Shifter Kart Racing

nsxlover

nsxlover

Experienced Member
Joined
6 April 2002
Messages
1,095
Location
Wrightsville, Pa
Does anyone here race shifter karts? I am considering buying one and getting into it as it is a lot cheaper than racing the NSX all the time. What is a good kart? Should I get a 125cc or a 250cc? I am 5'9" and weigh 200 lbs.

Thanks,

Rob
 
I myself am 85kg and 6'0 tall and drive my mates Intrepid 125cc Rotax Max...check them out on the internet.

Its definately a great way to race and alot cheaper than running a car.
 
I weigh 200lbs and had been running around in a Yamaha 125cc powered shifter kart. Let me tell you, the acceleration is SOOOO intense in the first few gears that it felt like I had a ton of bricks on my chest. I had a hard time breathing. I've ridden some intense liter bikes and they don't hold a flame up to the 125 shifter. I couldn't imagine a 250cc.
 
KooLaid said:
I weigh 200lbs and had been running around in a Yamaha 125cc powered shifter kart. Let me tell you, the acceleration is SOOOO intense in the first few gears that it felt like I had a ton of bricks on my chest. I had a hard time breathing. I've ridden some intense liter bikes and they don't hold a flame up to the 125 shifter. I couldn't imagine a 250cc.
Click to expand...

Yeah, i agree. These things go like nothing else. Used to go on them once in a while. Brother in law had one.
There are not many go-kart circuits in holland where you are allowed to take these things out on. However, there is one just 2 miles away from my home. Still dont understand i never bought one :confused:
 
Seriously, there is a track about 2 miles from my house. $200 or so per year and you get your own key, with power and lights. Lock up when you're done.
 
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I own and race a 125cc Rotax Max. Started last August. 165 pounds and I have to add weight to my kart to not get disqualified. The best thing to do is to find a track and then conform to the rules and race classes they have. The track we use is not long enough for a shifter kart, so there is no shifter class. My reasons for the new sport are because it is more fun than my motorcycle, I feel free to go as hard as I want without worrying about getting a speeding ticket, and it's just intense. We also have a good group of guys that help out when the karts break down.
 
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^+1...there's no need for a shifter kart. We have 2 killer tracks that undulate and race these 125cc Rotax's...more than enough going on and plenty fast without having to worry about shifting. Add in 30 more karts and you've got yourself the Takuma Sato Challenge...haahaha!
 
Kart racing is, indeed, a blast. Start with a used kart and see how you like it. I had a 125 cc shifter kart but barely used it. I sold it about a year ago.
 
Re: Funny you should ask

How old are you? Are you under 20, bullet proof with a 24/7 hard-on? Don't get me wrong, I agree they're tons of fun, but anyone over 20 needs to take stock of what can happen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kulzQNUcH4Q&feature=related

I think all kart racers should have to watch that when they sign the waivers and show a health insurance card.

But don't pay any attention to me; I'm old and done with cheatin' death and serious injury. :rolleyes:
 
Re: Funny you should ask

92 white 0650 said:
How old are you? Are you under 20, bullet proof with a 24/7 hard-on? Don't get me wrong, I agree they're tons of fun, but anyone over 20 needs to take stock of what can happen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kulzQNUcH4Q&feature=related

I think all kart racers should have to watch that when they sign the waivers and show a health insurance card.

But don't pay any attention to me; I'm old and done with cheatin' death and serious injury. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Yes they can be dangerous. I think motorcycles are more dangerous. I personally wear my motorcycle gear and neck brace but don't understand how karting suits are under padded and have become mainstream. Me 41.
 
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Re: Funny you should ask

I raced for three years and never had an incident; maybe I never raced hard enough. I echo the comments above that that 125cc are unreal amounts of fun; they take off like a rocket ship and hold a corner like nothing else. I have actually lifted up the inside of the kart and rode on two wheels from the cornering grip.

With that said, your best bet is to go to the track you will race at the most and find out what the biggest class is; buy that type of kart. When I raced shifters we started with 15 karts every week and by the time I quit we were down to 4. Having a bigger race group is more fun than the type of kart.

Rotax/Tag are fun but I really liked the shifters; slipping the clutch on a standing start with 10 other karts is the best feeling ever. Just like forumla 1... all this talk makes me want to buy another one.

Finally one last thing, you will need to race a lot to be decent and build up your stamina. It is really tiring and takes time to get used to how quickly any movements will shift the kart.

Make sure you have a rib protector.

Kevin
 
Re: Funny you should ask

92 white 0650 said:
How old are you? Are you under 20, bullet proof with a 24/7 hard-on? Don't get me wrong, I agree they're tons of fun, but anyone over 20 needs to take stock of what can happen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kulzQNUcH4Q&feature=related

I think all kart racers should have to watch that when they sign the waivers and show a health insurance card.

But don't pay any attention to me; I'm old and done with cheatin' death and serious injury. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I am 37 years old and don't need lectures from you. I choose to take risks that I can substantiate with a level or reward that satisfies my need for speed in a safe environment. I guess some people enjoy living in a bubble and are so afraid to get hurt, they don't realize what their dreams are. I would rather die doing something I really enjoy at 37 than die at 80 and say, I didn't do the things that I enjoy because I was afraid.

Maybe we should stop driving because it is so dangerous, or walking up stairs because you may trip and fall down the steps.
 
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Karting is a blast! I've ran 100cc HPV for years and currently run 125cc TAG. If you have not karted before, I suggest starting out with 100cc, that way your concentrating only on The Line. Smoother = Faster in karting. 125cc shifter will only mask your errors since you can make it up in speed, but in a 100cc its all about momentum. Just like starting out in a Spec Miata vs a Viper.
my .02
 
PKim said:
Karting is a blast! I've ran 100cc HPV for years and currently run 125cc TAG. If you have not karted before, I suggest starting out with 100cc, that way your concentrating only on The Line. Smoother = Faster in karting. 125cc shifter will only mask your errors since you can make it up in speed, but in a 100cc its all about momentum. Just like starting out in a Spec Miata vs a Viper.
my .02
Click to expand...

Good advise, plus 100CC HPV does not have the appetite for tires like a shifter does (at least a set a weekend). I still stick by the, run what most others do, so you can do the most wheel to wheel racing.
 
Re: Funny you should ask

nsxlover said:
I am 37 years old and don't need lectures from you. I choose to take risks that I can substantiate with a level or reward that satisfies my need for speed in a safe environment. I guess some people enjoy living in a bubble and are so afraid to get hurt, they don't realize what their dreams are. I would rather die doing something I really enjoy at 37 than die at 80 and say, I didn't do the things that I enjoy because I was afraid.

Maybe we should stop driving because it is so dangerous, or walking up stairs because you may trip and fall down the steps.
Click to expand...

He's the first one that pointed out some safety concerns with karting, lighten up.

I've been thrown from 100cc karts on more than a few occasions. Heck, at every kart race ambulances are standing by. It always puts a dampener on the weekend when they haul someone away in an unknown condition :frown: Rarely do you see that at a HPDE.

But, karting is a lot cheaper than your NSX in the long term for sure. For the cost, nothing beats the feel of doing 60+MPH when your butt is 2" off the ground with a 100CC 2-stroke screaming at 17,000 RPM's right under your elbow :biggrin: You learn to turn by hopping the cart with your butt.

Dave
 
Re: Funny you should ask

Mac Attack said:
For the cost, nothing beats the feel of doing 60+MPH when your butt is 2" off the ground with a 100CC 2-stroke screaming at 17,000 RPM's right under your elbow :biggrin: You learn to turn by hopping the cart with your butt.

Dave
Click to expand...
Karting Makes me smile :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: biggrin:!!

I have a 125cc Stock Honda Shifter and a Rotax 125cc - Love them both!!

A Rib Protector is a MUST. I bruise my ribs every time I go out and I still love kart racing.

BTW - I'm over 50
 
Was going to post a new thread, but this thread came up in my search! I've been entertaining karting lately also. Just tired of having three cars, and really don't want to track what I have. Mark Dismore, a former IRL driver, has a track in Indy. I was fortunate enough to get in touch with him, and I'm going in a few weeks to spend the day doing a sort of intro to karting with him; with some lead/follow sessions and the such. It's not that I have any special contacts or anything - I am paying for it. It will be interesting to see what comes of it.

They have TaG kart racing at this track also. Does anyone have any experience with these? Here is their description. . . .

__________________________________________

Spec TaG Class -


The Spec Class in the KRA Series is a single make purpose built spec chassis with a sealed TaG Leopard Engine. The spirit and intent of the Spec Class will be to offer a turnkey, low maintanance, competitive package to any karter. Drivers will be able to adjust seat position, front or rear bar adjustments, tire pressures and front/rear track width.


Hub size, axle material/hardness, wheel type and size, tires and engine/exhaust will be fixed and unchangeable. The class will also have a maximum gear ratio to control engine RPM and run a spec fuel/oil premix. The hope is for this class to bring karting back to the driver and tuner, not who has the best engine or trick parts, as well as make the kart virtually maintenance free.


Karts will be available with YHC Tires, Aluminum Wheels, Shell Seat, Parilla Leopard Engine, CIK Bodywork and Mychron 4 Basic. Unassembled Kits are available for less.

_________________________________________

FYI - I don't mean to highjack the thread here. Just didn't want to create another so similar to this one.

Thanks!

Joe
 

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