Karting advice please?

[superhans88]

Having recently decided that I want to get involved in some kind of motorsport whilst at university, I have come to the conclusion that club level circuit racing/rallying are far too expensive - even if costs were split with a friend. After surfing various motorsport websites and forums, I now think that karting might be the most cost-effective way of having fun on four wheels.

I'd really like a bit of advice on how to go about things now that I have a good idea of what I want to do. I live in central Scotland and there is a karting club (WSKC) that use nearby summerlee raceway so that is a bonus. My plan is to visit the next raceday to have a chat with the folks there and get a general feel for how the ground lies. In the meantime, could anyone help me decipher the bewildering array of kart classes and advise me on the best places to buy? I'd really like to hear from anyone with experience of karting and of the ARKS training/test.

Many Thanks.

[sperminator]

My advice would be to get in touch with Club 100 / easykart. Do a season either with C100 or easykart, if you like it then look at going for an ARKS test ( the one at Buckmore park is very good) then do a season club karting in a Rotax. It's all abit bewildering at first but once you start turning up to club meets and spectating / talking to the owner drivers you'll soon get a handle on the technicalities. The ARKS test itself is very simple, just answer a few piss easy questions about flags and procedures ( which are explained on the MSA ARKS Go karting pack / video which you need purchase from the MSA or your local kart club) then do a track assesment. This basicaly is looking to see that you can handle a kart at quick pace without killing yourself and isn't too hard. Once you're assesed you will get your card signed and you can apply for your competition licence. If your over 16 you'll need a medical to be done and the form from the MSA signed off by a doctor before you book the ARKS test.

Edited by sperminator on Thursday 10th September 22:47

[Frik]

Does your university not have a Karting/Motorsport club?

There are plenty of competitors in the BUKC.

[DangerousMike]

some of the BUKC competitors can follow you for up a lap without ttting you off, too.

[andye30m3]

I did some club level karting around 5 years ago, started off in a rotax max which probably was a bit quick for a novice, I was advised that a year in twin engined pro karts would have been a good idea.

With regards to cost I found to be competitive is very expensive. 2 stoke karts require quite regular engine rebuilds, fast guys were on new tyres every event, it went through chains and sprockets quite quickly.

Have you thought about sprinting? I'm running in the standard production class and other than entry fees and fuel there's very little cost.

[Get Karter]

Larkhall (WSKC) and Crail (ESKC) will be the two tracks that are most accessible to you in central Scotland.

Read up on classes here:-
http://www.scottishkarting.co.uk/classes/classes.a...

Ask questions here:-
http://www.scottishkarting.co.uk/forum/default.asp

[djmotorsport]

I race at Crail once a month in a Pro Kart when I'm not doing FV with the 750mc - 3 x 1 hour races - Probably the cheapest racing you can do. Feel free to PM me if you want more info.

[tfeb]

andye30m3 said:

I did some club level karting around 5 years ago, started off in a rotax max which probably was a bit quick for a novice, I was advised that a year in twin engined pro karts would have been a good idea.

With regards to cost I found to be competitive is very expensive. 2 stoke karts require quite regular engine rebuilds, fast guys were on new tyres every event, it went through chains and sprockets quite quickly.

Have you thought about sprinting? I'm running in the standard production class and other than entry fees and fuel there's very little cost.

Totally agree with andys comments. Karting can still be expensive expecially to be competitive in MAX.

Someone suggested to go for arrive and drive in club 100 or easy kart. Great if you can do it but all the rounds are south based and even for someone who lives in Yorkshire like me its still a trek to each of the rounds.

Your best option (and by far cheapest) is to look at the pro-karts. Ok i know it may not be the fastest class but its a great place to learn and imrprove your racecraft for a year or two. Plus you dont have rebuilds or to replace as many parts as what you do in rotax max.

Again if you want to keep costs down then try non MSA events. There are still alot of clubs that arent part of MSA but still have very high standars in both drivers and safety.

Also speak to your mates at UNi and see if any of them are interested as im sure there are some UNI championships around the UK.

Good Luck

[Grand Fromage]

My son has now been racing for eight years and is now at the level where we have joined up with a team and employed a mechanic full time. Rotax karting is a) not really a place for novices and b) can become very expensive at club level. At uni I would also suggest that you look into pro karts. The racing is very cheap and they tend to have a friendlier paddock than most MSA classes. If you really want a two stroke kart, look at TKM but I doubt there will be very large grids ( if any ) where you want to race.

[Grand Fromage]

My son has now been racing for eight years and is now at the level where we have joined up with a team and employed a mechanic full time. Rotax karting is a) not really a place for novices and b) can become very expensive at club level. At uni I would also suggest that you look into pro karts. The racing is very cheap and they tend to have a friendlier paddock than most MSA classes. If you really want a two stroke kart, look at TKM but I doubt there will be very large grids ( if any ) where you want to race.

[superhans88]

Ta much for all the help guys. It appears that my local kart club (WSKC) does not have a class for 'pro-karts' but has something called 'senior blue', is this a better class for the novice than the Rotax/TKM? I should point out that my only experience of karting is with local indoor/outdoor arrive-and-drive facilities and although my times at these are usually not far (<5%) from lap-records, I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. Is my only real option for taking things further the WSKC with their formula blue and rotax chamionships?

[Northern Munkee]

superhans88 said:

Having recently decided that I want to get involved in some kind of motorsport whilst at university, I have come to the conclusion that club level circuit racing/rallying are far too expensive - even if costs were split with a friend. After surfing various motorsport websites and forums, I now think that karting might be the most cost-effective way of having fun on four wheels.

I'd really like a bit of advice on how to go about things now that I have a good idea of what I want to do. I live in central Scotland and there is a karting club (WSKC) that use nearby summerlee raceway so that is a bonus. My plan is to visit the next raceday to have a chat with the folks there and get a general feel for how the ground lies. In the meantime, could anyone help me decipher the bewildering array of kart classes and advise me on the best places to buy? I'd really like to hear from anyone with experience of karting and of the ARKS training/test.

Many Thanks.

If you're new to the sport, and are looking for a cost effective way to go karting, I'd recommend Club100, it's arrive and drive, it's 2 stroke (proper karting) TKM, the karts are superbly prepared and very even, not like normal arrive and drive, and it visits 6 or 7 circuits across England (I'm afraid), but provides the best "racing" for your £ bar none, and a friendlier paddock you will not find, you don't need to do an ARKS test either, it also supplies the karts and support for the BUKC. You can get a flavour of the action (apologies/declares a vested interested) here http://www.coolthinking.co.uk/COOLTHINKINGMEDIA/CO...

If you are set on owner driving after that, for me half the attraction of karting was visiting different circuits, but I was no spanner man, so to keep costs down and allow you to do some but not alot of fiddling with the black arts of set up, you could look at Easykart, senior 125cc kart is complete and ready to race, delivered in a box for about £2.5k and visit Rowrah in Cumbria and Teesside in the N East, and there are some Scottish drivers racing in it. You'll need an ARKS test for Easykart, but I'd argue it's a cheaper way to go than Rotax Max, given the standard parts and sole supplier, very tightly controlled on parts.

Edited by Northern Munkee on Saturday 12th September 13:55

Edited by Northern Munkee on Saturday 12th September 13:57

Edited by Northern Munkee on Saturday 12th September 14:15

[TKMextreme]

(As indeed has the poster)

Edited by Nubbin on Saturday 12th September 22:36

[Grand Fromage]

TKMextreme said:

(As indeed has the poster)

Edited by Nubbin on Saturday 12th September 22:36

Cheers Nubbin - stupid little cretin he is

[DangerousMike]

picture the scene:

A misty, cold early morning at the kart track. A kart race, a grid of eager children racing wheel to wheel. Trackside, in the pits, a horde of competitive dads. Two karts spin. Two hypertensive dads redden. One shouts abuse. A fight breaks out, double waved yellows. Dads are black flagged. A racing rivalry is born. As they leave the stewards office, harsh words are exchanged. The fathers part. "See YOU on the internet!" says one.

[Grand Fromage]

DangerousMike said:

picture the scene:

A misty, cold early morning at the kart track. A kart race, a grid of eager children racing wheel to wheel. Trackside, in the pits, a horde of competitive dads. Two karts spin. Two hypertensive dads redden. One shouts abuse. A fight breaks out, double waved yellows. Dads are black flagged. A racing rivalry is born. As they leave the stewards office, harsh words are exchanged. The fathers part. "See YOU on the internet!" says one.

The lad in question also races for a team, I am not a very frequent visitor to the circuits and don't bother with Parc Ferme, I leave that to my sons mechanic, I never really talk to anybody at the kart meetings I do go to but I know that 'TKMextreme' is very popular in karting except with a certain few people, who unfortunately included my son, whom he has upset in some way on the circuit.

[TKMextreme]

Grand Fromage said:

DangerousMike said:

picture the scene:

A misty, cold early morning at the kart track. A kart race, a grid of eager children racing wheel to wheel. Trackside, in the pits, a horde of competitive dads. Two karts spin. Two hypertensive dads redden. One shouts abuse. A fight breaks out, double waved yellows. Dads are black flagged. A racing rivalry is born. As they leave the stewards office, harsh words are exchanged. The fathers part. "See YOU on the internet!" says one.

The lad in question also races for a team, I am not a very frequent visitor to the circuits and don't bother with Parc Ferme, I leave that to my sons mechanic, I never really talk to anybody at the kart meetings I do go to but I know that 'TKMextreme' is very popular in karting except with a certain few people, who unfortunately included my son, whom he has upset in some way on the circuit.

I apologise sincerely for what I said, it was totally out of order for this forum.

[Merry]

DangerousMike said:

some of the BUKC competitors can follow you for up a lap without ttting you off, too.

Really? I never found that

[PhillT]

If you're watching the cost, I heartily recommend doing a leisure karting series such as the Sodi World Series. I compete in SWS races in Dubai and they're great and very cheap - no need for your own kart or licence and you get some very close racing. It's a really good way to start karting competitively - karts are identical worldwide and the results go towards a world ranking, with a world final each season.
A quick Google found this - any good to you? http://www.emotionkarting.com/racing.htm

[S3_Graham]

its down south .. but im going to start doing the ironman series at Buckmore, its £100 a round, they supply karts etc so its perfect for beginners!