Mineral Wells Pro and Newbie Advice

[David Hedderick]

OK first off where are all the F125 guys? There's only 4 of us registered for this weekend. The site is AWESOME!

2nd...

I'm co-driving Adrian Iley's Interkart this weekend and it's been 6 years since I've driven a 125 shifter. Any refresher tips?

3rd...

I believe my next autocross vehicle purchace will be a F125. I currently spend about $2500-3000 a season on my ES car not including travel and such. The F125 appeals to me because of the fun factor and the rumors I've heard is I can be competitive with the National guys for about the same $$$. Any truth to this?

What would everyone recommend for me? The other Kart I drove was a Tonykart with a CR125. As far as chassis goes what's a good one? I know of Birel, Tonykart, and CRG (not sure if they make a 125 shifter chassis though?). Also what about prep? I've been reading about the PI on karts and the ICC motors (I probably cant afford one lol). I just want to be competitive and reliable. I'm assuning a good exhaust and proper maitnance on a stock motor will be acceptable?

Any and all help appreciated. Thanks in advance.

David Hedderick
Houston, TX
ES 96 Miata R

[Larry Andrews]

You've basically got everything right. Everybody makes shifter chassis...that's not a problem.

Initial costs are pretty high (I spent about fifteen grand getting started - had to buy kart, safety gear, truck, etc and then had to sort it out) but do drop down to 2-3K per year once you have all the crap you'll need.

Unless you're deadly serious about being top-5 nationally competitive, a stock moto should be plenty. It's not that hard to find built motos or ICCs these days if you need to - and it's fairly easy to trade a stock-moto legal engine straight across for a built engine.

If you're interested, I could be talked into selling my kart...grad school is simply not letting me have *any* free time.

Have fun! -la

[John Denman]

I may be there with another 125 it just depends on how early I get back home on Friday. Even if I don't bring the 125 I'll at least come out to hand out some flyers for the Superkart Solo in Denton Texas June 10.

We're expecting at least a dozen 125's, and about 30 karts altogether. We'll be running the North Texas Kartway track at night under the lights Solo style (one at a time agaisnt the clock) with a standing start for shifters and a rolling start for the single gear karts.

There will be some low cost TAG rentals provided a local school.

All shifters run one class; 125's, 80's, even 60's.

All Tags run the second class.

All others run the 3rd class.

Ladies run the 4th class.

Should be a great time.

email me for more info: john@kartweb.com
_________________
John Denman
Producer for RTMP
http://www.kartweb.com

[David Hedderick]

I was talking about road racing expenses last night with a guy here at the indoor kart track for about an hour.

Sounds like a good dual purpose would be a 125moto (or something like it using the stock 1999 cr125). He also recommended a cro molly frame since it will resist tweaking long term more so than a mild steel I believe.

Anyone notice this in autocross?

He also said the races this past weekend at MSR Houston were great. Big turnout in the mid 200s.

David

[Chris M Johnson]

David,

I'm new to F125 this year but it is more fun than any car you are going to autocross. THe karts seems "scaled" really well to autoX. In cars, even on the fast courses, they feel like they are in a cage. The karts are so fast that even in slow sections they are really fun.

Regarding expenses and getting a kart, not including the tow vehicle, you can probably get a good (used) setup for anywhere between 3-7K. A good used roller is 2-2.5K, and a good built CR125 is about the same, maybe less.

I built my kart from parts. I bought a built CR125 and a used Intrepid roller. Add in another 1-2K for safety gear and miscellaneous parts that you had no idea you were going to need. I view the tow vehicle as a separate expense. I am using my old CS miata as tow vehicle. I built up a HF tire trailer and it is working very well.

I think the hardest part about karting is getting in for a good price. Look for a package deal from someone getting out. You will get lots of the miscellaneous parts, but be careful it may be junk. AutoX is low wear situation so if you stay on top of maintenance, it should be good for many years.

I thought all new chassis were cromoly.