Anyone do Go-Kart Racing?

MrKnifey

MrKnifey

MrKnifey

Soldato
Joined
3 Aug 2008
Posts
3,532
Location
Nelson, South Wales
Hi,

Been looking into racing Go-Karts for a while now and I have pretty much settled on a Rotax Max setup. I viewed and test drove a Kart around Llandow today and was quite shocked as to the power of these things! Anyone else on here Kart at all? If so what Karts do you race and where? I plan on doing the IKR and maybe move onto MSA races in the future!
 
I used to run a kart with a bump start parilla TT75 (well several engines as they needed rebuilding every 5 mins) I mainly used rye house and did a couple of local races, was good fun but expensive hence my dad jacking it in...
 
I have a senior rotax on a tonykart chassis, I don't have time to race so only attend practise events a local track.

Have you researched the cost of running a rotax? It's one thing buying a kart and quite another maintaining and racing one.

I'd suggest you head over to Karting1.co.uk where there is lots of great help and advice available, you'll find Nigel (raceinstructor) on there who runs the shop at Llandow :)
 
I started racing Club100 karts in the BUKC this year and was astonished by how quick they are - I'd never driven any kind of kart before so it was a bit of a baptism of fire. Didn't do too badly for a complete rookie, but I'd like to have a lot more practice and actually get properly competitive, rather than just taking advantage of other driver's mistakes. We're thinking of entering a 24 hour race in June, and I believe they use Rotax karts, so it'll be interesting to have a go of them.

Unfortunately I'm moving abroad soon, so I'll probably have to take a break from karting and trackdays for a while, which is a great shame! If I have time once I return to England, I'll try entering all the 2016 BUKC races and get some proper practice in.
 
Lakeland said:
I have a senior rotax on a tonykart chassis, I don't have time to race so only attend practise events a local track.

Have you researched the cost of running a rotax? It's one thing buying a kart and quite another maintaining and racing one.

I'd suggest you head over to Karting1.co.uk where there is lots of great help and advice available, you'll find Nigel (raceinstructor) on there who runs the shop at Llandow :)
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Yea I spoke to nigel today about costs of rebuilds etc so I know what to expect. He was the one who let me have a go of the gillard chassis with rotax engine
 
MrKnifey said:
Yea I spoke to nigel today about costs of rebuilds etc so I know what to expect. He was the one who let me have a go of the gillard chassis with rotax engine
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He's a good chap, my engine was rebuilt by him a few months ago. Do remember that the engine is just part of the deal, you only really need one full rebuild a year and that's not massively expensive at about £650.

Factor in the cost of tyres/spares/tools/fuel/oil/license/membership/entry fees/trailor or transport/accommodation if you're staying over for the weekend event and you can easily be looking at £4k per year to compete at club level, many of the front runners can be spending circa £10k.

To get an idea of costs this fella's blog is pretty good http://kartingdad.co.uk :)

If you just want a bit of cheap fun then TKM is a good option or even cheaper would be prokarts/endurance. Also consider arrive and drive if you just want to get in to racing without all of the associated issues.
 
I'm racing Rotax Max Snr, running an Intrepid Chassis.

I race in the RAF MSA series all over the UK (First round this weekend at Fulbeck) and I race at Little Rissington, Three Sisters and sometimes Shenington when work allows.

I'm absolutely addicted :) Used to race pro karts and then once I got in a 2-stroke it was a whole different league and I wanted in.

The cost is the main thing, but once you are setup with a kart and engine it gets a bit cheaper.

But I've spent a small fortune this year alone, a full engine rebuild, carb rebuild, power valve setup, fiche work and dyno run-in along with a new radiator cost me over £1200. Along with tyres for the season, spares, the inevitable bumps and scraps along the way will see me getting closer to £2000.

But I don't regret the costs one bit, I love it. :)
 
Yea I got circa 200 a month to put into it at the moment. More after I get married in august! So atm cost will be fine I hope
 
MrKnifey said:
Yea I got circa 200 a month to put into it at the moment. More after I get married in august! So atm cost will be fine I hope
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Formula TKM is a cheaper option, but there is something about Rotax which I enjoy.

Just got back from loading the truck for this weekend.

6 2-strokes ready to play :cool:

QHrF6Ol.jpg
 
Used to do 125 and 250 National short and long circuit, absolutely loved it but was too heavy to be competitive in anything but wet races.

There is something special about doing 140mph 1/4 inch from the ground.
 
That Red Gillard is very similar to what im getting. Yea a few people are saying TKM to me but I get the feeling they are trying to bump the numbers up. Rotax seems more popular so that's the way im going to go. Picking it up Tuesday hopefully as Nigel is away at the Nationals this weekend!
 
Another kart, the kart in front of me spun and I had nowhere to go.

We locked wheels and up into the air I went.

2 weeks to go till my next race, time to get a new chassis sorted!
 
Went and done some testing yesterday at Llandow, had an issue with the starter which was quickly resolved. Then we noticed a water leak out of the tell tale on the back of the motor. I left it with Nigel and rang him today.. Hes chucked a fresh rebuilt motor in it for me for free with a 12month warranty! Legend! Cant wait till the weekend now
 
Enjoy it :)

I last raced at Llandow last year, but its been dropped off our calendar this year in favour of Glan Y Gors.

I've always heard good things about Nigel and the shop at Llandow, bit far for me though. Great of him to change the engine like that, there probably wasn't a big issue with the other engine but its good for your peace of mind.

Let us know how you get on :)
 
geekman said:
I started racing Club100 karts in the BUKC this year and was astonished by how quick they are - I'd never driven any kind of kart before so it was a bit of a baptism of fire. Didn't do too badly for a complete rookie, but I'd like to have a lot more practice and actually get properly competitive, rather than just taking advantage of other driver's mistakes. We're thinking of entering a 24 hour race in June, and I believe they use Rotax karts, so it'll be interesting to have a go of them.

Unfortunately I'm moving abroad soon, so I'll probably have to take a break from karting and trackdays for a while, which is a great shame! If I have time once I return to England, I'll try entering all the 2016 BUKC races and get some proper practice in.
Click to expand...

Snap! Did it in my first year of Uni. Incredibly fun karts but I was a complete rookie, needless to say I ended up finishing rather low down the pecking order :p
 
Thought id update this, done my first race and finished 3rd in the Non-MSA cat, so was happy with that. Since then done a little bit of practicing etc. Today I managed to snap my axle! So, found out Karting gets expensive at times :p

 
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