What to do with my JrII???

[Les Prins]

So I went out and bought a Leapard kart a few weeks ago and got a really good deal. As I am fixing and tweaking this thing to set it up for a TAG JR, I am coming to the realization that karting this year will go well beyond what our budget will allow IF we race most of the club races and want to be competitive in the TAG Jr class. This would include, fee’s for racing and practice, tires, fuel for the karts and truck to get there, tires, parts for a more expensive motor and chassis, more gas for the truck, and more tires.

Where is the affordable club level class for a 12-15 year old or for an adult (like me) for that matter? I have to cut back with one of the item listed above.

With the economy on the downturn ( and I hope they are wrong), my guess is that karting is going to take a big hit. Around the country, kids and adults are starting to run Honda clone engines because they are cheap. They are not safe in the stock form but are cheap and that is what is getting people back into racing. I would not want a clone class and I am not saying we need one here in Colorado but something should be offered that is cheaper than the TAG or shifter classes. Something that can get an old kart out of the garage, put some tires on it that will last for a while and get a motor that will last for a few seasons with very little maintenance, and be competitive. For us, the JR2 animal class was that affordable class for us last year and we were hoping to continue with it this year. I think a World Formula class would even be better than the JR2 Animal with less maintenance (with a rev limiter and it runs gas). The TAG level of racing has it place BUT there should be other less expensive class like this offered at the club level to get new kids out there and keep those that either can’t afford to run TAG or choose not to spend a lot of money. When we started karting in 2006, were were looking for an affordable, fun sport for the whole family and what was offered back then worked for us. If TAG or shifters is what Colorado has to offer past the Jr1 class, I can see why there is a big drop off of kids racing past this level. To tell you the truth, I can think of a lot of other things I would rather buy than a bunch of tires and fixing and maintaining an expensive kart. Lots of projects at home that have been put on hold because of karting taking up my time and our family’s budget.The more I think about how expensive this will get, the more I loose my motivation to continue with kart club racing.

Maybe I’ll stick to my lowly Briggs motors (wait, Ty managed to get a 58 second lap at IMI with this motor, maybe they are not so lowley) which I have never had ANY major problems with, and go have fun on a weekday at the track (so we don’t get in the way of you faster more expensive karts). I can run used throwaway MG yellows all year, change oil, adjust valve lash, and go run some more.

[Gary Meadors]

Les, you might check into the KT100 series of karts. I haven’t run one but from the other postings it seems like it could be a less expensive alternative to TAG.

@fletcher wrote:

If anyone is interested in racing and would like to talk to me I will be at IMI on sunday April 6th in the morning or you can contact me at (970)-219-4366 or [email protected].

thanks
fletcher

They are still looking for a 5th entry

[Les Prins]

Thanks for the suggestion, I have seen that thread and this would require me to buy another engine that is not an established class at the club level. If I buy another motor, and there are not enough to race, it has become a poor investment. I am looking for a class that is affordable and will be there for more than a year or two. Right now there is no such thing….

[Les Prins]

Alright! Now 2 choices for an affordable class for the 12-15 year olds. The CJKC and IMI Club series. The World Formula is an affordable and reliable engine for this class. Just change the oil and fill the gas tank, and it is a T.A.G!

For those that cannot afford TAG for your Jr, Give it a try, I think you will really enjoy this engine.

From 2 years ago 😀

@Les Prins wrote:

For us, the JR2 animal class was that affordable class for us last year and we were hoping to continue with it this year. I think a World Formula class would even be better than the JR2 Animal with less maintenance (with a rev limiter and it runs gas).

[Brad Linkus]

I have always supported an entry level engine package with low cost to grow the sport. I think the Briggs packages can do that and be a stepping stone to the other classes.

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