Where do I get started?

kimo kalihi · Joined: 24 Feb 2009 Posts: 4

Hey everyone, I have always like go karts and speed and racing and I'm thinking about building or buying a kart. I recently checked out the local Apex indoor track in Tumwater, WA and it was pretty fun and got me wanting to do it all the time.

But I want a faster kart than those and I want my own. Problem is I don't know if there's a track I could take it to in Western Washington. I also don't have a clue where to get started.

Should I buy one or build one? I like working on cars, it's one of my hobbies so I would probably enjoy building one. How much do they run? Where should I start with this? If someone could point me in the right direction that would be awesome.

Thanks

Kimo

Jason Lee · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 7:21 am Post subject:

If you build one it will not be competive, and will cost you more in time than what you would save in money if you saved any.

Find a local kart take a pizza and some pop and have a long discussion with them.

(atleast thats how you would get the most info out of me, plus I would let you hang out longer)
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kimo kalihi · Joined: 24 Feb 2009 Posts: 4

You mean find someone locally that races?

Jason Lee · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 7:43 am Post subject:

What city are you located in? You should seek out a local kart shop.
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kimo kalihi · Joined: 24 Feb 2009 Posts: 4

I live in Tenino, WA which is 20 mins south of Olympia. Are there tracks around here?

Rich Vito · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 8:27 am Post subject:

Jason is correct. You need to find the closest track and go out there on the weekend and start talking to karters and talk to kart shop owners in your area and track owners, search this site, look at web based karting stores.

Start your research. Rent a kart (tag or shifter). Build one hell no, you would be crazy. You can buy a good used kart for $3,000-$4,000, but you better add another $3k-$4k for all the other stuff.

Good luck
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Tracy Simmons · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 9:07 am Post subject:

Yes, there are kart tracks in the Seattle area. Start with these guys:

http://www.seattlekartingclub.com/

Maybe change the subject of your post to "Karting in Seattle/Western Washington". There are many on these forums from your part of the country and they will get you headed in the right direction.

Build your own kart???? Shocked

No way! Karts have been perfected over the years so there is no reason to reinvent the wheel.

Linda Baldus · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:32 pm Post subject:

Kimo
I'm forwarding this thread to Chris Hegar. Even if he isn't close to you, he can steer you in the right direction.
Or you might want to do a search on him and PM him. I think he's in the Portland area.
Tim Doll is another one from the Pacific NW.
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Chris Hegar · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:00 pm Post subject:

Ahh Tenino, I've ran your stock car oval more than once in a kart. They don't do it much any longer but it was a very fast ride.

You have lots of options, check the following links for more info as well as quite a few used karts up for sale. It's a great time to buy being it's winter and as we all know the economy's not so sweet. As you can tell from the responses above building one is more work than it's worth, you can pick up some very nice stuff for very low $.

I'd visit the sites, ask questions just like you are then go to some races if you can. Gather as much info as possible then start thinking about what class you might run and how fast you want to go. Karts offer every kind of speed. Keep in mind if this is your first rodeo in a "go-kart" you don't need big HP to have fun. The slower the ride the more you learn about driving and set up. Prior experiance with quads and bikes and your Dad's pickup on a Sat night doesn't count, karts out preform nearly everything on 4 wheels within reason.

This is probably your closest local sprint track club link. Sprint tracks are short twisty tracks. Tacoma, Winachee, McMinville and Canby all have sprint tracks. http://www.psgka.com//

This club might be closer to you but it's a toss up. Portland's karting club hosts sprint (short track) and road race (Portland International) events. These guys have a winter series going on right now, check the site for dates.http://www.portlandkarting.com/

This is the Seattle road race club link. They host road race events only at places like Pacific Raceway and Spokane Motorsports park.http://www.psrra.com/

That help?

kimo kalihi · Joined: 24 Feb 2009 Posts: 4

Thanks guys! I'm checking out those links right now. Doing some reading.

I'm not sure when I'll get into this or if I will for sure at all. While browsing the web and craigslist it seems a used kart runs anywhere from a couple grand to 5K or more. That's pretty spendy. So I haven't decided yet. I definately don't have a few thousand right now and if I did I would finish rebuilding the motor for my 91 Subaru Legacy turbo sedan. I'm looking for a place to live with a garage to work on my cars so I need to save up money for a deposit and first and last months rent so even the subaru project is on hold for now.

I guess for now I'll just have to visit Apex once in a while to get my speed fix. I believe the record lap time there is about 28 seconds and I'm at 32 seconds after going 3 times so I'm gonna try to learn how to handle the kart better and try to get 30 seconds or under.

I have too many hobbies, damnit.

Any specific models I should look out for if I do get a kart?