Need Advice from Shifter Pilots

Wayne MacGregor · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2001 4:48 am Post subject: Need Advice from Shifter Pilots

My plan is to move my soon to be 16 years old son up to shifters next season. He has 3 years of karting experience has gotten some seat time in shifters and has done well. Because of his size (6' at close to 180lbs) I have decided that the 125's are the place to go. My plan is to run S3 next year and then make an assessment about the direction of his racing future following the season. After tallying the expected expense (especially the recurring), I have come to the conclusion that I can't afford brand new equipment.

My questions to the experts are these: Knowing the rules restrict the S3 class somewhat, what kind of motor combination should I shop for? What level of tuning is necessary to be competitive? Will a stock motor suffice? I think I know what to look for in a chassis, but the motor thing has me confused.

Bonnier Moulton · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 202

Wayne,
My advice is to wait until the rules for next year are released. (Unless of course they aren't released until after the season is underway.) Depending upon what the final rules regarding the different classes are, a different brand motor may be the "hot ticket". Our engine builder believed that under the original S2 and S3 rules (which we're later changed), the Yamaha would have a substantial advantage over the Honda. So I think a "wait and see" strategy will suit you best.

Regarding used equipment, I'm going to guess that it's much harder to find used S3 spec karts than Superpro or S1 spec. 99% of the used karts you run across are used for club racing and most clubs run rules that are more open than S2 or S3. An unfortunate side effect of widening the differences between different classes using the same basic engine package. You may find it beneficial to buy a kart with a good strong S1 spec motor then pick up a cylinder, head and carb to have built to S3 spec. Then as your driver progresses you will already have the parts to move him up.

Just my opinion.

Bonnier
Msquared Karting www.msquaredkarting.com

Doug Welch · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2001 6:27 am Post subject: Need Advice from Shifter Pilots

OH no, I agree with Bommier on this one.

I think you should wait also until the new rules come out. Any package you buy now most likely will have a motor that will not be legal in S3. It will have been modified too much and you will have to purchase a new motor.

Doug