Karl Woolf Posted July 29, 2004 Posted July 29, 2004 Okay with Gee Fin `s ad in the for sale section has stirred up something have been pondering. If I bought a go-kart is there anywhere localish i could take it to play, all this Sunday opening has b*******ed up sneaking onto the local supermarket / B&Q car parks It would be mainly something would like to do with my kids, but interested in all aspects from organised venues to general ideas of wide open spaces free at weekends Any thoughts Quote
adhawkins Posted July 29, 2004 Posted July 29, 2004 Three Sisters near Wigan is a kart track for starters. Take a look here. Andy Quote
Karl Woolf Posted July 29, 2004 Author Posted July 29, 2004 Thanks Andy Good link lots of sites. Actually been there myself with the Manc boys, excellent track. Need to find somewhere to practise at the beginning before going onto somewhere quite so intimidating for first timer (8 year old) Quote
adhawkins Posted July 29, 2004 Posted July 29, 2004 You'd be surprised, the atmosphere at a karting track is generally very laid back. The first day we turned up at Reading in our pro-kart, by about 1pm there were people over talking to us, giving us pointers as to why we were that much slower than them. Great fun, and I'd definitely recommend it if you've got a local track. Andy Quote
darthurs Posted July 30, 2004 Posted July 30, 2004 Bolton Wanderers Football club car parks could be worth a try. Dan Quote
Bananaman Posted July 30, 2004 Posted July 30, 2004 Bolton Wanderers Football club car parks could be worth a try. Dan Go on a Sat afternoon cos there's hardly anybody there............................. Quote
BuzzinRich Posted July 30, 2004 Posted July 30, 2004 I used to kart at Three Sisters many years ago... if you get yourself a full FIA-MSA race license (small charge about £30 I think, plus you need a simple medical to get the license) you are then qualified to take part in any appropriate practise sessions. The way three sisters used to run - all weekdays would be available for any practise sessions - first person to book a morning or afternoon would then designate the classification for that session (ie you book a Thursday afternoon for 100cc kart then they will only allow other similar spec karts on at the same time). Cost of attending a practise session used to be £15 for the entire session (though I dare say inflation has modified this price in the last 15 years). You will need proper approved overalls/race suit and helmet. Cheaper track fun cannot be had! Just be wary of costs of running a kart though, you'll probably need regular engine rebuilds - plus if you are looking at one for a beginner then it may be worth looking for one with a centrifugal clutch as that way you don't have to bump start it and it wont stall if you spin - mind you with a centrifugal clutch it wont be competitive for racing though. Quote
adhawkins Posted July 30, 2004 Posted July 30, 2004 Cheaper track fun cannot be had! Just be wary of costs of running a kart though, you'll probably need regular engine rebuilds - plus if you are looking at one for a beginner then it may be worth looking for one with a centrifugal clutch as that way you don't have to bump start it and it wont stall if you spin - mind you with a centrifugal clutch it wont be competitive for racing though. Agreed...that's the main reason we went for a pro-kart. Two Honda generator engines that were horribly reliable, and could be replaced for a couple of hundred quid if anything horrible happened. Our kart used to regularly sit in the garage for months at a time (especially over Winter) and then start on the second or third pull of the engines. Granted, a pro-kart won't give you the same thrill as a decent two stroke, but in terms of running costs, they were next to nil (except when we clattered a sprocket across a kerb ) Andy Quote
neilb Posted July 30, 2004 Posted July 30, 2004 You could try local industrial estates, lots of space and car parks that are empty at weekends. Quote
Karl Woolf Posted July 30, 2004 Author Posted July 30, 2004 Determined to resist the temptation to turn it into another toy for me although got to admit all sounds fantastic value for money Really am just trying to work out a way to buy a cheap kart and start my kids on the petrolhead path. Think it could be really good fun for them and for not alot of dosh, venue is the key to it all I guess. Large venue car parks and idustrial estates are a good possibilty will have to scout the local areas. Anybody know of anywhere near to Knutsford Quote
darthurs Posted July 30, 2004 Posted July 30, 2004 Anybody know of anywhere near to Knutsford Loads of farmers fields there. Get an old rear wheel drive banger and have some fun power sliding round. Great fun! Dan Quote
neilb Posted July 30, 2004 Posted July 30, 2004 A quad bike could be an option or one of the off-road kart type things Quote
BuzzinRich Posted July 30, 2004 Posted July 30, 2004 If you are going to use a kart in car parks then I sugest getting some kind of roll over protection fitted as clipping a full kerb could potentially flip the kart, and you don't really want one of them landing on top of your little 'uns Quote
gee_fin Posted July 30, 2004 Posted July 30, 2004 Pick your kart carefully ProKarts are good because they last forever and are allowed on pretty much every kart circuit in existence. However, they're bad because they are slow and you'll get on top of it in a couple of sessions 100ccs (various formats) are great because they are quick and there are so many about that there are always cheap deals to be had. However, the engines last next to no time (had a race-spec A that lasted about an hour and half between rebuilds to keep it on song). Gearbox karts are great because they are the fastest thing on the planet and scare you silly. Downside is that not all circuits allow you to run and they're difficult to run solo (heavy kart to lift off trailer/car and require a push start). Engine rebuild times are between 6-10hours depending how sweet you want to keep the engine. To me, the choice comes down to ProKarts if you enjoy dabbling, a Rotax 125Max if you want to go out on your own (electric start, centrifugal clutch) at good speed and want long times between rebuilds (40hours running time) and have a bit of spare money (they're normally about £2k+), or gearbox karts if you're willing to travel a little and want the ultimate rush... In summary, there's a lovely 250N in the car ad's section Quote
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