New to karting - need help

[Josh Cagle]

I'm thinking of getting into karting and the closest track to me runs a World Formula class. I'm doing some research and I'm really confused about which chassis will work.

I know the World Formula motor has the inboard drive. I think the track is also starting a LO206 class. Most of the chassis manufacturer websites note which chassis are for four cycle motors. But once I get to the classifieds on sites like this one, I'm not knowledgable enough to read between the lines...

- Are all four cycle motors inboard drive?
- When scanning the classifieds, what should I look for to figure out if the chassis will work for four cycle motors?
- Can any chassis be (relatively) easily modified to work with the inboard drive?
- What should I look for in a used chassis? Not bent, no flat spots on the bottom of the frame, and...???

Thanks for the help.

[Cole Thornton]

any chassis will work even a shifter chassis...just gotta take some stuff off that you dont need/cant use, however, i wouldnt mess with that...the sproket will need to be moved on the axle in some to be able to be used with a 4 cycle..no biggie at all...

yes the chain is in board on a 4 cycle, you can also use a Burris jack shaft that is pretty sweet

i would look over any used chassis you buy for sure unless you are buying from a trusted individual..a bent chassis will play mind games with you on trying to get it setup properly if you dont know its bent. i would suggest having someone who knows these things look at something you are about to spend a wad of cash on. stay in to the later model stuff for sure!

The world formula is really hitting hard over here on the west coast..the LO206 is kind of a thing of the past...they are still used alot on road races i hear, but not to savy on that..if your club uses a WF go for it..you will love it! close racing and really will teach you to drive

i will also say this..you can buy a turnkey race ready kart with telemetry and engine package plus prolly a bunch of extras..stand, extra tires and stuff for a hell of alot cheaper than you can build one for...food for thought

im sure people will tune in and correct my mistakes here but i hope that helps a bit
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Times not wasted when your getting wasted

[Cole Thornton]

http://www.ekartingnews.com/viewtopic.php?t=112872

if this is still available its a killer deal
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Times not wasted when your getting wasted

[John Matthews]

Hi Josh,

Welcome to karting, it's great that your local track runs 4 stroke since it's a great place to start and run as a sportsman. Go to your local track and let folks know what you're looking for, somebody may just have it in the back of their trailer.

Please fill out your profile so we know where you're at and can point you towards local resources. You never know, somebody that has the exact kart you're looking for may be lurking here

Cole is right though, any kart will work as long as you can get it through safety tech at your track. Even offset (oval) karts can be used in certain circumstances but they're unlikely to be competitive unless you know what you're doing. If you decide to put something together yourself make sure the bodywork is legal for your club and try to get something with a frame suitable for inboard engines. Of course if you can get a kart super cheap that's in good shape it may be worth modifying but realize you can spend more "fixing" than it will cost to get what you wanted in the first place.

Your best bet will almost always be getting a complete set-up from somebody that races at your track. Just make sure the frame rails aren't worn through and the chassis is relatively straight. No need to have it put on a jig and measured exactly, four bathroom scales on a flat floor will tell you just about everything you need to know.

Let us know if there's anything else we can help with, there's lots of great folks on the forum and most are happy to share info just like the people at your local track....

Cheers,
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John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

[Josh Cagle]

Thanks for the replies.

Cole - I had seen reference to a jack shaft but never knew what it meant. Is it compatible with any motor/chassis combination?

John - I'm located in Minneapolis and I've visited Stockholm Motorsports Park in Cokoato, MN a few times and been in contact with the guy that runs the a little. I'm probably not buying in this year but may get to know some people just to learn more.

I'll probably hang out at the track for a few weekends. Maybe volunteer to help someone out for a weekend. Maybe even rent a kart for a weekend - they run both open and rookie World Formula so I wonder if I could rent a kart from someone in open and run it in rookie the same day.

EDIT - One more question. Is a WF motor competitive out of the box or does it need ot be blueprinted? I have plenty to learn as a driver and I'd rather not pay to blueprint it if I can keep up without it.

Any other tips or advice?

[Cole Thornton]

ya the jack shaft works with all 4 cycle engines..its a pretty slick setup..you can look at them at

im sure if you went in and spoke with someone at a kart shop they could get you setup with an arrive and drive program..maybe not with a wf kart but than again, maybe so..i went ahead and baught my stuff and went all in right at the beginning and said that i AM going to do this..no backing out..makes it more real and when its sitting in your garage its motivating as hell!

get out to the track as much as possible for sure. get to know the guys and get involved any way you can..a deal on a kart will fall into your lap
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Times not wasted when your getting wasted

[John Matthews]

Hi Josh,

You have the perfect plan for getting into karting and sticking with it for years to come.

Definitely volunteer for the club and see if you can crew for somebody also, maybe trading off weekends. Being there will give you the chance to find out what works at your track chassis wise and you'll have the advantage of learning set-up without having to pay for it yourself. If you volunteer to flag you'll get the rhythm of the race day down so when you do start racing you'll know where you need to be when and what's expected of competitors.

As for the World Formula package it can be run straight out of the box. Yes, you will be down on power from a fully blueprinted engine but that's unlikely to matter your first year. If you buy the engine new and change the oil frequently you should get at least a year of racing and track days before you need a rebuild. At that point you'll have a "seasoned" block to start with (something us builders always prefer). In fact the first step of my WF blueprinting process is to run the snot out of a new engine on the dyno before I even think of tearing it down.

Get out there as soon as the track opens up and be willing to help anybody with anything and you'll be racing before you know it. I know for me after crewing on my friends SCCA car and volunteering the big races somebody just came up to me and offered me a car for $1000 complete with spares and everything

People love to see someone with enthusiasm working hard to make their hobby fun, I know good things will come your way with the attitude you seem to have.

Good luck and don't hesitate to call me at the shop [231-264-8707] if you have any questions.
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John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.