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@Dave wrote:
It may be that one who races has to go through.
If I’m reading you correctly, then yes, you’re right. I’m going through all that myself, so I offer a fellow n00b’s perspective.
If anything, getting into karting has been waaaaay esier than getting into bike racing… Shortcomings here are addressed by technical tweaks, money, and practice, bypassing the immense physical suffering of hanging on to the tail end of the lead echelon on two wheels.
I consider the process of “learning the ropes” as an apprenticeship… One doesn’t magically absorb the entire body of knowledge of a new trade; one must have the desire to ply that trade with a minimum of knowledge, and then maintain that desire even as the “dirty work” of the trade becomes apparent while working under people who know much more than you do.
This may be lost on the younger generation today… They see The Matrix as Keanu Reeves gets plugged in to a computer and, 3 seconds later, utters those immortal words: “I know Kung-Fu.”
In any case, your question is a fair one, but the solution is the same as it was before the Internet age… Get out to the track, practice, ask questions, and in some cases have a completely busted day because of a technical glitch or forgotten part. No real shortcuts there. “If it was easy, then everybody would do it.” [/soapbox]
Unfortunately, everyone has to learn the hard way. I have come to learn that this state has some of the best people for racing in it. Most everyone at the track will be glad to help you. It makes them feel better and keeps this sport alive.
Coming from experience, I have seen the highs and lows of this sport. I have put countless money, effort, and personal time into this sport. From international karting, national karting, state racing, and local club racing. I have been to them all. I can say you are in the perfect state to learn.
I promise you that you can ask a person who is racing in your class and they will give you advise that will help you go faster. That is just the way it is here. I have had pro drivers racing for national championships working under the same tent and they gave each other their tuning secrets.
I have seen our competitors struggle and have helped them with setup even though they comete against us. I want to beat the best and know the majority of the Colorado racers are just like me.
But, you can not expect to get in a new kart and go win. The one thing that noone in Colorado can offer you is seat time. A pro driver can swap karts with you and beat you in your own kart even though you are in a perfectly tuned kart. It is all about driving. Once you get htat down then your butt will tell you what you need to do to your kart.
This is why I love karting in Colorado. Even though I have had some arguments and issues with a few people, I still respect them because they are all willing to help a fellow karter and grow the sport. In the past i was very competitive and let that get in the way of having fun. No longer. Watch the TAG Masters class and you will see guys beating each other up on the track and then in the pits after the heat helping the same guy they just rubbed side pods with.
Ask for me at the track at CSC events any time you are there. I get almost as much enjoyment out of helping someone else then actually racing. (almost)
You can also PM any questions you may have. I will be more than happy to answer anything I know.
Hope this helps,
Richie
Dave,
Richie and Garrick are correct in what they are saying, but I have a different perspective.
This is 8+ yrs of Shifter and Rotax racing speaking. Get or pay for a mentor. You will learn faster faster and faster. I had to learn the hard way, by myself. I did have a mentor at first until he moved away.
I have offered my services for a measley $25/hr and had only two takers over the past two yrs. Sad, because I can guide you through the tangled web of karting quickly.
On a race day guys will give advice and even help, but they themselves are busy wrenching and cranking to best prepare their karts, they are not waiting for newbie questions.
The better time to ask is via phone and at the track on a non-race day. Come prepared with a bunch of questions and be surprised how much info can be packed into 1 hr or 2 hrs.
If you want to win win win Pay for a Tuner on race day. Now your talking $200-$500.
Take care
If your looking to be a champion go to a champion not me. But if you are looking to come up to speed quickly contact me.Dave,
I definitely understand where you are. If you want to know the history of theColoradoKarter.com, I would love to tell the happy story! But, for now, to get to the point…….I have been saying that I want to get back to one of my original goals for the Karter, which was to have information for the CO newbie karter, in print, and on the site. (if you look back, you will probably see me mention it a dozen times!) I thought I was ready, then last year’s season overtook my life! Last year was so hectic with the CSC, the other races, and the rest of my life, that it didn’t happen.
I would love to have a Frequently Asked Questions section on my site, and have a pretty good start on the questions and answers. The print part is coming along, and will have the directory of kart shops, tracks,etc. in it as well. Some surely remember the print newsletters that I did in the Karter’s early days – it will be kind of like that, but with newbie info in place of the other articles. So, that being said, feel free to make suggestions on content.
Tracks and kart shops, you can look forward to getting information on the brochure, and rates for advertising in it, soon.
In the meantime, please feel free to call or email me with any questions. If I can’t answer it, I can usually point you to someone who can.
And on that note, we really do need to get to placing racer representatives for the classes. I appologize for not having this rolling already. I am going to create another post, asking for nominations and/or volunteers for these positions. This information would also be published in the CO Karter brochure and in the CSC event programs.Angie
@Dave wrote:
…There was a posting by”Owl” that I feel the leaders of colorado kart racing may need to review again. I would like to help future racers to get into the sport with ease…
As one of those new to the sport and just embarking on “learning the ropes”. I too would be very interested in a getting started document.
In my mind, the best person to do this would not be someone who has been doing this for years, but someone who has just gone through the experience and can remember all the little nits and wrinkles that took time to iron out.
So, my question Dave is would you be prepared to put together this primer, or at least build a framework of questions that the new Karter should be asking to minimise their learning curve? You are obviously passionate about the subject and have just gone through the experience. Who better to start such a primer?Angie, are you familiar with “Wiki’s”? This would allow everyone to easily contribute their suggestions without the burden of work being on you – other than the initial setup and regular maintenance.
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Wiki_Science:How_to_start_a_Wiki
Just a noob’s viewpoint, :new feel free to disagree…[flame suit on]…Thank you, I have let Angie know that if no one else with more experience stands up that I would for the JR1 honda class.
Please check out http://www.kartingcoach.com We also have in the works a complete Beginners Guide to Karting, it serves as an intro to kart racing and to racing in the state of Colorado. We also offer classes at the junior level to not only help one person but to offer our services in the group environment bringing all racers closer.
Thanks,
GregDave,
This will be my 3rd season racing and something that I have always enjoy is being at the Pits and getting all of my questions answered by fellow racers and track owners… Almost impossible to get it all of the knowledge packed in some text books since most of the work has to be done by you “The Driver”
Yes a teacher could improve the learning curb… if you have the $$$ to afford it. However remember The golden rule: Ask,ask and never be afraid of asking againGood Luck and welcome to the best club there is “The Colorado Karters”
Eduardo Pinzon
:wave
Greg: nice site beginning
Marc: is correct AJ Noud is great; i used him but he just couldn’t get this old dog to learn new tricks. marc you going to get to race this yr or is college it?
highlander: Karting hasn’t changed in yrs. A newbie goes through the same thing every yr. Experienced karters advice will get you up to speed faster-couldn’t disagree with you more.
Angie’s idea of newbie questions and part of her site will add much value. I believe e-karting news has a section also.
Rich,
This year is only the beginning!! Hope to see all of you at some point this year. Anyone wanting to test in Phoenix/Tucson and avoid the cold should contact me.It will also include the classes that are not CSC. So anyone wanting to represent the Briggs Mod and Jr 2 classes in the IMI/TT series, let me know.
Hey Gang, Newbies especially:
I’ve completed 4 years of karting heading into year 5. I’ve always asked questions and they have been directed to the aces of the class to the seasoned vetrans. Just because I’m 6’4″ doesn’t mean I’m not approachable. If you see me in the pits or ANY TaG Masters driver feel free to stop by and ASK. I’ve gone by fellow compeditors, looked at their rigs and offered advice on maintenance, cleaning, gearing etc in hopes that it gets them up to snuff quicker. I’m STILL learning things season to season so it’s a never ending lessons learned. Welcome to karting and I look forward to practicing with many of you and racing against you. Feel free to email me or give me a number I can call in the evening.
:cheers:
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