OT: Go kart racing, Looking for some knowledge Options

[736conver]

Went go kart racing a couple of weekends ago and it was a blast. 10 laps of practice. Then two time trials of 10 laps and then the main feature at ten laps. I got stuck at the back of the pack for both time trials but was lucky enough to get some clean track to post some fast lap times. Ended up starting 3 on the grid for the feature and ended up with first place. WooHoo.


Had perma grin for the next two days.

Of course now I would like to get a kart and practice on some of the local tracks, and compete by next year. I have a chance to get a kart with a 18hp briggs and stratton world formula series engine on a coyote frame. Dont know anymore specifics then that. Dont know year, hours etc. I still have to go look at it. I figure the motor would need a rebuild, how much does that cost? He is asking around $1000 and says engine has few hours.

I realized this engine is little bigger then the 9 horse I used at the track but then again I thought the 9 horse sucked coming off a hairpin. Way too slow.

Any opinions/advice.

[nebreitling]

DON'T buy the first kart you see. go to the track and watch a few races. talk to people about what classes are active and well-supported. TAG karts are really popular for good reason. hell, rotax engines go like 40 hours between rebuilds; leopards like 12... I don't know much about the briggs classes -- we don't run those out here.

a 125 shifter is a real handful, and unless you are truly gifted or in an uncompetitive region, you will get your ass kicked for a while until you come up to pace.

if you must shift (and i highly recommend it!), 80 shifter (I run 80 limited at 360 lbs) is a good balance between speed and an accessible "learning tool".

In any case, the maintanence costs can add up. I do a top-end rebuild every 90 minutes (slightly pumped up engine)... tires are about $180 a set, and last maybe 2 races (competitively) and another 4 practice days. I break shit all the time. You have to invest in special tools like chain breakers and bead breakers. Still, it's cheaper than racing cars, and it's unbelievably intense.