TAG as a First kart?

[Scot Kight]

Thinking about trying to find a used Leopard TAG kart setup for my first kart. I have been doing DE events for years now and want to progress a bit more without risking my daily driver so much.

I am in the northern VA area and will be driving at summit and VIR with the woodbridge kart club. So mostly just longtrack use, though I may do some shorttrack stuff to start with.

(If somehow you remember I was posting asking questions last year about kt100s, well job events blew away my ability to get a kart at the time but I am back again! Must get on track!)

Scot

[Spencer Bunting]

I'm in the same boat as you.

I've done auto-x and lapping days a fair amount in my M3. Its fun but nothing compares to wheel to wheel racing.

I've always thought karting would be fun but I got hooked at my local indoor kart facility racing 4 strokes.

Its now time for me to move up and the TaG class seemed to be an obvious choice.

Now just waiting for my Rotax kart to arrive on a crate.

[Scot Kight]

Cool! I cant wait to get back out there. We have a swap meet coming up I think the 21st out here. Hopefully someone there will be able to help me out.

I am trying to stay away from new though, since I know I am going to need lots of random parts etc. Just dont want to end up with a basket case. Fortunately I think with the relative newness of the leopard and rotax lumps, the chance of that happening are greatly reduced.

[mark rommel]

Hey scot,
I live in your area and am just getting started like you. I also want to do a leopard package when I race. I can;t wait to hit the track at summit point in a kart. I should be at the first kart race at Summit Point March 28. Maybe I'll see you there,


mark

[Scot Kight]

Unfortunately, and this disturbed me a bit, I will not be at the 28th summit point event...

I will, uh, be at VIR on track in my car www.mazdadrivers.com has a DE at vir a few times each summer and I have to go. The new owner of my old rx7 should be showing up and I want to see it run the track at least one more time. (Won't be in the same group as me unfortuantely)

Are you going to the swap meet on the 21st? If so, let me know. OG Racing is going to be selling out of a whole bunch of suits, gloves etc. If you need a suit, I would suggest visiting their booth.

Have you had any nibbles on karts as of yet?

Scot

[mark rommel]

Hey Scot,
I tried IM-ing you on AIM, but got no response. I might go to the swap meet, but I am not sure yet. I have to save up the money for a kart, so I am not prepared to buy anything now. I was looking at a used Margay 125 chassis on their website, it looks really nice.

You probably already know this, but we have to run front brakes at Summit Point and VIR in the TAG class. So we basically have to use 125 chassis.

I am thinking what I want to do is but a used chassis and a new leopard engine, but we will see.

ttyl
Mark

[Scot Kight]

Ok so the responses I have received seem to make it seem like TAG is a good way to go.

Question #1: Which chassis? I am 5'11 and about 160lbs. Build is fairly normal, with normal reach and leg length so no special chassis should be required. Front brake IS required at Summit I believe, so the chassis would need to either have it, or have provisions for a front brake.

Question #2: I am leaning towards a Leopard as I stated in my original message. Cost and ease of use are the main reasons. I will be on both long and short tracks and dont see any real advantage in going with any other more expensive engines, at least not until I have more experience. Does that sound fairly well thought out?

How much would you pay for a used Tag kart, with engine and "extra bits" from someone getting out of the sport or class? If you know of anyone doing this in the VA area, let me know.

Scot