Karting School

[Tank]

I know this is old news for many of you, but I just discovered karting, and I have to put a plug in for the learning experience it offers to anyone who hasn't found it.

I went to a phase 1 class at Jim Hall's school in Oxnard http://www.jhrkartracing.com/
and I had a blast. For people like me that haven't spent a lot of time on a road course track or for those who are thinking of tracking your car for the first time, karting is great way to get a feel for driving a race line and determining break points. But more than that, the trill of hitting 70mph as you come up on the hairpin turn -while seemingly just sliding along on your butt - is enough to send you running back to do it again. And most Karting tracks are a lot closer to most people and have almost unlimited lap timing sessions available any day of the month compared to a typical auto track.

It's a great way to do some drive-it-like-you-stole-it driving in between the times you get to do that in your car (track days).

I know many of you already do this but just to say it again... If you can't make it to the track in your NSX or you're between track dates but still want some seat time, try karting. It's great fun and another great tool for sharpening your driving skills.

 

[akira3d]

Interesting...that's quite a bit closer to me than Willow Springs. I've done a couple of introductory courses in shifter karts with the KRC kart racing school at Willow Springs...KRC's karts are a bit more hard core (125cc, top speeds approaching 120mph) than Jim Hall's (80cc, top speed 90mph), but this sounds like a great alternative. And Jim Hall's school seems to give you more for track time for your money.

I agree that shifter karts are a blast. I'll have to check out Jim Hall's school one of these days.

 

[PKim]

Jim Hall

I too am a graduate of Jim Hall Kart school. I did it 3 years ago and now I Kart as much as I can. I have a 100cc and thought about moving up to shifters but if you really want to learn, stay on the 100cc for at least a year to learn to drive. There are lots of guys that get on the shifter because its cool and they have alot of bad driving habits. Shifters can mask bad habits but if you have bad habits it will be recognized instantly on a 100. I was at Grange in Victorville, awesome track and I was hanging with the 250cc 4 stroke karts, they would pull on me in the straights but when the turns came I was over taking them. There is another track that was just built in Banning, CA. My home track is Perris and I also go to Adams track in Riverside. if any of you go to these tracks let me know I would love to meet you there.

Paul

 

[Tank]

Hey, thanks Paul. I will. I understand what you're saying. It'll be a while before I even want to try shifter karts because I want to get this basic kart thing down first. JH's sprint karts are fast enough for me now because I really need to learn smoothness first. That's why I autox'ed on street tires for a year before going to r compounds. I have so many bad habits that I need to isolate each and work on them one at a time.

Adams and the new Banning tracks are my targets right now. I would love to "chase" you sometime. But I have a lot to learn.

t

 

[Tom Larkins]

It'll be a while before I even want to try shifter karts because I want to get this basic kart thing down first. JH's sprint karts are fast enough for me now because I really need to learn smoothness first.

Wise words.....having been in serious competitive karting for years (past) you would be better served to your plan. Non-shift karts are very good at teaching the proper technique and driving skills b/c you don't have to worry about the shifting too and can focus on those things you've mentioned. If you plan on running IKF or WKA you will improve you skills from the competition alone.

If you have a chance, do a roadrace or two. Longer track times & races.

 

[newtyp]

Hey guys,

I also went to the Jim Hall Karting school and have been racing shifters and Kt 100's for the past 2 years. Every time I have the chance to compete its always an enjoyable blast !!.

Glad that you had a good time, its a great way to experience wheel to wheel racing without thinking of wrecking a beautiful sports car =)

Ken

 

[PKim]

Kart School

Check out these sites:
http://www.moranraceway.com/

http://www.apexracing.com/

http://www.grangemotorcircuit.com/

Paul

 

[newtyp]

Paul,

Thanks for the link, I definitely will check them out the next time I am in California for business.

Ken

 

[Tank]

Paul,

Thanks for the web sites!

 

[ryneen]

Monthly 6hr endurance kart race in So Cal

Check out this website

http://www.hckarting.com/hck_altnewhome.html

I discovered this about 6 months ago. It's a monthly 6 hour endurance kart race. It's phenominal. We have a team of 4 drivers who bought a kart and race monthly. We split the costs and the driving time. It is the most economical and competitive racing I could imagine. We each get 1.5 hrs of racing seat time per month. The races are highly organized. The karts are very fast (64mph on my GPS meter). There are usually 10-15 teams at each race.

Karting is incredible! I have freinds who started out in shifter karts and soon gave up because of how complicated and tecnical it is to drive them as well as the high costs. Basically they got in over their head. I also wanted to race shifter karts in the future, but I didn't want to get in over my head. I wanted maximum seat time for as little money as possible. After racing in this series, I think I will stay here as opposed to racing by myself in the shifter class. It is so much fun to race as a team with your freinds as well as splitting the costs.

 

[Tank]

Ohhh, that sounds like FUN. I've never done wheel to wheel but this might be a great way to start.

Thanks