An idea to make kart racing more inviting and accessible

[Brian Degulis]

Track operators need to post not only the classes they run but also the participation they get in those classes and what engines they mix together to make a class.

For me the biggest problem in getting back in was knowing what to buy. A comprehensive beginers guide with a basic run down of what's required for each class and the engines run would be helpfull. Also something explaining the long term expenses with different packages. Example if I want to go TAG I can spend $3500 on Rotax or $1500 on PRD or $3000 on IAME. So what does Rotax have over PRD and IAME and if they run together will the Rotax have an advantage. I now know the answers to these questions but at first it was hard to figure out.


Brian

[John Matthews]

One of the things I try to do when people post on here that they want to get started is check the website for their closest track. Most will have season points so you can get a good idea of what classes are popular and which are dying.

As for expenses and what's the best value, which engine, etc. I try to tell folks to buy something popular at your local track used from somebody who still races there. That way your chances of running into problems are reduced and you might even have someone to help who's familiar with your set-up when you're out there.

The other thing to remember is it really doesn't matter so much what you get as long as you're committed to running it enough to learn. So many times I see beginners trying to figure out how to get exactly the kart/engine package they'll be running for the next 5 years. It's not really necessary or smart to try and figure that out when you're just starting since you will learn things about the equipment, your club, and yourself that will influence what direction you really want to go. If you buy a decent used set-up that's been raced at your track it'll have nearly the same value in a year if you decide to change or get out.

And, as a driving coach I can say without a doubt that you will learn how do drive better, quicker with a low power package than a higher powered one.

Just my .02 cents....

Cheers,
_________________
John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

[Brian Degulis]

Go to your local track is the standard answer. It might be OK or you might run into a knuckle head with realy bad ideas. The first kart/engine package you get might determine wether you stay in the sport or bail so IMO it's critical. Say your not mechanicaly inclined you definetly don't want to start with an ICC engine where no service manual exists and there may be only one importer and just a few parts suppliers. BAD IDEA look for something common like moto or Rotax. There are just so many things like that to consider a common sense guide would be great.


Brian

[Cory Ross]

Getting stared in karting is a pain because knowing what to get can be overwhelming. There are to many classes. This is a constant battle because people always use the equipment as the first excuse for not winning whether it had any influence on the results or not. You are always going to have people calling for a new class which they think will be perfect becuse they feel it will give them the most equal playing field. Sometimes these people get a group behind them and make enough noise and these new classes are formed. You will always have those that would rather spend time changing rules to be more competitive then work on their driving skills.

Sure having an inexpensive class like clones for someone to get started in can help bring in new drivers. You still have to overcome how intimidating racing can be to someone that has not raced. This is the one of reasons you do not have someone who is new to racing compete at a national. You have them start at a club race because it is way less intimidating. There are those that would have no problem starting at a national. They are not the ones we are trying to attract to the sport, if they want to race karts they will. Give someone a cheap class to start with and low key way to start racing and it gives people less excuses to not start karting.

As for tracks having a hot lap/leaderboard program, if they already have a rental kart program the increase in over head of this program would be very minimal if anything. The tracks it could increase overhead costs are the ones that do not have a staff or timing system setup. I know the track I frequent all they have to do is collect the additional money from the renters and change what the computer does with their lap information, then setup a way for the participants to see the current leaderboard.

As I stated earlier the big hurdle might be the computer software and its limitations. I would be surprised it Mylaps did not have a program or know of someone that has a program already setup to do this or would just need a few tweaks to do something like this.

[Matt Dixon]

[Pete Clark]

Hi Guys,

I am brand new to Karting, in fact I haven’t really started yet aside from a few rental days and attending race weekends as a spectator at a Local track here in MN. I have been a EKN browser for awhile now and I have been reading this thread since it beginning. Since everyone is talking about getting new people into the sport and trying to prevent its decline I thought I would throw my 2 cents in, coming from someone who is just stepping into the sport (even though it may only be worth 1 cent compared to the huge knowledge base on these forums).

I am almost 30 and an engineer, in turn according to John Matthews, I fit right into his Mr. "I just bought a new shifter and I'm gonna be real fast" guy category. That’s fine and I completely understand that sort of labeling. In this type of sport it’s the new unexperienced guys that get in over their head with a kart that is beyond their skill level that can often hurt people. I desperately don’t want to be that guy.

A little history on me and why I am trying to get into karting in the first place. I have competed in SCCA Solo II events for the last 5 years. I am not very good, but I have fun and I like the people I meet at the events. However I hate how little wheel time you get during the day. I call it the 666 syndrome. From 6am to 6pm you are at the event site (often times a large venue parking lot) roasting in the summer sun and you get about 6 minutes of wheel time for the day total. I wanted more wheel time, so I started exploring what it would take to do High Performance Track Events. The cost was staggering and the upkeep for the wear and tear on the car would go through the roof. I also explored the Lemons Racing and Chump Car route, and that was still quite expensive too and you cant just drag your car out to the track and drive whenever you want.

So I looked into karting. I lucked out too since there are 2 club supported tracks within 2 hours of my house. I used to play paintball semi-professionally in my college years but not anymore so I sold all my old gear and got ~$1000. I bought an old 2006 Rocket RK2 chassis from a local track here in MN for <$500. The kart was in rough shape but still straight and from what I was told highly competitive in its day (although that was 7 years ago). I am in the process of tearing the kart down to every last nut, bolt and washer, re-powder coating the frame and cleaning/restoring whatever is falling apart. While doing this I am reading forums like this one to learn how to properly set the kart back up to so it is a platform I can learn off of. Also, I am working with a local karting shop meeting people and getting tips and hints on this process. I plan on putting a LO206 crate engine on it as it should be a good entry platform, and it’s a growing class here in MN. I should have the entire thing setup for ~$1700 so I can drive this spring. Would I like to go faster then a LO206 engine? Yes! Do I lust over 250cc Superkarts? Yes! Will I ever get there? Probably not, but I think I am heading in the right direction to get my affordable speed fix.

Now back on topic. The most intimidating thing for me as a new Karter is the learning curve involved in the sport. My car setup knowledge from Solo II means very little in the world of karting and there is not much clear guidance on how to start and gradually bring yourself into the sport. You kinda need to dive in head first and bombard yourself with information until things finally start to sink in, I still haven’t reached that point yet and around you experts I feel very very dumb. The head-to-head racing doesn’t worry me, I find that thrilling. I look forward to the competition and being on the track with other people vs. Solo events where you are by yourself against the clock. I go into this with no ego, I was slow in Solo II, I will be slow in karting as well. What also worries me is being stupid and getting someone hurt. Karting groups are very close knit communities and being the new guy, stepping into their world and getting someones buddy hurt doesn’t help you make friends. If there is anything a new guy like myself needs is someone at the track that will talk with you and help you out.

What would help me get involved more or have the experience be less intimidating? I think Oscar Aguilera hit it right on the nose…

“if kart shops really wanted to help newbies...they would set the kart up to the specs of there own fast guy and tell the customer to leave the kart alone for the first few races. show up to the track and give seminars on how to.”

I would sign up for that seminar! I would rather have a teacher then reading random kart manual PDFs scattered throughout the interwebs and reading old forum posts pertaining to my kart chassis from 2004. I know that focusing on my driving skills is a priority, but having a setup I can learn on is very important too. I don’t want to show up to the track running the equivalent to a radio flyer wagon when everyone else is in finely tuned track weapons. I plan on going to the track a few times on my own to get used to my setup before I compete (and loose horribly). I just wish there was an open weekend or on track seminar that helped me dial in my kart a bit better.

By the way, It’s nice to meet you all!

-Pete

[Brian Degulis]

In my area there are at least 2 tracks that will familiarize you with a TAG kart let you run it for 15 minutes watch you and give you some advice then give you 2 more 15 minute sessions with advice. They'll do that for $150. After that they will help you as much as they can in selecting equipment. Remember they want you to get into it as much (maybe more) than you do so if they have any sense they're very helpful. I would hope the same thing exists in your area.


Brian

[John Matthews]

Hi Pete,

It looks like you're headed in the right direction. As many have pointed out karting is very regional so the number of open practice days you're likely to get in Minnesota is very different that what you can expect in Florida.

Briggs has been involved in karting as a company for a long time and the LO206 is definitely my choice of engine for beginner and sportsman racer alike. It gives you the chance to work on driving without worrying about the engine beyond making sure you have gas and oil for the most part. Also it has the potential to be built up for a number of other classes as you progress.

I'm pretty sure once you get out to the track you'll find a good group of folks who will help you out with set-up and driving. The speeds won't be so high that you should be afraid of hurting people. The dangerous thing about novice shifter drivers on track IMHO is the large speed differential between them and others going much slower.

Good luck and don't hesitate to ask advice or relate your experiences on the forum.

Cheers,
_________________
John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.