Oh so many questions...

[Keyz]

Hi All!
At this stage I'm doing some preliminary investigation into kart racing, and would appreciate any assistance with the following:

-Approximately how much would a basic open trailer plus the minimal required kart gear weigh? say trailer 200kg I guess, so how much all up weight? Would tools, Kart, trolley etc etc be mor than 100kg? 200kg?

-KT100 or Rotax? Am looking from the perspective of which one needs the least work/rebuilds in order to maintain performance? I will be beginning from ground zero, so Rotax seems more expensive but more beginner friendly (less chance to seize while learning, key start)?

-Is anyone able to suggest what sort of cost a season of club racing would cost in terms of consumables like oil, tyres, say one race a month? I'm guessing something like $1500 should be ok and allow for minor accidents?

-and finally, does anyone kart while having a young family at home? Is it affordable to club race and have newborn kids while on average wages?

Thanks in advance.

[Keyz]

Maybe my first post was a bit daunting, but any piece of information will be helpful guys.

I am thinking that KT100 will be a good way to try, as the initial cost is less and I could get a better/newer chassis for less money, but I am VERY fearful that while learning I might cause a catastrophic failure to the engine that will cost a bunch to fix, which budget wise would stop me racing for a long time!

So, KT100 fans, please help me, is it really that hard to get used to tuning the carb in a manner that will prevent failures? Am I just freaking out?

I am very prepared to start conservatively (rich i guess on the carb) and run off the back while I am learning the ropes.

My other questions
re:trailer + kart weight is I only have a small car to tow at the moment, and am wondering if it will do.

re: running cost for a year is so I can save this up front before I start, AND be upfront with the missus

re: young family, we are planning to have a small family end of next year or the beginning of year after, so am wondering if it is all possible.

Please don't be shy (even tell me I'm a plonker and I've got it all wrong, it will help!)

[/i]

[Phil]

Most people start in a KT because they are cheap and easy to learn and give you a good grounding in racecraft.
You shouldn't have many problems in learning to tune the carb at all.
A kart with your fuel, oil, tools & spares could weigh around 200-250kg which shouldn't be a lot even for a smaller car.

Your budget/ racing costs question is a tricky one, most people just make do with what they can afford. You will be able to pick up used tyres off other club members fairly cheaply, brakes last a long time, a bottle of oil would last around 4 meetings, you will use around 5 litres of fuel per meeting, and things like chains and sprockets depend on your ability to keep the kart on the black stuff!

Hope that helped.

[Keyz]

Thank you very much Phil, yes you definately helped!

Some good info there and your advice re: budget is true, maybe this is why no one else chimed in.. questions were way too open in hind sight.

Will be a few years away from racing my own kart, but your advice has helped a lot with sorting out my preliminary budgetting, thank you.

[br11]

hey keyz

when you are just starting in the sport you dont really need all the ''flash'' gear. in regards to a trailer: we use a small home bulit garden trailer(but we do have to take bits of the kart).

Engine choice: its really what you can afford. rotaxs are as you said beginner friendly(that would have been my choice). im a kt100 driver myself, the tuning is not hard to figure out(if you do struggle talk to someone with a little more experience).

finally, push starting the kt100's is relatively easy once you have a bit of practice in(it could be that i am a very fit teenager )

cheers
br11

[forwhat]

Head down to the Auckland track on the 26th. there is a practus day on. I dont know how many people will turn up because of NI.
But talk to the people there.
I will be there because we need to run in both of our karts before the street race.

Re trailer. Use a garden trailer. any car will tow one of those.
I have a small car 1800cc bluebird it can eaily tow my 2 kart box trailer with 2 gearbox karts in it.

[Keyz]

Thanks very much for your help guys!