The kids have decided they want to race Go Karts, and I am VERY supportive of this With ages 3,4,6,8 (38 too) does anyone have any suggestions on where to start? Too many websites to wade through and they all claim to be the best of course, so I am hoping for a personal insight from someone. As usual, any and all advice gratefully accepted. Of course, if anyone else out there wants to join in the fun..... Dave
I dont know about the age part for the youngest one, 1st start off with dromo 1, from there work your way up with getting a kart for your self 80cc shifter and use that as a practice kart. meanwhile try some of the schools out. KRC. Moran raceway. Adams. JHR. once you get some more time in the karts you will figure out what is the best one for you but as for the kids I would check out IKF (international Karting federation) they have all of the rules and so on. Now once you get the feel for this - always remember there are 2 driving styles, Track Vs. Street.
I've raced rotax max masters for the last 5 years. send me a e-mail with your phone # if you want more info than I can type in a night
Buy two karts for the little ones and DON'T race for a year. Just join a local track and let them drive for a year. Make sure they will like it before you go full-bore. Also, go to races and watch what happens. I karted for three years (Now selling my last kart). All I liked to do was to just drive recreationaly and invite friends to drive my karts. The Racing thing was too regimented. I just wanted to drive against my buddies!
I'm not sure what ages they take, but Jim Hall Kart Racing School is really good for beginners. Ask for Liz. http://www.jimhallkartracing.com/
I took my 5 year old daughter to Adams kart track in Riverside. They have a program of 3 classes, which leads to them getting a 'license". She loved it. 5 years old is the minimum age to do this. The classes include Kart rental, suit, helmet, etc. When they are done with the license, you can continue to take other driving events with them, where they provide the kart, etc., or you can buy a kart, and go to the open practice days (weekends from 12-5 IIRC, but also on weekdays). I haven't bought a kart yet, but I think I should, because the $$ for the classes and what not adds up. I have some logistical issues with buying a kart, unfortunately (storage, towing, etc.). I think one option is to buy a kart, and store it at the kart track for about $50/month. Hope this helps. Dom
Oh yeah, forgot to mention. There is a club called So-Calsprinters.com, that holds their events at Adams. I believe there are some other clubs in the area that have races at other tracks like fontana, moran, etc. Maybe find a club that has events at the closes track to where you live? Dom
I know of a place called pole position raceway in Riverside that has electric carts- they're sooooo fast. Might be fun for the kids first time to get used to the speed?
Don't forget that place in Torrance or Carson, right off of the 405, called Go Kart World. They have 6 or 7 tracks with different types of karts for ages from 3 on up. Went there years ago, and it got kind of scary after dark-go during the daytime!
not at all, best do what I did if you want to get a seat in the real deal, go and work for a mfg as a test driver, then you get to see the inner workings of what it takes to make the cut and see what they are always looking for.
I have a Jr. kart suit (For a kid 4' +/- 2-3 inches, 65-75 pounds), red that I'll give you. Send me an email at [email protected] with your address and I'll send it off UPS. Pete
Guys, thank you all for the info, and Pete - thanks a tonne for your very kind offer. At this stage, we are going to go do the training course at Adams, and then take Pete's advice and let them spend a year or so driving but not racing to see if they enjoy it. Beyond that, we'll see how the enthusiasm and the finances go If anyone with young kids would like to join us you are most welcome - the more the merrier, especially the moms. I think I have also convinced Carina of the need to join in the fun too! Dave
My boys are 7 & 5 they each have their own kadet karts since each was 4. I set a up a orange plastic cone course for them in empty parking lots so they can practice and have fun. Key point is to learn basics and to have fun with it. It's when I take my shifter kart out that they normally give us the boot. I give them a 1/2 lap lead and chase after them. Great fun.
Why don't you contact KRC racing schools. Talk to Ryan Negri. They use willow springs kart track and have 125cc shifters. You'll have a great day. www.krcracingschools.com
KRC is actually changing over to Tag Karts. They're selling off most of their shifters. I just bought one of the shifters from Ryan yesterday. The people at KRC are great and fun to run with.
http://www.k1speed.com/ Awesome place. My friend Jeff offered me to go there I beleive, or some where around there and it seemed like a very nice place. Looks like fun! Enjoy your time karting!
What a terrible website. Lots of stuff flashing, tiny window, the most important info is not there or hidden well. I feel sorry for these companies that hire these web development teams that use all that cool looking bs and neglect posting viable information. Where is this thing located? Wouldn't you think that people might be interested in that sort of information? Well, I'd like to go if I could only find out where it is located.
No I have the 125 shifter. My 7 year old has a Trackmagic Cadet Lightning 60 cc shifter. He turns 8 in November and will move into 80cc shifter and give his little brother the 60 cc shifter. He races a non shifter Tony kart. Right now they are both more interested in their pocket bikes. Had leathers made for them. I think motorcycle road racing is in their future. Mama ain't happy.
