New and need advice

John Korte · Joined: 24 Mar 2013 Posts: 5

Hello Ekart My name is John and I am new. haha I am just getting in to karting now thanks to my son so I kinda know what to do for my son as in kart wise, but my questions come for me, I am about 6'2 and 243lbs I know that I want to do sprint racing, so my question is what kind of kart should I look in to getting if I want to do sprint racing and should it be a 2-stroke or 4-stroke to move me faster than 10mph, haha. Thank you for all the help
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BigGuns Diesel

Jim Stine · Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 9:48 am Post subject:

It's a question that gets asked about once a weeek.

You should go to the track you'll be racing at and talk to the local guys. See what classes are popular and what would fit you best. That's going to be your best bet. "What is a good class/kart" is going to varry based on your location.

Likewise, what kart you buy should also depends on what is supported in your area. Can you easily get parts for it locally, can you get help with tuning from the shop or local guys?

It would help to provide your location so people here can give you region-specific advise.

John Matthews · Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 10:16 am Post subject:

If you just want to get out there on practice days with your kid and have some fun try this.

http://evkc.org/2701.html

I'm about the same size as you and I have a great time with this package, especially on a tight course. It's cheap, reliable, and low maintenance.

If you think you're going to race and also have him race on the same day I'd suggest waiting a season before you get your kart. It's easy to underestimate how much time it will take to be crew chief for your kid Laughing

Cheers,
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John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

Evan Fraser · Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 12:17 pm Post subject:

I personally started on a kart not so different from the poster's above. Starting cheap and reliable is a great way to go, you don't get too much invested financially and you can decide whether or not you want to race or just wrench without getting in too deep.

As stated above, definitely check out your local club, chat with the guys like yourself and see what's supported locally and what you'll have the most fun with.

Edit: Now I want to slap an LO206 on my 2002 Tonykart instead of selling it >.<

Robert Brooks · Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 1:25 pm Post subject:

Hey John, welcome. Add your location to your profile. Kart classes can be very regional. I am your same size (well I was till I just lost 30 lbs) anyway, I alway have to race in a heavy class and most clubs/tracks have at least a couple of options. I've raced 4 cyl, 100cc, tag, etc. so go see what is raced locally and choose a class. They all are fun. After 17 years in this sport I've ended up in 4 cycle world formula. For me, the cost, effort and fun factor are what I am looking for. Speed is expensive and takes a lot of maintenance. 
Have fun!
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Straightaways are for fast karts, corners are for fast drivers....

John Korte · Joined: 24 Mar 2013 Posts: 5

Thank you all for the advise, I live in warren Mi I haven't filled out the rest of my profile yet so I will do that when I am done here. I Don't know of any tracks around here, so if there is some where to look I would love you guys. My goal is to go all the way to the top and Have fun, because I will be with my son. Thank you all again and I will check out the local scene and see what goes on.
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BigGuns Diesel

John Korte · Joined: 24 Mar 2013 Posts: 5

Thanks John for your advise and the pic where did you get that at if you don't mind me asking??

John Matthews · Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 2:47 pm Post subject:

Hi John,

I got the kart from one of my customers who had purchased it for is kid to drive and decided it just wasn't going to work out after they broke the engine. I have several karts and am working on getting something going up north here in Michigan.

You're only a little more than an hour from Pt. Pelee in Canada where I know a several Detroit area kart racers run.

http://pointpeleekarting.com/PPKC/

The ASN (Canada's karting regulators) have adopted the LO206 as their 4 cycle engine of choice.

http://www.asncanada.com/2013_Karting/2013-Karting%20Regulations/ASN/2013-ASN-Briggs&Stratton-Canada-L206-Regulations.pdf

So if you don't mind racing in another country that might work out well. You're also about the same distance from East Lansing Kart Track.

http://www.karttrack.com/

From what I've heard they're a great family track too.

If you have any questions feel free to drop me a PM.

Cheers,
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John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

Walt Gifford · Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 8:38 pm Post subject:

John, at your height and weight you face a few difficulties in a small kart. I'm slightly smaller than you and for me it feels like I'm an elephant on a roller skate. I suggest you rent one and see if you like the experience before you make a big investment.

Gif Cool

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FAA certified jet engine and aircraft technician
Nicholson Speedway class champion 2001
Yamaha KT100 Service Center
40 years karting experience

John Matthews · Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 5:55 am Post subject:

John Korte · Joined: 24 Mar 2013 Posts: 5

Thanks walt I was just thinking maybe I could get a chassis and fix the front end a little bit I know how to weld. Then john already thought lol of that thanks john for the offer that would be great. I would have to wait till son is done with school first.
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BigGuns Diesel

Walt Gifford · Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 11:51 am Post subject:

Our track has 5 turns and we go out for 5 sessions at 10 laps each. That's 250 punches to the rib cage. Also when you're big, allot of your body is out in front of where the seat supports you. That means your abs get tied in a knot by the end of the day. It's still fun but the kart will pretty much always handle with snap over steer even with max adjustments for looseness. Big guys don't belong in karts, karting is basically revenge of Napoleon. Even if the weight is equalized, which it rarely is, you're still too top heavy to handle right. All I'm saying is try it before you fork over 1000's.

Gif Cool

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FAA certified jet engine and aircraft technician
Nicholson Speedway class champion 2001
Yamaha KT100 Service Center
40 years karting experience

John Matthews · Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 2:05 pm Post subject:

While Walt has a valid point there are plenty of tracks where the "heavy" class is very well subscribed.

Everything in racing, just like life, is a matter of finding the right balance. Having a goal of "going all the way to the top" and supporting your kid's racing might be a little challenging....

From what I can tell the tracks here in Michigan are more focused on family recreation than on developing the next F1 champion and in my opinion this is a good thing.

If you want to get out on track and do a little "lead>follow" with your kid then a 4 cycle will be the easiest and least expensive option. You'll probably be able to do a little sportsman racing in the heavy class yourself too. You will have a good time and your kid will love it when he gets faster than you are Laughing

But, my advice is to keep your focus on the kid. Getting to "the top" in racing requires significant amounts of cash as well as a huge time commitment. Karting is a great family sport when you keep things in perspective and make sure the kids are having a good time. Just make sure you don't spend so much on racing that you can't stop for pizza on the way home Wink

Cheers,
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John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

John Korte · Joined: 24 Mar 2013 Posts: 5

Haha thanks walt sounds like that is just one of many horror stories lol. Thank you John for the advise too I try to stress with my son its all about fun but his dream is too race so I will help in any way I can. Lol don't worry about me wanting to go to the top, I am compatived and I always say stuff like that besides unfortunately I am a wounded soldier from Iraq so I can't work which means I am on a fixed income so another reason I can't go to the top lol well thanks again guys for the help I love it and anything else just shout
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BigGuns Diesel

Brian Degulis · Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 4:21 am Post subject:

"Just make sure you don't spend so much on racing that you can't stop for pizza on the way home"

That might be the best advice in this thread maybe in all of them!!!!!

Brian