04-28-2003, 03:41 PM

Anyone on here do any karting? Shifter karts? Seems like it might be an affordable way to go racing...not that any racing is affordable but relatively speaking!

I ran across http://www.swra.org/ ... are there any other good places to look? Where can I check out some action? Someone want to talk me out of this before I even get interested?

Ryan

427Aggie · #2 (**permalink**) 04-28-2003, 03:43 PM

Karting can get really expensive...Talk to Morris he has friends that have done it...they drop a boat load into those little cars.

Matt

Dennis Mosley · #3 (**permalink**) 04-28-2003, 04:03 PM

Talk to Paul Risch as well. He use to do it.

I'm still thinking about it. if you want, I can forwad you all the Kart sites i have bookmarked....for future reference.

PatBuckley · #4 (**permalink**) 04-28-2003, 04:04 PM

Hi Ryan -

I raced 125 Shifters for 3 or 4 years.

They can get pretty darned expensive if you let them. It depends on what you are hoping to acccomplish - if you want to have fun and race for the pure enjoyment of racing you can get away really cheaply - however, if you want to be competitive they are expensive .. I used to spend about $750 a weekend and that was about 5 years ago.

My youngest son is working with a famous racing person and his son doing a full on Karting season - he says they are spending about $40,000 this year.

You can buy a nice 80 Shifter for $4000 plus another $1500 for the stand, some spares, etc. Race entries are about $30-$40..tires are about $170/set (spec tires last all year) .....

It is worth it !

Pat

stuck · #5 (**permalink**) 04-28-2003, 04:05 PM

Hmmm...maybe I'll start my own series for me and my friends....the "Tight Ass karting Series" sort of a spec karting setup. Damn, I just want to have some fun...why's everyone got to be so competitive?

Yeah, I don't want to take the series by storm or anything...I just want to get some track time...seems like it might be fun!

PatBuckley · #6 (**permalink**) 04-28-2003, 04:08 PM

I would really recommend the non shifter Karts - especially if you haven't done it before. Way easier to drive and almost as much fun for way less $$$.

The KT100 class is usually got a lot of people in it and there is always someone to race or have fun with...racing with a couple of buddies is the ultimate.

stuck · #7 (**permalink**) 04-28-2003, 04:09 PM

Thanks Pat, thats the kind of advice I am looking for...

Dennis Mosley · #8 (**permalink**) 04-28-2003, 09:07 PM

Ryan,

let's chat about this when you get to town this weekend. If your wife will let you, I'm sure my wife will.....wait a minute, I don't have a wife to stop me.... let's go Kart shopping!!!!

stuck · #9 (**permalink**) 04-29-2003, 07:32 AM

Hey dennis,
Sounds good to me...!

toy pwr · #10 (**permalink**) 05-02-2003, 10:31 PM

Stuck and Dennis,

If you are going to kart shop in the Houston area give me a call as I have some suggestions. Also call me and I might be able to set up a demo ride. If nothing else go to Kart Zone and race karts indoor. This is probably the best way to start. They are fast and challenging. Trust me 2 sessions and you will feel it and have a respect for racers.

I raced for several years and IT IS A RUSH! Especially the first turn. I agree with Pat in that if you have never raced before start off in non shifter karts. You have to learn to drive before you add the shifter part. A whole different ball game.

I spent about $5,000 a year, about 6 years ago, exluding inital kart and gear, per year to race. In my opinion it is a very inexpensive way to get to real racing. Even the F1 and other drivers started in karting and use karting to train currently. I was very competive. I would test different karts out until you found the one that matched your driving style. I would also buy a new kart or one that you knew the history.

When I go the Indy 500 and F1 it is tradition to rent a kart track for all of us to race. These are race karts on a race course - these ain't no putt-putts.

PWR
toy pwr