Hello, new karter here!

Christopher Uppiano · Joined: 15 Mar 2013 Posts: 33

Well, after a lot of research and deliberation, I just bought my first (used) kart (Italkart Rapido V w/ x30). I've never raced, or even driven a kart besides the slow ones you see at amusement parks. I was just wondering what would be the best way to get myself up to a point where I can safely race against more experienced drivers without causing any problems?

Obviously, lots of practice by myself will be beneficial, but everybody has to make the transition from just doing laps to actually racing with other drivers eventually. I'm sure that ideally I should start with a slower kart and work my way up to a TaG kart, but it's hard to justify that financially when I know I want to end up at 125cc anyway. I'm perfectly happy to spend as much time as necessary practicing by myself to learn the fundamentals, or doing mock races to learn how to pass safely, etc. Basically, I just want to make sure I'm ready to race before I do it in earnest!

Justin Martin · Joined: 27 Mar 2012 Posts: 328

Firstly, Weclome to karting!

Where are you from?

What kind of racing or driving background do you have? (besides rental karts...)

Do you have proper safety equipment? Remember that without a ribvest there is a very high chance of broken ribs. I separated 3 while wearing a rib vest, on a rough track.

Do you have mechanical skills or background?

What year is the kart?

Christopher Uppiano · Joined: 15 Mar 2013 Posts: 33

Thank you!

I'm from Washington state, right up near Canada. I have no racing experience (besides video games Laughing

). But, I'm 23, so I've been driving for a while-- though I'm sure driving such a nimble little thing with slick tires and relatively huge power / weight is going to be something completely different.

I've got almost all the safety equipment I need. I just need a neck brace and rib vest. I've got a bit of experience working on small engines, but it's been a while since I've had to dig into one.

The kart is from 2012, and in really good shape (chassis / bodywork looks essentially brand new and the engine only has ~5 hours on it). I got a good deal on it, so I couldn't really pass it up at the time.

Michael Taksa · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 11:41 am Post subject:

Best thing you can do is go to your local track on race day with your kart. Talk to people, ask questions....Find out wht they are doing for lap time, then practice by yourself. You are ready to race when you feel you are ready to race. You learn most by racing, not by driving by yourself. As soon as you spin out not more then once every 5 laps you are ready to race:)

John Matthews · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 11:46 am Post subject:

Since you're brand new and apparently pretty humble for being 23 Laughing

I'd suggest taking a course or hiring an instructor. Spending a couple hundred dollars to have someone explain how the kart works and what it takes to go fast will save you countless hours trying to figure it out yourself....

Cheers,
_________________
John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

Christopher Uppiano · Joined: 15 Mar 2013 Posts: 33

Yep, I was actually thinking about signing up for a weekend course with an instructor! I think I might try and get a little bit of seat time before that just to establish a baseline. I've watched a lot of videos of high-level racers just to see how they drive, and I'm familiar with how to find a good line through a track. So I do like to think I'm not starting from absolutely nothing.

Britt Robinson · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 12:38 pm Post subject:

Christopher,

I'm going to assume you're in NW Washington? Bellingham maybe? Anyway, I would recommend taking the Intro to Karting class from the guys at SIMA Raceway in Sumas. They'll start you off on the right path.
http://simaracing.com/

And welcome to karting; it's a blast!
_________________
I am a precisional instrument of speed and aeromatics. - Mater

Christopher Uppiano · Joined: 15 Mar 2013 Posts: 33

Funny you should bring that up, because I bought my kart through SIMA (it's one of Michael Valiante's karts). It's definitely where I'll be practicing and racing. Michael even said he'd give me a quick lesson and a bit of track time when I go to pick my kart up. Not sure it'll amount to much actual track time, but I can't complain about a free lesson from an ALMS driver!

Britt Robinson · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 1:29 pm Post subject:

Evan Fraser · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 2:12 pm Post subject:

You definitely can't go wrong talking to Michael Valiante, sounds like you got an absolutely killer deal for the kart and instruction. I also wanted to point out that just across the border there's a track in Chilliwack, BC as well as the tracks in Oregon.

Come see us north of the 49th some time!

Matthew Shane · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 2:21 pm Post subject:

Hello Christopher, and welcome to karting! While you may be doing this just for fun now, you won't be able to resist getting into the more competitive levels of karting. I started when I was 9 racing a kid kart around my elementary school parking lot, and now i'm racing in regional series' with national champs. Like other people said, just go to your local track and talk to people. Check out this article too, http://www.karting.co.uk/KandK/ , helped me out a bunch. Good luck in karting! Very Happy

Justin Martin · Joined: 27 Mar 2012 Posts: 328

Sounds like a great kart to start! It definitely won't hold you back from progression, thats for sure!

As others have mentioned get out to the track, so you can network, communicate, and learn.

There is a lot more to tuning a kart than people think. Most think "no suspension, must be easy" but infact, it is much harder. The difference with a kart is that you still have undesired traits to tune out, however every adjustment you make has a counter effect. A car with suspension has less of this.

The biggest thing to do is get online and read. Read tuning theory, read the Chassis and Handling sections where many ask questions. Read up on your motor, common problems, and what the signs may be. This is huge as it can help you troubleshoot at the track (in case of a problem). This can often save you from missing a race!

track time, track time, track time. Get that rib vest, then go drive. Do not rush it and drive without the vest, its not worth the 1-3 months of not being able to drive!

If there is a slow-ish day at the track, wait on pit exit for one of the locals and/or faster guys, pull out behind him and try to hang for a lap or so watching and following his lines. You will find that the more experienced you are, you will be able to find fast ways around the track (lines) that no one else does. At my local track I have 2 individual turns where I personally carry a solid 5mph more speed through than the other drivers, this is where I get most people Wink

Last but not least, when you are new it is easier to forget COLD tires. Seriously take it easy your first 2-3 laps and make sure those tires are warm. Cold tires will result in a spin.

I also have to disagree with Michael Taksa, I would make sure you can drive a solid 15-20 laps without a spin, and get your times CONSISTENT. It doesn't matter if you are 1, 2 or 3 seconds off the pace, as long as you are comfortable, and consistent.

Brian Degulis · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 6:10 pm Post subject:

The fact that you took the time to join post and ask for advice means you'll do just fine.

Brian

jeff grose · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 6:30 pm Post subject:

Welcome to karting Christopher, you can learn alot of things about karting from this forum as I have over the past yrs. There are 3 people that can probably help you the most when you have questions about the following:

1. Chassis setup, TJ Koyen lifting inside rear tire
2. Compression, Al Nunley it's the holy grail
3. Beer/Helmet, Mike Goebel go ahead and ask to see The Helmet

oh well, welcome to karting anyway
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jlgracing
#31 Gillard/PDBAmerica
IAME Leopards by P1 Engines
Tag Sr./FKCS/WKA
Driver: Jesse Grose
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ryan orchard · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 8:00 pm Post subject:

Just take your time and get the feel of the kart down, its very easy to over drive these thing Very Happy