Racing Carts

gww64 · 03-03-2006, 01:08 PM

Who`s into these things. Just spent half an hour on one of my mates carts.
These things are awesome! The feeling of speed because you are so close to the ground and in an open seat is brilliant. I`m sure he just gave me a drive so he could suck me into buying one of them. Must be some sort of cult. lol :evil3:

tickford2001 · 03-03-2006, 01:26 PM

i used to have one - good way to spend lots of money on a small toy!

but lots of fun still

bjr22n_ · 03-03-2006, 02:58 PM

i'm planing on buying a cart very soon.
my dad's work mate has one and is planning on selling it. might buy it,
but looking round at the moment, will see if anything will come bout it.

SunDrifter · 03-03-2006, 03:56 PM

i'm keeping my eyes open for one at the moment. I'd love to get into the sport, even a J class cart would be awesome.

XD 351 Ute · 03-03-2006, 10:24 PM

Yep, used to race a Yamaha S (Clubman class in QLD) until I couldn't afford to keep up with all the sponsored racers..........
Was always good fun, and I still have my kart.

I suppose I should get it out & go for a run again to remind myself how much fun it was!!

I believe that they don't run them in QLD anymore though, so it would be an expensive exercise to get back into racing unfortunately.

Ed

jabba · 03-03-2006, 10:33 PM

I raced Rotax Max for 2 years. Owned 2 Karts, TopKart and Energy kart, both had a 125cc rotax max engines. I use to hold my own against the sponsored drivers, but I never took a first place. Best I gott were a hand full of 2nd's and 3rd's..... Loved the sport but had to give it up to buy a house...... Life was great with a duel income. but now my wife stays at home a looks after the kids, so my toy is the Xr8, which I will be doing the Dutton rally in......

XAGSV8 · 04-03-2006, 11:28 PM

Yeah, I'm looking at one day getting an Arrow kart with a J engine. Got to get married and buy a house first. Raced a couple of times and the feeling of speed is fantastic. Always got my eye out for a second hand one.

MotherNatureVer2 · 06-03-2006, 10:47 AM

My eldest used to race when he was about 10 ...... Was a very tallented driver and even though he was on his 'P' plates & started from the rear ... he was able to get 2nd overall in his 1st race meet .......... but alas his father sold the kart on him :(

I know he would love to get back into it again

qwigybo · 06-03-2006, 02:35 PM

i'm guessing these are just go-karts on roids

MotherNatureVer2 · 07-03-2006, 09:24 AM

I was refering to actual racing Karts ...... from what the others here have said Im assuming they are as well .......

We have 2 paddock basher types here but they keep on breaking down as I think they just have too much power for what they are ........... one has an AG 200 motorbike engine in it ..... it needs a bit more work to keep her going without burning crap out :P

gww64 · 07-03-2006, 01:22 PM

Was referring to actual racing carts. Think I may have to start looking for one. Have got the bug. Damn Cults :evilsasmo

**Chris** · 07-03-2006, 01:32 PM

i need a go-kart.........

turboute · 07-03-2006, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotherNature

I was refering to actual racing Karts ...... from what the others here have said Im assuming they are as well .......

We have 2 paddock basher types here but they keep on breaking down as I think they just have too much power for what they are ........... one has an AG 200 motorbike engine in it ..... it needs a bit more work to keep her going without burning crap out :P

What do you mean too much power? my mate has a home modified kart with a TZR - 250 engine on it (2 stroke twin cyl eng) That thing is nuts, will lift front wheels a couple of inches in the air and twist the frame when gear are changed / hits powerband. appox top speed of 160+ with current gearing. Funny thing is he is getting another engine for it which should be even more powerful.

Pity it cannot be raced though... I dont think there would be a suitable class for it.

rodderz · 07-03-2006, 01:38 PM

I used to race them a few years back with a mate, I had an Arrow AX6 with a KT100S motor and my mate (Our friendly Strapp Ford Salesman!) sold his 100S for a 125cc Rotax. These things were the thing to get, push button start, water coooled.

I remember I drove his one day around the Todd Road international track under the Westgate Bridge and we recorded the whole session via a data logger and lap timer. Got up to 111km/hr down the straight then slow down to 45km/hr and lift an inside wheel off the tarmac, then take a right hander flat out sideways, ended up 3secs off the previous meets fastest lap.

It had me truly woodied in till a few weeks we were quiet and I decided to sell mine to get the ute. Awesome fun.... a cheap form of motorsport, but still not very cheap!

svo347 · 07-03-2006, 01:39 PM

how were your forearms afterwards... mine were like arnie swartzeneggers...
Hell fun

rodderz · 07-03-2006, 01:44 PM

lol...yes the wrists, forearms, back and ribs cop a caning!

vino3o2 · 07-03-2006, 05:08 PM

Have been racing Karts for 12 years now, something i dont think i can ever give up...
Started off in J's then to Clubman, then straight to Rotax Heavy...Have been doing a fair bit of practice in a 125 shifter lately, wish there were more people out there in QLD that had shifters to race cause they are the ducks nuts of Karts

Des · 07-03-2006, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vino3o2

Have been racing Karts for 12 years now, something i dont think i can ever give up...
Started off in J's then to Clubman, then straight to Rotax Heavy...Have been doing a fair bit of practice in a 125 shifter lately, wish there were more people out there in QLD that had shifters to race cause they are the ducks nuts of Karts

Your talking Super-Karts? These things rock! The 250cc Twins lap quicker or just under a V8 Supercar, and most classes wouldn't be able to see which way they went! Very quick and fairly affordable, bang-for-bucks champs?

Venomous · 07-03-2006, 07:25 PM

How much is just a normal go-cart? I want to buy one.

jabba · 07-03-2006, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR8 Guy

How much is just a normal go-cart? I want to buy one.

It depends on what you want. a "J" will cost you $1500 second hand and $3000 new. Clubman $2000 second hand, $4000-$5000 new. Rotax max $3000-$4000 second hand, $7500 new..........

vino3o2 · 07-03-2006, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR8 Guy

How much is just a normal go-cart? I want to buy one.

You could pick up an ok one for around $1500-$3000 but to get serious and be a front runner a chassis alone would set you back around $3000, and then you need to get a race preped engine, another $3000 approx, then spares,tyres ect...Man it can cost some serious $$$ if you want to win

XAGSV8 · 07-03-2006, 07:40 PM

For a decent second hand kart about $2000. For a new J engine about $900 (before blueprinting). Then you have to pay for tyres, racing gear etc.

rodderz · 07-03-2006, 08:15 PM

They hold there value pretty well also...mine did a few years back. Bought it for $2400 and sold it 3.5 years later for $2200

We were getting the recommended top end done every 4 hours of use then a full top & bottom end rebuild and blueprint every 10hrs. The guys that have sponsors get a new motor and tyres every race, you need the $$ to be able to keep up with that

Scott · 07-03-2006, 09:03 PM

If anyone wants one, I have a an Arrow K2000 with a Rotax (20hrs) & Alfano Computer - $3000.00. Spares package & fully enclosed trailer $2000.00. I didn't race it last year but took 3rd in ACT Championship in 2004.

FYI - Rotax is electric start, the quickest of conventional Karts & need's rebuild (at around 22hrs - $350). It's good for about 110km/hr at ACT track & upto 170km/hr depending on gearing (ie - Wakefiled str8 is about 150km/hr)

big_waity · 07-03-2006, 09:05 PM

I have a mate who I rarely see unfortunately, who has a few proper track carts and a dirt track. I was at his house a while back and his track was overgrown and a little wet. Turns out, slicks + wet grass = FUN!