Troy Smith

[Troy Smith]

Fuzzy:

I use a Bell GTX. Love the helmet w/ one caveat…the lower extension on the front hits my neck collar (which is tall) when I turn my head. I will probably use a smaller neck collar this year to alleviate the mild discomfort after a few hours at the track.

As good natured as I can make this sound…”$5 head, $5 helmet…how much is your head worth?” Seriously, there are many other pieces of equipment you can change out later…don’t skimp on the brain bucket. As I’ve read above, you are getting great advice…go with what is the most protective and most comfortable ~ that’s why they call them “accidents” and not “purposes”.

Happy equipment shopping.

Troy

[Troy Smith]

Jim:

Welcome to Karting! Yes, numbers are unique to a class. GENERALLY, when choosing a number, as Freeze said, you try to stay away from last year’s numbers and numbers 1 – 10 are GENERALLY used by those with the appropriate national ranking (‘big kids’…anything goes w/ the little guys). In kid karts, you will see low numbers as little guys choose their age, etc. You do see some guys locally wearing the #’s 1 – 10 but personally, my driving’s not that good and my brovado not that big. 🙂

When the season registration opens (CSC or Club), you will have an opportunity to send in for your number. If you do plan on racing outside of Colorado and you have a duplicate # to someone there (or here for that matter), you will see people (again, generally) throw a 1 in front or put a letter behind the number.

Hope this helps.

See you at the track(s).

Troy

[Troy Smith]

Best wishes to David for a full and speedy recovery. My family will keep you and your family in our prayers tonight.

Sincerely,

Troy Smith

[Troy Smith]

You need to replace the hose and then bleed the system of any airbubbles. Make certain you use the exact same brand & viscosity of brake fluid to maintain consistency within the master cylinder. If you don’t know the exact kind of fluid, DRAIN THE SYSTEM AND START OVER W/ 100% NEW FLUID.

This should not be done “solo” for the first time by a novice (like me)…mistake in bleeding the line = your eyes HUGE as you hit the brake, it goes straight to the metal and you continue off the track onto the grass & dirt at an alamaring rate of speed. 😯

Contact any of the local shop owners…I’m sure they’d lend you a hand and sell you brake fluid…you’ll just need to bring your kart by their shop.

Best,

Troy

[Troy Smith]

Faith & Eric’s Dad:

Sorry, I should have been more clear and more sensitive…Fuzzy is, I believe, looking to race at the Masters Level so I didn’t bring kid karters into the discussion, my apologies.

Yes, lots of smaller racers choose their numbers based on age, favorites, etc and that’s great stuff…love to see them out there racing!

Troy

[Troy Smith]

Fuzzy:

CSC:
No ‘registration fee’ for the number. If I remember correctly, there is a yearly fee to be a part of the CSC. Angie will post the form in the next few months for registration of driver and number. At that time, you fill it out and send it in or you PM her and ask about the availablity of the desired number; then you fill out the form…etc. Once registered w/ Angie, you have registered your number w/ the CSC and you are ‘good to go’ at any CSC event at any track hosting a CSC event.

Local Club:
If you are racing at the Club Level at a local track (CRE or IMI/The Track or Bandimere), this is different. If you are racing at the Club level, then you will register your number at the local club. I believe this a phone call (I raced CSC last year and only one club race, not for points, so I was not registered w/ a local Club Series).

National:
If you plan to really get crazy and race a national race in your first year, you will need to join whichever organization, SKUSA or Stars, and pay their fee & register your number.

By and large, numbers are for the people watching you to identify your kart on the track and for you to have your ‘number’ on your kart. You are ‘tracked’ & scored when racing by a transponder placed on your kart which has a code imbedded into it. This ‘code’ is tracked via computer by the race officials and feeds them lap times to the .00X, position on track, etc. You can rent a transponder and they typically run $5 – $10/event or you can buy your own (one company sells them and I think they’re about $300…I haven’t looked in a while as I rent one). If you purchase one, you also register the transponder number w/ the various race officials…same as your number plate number.

Let me know if you need more information.

Troy

[Troy Smith]

Tim aka Fuzzy:

As correctly stated, Angie controls the numbers for the CSC locally. You don’t need to worry about anyone else in a different class, only your class. Different classes run different colored number plates (rear) and you can have the same number as someone in a different class.

As a quick fyi…

…generally (and as a measure of respect) numbers 1 – 10 in the pure form are left open for Nationally ranked drivers and current National Champions. You will see the numbers 1 – 10 used locally (most people aren’t brash enough to run #1 unless they have the stones & talent to back it 😮 ) with a letter behind them. For example, Roman Guiterez runs number 7X in the TaG Masters & TaG 4 Stroke Class. You will see local guys w/ a letter behind their number…this is an indicator that they either have the same number as someone else and are not willing to change it so they run a letter or they race nationally (stars or skusa) and are either assigned the letter or choose it as someone else has the duplicate number.

Hope this helps…

Troy

[Troy Smith]

I have Oakley driving shoes and have been very happy with them. I will give one piece of cautious advice…buy 1 size smaller than you think you’ll wear. I found them to be extremely uncomfortable for about the first 3 times at the track, then they broke in and feel great, HOWEVER, the suede uppers stretch so be aware when ordering.

[Troy Smith]

Kirk:

I’m in dire need of a re-build and don’t think my motor would make the 3 hours. I was on borrowed time w/ my clutch at the last race at Centennial…

Let’s stay in touch and see what happens on this one…

Troy

[Troy Smith]

Rick:

Now we’re rig racin’ as well? This thing’s gonna turn into the CannonBall run…I can just see it now!

Seriously…congrats, looks like Roman had a great Nationals! :clap:

Troy

[Troy Smith]

Sheldon:

I was the one who posted for you last time…let’s try again.

Locally, you can try on and purchase helmets at AAI Speed in Arvada. http://www.aaispeed.com/ They sell Bell Helmets. As for Arai, Impact, Simpson, or others, I don’t know where you can get them locally.

Painting: Rick Schmidt (Roman’s dad) does helmet painting locally. He posts regularly and is not difficult to find here.

With regard to other equipment, you can check locally and, please, support the local guys as much as possible, otherwise you’ll need to let your fingers do the walking…check w/ Doug at Shockwave, Barry at Billet, Brad at IMI (I think those are the only guys w/ shops…if I’ve forgotten someone, forgive me).

I’ll list several sites for you below. As a rule of thumb, the places which sell equipment on the internet are stocked w/ racers who can answer your questions and help w/ fitting over the phone. Many websites even have fitting guides. With shoes, driving suit, gloves, be prepared to buy several (if you do it over the internet or phone) and send back what doesn’t fit. Shoes should be tight so you can feel the pedals and everything else should be comfortable. Helmet should be a little more tight than you would think…your helmet should fit differently than what you wear when renting. The wind, etc affects it to a degree…comfortable yet tight.

http://www.aimsports.com/index.html – Mychron, on board computer
http://www.bellracing.com/ – Helmets, etc.
http://www.bondurantsuperkarts.com/index.php – Racing School; Anthony Figueredo also runs a school at TTAC.
http://www.internationalkarting.com.au/page/goldspeed.html – Parts & Stuff
http://www.k1racegear.com/ – Protective Gear
http://www.mgspeedsecrets.com/ – Former National Champ, educational books, good for beginners
http://www.ompracing.it/en/homeen.htm – Protective Gear, from Italy
http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/home.asp – All kinds of race related stuff
http://www.pitpal.com/index.php?p=home – Organizational stuff you’ll need
http://www.pittsonline.com/ – Organizational, gear, racing stuff
http://www.smartracepaint.com/ – One of many painters
http://www.sparcousa.com/karting_gloves.asp – Protective Gear
http://www.upr.com/home.php?xid=b43e03d1c771abd854c14e5d0494af38 – Race gear internet sales out of AZ, lots of manufacturers
Others…Alpinestars, Puma, Oakley make protective gear/shoes/suits

To answer your other questions:
You can always buy stuff to go fast later, you can’t go fast if you’re injured. Only buy a $100 helmet if you have a $100 head. It is protective gear, enough said. In general:

$300- $900: A good helmet (store w/ visor up to let it dry).
$40 – $100: Helmet bag…you don’t want your helmet getting banged around in transit.
$99 – $400: Driving Suit.
$35 – $100: Driving Gloves.
$50 – $150: Driving Shoes.
$80 – $150: Rib Protection.
$500 – $?,???: Helmet Painting – certainly not necessary but you asked…
$200 – $400: Starter Tools for Racing
$25 – $35: Fuel Jug

Other Items you may not “need” but would probably appreciate later:
Get some type of undergarments for your suit…something to wick away moisture (sports clothes)…it gets pretty hot out there June – August.
Bag to store all of your gear (don’t want to forget something at home). Doesn’t have to be by a ‘racing manufacturer’.
Balaclava a.k.a. “Head Sock” – get a few if you’re actually going to race; they will keep your helmet dry and you’ll apprecaite this about your 5th session in a day in mid-July.
Spare eye shields…your helmet will come w/ clear (good for rain days). Buy some type of DARK lens due to the bright sunshine here in CO. If you can afford it, keep a spare in case a rock prematurely ends its life cycle.

Other racing consumables:
$20 +/-: Chains
$5 – $15/bottle: Lubricants, cleaners, engine oil
$15 +/-: Sprockets
$180: Tires/set
$200 +++: Other stuff you’ll bend, break or just plain wear out racing.

Happy shopping and don’t get caught wearing everything watching recorded F1 races in your livingroom… :dance:

Call me if you have other questions: 303-995-8910 (m)

Troy

[Troy Smith]

Sheldon:

Scott Falcon was the one who posted the answer…basically there are three facilities right by TTAC. I don’t know the names but if you drive out there and enter from the North (off of Arapahoe) you will find them…

[Troy Smith]

Luis:
Troy here…we raced against each other a few weeks back at The Track. (You gave me a hand w/ my kart getting it on and off my stand as we were pitted next to each other.)

Endurance race??? Great! My $.02 is this…it’s an endurance race; people will not be too concerned about classes as it is supposed to be for fun. I vote you pick a class, go with it and to try maximize the number of teams…TaG seems the most likely choice. If you get 30 teams at up to 4 per team, you are in for a heck of a fun day of racing. Also, keep in mind the potential for weatherand lack of hours of sunshine…you realistically can’t start until, what 9:30 AM for potential temp reasons? Endurance racing sounds like great fun, cold sticking motors… not so much. Heck, I’d even race with Jansen!!!

Want to throw a charitable spin on it and have a portion of the entry fees go to a children’s charity in time for the Holidays? :idea Would be a nice gesture and a positive way to promote our sport. (Sorry, I’ll get down off the soap box.)

I’d even help organize. PM me if you’re up for a little help.

Best,

Troy

[Troy Smith]

Sorry to be the killjoy and re-jack my post, but I am legitimately trying to find a place to store my trailer.

Does anyone have a storage yard to recommend? I’m having a bit of a hard time finding space.

Thanks.

[Troy Smith]

Sheldon:

Post a request for people to meet you out at the track…I think you’ll find most everyone in this community will go out of their way to help others. Even if you don’t post, show up on any nice weekend day and you will find people out there very willing to lend a hand or advice!

I bet you’ll find someone willing to come out and practice with you, help show you racing lines, explain things about your kart, etc.

Best of luck…one newbie to another! :cheers:

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