Anyone in Raleigh, NC who could educate first timer?

[Mark Sink]

Hi Folks,

I think Id like to take the plunge, and give karting a shot, but mostly just for fun and as part of my anti-aging program Saw my first Karting event in Kershaw, SC but now have Mooresville Motorplex which is a bit closer. Are there any local shifter guys or gals around who like to talk and share what it takes to run a shifter, and what I should look for when buying? New or Used.

Support will probably be important, in which case Arrow seems to be the way to go.

Would love to find someone who can help out, and maybe return the favor in some way. If we can trade driving time, you can have a go in my 60th Anniversary Lotus Elise SC.

Hope to be on a track soon!

Mark
_________________
Newbie, Looking for folks near Raleigh, NC

[valentin yakimenko]

Hey, I'm not ur next door neighbor.. but I can help you over internet..I went with used bc I had a great deal on it...if you buying piece by piece...you better have a deep pocket...it all depends on you budget. And what you planning to do with it. Arrow is a fast kart as well.. lot of ppl saying to go with used CRG, get better bang for the buck... But it all depends what condition u can find it in... Don't jump on very first one...
_________________
Toys: 2000 CRG storm powered by cr 125 Stock Moto.2007 F 350 powerstroke. 2012 Yamaha Raider 113ci

[valentin yakimenko]

Sorry for double post...
_________________
Toys: 2000 CRG storm powered by cr 125 Stock Moto.2007 F 350 powerstroke. 2012 Yamaha Raider 113ci

[Mark Sink]

Hi Valentin,

Thanks for the post. I'm mainly looking for fun, not rich enough to race and bang wheels with people who don't care about how much it costs to repair a kart. I too was looking at CRG since they are everywhere. But a track 3 hrs form me is the North American Importer for Arrow, and Ive read you should go with what you can find support for, so, I guess we'll see. I don't really see much info on Arrow, new or used. If I have any questions, I'll check in with you.

Mark
_________________
Newbie, Looking for folks near Raleigh, NC

[valentin yakimenko]

[Todd Kageals]

Mark,

I am about three hours from MMX too and was there on the opening weekend to practice with my CR125 shifter. I have just recently gone into karting and would be happy to share my experiences with you. I bought an older used kart and can tell you that I should have bought a used but newer kart. You can get them complete for what I paid for my older kart buying it bit by bit. I also ran into a fellow down at MMX who is the father of a well known NASCAR driver. He mentioned that he has bought out several guys who were getting out of karting and that he had several Honda powered shifters for sale "cheap". We never discussed what "cheap" meant but he gave my his number. If you decide you want to buy a used kart, let me know and I will put you in touch with him. I have now bought a newer kart (2011 GP/CRG) and am in the process of rebuilding a '99 CR125 to go on it. Here's a basic idea of the budget to get a good, modern kart on the track:

Rolling Chassis (used) $2000.00
New Tires $200.00
Radiator and Mount $300.00
Exhaust Pipe/Silencer/Mount $475.00
Carb $210.00
Fuel Pump $50.00 ($200.00 if you go with a pump around)
Data System $400.00
Engine (used lower end) $250.00
Complete Rebuild including new cylinder and all new internals $1000.00
6 Speed Conversion $250.00 (not really necessary)
Fuel line, air cleaner, sprockets, etc. $500.00

Now....I could have bought a 2011 Italkart already setup with all the above for about $5000.00. Sounds expensive at first but it makes more sense in the end. If I could take it all back and start over, no question, I would drop $5500 on a used but modern, well sorted and legal stock Honda setup. Having said that, building it myself has taught me a LOT about my kart. I can rebuild the engine myself (with a little help from the guys here) and can completely tear down and rebuild the entire kart.
Those are real world numbers from someone who has built one kart recently and is working on another one currently living in the same area as you! I'll be bringing my new kart down to MMX in the near future. If I get both engines done, I will bring my old kart too. You are welcome to take the older one for a spin.

Todd

[Todd Kageals]

Should have added a "WOW" for MMX. It's got to be one of the best facilities for kart racing in the country!!!! Had planned to go down to Kershaw but MMX is sooooooo nice.

[Mark Sink]

Hi Todd,

Thanks so much for the input. I actually stopped by MMX last night on my way home from Asheville to Raleigh. It was late though, so no staff to talk about karts, just rental guys. Ive talked to a couple folks who think it would be better to start of in something more user friendly and not as complex. I've already started to look more at the simple stuff, Track Warrior chasis, KT100 or 4 cycle engines. Did you jump straight into a shifter? It sounds like you spent time putting it together, but as you said, put you in a better position than most when it comes to fixing it. I'd rather not spend too much time on fixing a kart, which is why the beginner stuff looks appealing. I would love to check out your shifter karts. Are you in the triangle area? I'd like to go to MMX soon to talk to those guys and see what they have. The one guy did say I'd end up in a Rotax, but no one here has said that, so I dont know if that's the salesman talking, or what.

Mark
_________________
Newbie, Looking for folks near Raleigh, NC

[valentin yakimenko]

Don't get in a shifter if you are planning on running beginner classes or 4cycle engines..
Bc once u drive a shifter, u won't settle for other things...rotax are ok, they usually get biggest crowd at the track. But they usually race for points and don't miss a race.also from what I understand they are more expensive to buy and maintain. Also you have to pay someone to work on them. Shifters are nice... Others engines are food too, its.all about that you like...I've tried a 4cycle as it was a chieper option, and its not for me.
_________________
Toys: 2000 CRG storm powered by cr 125 Stock Moto.2007 F 350 powerstroke. 2012 Yamaha Raider 113ci

[Todd Kageals]

Mark,

Yeah.....CR125 is my first kart and yeah....it would be easier in a non-shifter. The reason nobody here says "get a rotax" is that this is the shifter forum! Anyway....those guys at MMX love the rotax. It's a 125 non-shifter. Still fast but I say not as much fun as the shifter. There were a couple of them running the weekend I had my kart down there. Everyone says the TAG karts are the most fun you can have on a kart so........As for starting in shifters.....everyone says not to! I found my first track outing to be very challenging but that adds to the fun. My goal is to road race my karts. The sprint stuff is just to get experience so I can get my road racing license. I'll let you know when I plan to head down to MMX again. Probably be after Christmas and then it will be whenever the weather permits!

Good luck with whatever you decide. Let me know if I can be of any help.

[Larry Andrews]

Coming from a State grad...

First, there's no such thing as a low maintenance kart. If you *really* don't want to turn wrenches, karting might not be for you. I hate to say that as it's great to get new folks interested - but it's miserable to watch newcomers walk away discouraged and broke. Having said that, working on karts is EASY as long as you remember there's a LOT of it. The good news is that many people will bend over backwards to help a new guy!

The next question is: what do you want from the kart? Improve your driving? Competition outlet? Scared witless? I think that getting a sense of what you really want is pretty important. 'That looks cool' is a good place to start but it doesn't tell anyone how to help you. Knowing what you want is the first step of getting it. Part of knowing what you want in this case is knowing what options are available. NC has traditionally had very little place for pavement karts to play but tons of dirt track stuff. That's changing for the better and Mooresville is an awesome move forwards.

Many people you meet will be trying to make a living off you or push their political agenda. Get used to it.

Here's my opinions about various pavement kart options that you have a chance of finding something to do with the kart. I honestly know nothing about dirt karting.

4 stroke - possibly the lowest maintenance, usually slow and easy to drive, relatively cheap. I have a Briggs World Formula package and love it. Clone engines seem to be the fastest growing class lately.

2S/100CC - Very common most places - probably the cause of the 'too many damn classes' refrain heard often. Fun to drive, not hard to keep up.

TAG - 'touch-and-go' motors. (Rotax, Leopard, others) 125cc motors that produce about 30 hp but no shifting. Plenty fast, seem to consume parts and $$$ faster than anything else but I've not owned one so don't listen to me. Some debate about front brakes...

Shifters - 125cc/40hp. Easily the most complex kart and the most work. Stock engines are less fussy. Scary fast and very hard to keep up with, unless you had dirtbikes and then it's really not that big of a deal. I've got a stock and a built engine package - lots of fun but I'm getting old enough that it's not fun getting my back out of whack every time I drive one. I got my start autocrossing shifters and still enjoy it immensely, but three minutes of seat time is always a tough sell when a good track is within reach. Basically my shifters sit around waiting for Laguna Seca.

Hope this helps...

[Todd Kageals]

I should have added one more thing.....First.....I am not saying to start with a shifter! I wish I had started with anything but a shifter but it's too late for me. Having said that, I am an acceleration junky and the shifters accelerate faster than any CAR I have ever been in. For me.....just one reason to get a shifter!!! If I were starting over, I would get a rotax or a leopard (sorry Clark......I should have listened!!!) and then step up to shifters later. Now....I am intrigued by the Rotax DD2. No chain, two gears, electric start, electronic paddle shifting. If I were positive I could find a class in which to race it, I would love one of those.

[Byron Rothenhoefer]

The 2011 italkart is still up for sale.


http://ekartingnews.com/viewtopic.php?t=117450&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=
_________________
Bear #13
DR Kart
Brian Fisher Racing Engines

[Todd Kageals]

Yeah....really regret not buying that kart. I would have SAVED money in the end and saved a WHOLE bunch of time/trouble!

[Byron Rothenhoefer]

Yea I saw your post about engine problems, bad luck. I was just down there at Mooresville a few weekends ago. I should a brought it down there. Lol. Nice place.
_________________
Bear #13
DR Kart
Brian Fisher Racing Engines