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Getting Started In Kart Racing

Publication Date: September 1998

Competitive kart racing is a fun and inexpensive form of motor racing. Karts give you the thrill of a high performance race car at a small fraction of the price. Karting is a place to develop and perfect driving skills in a relatively safe setting. Most of today's professional race drivers began their careers as kart racers.

Karting is a fun, family motor sport. It appeals to many families because there is a job for as many crew members as you have, including younger children. It is also a great opportunity to do something together, not just be a cheerleader or chauffeur. Karting will help develop your family as a team.

Karting appeals to boys and girls, men and women from eight to eighty. There are many programs and classes so it is easy to be competitive and start feeling the thrill right away.

8 EASY WAYS TO GET STARTED

STEP 1 - CHECK IT OUT!

The first step in getting started is to take the family out to a local race track and have a good time. We recommend you buy a pit pass and wander around the pits and watch the races from there. This way, you're right where the action is. Watch and see how the races are run and ask anybody your questions. You will find most racers are very enthusiastic and very helpful. Be sure to find out about classes, types of engines, recommended karts, rules and schedules. Ask racers, track officials or at the registration desk. Most tracks have a rule book or flyer which contains most of this information.

STEP 2 - READ UP!

Some excellent books on karting are readily available from your local kart shops. The Complete Karting Guide and Four Cycle Karting Technology are both comprehensive books. Other good publications are: National Kart News (219) 277-0033, The Inside Track (newspaper) (800) 472-4006 and The Official Karting Directory (708) 653-7368. These publications will give you a good sense of what is involved in karting and are an excellent source of general information.

STEP 3 - TRY IT!

The next step is go to a local concession track. Although these karts are not as performance oriented, you will get a great feel for the excitement of racing. One local track is The Park in Louisville, Kentucky.

STEP 4 - DECISIONS, DECISIONS

The next step is to decide what type of kart racing, which engine and which class you will run. Types of tracks include oval, sprint or enduro.

Oval Tracks, with either dirt or paved racing surfaces, are very popular with the new racer. One of the local oval tracks is the Sportsdrome Speedway, Clarksville, Indiana.

Spring Racing is on a 1/4 or 1/2 mile paved road course with many left and right hand turns.

Enduro Karts are very fast and are raced on bigger tracks. Due to the speed and the investment, competitors are usually experienced drivers. Enduros are not recommended for novice drivers.

There are several types of engines. Common engines are 5 hp Briggs and Stratton, Yamaha engines with a can muffler or a pipe, or Hortsman HPV.

Classes are divided by age, weight and type of engine. Different tracks run different classes. Make sure you know the class set up before you buy your equipment.

STEP 5 - DEVELOP YOUR BUDGET

There are some basic equipment you will need to start racing. You should be able to get set up within your budget.

New Kart - $1200 - $2000

Engines - Briggs ($600-$750); Hortsman HPV ($1250-$1500);Yamaha($1000-$1500)

Snell 90 Helmet - $125-$350

Neck Collar - $20-$40

Gloves - $20

Racing Jacket or Suit - $40-$200

Kart Stand - $40

Spare Parts and Gears - $200

Fuel, Lubricants, etc. - $50

STEP 6 - GO SHOPPING

Make a trip to the local kart shop. The shop owner will soon be a good friend and is the source for some of your best information. The kart shop will set you up with equipment that is right for the level of racing you are planning. The shop can also help with kart setup, engine tuning and driving basics.

Many of the employees at the shops also build and race karts themselves. Remember, when you have fun, the kart shop will get a good, long term customer. Listen to their advice.

STEP 7 - PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Now you're almost ready to go racing! A little practice in a non-competitive environment is very helpful.

Some of the local tracks offer a kart school. This is a chance to drive a more competitive kart on a race track and shorten the learning curve. The schools teach kart maintenance, setup, driver safety rules, engine tuning and the basics of race driving.

Another way to get some "seat time" is to call the track for practice times. Many tracks setup special days a week just for practice. It is a very affordable way to run a lot of laps and get the feel of the kart.

Be sure to practice the basics; starting, stopping and turning the kart off. If the driver is a Junior, also practice pushing the kart. If the kart has a problem during the race, the driver is responsible for pushing the kart out of harm's way.

STEP 8 - THE BIG DAY!

Go to the races. Get there early. Take advantage of practice times before the race. Ask to start at the back of the pack. Keep your cool. Learn a lot and celebrate your achievement.

HAVE A GOOD TIME!!!