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Hello all! I’d like to start establishing a connection with those of you who are active in karting here in Colorado (especially in the Grand Junction/ Denver area) as I’m ambitious to get some kart time happening with my family and have no other ties to the karting world…
I am activley doing my homework on what to buy and weighing out what I think will work for my family. I have three girls and two boys and a wife I’d like to get hooked 😀 I’m 35yrs and 6’3″ ~190lbs, and my oldest son is 15yrs 5’8″ ~140lbs and we would be the first with karts. I hope to get my wife driving the same kart as myself and eventually picking up a third kart for the smaller kids to get experience in.
I am primarily looking at either CRG or Birel karts in a TaG setup that could be run as shifter karts later on if we decide to go that way. A pair of 2004+ full size chassis with front brakes (to be removed or biased out for TaG use) in the $2500 RTR range and with luck a trailer to transport/ store them in.
Funding is my biggest hurdle. I’m either going to finance via an unsecured loan, or sell/ trade a 2003 Civic I have. The kids are getting older and I’m running out of time to play with them on a regular basis.
I’m an auto mechanic by trade, though I did have a 2 year break doing home automation. I have been developing an idea for an internal combustion engine for a number of years and hope to prove the concept on a kart in a year or two.
I’ll be asking lots of questions over the next few weeks so I thank you al in advance for your wisdom and advise 🙂
Jeff
Hi Jeff and welcome to this crazy community! Give me a call Monday at the shop and I can give you lots of ideas about costs to own and operate a kart. Also, I can give you an idea of how much time you will have to drive if your kids are involved. I can be reached at 303-781-7829.
Thanks for the snappy reply Doug, I’m hoping that good maintenance and wife involvement will help me out in the drive time area 😆 Also I’d like to get both of us racing in the same class i.e. TaG senior, though it’s more about practice time running togeather way before we get racing…
I live in Carbondale (~20 miles from Aspen), so we’d primarily be using GJMS for hot laps and a HUGE emergency truck stop near Gypsum for goofing around/getting familiar. I don’t mind the drive over the hill to Denver for events and meets, and have a good vehicle for towing.
I have a little experience road racing, all be it illegal (92′ miata in the canyons/freeways around LA), and ran a 67′ chevelle (10:98 @ 128mph- 1/4 mile) in my youth, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been hammer down. Christian has never been WOT in anything but an 80cc 4wheeler. I think the learning curve for both of us will postpone any actual races in a groupe for a number of months.
We both need to be safe before I feel secure about putting someone in close proximity… :bump :locoJeff, We are selling our entire operation. 2-2007 Italkarts with leopards(one has an extended front porch) I am 6′ 4″ 195lbs., 1 older CRG with a leopard(early 2000’s) and a birel kid kart with a comer 50 motor. Plus a garage full of spare parts. They are front running karts in the TAG Masters class.
If interested call or email my father.
Bruce Benoit
(802)535-5482
[email protected]Wow Jason, that sounds like a great setup. I’m afraid the 07′ karts may be a little beyond my budget but I’ll shoot your dad an email tomorrow just in case 🙂
Hi Jeff,
Welcome aboard. You’ll love it!!! I resumed racing last year at Grand Junction Motor Speedway in a CRG TAG (After a 50-year layoff), so perhaps I can give you a unique perspective about what I’ve learned, both pitfalls, money-saving tips, other stuff.
It’s a wonderful sport, great for the whole family, with some extremely welcoming people who’ll go out of their way to help you. It’s not only fun, it’s guaranteed to sharpen your brain!
If you wish, send me your contact info in a PM and I’ll be happy to chat about stuff.
Jeff,
Welcome! We have alot of really great customers up in the Aspen/Basalt area. Please come see us at GJMS anytime and we can stick you if a few different karts to see what you like. Also have some decent used equipment that we might be able to work for you.
Stacey Cook
CRG-USA
970-256-0109Jeff,
There are lots of great ways to get your family in karting. You could start by spending time at Action Karting, IMI, The Track, GJMS, and Unser Racing renting karts and having a blast without spending “too” much money. You can definitely find lots of information, advice, karts, and parts here. While buying new stuff is great, there are some really talented racers in this state with top notch used equipment for sale. I’d start there for sure. If you want to race, there are several good options in the state. All of them are very good – you could hardly go wrong.
For your kids, take a look at the Colorado Junior Karting Club. It’s a family run club that has race groups from 5 – 15 years old. Affordable engine packages from Briggs Racing and lots of great people who support from tracks to local shops to chassis manufacturers. We are racing this weekend at IMI up in Dacono. Come on out and see it for yourself. I’ll be there with the Summit of Everest Racing team (our kids) and would be happy to talk with you about karting.
Dave
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