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HOW TO GET STARTED IN KARTING YOU DON'T HAVE
TO RACE
You don't have to actually
race to enjoy the sport of karting. Many people who enjoy karting don't actually
race. Whether you want to race or just have some fun, the following information
will help you get started
Karting is a great family-oriented
sport. The entire family can participate as there's a job for everyone to
do from taking lap times to cleaning the chassis. It provides an opportunity
to do something together as a whole team
Karting appeals to girls
and boys, men and women from ages 8 to 80. There's a place for everyone from
local level up to national level competition. Many programs and classes
are available so it's easy to be competitive and feel the thrill right away Types of Race Karts
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Dirt or Speedway Racing:done on oval
tracks with either a dirt or asphalt surface; left turn only type
of competition. Ovals range from small bull rings to large 1/4 mile
tracks. Dirt track racing is an ever-changing situation that provides
an excellent challenge; usually held at night.
Asphalt tracks are more constant; can be run day or night.
Ages from 8 and up.
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Sprint Racing: takes place on an
asphalt road course with right and left hand turns, banked monzas,
hairpins and straight-aways. Racing is usually in the daytime.
Ages from 8 and up. |
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Enduro Racing: held on large
asphalt road courses using a lay-down kart that tests machine
and driver endurance. Karts are very fast and are raced on big
tracks such as Daytona International Speedway and Road America.
Races last 45 minutes. Due to speed and the investment, competitors
are usually very experienced drivers. Enduros are not recommended
for novices.
Ages 12 and up.
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Kids Karts: Designed for drivers
4 to 7 years old. These karts come with a 50cc engine
and are ready to run. These karts run on Sprint or Speedway
tracks and allow the young karter to develop their skills in
a safe and controlled environment.
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How to get started in karting
Becoming a NEW Karter can be a fun
and enjoyable experience. We would like you to have a long racing
career. When we talk to new potential karting customers and they
ask our opinion for their specific needs we ask several questions.
The most important question we ask is, "How long and are you going
to work and plan to commit to your hobby?
In answering this, we can suggest
whether you purchase a new or used kart for your first kart.
If a new karter believes they are going to commit a year to
their racing career and wants to work hard enough to win, we
suggest NEW Equipment. The reason for this is that buying a
used kart may seem affordable at first, but fixing up an used
kart can get very expensive. Most used karts have not kept up
with the latest advances in technology.
We have seen so many beginning
karters get frustrated trying to make used equipment perform
up to their expectations. The result is they spent more money
on their equipment or eventually buy a new karting set-up anyway.
The exception is a used kart
at a good used kart price for a first kart. This can be done
by looking at your local track and asking several karters
about a particular used kart that is being displayed. We suggest
when looking at a used kart, look at it as if no engine is
on it. We say this because, generally it will need rebuilding
or the entire kart and engine may need some work on it. Also
most all local tracks have engine rules and you need to know
what you are buying is legal for the class or classes you
choose to race in. Buying an used kart is like buying anything
else, you get what you pay for.
We try to take the time to
explain this due to the fact we want your business, whether
you buy new or used. We know you will need spare parts no
matter what. We just don't want you, the NEW Karter, getting
frustrated soon after you get started.
After following the above
steps, see if your local track may have practice days available.
This will help you get familiar with your new equipment.
Be sure to practice the basics:
starting, stopping and tuning of the engine. Learn to signal
by raising your hand in the air to let others know you are
exiting the track, slowing down or when you've spun out and
are still on the track. If the kart comes to a halt on the
track or your engine quits, immediately push it off the track
and into a safe position.
On your first and every other
race day, always take advantage of all practice time. For
several practice and race days, go with the kart set-up from
the help you received from your local or distant kart shop.
You as a driver have a lot to learn on driving techniques.
After which you can start changing gears, tire pressures,
etc.
Costs to get started in Karting
As with
any sport, karting has a wide variety of choices. New
vs. pre-owned, oval vs. sprint vs. enduro, 2 cycle vs. 4 cycle.
Sometimes the choices can be overwhelming to new karters.
We will try to list some options here for you so you can make
a better informed decision.
New vs. pre-owned
This
is the hardest of the choices to make. The saying
"You get what you pay for" does apply in this instance.
The most important question we ask is, "How long and how
hard are you going to work and plan to commit to your hobby?
If
a new karter believes they are going to commit a year
to their racing career and wants to work hard enough to
win, we suggest NEW Equipment. The reason for this is
that buying a used kart may seem affordable at first,
but fixing up an used kart can get very expensive. Most
used karts have not kept up with the latest advances in
technology. We try not to make this a "Sales Pitch". But
we have seen so many times beginning karters get frustrated
trying to make used equipment perform up to their expectations.
The result is they spent more money on their equipment
or eventually buy a new karting set-up anyway. The
exception is a used kart at a good price for a first kart.
This can be done by looking at your local track and asking
several karters about a particular used kart that is being
displayed. We suggest when looking at a used kart, look
at it as if no engine is on it. We say this because, generally
it will need rebuilding or the entire kart and engine
may need some work on it. Also most all local tracks have
engine rules and you need to know what you are buying
is legal for the class or classes you choose to race in.
We try to take the time to explain this due to the fact
we want your business, whether you buy new or used.
We know you will need spare parts no matter what. We
just don't want you, the NEW Karter, getting frustrated
soon after you get started.
New Kart packages
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Kids Kart
These machines were
designed for drivers 4 to 7 years old. These karts
come with a 50cc engine.
Kids karts run on Sprint or Speedway tracks and allow
the young karter to develop their skills in a safe
and controlled environment. The design of this
kart allows for maximum fun time with a minimum of
maintenance. This package comes with a 50cc engine,
800mm wheelbase kart, one piece wheels, mechanical
brakes, side pods, tires, chain, sprocket and fairing
panel.
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Oval Kart
Oval kart racing
is the largest segment of the industry. Oval
racing is family based, close competition available
in all parts of the country. Racers can choose
between dirt and pavement racing at a facility close
to home which reduces travel time and expense.
Most oval karts use 4 cycle engines that maximize
track time and reduce work.
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Yamaha/Veloce Sprint Kart
This package includes
the popular Yamaha KT100 engine. With the
Sportsman exhaust this is the most versatile kart
package around. With very little change this
setup can be driven by your Junior driver or by
an adult. The Yamaha class is run at almost
every 2 cycle track in the country. Low initial
and maintenance costs make this a very popular choice.
Specs:
100cc air cooled Yamaha engine with centrifugal
clutch
Runs at sprint tracks or enduro tracks with a bodywork
change
Junior or senior classes
Top speed of 100 MPH
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Touch and Go Kart
This is one of
the newest and quickly becoming one of the most
popular classes in karting. The TaG kart
is a sprint chassis, complete with FIA tested
bodywork, that uses a water cooled, electric start,
125cc single speed engine. The popularity
of this class is the low maintenance, durability,
and ease of use. You can now go to the track,
unload, sit down, push a button and race.
Specs:
125cc single speed, water cooled engine
On board electric starter
Runs at sprint or enduro race tracks
Top speed of 115 MPH, cornering at 3.0 G's
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125cc shifter Kart
The ultimate ride.
Formula 1 style performance at a price everyone
can afford. This class is for experienced
racers that want maximum performance.
Features include a water cooled, 125cc engine
with a 6 speed gearbox, massive 4 wheel hydraulic
brakes and a power to weight ratio unequalled
in racing.
Specs:
125cc water cooled engine, 6 speed sequential
gearbox
Runs at sprint or enduro race tracks
Top speed of 125 MPH, cornering in excess of
3.0 G's
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Other items required to
get started
Helmet |
From $100.00 |
Racing Jacket or Driving
Suit |
$88.00 or $158.00 |
Neck Collar |
From $12.00 |
Gloves |
From $19.00 |
Spare Parts & gears
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$200.00 |
Kart Stand |
$65.00 |
Fuel & lubricants |
$50.00 |
Safety
There are some
risks associated with any type of motorsports,
however karting has a good safety record due
to the diligence of the people involved with
the sport.
The organizations
have done a good job in implementing rules to
protect the racers.
Examples are:
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sprint karts
have FIA crash test bodywork that is designed
to absorb impacts
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enduro karts
are required to have dual braking systems
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oval karts have
bodywork designed to protect the drivers feet.
These are just
three examples out of hundreds to protect the
drivers and crews at the race track.
In addition all
karts are inspected before the race to be sure
they are race ready.
Racers must
have proper safety equipment including:
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