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Go Karts
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 7:59 pm
by 98ninja
Anyone here done go karting?
Im looking at a clubman 100s. Im not sure what to look for.
I did a drivers course in january and get to do some fun driving with work.
The bug has caught on and I can only do a trackday every now and then.
So, does anyone know what theyre looking at when shopping for a kart?
Re: Go Karts
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:05 pm
by laidback
It's been a while ('02) since I raced.
Depends what you want to achieve. You can buy an old hack and just circulate or buy a quality kart and be among the fastest.
Not sure if they do 'track days' like bikes but most club owned tracks have practice days.
There are 2 main components - engine and frame. Any frame that has seen a fair bit of track work is useless and karters are like bikers..."only driven on Sundays" is a common description...hehehe.
Make sure you get a frame that suits your weight as a thinner tube frame will flex a lot and alter handling and fatigue will set in. I used an Azzurro frame with 32/30 chrome moly - 32mm front tubes and 30mm for the rest.
Engine - all engines are equal and specs are very tight but some are more equal than others. Best way is to go to one of the top engine builders and see if they have any for sale. If not next best is to buy new, run in, then get blue-printed.
I found the rotax 125 ( quite a bit faster than clubmans) but far more fun and have onboard starter which is good for when you spin out although clubmans now have clutches so should make for less stalling. At WP clubmans were about 120kph and Rotax about 140-145kph on the straight with artificial chicanes.
Most meetings are run over weekends with practice on Sat and racing on Sun.
You used to be able to get a practice licence or race licence similar to bikes.
As with bikes go to some meetings and talk to racers and kart shops and find out what is the current flavour. The Azzurro (from Brisbane) I had was good when it was warmer but when colder the Arrow (Drew Price from Melbourne) was better.
If buying s/hand try to get one that comes with all accessories. Different tracks will require different gearing so a selection of sprockets say 3 front and 10-15 rear will be needed depending how serious you want to get.
Awesome fun but once driven a proper racing kart the hire karts are crap...
Re: Go Karts
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 11:08 am
by red_dave
I found you have to tweak what ever you get to get the best handling out of it... Consider tyres and as quick maneuverability is the key...
You're welcome to take mine for a test drive at any stage to give you some basis for comparison... Pic below.
Re: Go Karts
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 11:31 am
by laidback
My Azzurro on the grid at WP...
- JCKart.jpg (33.14 KiB) Viewed 6574 times
Re: Go Karts
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 12:00 pm
by MIZ RX3
red_dave wrote:I found you have to tweak what ever you get to get the best handling out of it... Consider tyres and as quick maneuverability is the key...
You're welcome to take mine for a test drive at any stage to give you some basis for comparison... Pic below.
bahahahahahahahah Bananas!
Re: Go Karts
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 3:31 pm
by 98ninja
laidback wrote:It's been a while ('02) since I raced.
Depends what you want to achieve. You can buy an old hack and just circulate or buy a quality kart and be among the fastest.
Not sure if they do 'track days' like bikes but most club owned tracks have practice days.
There are 2 main components - engine and frame. Any frame that has seen a fair bit of track work is useless and karters are like bikers..."only driven on Sundays" is a common description...hehehe.
Make sure you get a frame that suits your weight as a thinner tube frame will flex a lot and alter handling and fatigue will set in. I used an Azzurro frame with 32/30 chrome moly - 32mm front tubes and 30mm for the rest.
Engine - all engines are equal and specs are very tight but some are more equal than others. Best way is to go to one of the top engine builders and see if they have any for sale. If not next best is to buy new, run in, then get blue-printed.
I found the rotax 125 ( quite a bit faster than clubmans) but far more fun and have onboard starter which is good for when you spin out although clubmans now have clutches so should make for less stalling. At WP clubmans were about 120kph and Rotax about 140-145kph on the straight with artificial chicanes.
Most meetings are run over weekends with practice on Sat and racing on Sun.
You used to be able to get a practice licence or race licence similar to bikes.
As with bikes go to some meetings and talk to racers and kart shops and find out what is the current flavour. The Azzurro (from Brisbane) I had was good when it was warmer but when colder the Arrow (Drew Price from Melbourne) was better.
If buying s/hand try to get one that comes with all accessories. Different tracks will require different gearing so a selection of sprockets say 3 front and 10-15 rear will be needed depending how serious you want to get.
Awesome fun but once driven a proper racing kart the hire karts are crap...
Ive been looking through ebay. But still not sure what to go for. Any recommendations or good buys?
Also im 104kgs and 6'3. Am I too big for go karting?
Re: Go Karts
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 4:17 pm
by laidback
Never too big mate...but with 100cc and no gearbox...power to weight ratio is pitiful...
Have seen guys our size running the national/J motors and having fun.
You would be doing track days at EC? If so I think The North Shore Karting Club used to have events there so probably best to get out to a meeting and have a chat to a few regulars who could fill you in on the latest developments. Not all clubs run all engine classes so best to find out what they do run, although this would not be a problem unless you wanted to actually compete in races. Any legal class of the AKA can practice on a licensed track.
I would go a new or near new engine (125) and frame (32/30). I think there are a number of 125cc engines used now. What ever you do don't get a first generation Rotax as they were dogs.
The reason I suggest 125s over 100s is that 125s don't require the rebuilds that 100s need. When I was racing clubman, I would do a top end rebuild every 3 race meetings and a full rebuild (about $450 then) every 6.
Re: Go Karts
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 4:35 pm
by Naked Twin
Funny myself and another are looking at the same thing. Eastern Creek carts are having a try out day in January where you get to have a go, don't know the full details as I am waiting for them to post up on their website.
With AKAnsw the 125 class is purely Rotax from what I can gather, interesting about the 100 class as it is promoted as the cheapest class, a rebuild is meant to be cheap? The 125 class is water cooled and was told this adds extra cost? This is a complete noob looking into it and only what I have been told.
I was out at Lithgow on the weekend checking out the North Shore Karting Club racing meet. Seems to me the AKAnsw is the most organised.
Nick
Re: Go Karts
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 4:39 pm
by laidback
Also check out the AKA manual -
http://www.akansw.com.au/news.asp?catID=3
Ebay
Upper end buy - 280777937716
Mid buy - 220899170922
Lower end buy - 320798585973 - this seems a good buy although chassis a bit on the light side...
Re: Go Karts
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 4:58 pm
by Nelso
laidback wrote:My Azzurro on the grid at WP...
JCKart.jpg
Who's the young fella you had driving for you John?
Also, it's good to see Russ was looking after you with sponsorship back then.
Re: Go Karts
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 7:00 pm
by laidback
Nelso wrote:laidback wrote:My Azzurro on the grid at WP...
JCKart.jpg
Who's the young fella you had driving for you John?
Also, it's good to see Russ was looking after you with sponsorship back then.
See what knowing youse all does to a guy...turns you old...
Was the guy from Goulburn...Rob Ferraro or something like that...
Re: Go Karts
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 9:46 am
by philbo
is NSKC using lithgow now?
lithgow is the home track to COmbined Districts Kart club was a member couple years ago.
i've been looking at getting back into the sport myself, but reckon the best option is to go towards the 125cc class, with a year old arrow frame. and if you head down the path of a weekend warrior its easier with the lecky start and water cooled, there are some bargains to be had.
but with the 100cc class with clutches now, i managed to stall it with the way i drove, when i was at coffs kart track.
Re: Go Karts
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 11:59 am
by Naked Twin
philbo wrote:is NSKC using lithgow now?
lithgow is the home track to COmbined Districts Kart club was a member couple years ago.
They were on the weekend. Some of the set ups were unbelievable. The carts are worth nothing in comparison the trucks that were there!
Re: Go Karts
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 9:10 pm
by philbo
yeah so nothing has changed!!!
remember being happy putting my kart on the grid had no spare money for new tyres or other items but as long as i could race i was happy, now with what i know a new set of treads might have made all the difference
its good fun but, some people think they are the next best thing at racing
Re: Go Karts
Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 7:17 pm
by 98ninja
To revive an old thread
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Arrow-Clubma ... 2ebddcabf3
Laidback, what do you think of it?