Karting

[E-Thirty]

Anyone here take part in kart racing? TaG, Rotax, etc... Would like to hear other people's experiences as I'm interested in getting into the sport.

[M-technik-3]

TaG much cheaper than cars but places to go say a parking lot are long since gone. I have one for me and a 4 stroke Honda for my kids.

In Florida there is a lot of karting due to the weather, try iy out rent a few times then decide and if you do go this route look at second hand.

[george graves]

I have an old Emmick I need to finish. Is there a site that list local tracks? I don't even know where they are.

[E-Thirty]

Thanks for the quick response. I've competed in a couple races in rental karts which are the birel chassis strapped with a 9hp honda 4 stroke. Going to try my hand in the Rotax stuff this weekend.

You're definitely right about a lot of karting. It's crazy down here, with karting tracks on every corner of this state!

[E-Thirty]

http://www.worldkarting.com/pg/conta...er_tracks.html

Here's a track list, but it leaves out a lot of states. Where are you located George?

[george graves]

Thansk for the link. I'm far north CA right now - but I think I'm moving.

Better list? http://www.na-motorsports.com/Tracks/KartTracks.html

[J0nnyr0ck3t]

Yes too karting, its honestly the best experience ever.

[M-technik-3]

http://www.ekartingnews.com/forum.php

Rotax is outrageous on prices, consider PRD for a budget engine as they are nearly have the price. There is also Yamaha engines which are good.

[jatterbu]

Have a TAG kart, here is a video from one of the tracks out in Seattle. Brought it to Virginia Beach but haven't taken it out anywhere yet, a lot more bigger tracks to play on :D

http://www.youtube.com/user/AtterburyRacing?feature=mhum#p/u/7/37yg1suE4EU

[E-Thirty]

Hey jatterbu, what chassis/engine are you running? One of the big questions I have is when how many years does it take for a chassis to become outdated? As in, not really competitive any more.

[jatterbu]

If you ask some of the top level national guys, chassis can go bad with just an off or after a few races. The kart I run is an Italkart with a Parilla Leopard engine on it. The Rotax karts are very popular simply because they are good spec series that you can easily get into and the parts are readily available if something grenades. I chose the kart I did simply because I use it as a training tool for when I'm away from the cars. I race professionally in GRAND-AM so I don't have a ton of knowledge on the actual top level competition in karting other than the guys I race with that came from karts. If you are in FL, I know a few guys that could probably point you in the right direction for the racing you are looking for.


Joey

https://www.joeyatterbury.com

[carguy101]

Since you are in Tampa, St. Pete Grand Prix has electric ones that are pretty quick

[E-Thirty]

carguy101- Meh, I can't stand those electric ones for some reason. There's a great track in Palmetto that I frequent.

Joey- Pretty cool to see a pro racer on the forum. I'm looking to start out cheap and learn the tricks. I'm looking into getting something like a PRD engine as M-technik suggested and a 2 year old chassis.

Maybe I might catch you when you guys come into homestead next year.

Oh, and I'm down to meet some local karters if you know any down here.

[pMak26]

In the lead:


I've won at all the local tracks, done well at a few big events, not well enough, but I'm also the only guy on the grid building his own motors (sprint only, not RR).

[Tsweers89]

To me rotax and tag are not so fun. Dont get me wrong there is very competitive and fast but your pretty much just gas and brake.Last time i checked shifting is part of racing.I started in hpv3 class and it was ok. Now im in icc shifters and its a blast. to have to shift and slide through corners and use the power to pull out of them is great. Shifting makes it a whole diffrent ball game and many people have said its the closest thing you can get to a f1 car. But i also know it depends on your area. I see tags/rotax is very big out in the california area and such. To each there own i guess.