How Much Does a Shifter Weigh (of 385 lbs.) ?

Chris M Johnson · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 568

I am wondering how much a shifter weighs? I currently weigh 195, but if I start my running routine (20 mi a week), I can get down to 185. Getting lighter than that would require serious dieting and laying off the weights. I'm 6'1".

Can you get a shifter kart that weights about 200lbs? If they weigh much more than that, I'm screwed.

Bob Monday · Joined: 21 May 2004 Posts: 91

Someone has told me that the Tony Karts tend to be lighter than others.

Larry MacLeod · Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 7:10 pm Post subject:

I believe you can get one down to 195 or so. My 98 Birel weighs just a hair over 200, but I've never tried to trim it down. I have to add ~16 lbs of lead and about 5 lbs of fuel just to be close to 385. On some scales I might also need to carry up to 6 lbs of waist weight.
_________________
F125 #196
Old Birel/ hodgepodge Honda CR125
Lefty Funk
Detroit Region

Chris M Johnson · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 568

Thanks!

Gary Kozuma · Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 10:12 pm Post subject:

There are 2 things that greatly affect the weight of a kart. #1 is the new styly body work which is much heavier and sturdy. The other is the radiator. I have a large heavy version that adds 8 lbs to a kart.

I've also heard that birels are on the light side, but I can't really back that up. It would be hard to guess which karts are lighter, although I coulde easily see how the lightest would be 10 lbs lighter that a "heavy" one.

Alan Sheidler · Joined: 09 Aug 2001 Posts: 473

Don't let weight be the deciding factor on whether to jump into F125 is a good idea or not. Yes, weight is something to consider, but it does not carry with it the issue that being 10 or 15 poinds over will make you automatically non-conpetitive.

We all have to face the fact that it is the driver which makes the real difference in autocross, and how well he has set up his chassis to work for his driving style. Everyone knows that this year's Nationals winner scaled over 420#. Yes, he had a PI on the kart, but that was of no real value in the rain on Thursday, and he was still fastest. I also had a PI (Programmable Ignition) as I was running Pete Mottaz's kart, but we set it to produce as little power as possible for the rain day. I was second by almost 0.4, scaling at 416#.

Friday, and Tom just plain spanked us all. I can't believe his motor is worth a full second over everyone else's.

The point is, a few extra pounds on a chassis that works for someone your size is unimportant. By all means, make sure you are in good shape; I could use some gym time myself. Practice all you can. If you present to the scales at 400#, as I have all year, that will not be the reason for finishing off of the pace. An old guy like me can run a stock motor, not get anywhere near enough seat time, and be regularly "in the hunt" with a 1996 chassis.

Alan

Dave Robinson · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 8:13 am Post subject:

Practice is more important then weight. The KART MASS Series Champion's kart was well over 400 lbs. and he faced some real competition this year, on courses from wide open to paperclip short. Seat time will make the biggest difference in how fast you are in a shifter and well almost any kart for that matter.

Dave

Larry Andrews · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 1:44 pm Post subject:

a few tips - probably best to confirm though as this is from memory

Bodywork:
Breadbox - +0
Stilo - +1.5
Unico: +7.5
Freeline - +9

Chassis:
Tony: +0
Birel: +3
CRG: +3
Trackmagic: +6
CTS: -5

Radiator:
Banana: +0
Sm. Champ: +2
Med. Champ: +3
Lg. Champ: +5
Freeline: +4

Chris M Johnson · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 568

Thanks for the tips. I think "screwed" was a little strong I didnt want to find out a shifter weighs 250 lbs and that I would be 50lbs over from the start. Looks like the 385lb weight was decided with a reasonably sized human being in mind.

Vic Madrid · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 5:13 pm Post subject:

Chris-

great to hear another potential WDCR F125 entry! That'll be 4 that I know of.

Back to topic- I have a 2002 TonyKart Mitox s/ the "breadbox" body kit and had to add 38# of lead to be 385# w/ 1/3 tank of fuel, (including all my safety gear too). I weigh 145-150. If you get down to 185# then you should be just fine. If you stay at 195, then you could run a PI plus a little more gas in the tank.

Give me a holler anytime. Don't listen to Brian just yet, he doesn't know what he's getting into.

(BG- you're not reading this, eh? Razz

)

Chris M Johnson · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 568

Hey Vic,
Yeah, I've been pretty excited about F125 recently. I added up the costs of what it would cost to nationally prep my stock class miata and its close to the cost of a shifter. I'd also have to take out the AC and its still not the "right" package. Add to that the cost of tires. I figure to do one year of locals, tours and nationals needs at least three sets of tires (and more wheels) to do right. With the recent classing changes, that may be money down the drain.

Thats a whole lot of money to not go very fast.

I'd like to get more seat time and I want more adrenaline.

A few questions, sorry this is off the original topic. . .

What sprint tracks are in the MD/DC/VA area? Do they have open track time where you can just lap and work on setup? I dont want to race elbow/elbow just yet. Also, do local tracks have any 125 classes so I could go that way eventually?

Thakns,
Chris

Brian Garfield · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 9:25 pm Post subject:

Hmm. Just fell a little behind Vic... Confused

Then again, I hadn't told anyone locally either Twisted Evil

Hey Chris, I'm thrilled you're joining the fray! In brief, the MINI is going bye-bye and Lisa and I are both going to shifters.

As for weight, I'm glad to hear that karts can be that much heavier due to bodywork and radiators. I've got a huge radiator on the kart I'm getting and I'll just get some new style bodywork and be set. I might not have to ADD any weight!
As for Lisa, we might have to fill the BODYwork with lead...

As for local tracks, Chris, there are three of the type you're seeking:
1) Monrovia - close to me (15 minutes west/southwest of Mount Airy), short, bumpy, not kept real well. But, rentable - $100 for 3 hours + $25/person. Yeah, I know, it's no Kansas deal ehh Larry? Crying or Very sad

2) Sandy Hook - Around Street, MD, north of Bel Air...close to you I believe? Not rentable.
3) Nicholson - North of Chestertown, MD/Eastern Shore, don't know if they rent.

I've been told Sandy Hook and Nicholson are pretty comparable in surface and fun, both much better than Monrovia. To give you an idea, Julian doesn't want to run at Monrovia any more...

There are usually practice days at each. None are easy to get regular schedules for and none are popular 2 stroke or shifter locations. The entire Mid-Atlantic is 4-cycle vroom vroom... Doesn't mean there's nobody running there, but don't expect huge classes.

If you REALLY want good seat time, there are 3 and soon to be 4 good places:
1) Beaverun in PA - GREAT track, elevation changes, cool stuff, about 3:45 from me.
2) Oakland Valley - in NY at the very north tip of New Jersey, about 4 hours from me.
3) Englishtown NJ - about 3:45 from me. A parking lot turned permanent kart track I believe.
4) The future Dragon's Ridge Motorsports Park in Williamsburg, VA area - about 3:30 from me. Kart track is in the plans for that place, I have to imagine it will be pretty good.

I am by no means any sort of expert, but like Vic, may be able to offer you some local help if you have any more questions. As many on this forum have already witnessed, I'm extremely siked for 2006 in a shifter! I've got my bus...err Van, am lining up my enclosed trailer right now, and plan on having karts before the end of November.

Brian

randy hofferbert · Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 6

Andrew. james · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 5:39 am Post subject:

my arrow ax8 with unico body and medium radiator weighs 196 lbs wo/gas. My friend drive the same kart as me and weighs 185 he runs not weights on the kart and usually weighs in like 390 lbs over with gear.

William Sandoval · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 6:26 am Post subject:

Of the 'good seat time' tracks mentioned by BG I hear Beaverun is the best. I haven't been there but the layout looks spectacular as do the facilities. I usually race shifter at Englishtown and can verify that the shifter races get pretty good size fields (usually about 15 shifters race). The Englishtown kart track is in a parking lot although the track itself is smooth and a good layout. One advantage of the parking lot track is that going off doesn't mean going into the grass, dirt, or mud that may be present at other tracks. Just yesterday, I a guy stuck his motor right in front of me going down the straight and I was easily able to avoid his spinning kart by driving off and on the racing surface.
Oakland Valley is another good track. The layout is nice and it has elevation changes which makes racing more interesting. I've only been there once this year but I hear that now they aren't getting such good turnouts in the shifter class.
As for kart weights: my Top Kart (Pavesi motor) with breadbox bodywork, banana radiator, and 1/5 full tank weighs about 210#.