Re: Kart racing

[Denham Brad <DenhaBr@eywest.com>]

>OK, if nobody tells my wife, Im starting a new venture next year. I want
>to get involved in Kart racing...but I dont know a lot about it yet (as
>far as costs, events(series??), types of Karts etc).
>
>Can anyone point me in the right direction?

I used to race in the WKA (World Karting Association) sanctioned races at a 
small kart track in upstate NY.  IMHO, there is no better 
"motorsports-related bang-for-your-buck" than kart racing!

Each local kart track adopts one of the sanctioning bodies and then develops 
a set of club rules based loosely upon the official sanctioned set of rules. 
 At the Genesee Valley Kart Club where I raced (Geneseo, NY), I got involved 
in the "4-stroke senior pure stock" class, which was essentially standard 
sprint-style racing karts (I raced an older Margay Cheetah) with a stock 5hp 
Briggs & Stratton 4-stroke on the back powering a live axle through a simple 
centrifugal clutch (no transmission).

As I mentioned above, these are called "sprint karts", or karts that run on 
smaller closed course tracks made for kart racing.  Simple, inexpensive, 
fast enough (for beginners), and a lot of excitement.  Note that most folks 
found the 'slower' 4-stroke classes a lot more fun to watch...and race 
in...than the faster 2-stroke karts...where wins were based more on better 
engines than better drivers...  A step up from my  level was our "4-stroke 
modified class".  This was where the B&S engines were slightly modified and 
used alcohol for fuel.

Above this were the 2-stroke engine karts...very fast, very finicky, and 
much more expensive.  I personally would NOT get into this class immediately 
unless you have a lot of money, or have a serious death wish.

Finally, you have the shifter karts.  Essentially a thoroughbred race kart 
with a MX bike two-stroke engine, 6-speed transmission, 4-wheel disc brakes, 
etc...very hot karts...serious mental deficiencies are a pre-requisite.

The shifter karts probably could be classified as what we used to call 
"Enduro" karts, which raced on real race courses (made for automobiles). 
 Apparently, these shifter karts are made for both the upright sitting 
position, as well as the laydown configuration.  The folks at IKF/WKA can 
tell you what is permitted these days...

I would search the Internet for:

karts
ikf
wka

BTW...IKF stands for International Karting Federation...the other 
sanctioning body here in the US.

I would strongly recommend buying a used kart...and start in the 4-stroke 
class.  No sense in plunking down a buncha' money for something that you'll 
only play with for a year...should you decide it's not for you.  Also, spend 
good money on a good helmet, a kart stand, and if you can have your 4-stroke 
engine "blueprinted", do it.  It gives you that little edge and makes your 
rookie year that much more fun.  BTW, the key to any 4-stroke is proper 
break in!  Do it like the folks recommend.  Change the oil OFTEN!

That's about it...good luck and have fun (I know you will...)


Brad Denham
denham_brad@eywest.com