Karting1.co.uk

[superhans88]

Hi folks, I'm a 21 year-old engineering student looking to start karting at the WSKC(larkhall). Having done some research and contacted the comp. secretary, I have settled on FBlue as my chosen class as it seems to offer low running costs and is well supported. I would really appreciate help on answering the following questions:

1. When is the best time to buy a kart - I notice there are few for sale at present - and what should an absolute novice like myself be looking to pay?

2. Should I search out a kart that comes with lots of spares to save future expense? What should I be looking to pay?

3. What other costs are associated with this karting business? (Will only be practicing at first).

4. Any general advice for a newcomer?


Many thanks in advance.

[minikarter]

Hi there! I'll just go ahead and give you my opinion on each of your questions..

1. Probably now is a pretty safe bet to buy a second-hand kart since a lot of people and teams will be getting rid of used equipment ready for new stuff for the coming season. The amount you pay could be anything and entirely depends on your budget! As a novice, you're in a good position as you don't really need to be overly picky about the chassis make for example, since smaller performance gains won't necessarily make themselves known to you and you'll probably be concentrating on your driving?

2.Same question again really as to the cost. As for spares, if you can get good condition spares with the kart then that's a bonus imo, though it's not essential. With time you'll naturally accumulate lots of spares yourself anyway with experience of what goes wrong etc.

3. Costs is a bit of an open ended question tbh. Although from my personal point of view, my dad and I run our kart on an extremely tight budget. The costs starting up are probably the highest, what with getting the engine, kart, tools and everything just to get onto the racetrack. After a few years of racing though we will obviously just have the overheads of tyres about every 3 or 4 meetings, petrol for racing and transport, race entries, and then anything that may need changing/replacing due to a fault or collision. This could be absolutely anything, although the big bends thankfully seem a bit more rare *touches wood very enthusiastically* but it's not too hard to keep your nose clean in racing and let the aggressive drivers take each other off instead of you.

4. Advice- Just get out there! get track time, practice, experience and confidence. The learning curve is massive, and you'll learn a lot very quickly and it won't stop for a while... trust me!

Good luck!
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[MartynLyell]

best to contact duncan white at saltire motorsport ( bathgate )

hes the main distributor for scotland in blue kit and also has a nice gillard chassis going cheap just now which i used my self in december meeting in blue, and the kart was awesome.

http://www.saltiremotorsport.co.uk/ << contact info on the teams site.
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[Taylor58]

yeah you have good advise there, speak to the co-ordinator in your area,
work out what you have available to spend before ou do though
Pick up second hand tyres at meetings, some people will give you them to get rid, they will be fine for you testing on.

Try and get a complete package with a few spares if possible, loook for a retirement sale.
Dont get fooled by people saying they have 2 sets of new wets/slicks etc with the kart though as they go off(seriously le conts do!) the wets are terrible if lef tin the cold so dont let someone tell you the package is worth more for tyres
Have a look at the engine number on the lower leg under the carb... the lower the number the older the engine, think they are up to 390+ now, newer engines have digital KF ignition which doesnt seem as relaible and very expensive, older engines have a touch and go box green and red button, we have used them for 5 years and no problem with them...any kart should be kept clean and looked after and you will find this will help your wallet with things not breaking as often or when you least expect them (tyre wall cause you didnt notice the bolt had snapped in your steering wheel!!)

[superhans88]

Thanks for the help guys. I've just bought myself an '07 Gillard 010 that has apparently done 1 race plus a few test sessions having been lying unsed for a while. The engine was recently rebuilt and is only just run in. I paid 2 grand including alfano timer and a few sprockets. A spares package is available for a further 200 quid which includes wheels, tyres, axles and various chassis bits.

Did I get a good deal or not?

[Taylor58]

as long as the chassis isnt hammered and check the engine number with someone who would know the age of it, also check with whoever built the engine recently what they did to it
check the results the outfit has had, sorry not that clued up on gillards

[MartynLyell]

07 10B was a good chassis. If your up at the larkhall clubbie (this weekend coming) pop into saltire awning and speak with either myself or duncan white on a starting setup to get you going!
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www.martynlyell.co.uk