Newb question, Pricing

[Ryan Kataoka]

Hi everyone,
I'm looking to get into world formula karting and am looking for information on what to pay for a used kart with blueprinted wf engine? w/ stock engine?

Thanks in advance
Ryan

[Frank Hein]

Hi Ryan,

It'll be more useful if you fill in your profile so people know where you'll be racing. The answers will differ if you live in Washington or Florida or South Africa. The brand of kart you buy will depend on local support.

You can get a good used 4 cycle chassis for about $2000. New stock engine is $1000 and new blueprinted $1400. These are the largest expenses but be prepared for lots of $200 and $300 receipts if you take the plunge to get everything you need to race. My latest surprise is $300 for a transponder.

Search the Classifieds here for World Formula and you'll find: http://www.ekartingnews.com/viewtopic.php?t=93619&highlight=World+Formula

Add up what's included and you'll see the price is not too far off. If I lived in Washington I would have had a serious look at that package. I'm buying everything new because I'm in New England.

I hope you end up with a WF wherever you live.
_________________
Frank
Arrow AX9-4S / Briggs World Formula

[Paul Hutt]

I am new to all of this. I bought a Wildkart WF from a dealer that was going out of business. One thing I learned after buying my kart was that there were no dealers in the state or adjoining states that were familiar with the Wildkart chassis. So I would have been better off buying a chassis that is popular in the region as that would mean that I could get good support in setting up the chassis.

In this area it appears that the Arrow has a big following. However, it would have been to expensive for me - at least until I got to the Nationals.
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Race Grandpa
Panic Motorsports West

[John Matthews]

The "supported chassis" thing is largely a marketing tool IMHO.

Most kart chassis work about the same way and respond to adjustments in similar fashion. You will have to learn how your chassis works no matter if you buy it new, used, it's something that everyone else at the track runs, or it's made on the moon and nobody has ever seen it before. If you look at results from major races it doesn't really seem to matter if you have a red, green, blue, yellow, orange, or black chassis. It always comes down to set-up and driver....

While it's true that buying something a dealer that is at the track often sells may be easier, it doesn't guarantee a good result. Especially if you buy it used from a third party many dealers will expect you to buy something substantial before they start handing out "free" advice. Also, if your local track is 99% TaG and you're running WF they may not even be much help if you buy everything new from them.

So, my advice is spend what it takes to get a decent used set-up but don't worry too much about brands. If you can buy a kart that's been raced at your track in the class you want to race in, and the seller is still racing there and will help you out that's the best thing.

In any case, get yourself a tape measure and start messing with track width. Put the front full wide and the rear full narrow and take the kart out to see how it feels. Reverse it and see how that feels. Set it back to normal and pump the tires up to 20 PSI, drop them to 6PSI. If you do just these few things when you first start out you'll have a much better idea of how to tune the kart for the conditions you face each day you're out.

Most guys make the mistake of just getting in and driving before they even understand how the thing works. Karts are very different from anything else on track so a few hours experimenting in your first few outings will pay rewards long into your karting career.

BTW Paul, the WildKart chassis is a very good one. They're now being imported by a good dealer in California who should be able to get you baseline set-ups for wherever you race. Mike and Linda Beard of Kart Parts Unlimited handle the parts and can steer you in the right direction for more info on WildKart in general (they're great folks too)


Cheers,
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John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

[Paul Hutt]

John,

Thanks for all of the information. It makes me feel better.

Hopefully Kartel Motorsports will be successful with this new line. With the economy the way it is I suspect it will take them sometime before they obtain a meaningful dealer network and sales level.

I got the kart with Mycron 4 for $3,500 - no sales tax and only had to spent money to pay for it to be setup. It seemed to be a good price ??? so I jumped on it without trying any other karts.

Have a good weekend.

Paul
_________________
Race Grandpa
Panic Motorsports West

[Ryan Kataoka]

Thanks everyone for your input.

Here in So. Cal there seems to be 2 clubs close by that run wf races and there are plenty of dealers for the major brands, i.e. crg, briel, tony kart, sodi. It seems that there is enough support as long as I stay with a major brand.
Right now, Im just looking for input on fair used chassis and engine prices. Also, tips on things to look for in a used kart before buying.

I just don't want to run in problems after buying a kart that could be avoided.

Thanks again, and any more information is appreciated.

[John Matthews]

I wouldn't pay more than $1500 for a roller no matter what it is. WF engines are $1000 new so maybe $750 for a used one max.

You can get perfectly usable rollers for less than $500, at that price a new engine might be a smart move. Just make sure whatever used chassis you buy doesn't have big flat spots in the frame rails, that means it's worn out.

Like I said before, your best deal will be someone who races at your track and is upgrading their kart. That way you can talk with them about set-up. Unless you're really good you won't be winning races your first year out anyway so money will be better spent on practice days rather than fancy equipment.

The guys and gals you're racing with will be a much better support system than any shop can hope to be. They want you to get competitive soon so they'll have more people to race against. Everyone's your friend until you start beating them Then they might just hold onto their secrets a little tighter. But, WF is pretty much a sportsman deal so probably more camaraderie than some of the more high strung classes.

Go to the track, talk to the guys there and let them know you're looking. Don't be afraid that you won't get the kart right away, in fact you might do better to volunteer crew with someone for a race or two and see what's really going on. You don't need to run all the races your first season, in fact I would really recommend volunteering to flag a few so you get a good feel for what's going on out there from another perspective.

I know this is a lot of stuff but seriously, take your time getting started. The racing will be there and the more you know before you take the plunge the better off you'll be.

Cheers,
_________________
John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

[Paul Hutt]