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Nick,
I don’t know if your user name indicates a preference for KTM motorcycles or not. If so, welcome to the club. I’ve been riding and racing KTM motorcycles around the world for decades. In either case, welcome to karting.
Karting, as a whole, is not nearly as large or mature as motorcycle racing but it has come a long way! It is a ton of fun and I highly recommend making the punge. Colorado is one of the best states to get started in. You have many tracks, shops and fellow karters. They are all quite helpful.
As for where to start you can’t hardly go wrong. TaG is very popular in Colorado. I think the Rotax program is the best 2 stroke program going if you have any ambitions for racing at a national level. Rotax is currently smaller than TaG in Colorado but is growing. Especially since the 2007 Rotax Grand National Championship will be held here in Colorado. Even if you don’t compete, you will want to watch this event because there is nothing like it. The copetition is intense and deep. You can find deals on used Rotax or TaG karts any day of the year.
However, if you want to go new or get in on the future of karting check out the new four stroke TaG classes and engine packages. Just as happened in motorcycling, the evolution from two stroke to four stroke is going to happen very quickly – must faster than anyone in the industry understands or will tell you. Four strokes represent the future of karting available today. Just like in motorcycling, the new four stroke kart engines represent the latest technology, high horsepower, lower maintenance, higher reliability and a lower cost of racing over the lifecycle or the engine.
People like to make karting more confusing than it needs to be. As I said above, it doesn’t matter what you do you can’t go wrong. Jump in and have fun.
Nice, No need to jump into it until you know more then ey?
I would be at “THE TRACKS” for the next two weekends recording all my stupid questions getting answered.
I saw your post on a good value for your first kart if you have the money burning a hole in your pocket. I bet you could be spinning laps today.
Getting laps in is key, no matter when or what you later choose to race.
Rotax is really got a lot going for them to grow to be even more popular than before. Not racing this year would only hurt your preparations for racing next year. This is the first time I have seen national kart raceing in this community. I hope it becomes more of a trend for years to come, but this year the experiance could be quite affordable to buy.
Good Luck, kart racing is a blast.Thanks a ton for the info guys. As far as the KTM
Thanks a ton for the info guys. As far as the KTM goes…I have raced them in enduros for years…I love my dirt bikes but “the track” is only about 5 min from my house so it’s really got my attention. It sounds like maybe just hanging out at the tracks is one of the best ways to get involved.
What kind of cost am I looking at for a starter kart? Seems like a new kart is ~$3k, but a used one could go for $700-1500. Is that about right?
They can be all over the place in price and value. A bar frame is far from a race ready with bells whisels and extra gear.
Your pricing is off in my opinion, keep in mind a rotax motor runs about 2500.00 and you still need about 2500.00 to race it on something decent.
I have five old karts I wouldn’t think of selling for $1500.00At the kart racing tracks there will be karts for sale too.
Have you rented any yet? I know shopping isn’t a guy thing but ya got to do it to learn too. Where did you see them $700.00 karts? 😛oops…sounds like I was a bit off. Guess that’s the beauty of the anonomous nature of the web, eh? May need to keep saving for a bit…. thanks for the reality check though
Are the TaG karts significantly cheaper to get started?
NICK;Micke jensen is selling his gp6rotax kart i think he is asking 3k or so, give him a call. his ph. is on one of the previus posts.
Angel ramirez.
INTERNATIONAL BROKERS TEAM.
2006 IMI TAG MASTERS CHAMP.
DFM ROTAX.another question: I’m a big guy. I’m definitely going to be in the ‘masters’ class. Is there one chassis or engine package to stay away from or to gravitate towards because of this? thanks again for all the help, you guys have been great!!!
Another question, and this one may be really dumb…so just bear with me: We’ve been down to ‘the track @ cent’ and rented the karts they have there. Is there any program from any of the local shops or other private owners to rent a TaG kart that you can run in the Rmax events or otherwise. I guess i’m just being a baby and not ready to jump for $3000-$4000 when it seems there’s such a variety in setups and not knowing which one. May sounds nuts (and may be nuts) to think this might exist, but if I could rent a kart or two for a season or a half season and get some learning in, I’d know exactly which chassis, etc I preferred and be way ahead. Any thoughts on this?
Nick,
I am sure the tracks and shope would provide you an arrive and drive program. Just call them. All of then are very friendly and informative. I have a favorite in SAC Motors–Tim George
Try searching on e-karting news for your questions. The best website and a wealth of knowledge-even a newbie section.
When you are ready to buy:
buy a motor and chassis that are locally supported with information and parts. realize that to get into karting the first yr will run you <$10,000. You got a chassis, motor, safety gear, stand, gas, specific tools, how do you haul one, supplies, etc. Tag or shifter classes new roller (~$$4,000-$5500 tag) Used $2500-$4000)Contact me if you want to talk via PM
That kart for sale will probably fit you like a glove.
What your on will make very little differance untill you know what it needs for adjustments and driving style. Pro karters are at the front of our local racing no matter what brand or class of kart they are racing.
Some one may rent some sort of combo to ya, but then after paying the rent and possible more after tearing it up while learning you wouldn’t have a used kart to sell.
After 25 years of kart racing the last thing I exactly know is what new chassi or even motor package I preferr.
The Rmax is allready perfect for a baby not ready to jump into karting.
You will see the same packages in the front and rear of the pack, with the only diffeances being the tuning and testing experiance of the driver.
What other motorsports competition could you participate in with only
3-4 thousand bucks for start up equipment that has potential to win?There’s nothing else I can get into for only 3-4K, I guess that’s one of the allure’s of karting to me. Coming from dirt bikes though, I guess I see what you’re saying about setup. The rider (driver) is the limiting factor for quite a while…by then i’ll be ready to upgrade anyhow.
I guess now it’s just a matter of selling everything but the dog around the house and if I can get enough $ for her, she might be in trouble. I look forward to meeting all you guys at the tracks here in the near future. I just gotta get my pennies together and I can’t wait to get started. Thanks again for all the good info.
Nick
Lots of ways to go. Again, stop at a track and ask questions.
Used will cost $3-4k for the kart but it might include some extra goodies like a stand or exxtra wheels etc.
You can get good karts from any of the dealers around here, but the cheapest “new” package is probably the Adiamo from Tim at SAC for around $4,500. You can get these and other great karts for about $3,000 used, or you can go for better packages from SAC, Billet, Shockwave, IMI…
Get out and get some laps, then try some races. You will have a lot of laps between the time you get hooked and the time that you will be able to know what subtle tuning features you want in a kart. And regardless what you will want, more lap time will be what you need.
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