Starting karting: shifter vs. non-shifter

[Paul Carey]

Mike: I was at the last Dixon race and I did notice a good size field for the Rotax Max race. I was encouraged by that until I later found out that those karts were all (except 1) from someone's rental program (and even then, many of the drivers were with the rental company). In fact, a week or two before, at the last Davis race, there were only 2 Rotax Max karts, and they were grouped in with the direct drive Perillas (spelling?).

My thought is to go with the clutch for a while, and if this infection in my blood grows, then maybe move to a shifter or a Rotax Max (if the latter continues to draw bigger participation).

Paul

[Dave Stevens]

quote:

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Originally posted by Paul Carey:
I was encouraged by that until I later found out that those karts were all (except 1) from someone's rental program (and even then, many of the drivers were with the rental company).

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I was just in the same boat, and decided to go with the shifter. It was primarily based on the fact that at times the Rotax class is pretty spotty in non Rotax Max events.

There were only two this weekend at the SKUSA Cascade in Wenatchee, and just one lone Rotaxer (my pal Scott) at the PKA club race yesterday. He ran with the HPVs. The buzz at the tracks about the Rotax is pretty good, and they seem to be selling a few, but not all are competing. It looks like most of them are going to recreational karters, at least up here.

I could have started racing now in the Rotax, but chose to get the shifter and take some more lessons before I started competing.

Dave

[Mike Moya]

Hi Paul, Chris, three of the 10 karts at the Dixon Max race were owner/drivers. We run at 355lbs, Vega XR tires are $110 set and good for two weekends{summertime}. I can't really speak for MMI, but I don't see them as not willing to give short drives to potential customers{winkwink}. You are always welcome to drive mine, I am often at Reno, sometimes Cal. In fact I let a friend race my spare kart at T'hill for nuthin and he still sent me a check afterwards cuz he "had so much fun". Only in go-karts.Bye

[bird]

I'm glad we're not the only people whose Max has been driven by half the paddock Including several dads who say they're never going to nag their kids again!

[Tom Stephens]

Chris, try http://www.birel-karting.com/rotax_karts.htm for more info on renting the Rotax from MMI. I called yesterday and they would be willing to go out to Dixon on other days if you can get a couple guys together. I'd email or call to get specifics or if maybe they can do what you have in mind.

Tom Stephens www.kartfinder.com

[Chris Sigua]

Hey Mike and Tom

Thanks for the info. I'll see if I can line something up for the Dixon races in Sep. Probably the SKUSA regional.

Chris

[aamjohns]

Paul,
You might want to seriously consider the Rotax. I am in a similar situation as you, and went with the Rotax. It is an excellent setup, keeps the cost down, and the competition up. Yes, attendance is still an issue. Where I am they are practically unheard of. But that won't last. Just look at other areas of the country where the programs have carved a niche. It's a matter of time I believe. It's fast, demanding, and less time demanding (on the maintenance side). Where I live the Rotax is run with the shifters, and on this course, if you are good, you'll beat the shifters. It's like shifter speed, without the shifting. There's plenty to learn in this class. I'll admit, I'm gambling on the success of the class here. But from what's going on in other parts of the country, I feel comfortable it will happen.

[Roy Randolph]

Yes, the Rotax is absolutely where its at. I know folks that have gotten out of Karting suddenly strongly considering getting back in because of the Rotax. I also know several shifter drivers which switched from shifters to the Rotax because of the lower cost and the ride (to them) was more fun!

[ August 20, 2001: Message edited by: Roy Randolph ]

[aamjohns]

You said it Roy!!!

[Paul Carey]

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful input. Given the local support (lack) and current cost of a Max, and given the great deal I found on a complete set up for a 1 year old blue printed clutch kart (including starter, trailer, clutches, tools, suit, etc) I purchased the clutch kart. When the Max takes off with better local participation, I will look more closely at it then.

Paul Carey

[Michael Taksa]

Starting out in clutch and going to shifters is probably the right way to go, if your money resources are unlimited. What are you going to do wiht an old kart after a year?
I jumped right into a shifter... I spend the money once... My learning will not be as fast, but I would not have to spend the money over and over to go through the classes.

[Santos Fernandez]

What about direct drive kart , like ICA or Formula A , in this karts you really learn all the driving skills to move to a shifter later, this karts don't forgive mistakes since they don't have gearbox to correct the errors , besides they are much faster than the clutch karts and you won't be passed by the 80cc shifters

[John Grinager]

I didn't have "two cents" to add to this post up until now because I didn't even own a kart yet. Well, I finally got mine (a one year old Margay setup for KT Pipe) and I test drove it with the original owner all last Saturday, so now I have an opinion....

About two years ago I took a karting school with Joey Hand to see if I wanted to jump into karting. It was an awesome experience and all of the karts were can equipped clutch karts. It was amazing to go out and drive them with no knowledge, and then have Joey show us "the lines". With limited horsepower, his teachings regarding speed scrubbing and corner apexes were something you could immediately feel in the seat of your pants, after doing it the wrong way and then having him show us the right way.

Fast forward two years, and I decide I DO want to jump into this karting stuff. I go out and jump into my new KT Pipe kart, and although it was wicked-fun, I was all over the place and fighting to drive half decent. Towards the end of the day, as I began to smooth out, I still knew that I was committing many, many errors, but I sure felt fast! And there's the difference. When you commit an error in a "canned" clutch kart, you KNOW you did something wrong because everything slows down, and you feel the anxious anticipation of waiting to get your momentum back. I made the immediate decision that my first year of racing (after practicing all the rest of this season) will be in the Novice Sportsman class. I need to learn how to drive, so I'm sure my ego can be subdued for a year! And by the way, in my first day of driving that KT Pipe in two years, and only the second day driving a kart in my life, I was blowing by several 80 shifters by the end of the day. My advice: Spend a day in a good school and start in a slow kart. I have a hunch that this approach will award me many dividends as I graduate through the ranks.

[Darin Martinez-Stahl]

Congrats Mr.Grinager, this is the way it should be done. I have been in this great sport for 8 years now. I see the guys who wait and race clutch karts come out on an 80 and immediately run toward the top half of the pack. One kid that used to race Jr. Sportsman raced his clutch kart, and did ok, but he never could quite crack that podium spot, ( our avg Jr.Sports are 15-24 so getting to the front is an accomplishment) he turns 16 moves over Nov 80 and has finsihed on the podium and is doing well in the points chase. Our Super heavy class champion choose to be an Iron man and race our 80 masters class, and guess what, he is in the top two or three in both of those classes. I have seen more folks who jump into shifters their first year, and disappear before the year is up, a few hang around but not a majority. But those who have come from clutch karts tend to stay a little longer (2 or three seasons and some even more)
So I would recomend doing a school , going to a clutch and then to gearbox, trust me you will have plenty of time to shoot your wad on an 80 later, folks are always looking for a good used kart when you are done with it.

[Gary Kozuma2]

I guess I'll say this one more time. If you haven't started from scratch in a 125 then why are you commenting? Do you have this specific experience?

I can name 20 guys around here that started in shifters and are doing just fine. No, not everyone should, but that doesn't mean that everyone should start in clutch karts either.

And another thing I'll point out is none of you ever mention the people who have tried unsuccessfully to move from clutch karts to shifters. Many take to it like a duck to water, but there are many who just can't handle it or prefer not to.

So if someone asked me, I would recommend trying both before you make a decision. Some should start in a shifter and some should not.

Gary K.