Australian Karting Forum
Taking the plunge
Hi all. I recently came to the realization that I am not going to be able to afford a track car anyday soon and secondly that ibreally want to get involved in motorsport. I have drag and super sprinted prior to children but to be honest never considered karts. I live in Canberra and believe the local kart scene is very active. In short what should I be looking at for a 36yo 6'2" 95kg male? Would I fit in one of these things?? Totally new to all this and been reading forums for help. Plan to head out to the Canberra meet later this month but am getting a head start right here. Thanks Dave.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Joel Smith on -
Rotax Heavy? Ring Bruce Otter at stable karting- http://www.stablekarting.com.au/
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Permalink Reply by David George on -
Maybe I should use this venture to boost my weight loss program :)
Joel Smith said:Rotax Heavy? Ring Bruce Otter at stable karting- http://www.stablekarting.com.au/
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Permalink Reply by Col Fink (old account) on -
Hi David,
Welcome to Kartbook. I've done a couple of vids for people who are new to karting here, which you may want to check out. I'd say your best bet is to get down to the local club on a race day and see what people are running. You can walk up to literally ANYONE in the pits and they'll have a point of view you should hear. Canvass lots of people, especially guys your own age.
Oh, lastly, could you please update your profile to show your full name (including surname)? It's a policy of Kartbook.
Cheers bud, and welcome to the greatest form of motor racing on earth!
Col.
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Permalink Reply by David George on
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Thanks col, update it now. On holidays In cabin with kids, been raining so on iPhone.. Painful but keeping me updated. Cheers
Col Fink said:Hi David, Welcome to Kartbook. I've done a couple of vids for people who are new to karting here, which you may want to check out. I'd say your best bet is to get down to the local club on a race day and see what people are running. You can walk up to literally ANYONE in the pits and they'll have a point of view you should hear. Canvass lots of people, especially guys your own age.
Oh, lastly, could you please update your profile to show your full name (including surname)? It's a policy of Kartbook.
Cheers bud, and welcome to the greatest form of motor racing on earth!
Col.
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Permalink Reply by Simon Furzer on -
Can't tell you much about karting in Canberra but if Mark Webber started there it must be pretty good. Age, height and weight not a big issue, I was similar when I started 17 years ago and I'm still doing it. You might find a kart with an extended front an advantage. Both Monaco and Arrow are good starting karts and have extended fronts on some models. I also saw an awesome extended front on a Tony Kart recently ( Victorian racer John Stanic from Oakleigh Vic) so they must also make them. Probably best class for you would be TAG restricted- electric start, clutch - pretty easy to set up and most importantly have fun with. You can also grow with this kart and move into unrestricted with exactly the same gear. Unrestricted is quicker and you have to have experience before you can step up. Depending on your budget there are plenty of second hand kart/engine packages around or Monaco do a new package with kart, engine, tyres, chain etc etc basically ready to race in the TAG class for around $6500 look for the REMO racing website. I think Arrow have a similar deal. As everyone will tell you best thing is to go down the the local club watch some racing , ask some questions and as they say "Just do it". You'll love it.
Good luck.
FURZ
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Permalink Reply by David George on
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Thanks gents. Being a bit older I have no issues listening and asking for advice. I would rather save and get the right thing then jump at the 1st thing and regret it later. In relation to budget?? Hard to say, set up cost will be the big one but from what I have read ongoing costs seem reasonable. I think I will have more of an
idea after speaking to some guys next week.
Simon Furzer said:Can't tell you much about karting in Canberra but if Mark Webber started there it must be pretty good. Age, height and weight not a big issue, I was similar when I started 17 years ago and I'm still doing it. You might find a kart with an extended front an advantage. Both Monaco and Arrow are good starting karts and have extended fronts on some models. I also saw an awesome extended front on a Tony Kart recently ( Victorian racer John Stanic from Oakleigh Vic) so they must also make them. Probably best class for you would be TAG restricted- electric start, clutch - pretty easy to set up and most importantly have fun with. You can also grow with this kart and move into unrestricted with exactly the same gear. Unrestricted is quicker and you have to have experience before you can step up. Depending on your budget there are plenty of second hand kart/engine packages around or Monaco do a new package with kart, engine, tyres, chain etc etc basically ready to race in the TAG class for around $6500 look for the REMO racing website. I think Arrow have a similar deal. As everyone will tell you best thing is to go down the the local club watch some racing , ask some questions and as they say "Just do it". You'll love it. Good luck. FURZ
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Permalink Reply by John Oakes on -
Hi Dave The answer to your question is yes you will fit in a kart. Racing karts are in class with driver kart weight limit you have a couple of choices Clubman a Yamaha KT 100S 15/17hp push start or remote electric start, in heavy 160kg or super heavy 180kg or TAG/R touch and go electric start heavy 180kg super heavy 200kg you run a 125cc water cooled motor restricted 18hp with 4 or 5 motor to chose from and these class run a control tyre MG reds Senior National heavy/super heavy with a Yamaha J100cc 11hp pushstart, or remote electric start.
Your first point of action would be to join a kart club, and obtain an aka licence, also refer to stablekarting.com.au
for more information, they are in canberra as well. Hope you are a little more informed
john
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Permalink Reply by David Arnold on
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with your weight you will be fitting into clubman super heavy or TAG heavy( rotax, leopard, TAG. TAG R). My sugestion is that you look around at which class it the best attended at which ever club you want to race at. All of these classes have good and bad points.
IMO. it is hard to go past any of the 125 classes as electric starts and clutches combined with long service intervals and now CNC porting to keep performance levels very similar. You will have no issues fitting into a kart if it is set up corectly with seat position and pedal position where it makes it nice to drive.
Photos
© 2013 Created by Col Fink.
