I'm thinking I'd like to get into karting as a cheaper alternative to tracking my car (and because it looks incredibly fun).

Is anyone here into it? What sort of costs would I be looking at to start? Should I just try to get a bunch of seat time in rental karts before buying my own?

Any input is appreciated!

 

 

its the purest form of motorsport and quite possibly the most fun.

to do properly it isn't as cheap as people would have you believe, rent first to see if its really for you.

if you like it, which is entirely possible , dive in, you won't regret it.

 

First mistake right there. I used to be very into karting for many years through many different classes. Competed all over the country with SKUSA and WKA. Depending on the type of kart/class/motor you want to run you can easily spend $50K-$100K in a season (or more). If you want to be competitive you're talking new chassis all the time, rebuilt blueprinted motors after every weekend (sometimes new top end multiple times in a weekend/day). Totally depends on how serious you take it.

After HS when I was no longer on pops' payroll, I obviously couldn't afford it and picked up a Spec Miata to run in the SCCA. You can pick up a very well sorted SM for $12K and campaign a nice season for $10-20K (not including the truck/trailer to haul the car around). The motors are fvcking bulletproof and only require simple fluid changes. Pick the right year and you'll keep your costs even lower (1.6l cars always loose the diff; 1.8l cars ('96+) rarely, if ever do). Biggest expense will be tires.

And if you want fun, SM is the best bang for the buck, period.

This pic was at Road America. There was over 50 SM's that weekend.



I'm car 49 (green w/ white stripes). Believe it or not, I came out of that turn (turn 8 at RA) in front .

 

Thanks for the advice PA, but I just don't have room for a third car (or the truck/trailer setup to tow it with). I'll be picking up a second soon and I'm pretty sure my apartment complex won't be stoked with that as is. I will still run hillclimb/trackday/autox events in my subaru.

I don't really plan to compete at a national level. I'd really like to just get out and do some fun track events, like an open track day. Some local racing maybe. It seems that a chassis that is a few years old with a decent motor can be had for around $2-3k, which isn't bad if I can get a few years of fun out of it. As far as motors, I'm totally comfortable working on 2/4stroke MX motors, which it appears that some of the karts use (though I may be getting ahead of myself).

PA, any idea what a weekend warrior like myself would end up spending on consumables? How much use do you get out of tires, brakes, and other wear items on these karts? I know it's probably hard to say based on driving style and such, but any idea helps.

 

Cheapest way to go racing: ChumpCar.

 

Pinned, it's really hard to say for multiple reasons. First, it's been so long since I've been in carts so I can't remember a lot of specifics when it comes to consumables. And second, you're correct, it will completely depend on how often you race, how hard to race, how competitive you want to be, etc. I would say that for a weekend warrior I would recommend some type of 'sealed motor' setup, aka you purchase the motor and it is sealed from the factory or sanctioning body so you are not allowed to massage or tweak it. This is good for multiple reasons. First, these motors are much more reliable because you won't be tearing them down all the time for blueprinting and massaging which costs a fortune. And all the work makes them time bombs, so a sealed motor typically can last an entire season with proper upkeep (also depending on style and competitiveness, etc).

If you're just looking for some cheap thrills, my guess is you could campaign a season for around $10K. Your biggest ongoing expenses will be tires without a doubt. Also keep in mind you will need all the inconsequentials to go along with the kart, i.e. stands, spares, tools, etc. All of this will add up quickly.

Do you have someone doing this with you? I ask because, karting is not really something you can do alone and have much fun at it. It's not like you can jack it up to swap the tires or adjust the chain (which you'll do every 7 seconds). You'll need to lift the sucker up and down all the time.

If it seems like I'm trying to talk you out of karts, I'm not. It is very fun and a great gateway into other forms of racing. I'm just trying to give you a realistic picture of what it's going to cost. Basically, like anything else, whatever you think it will cost you...triple it!

 

I have to think that with the right kart purchased initially and approaching it from a hobby/recreational standpoint, the expenses couldn't be much at all. Gas, oil and tires every now and then. If the competition bug bites you, then costs would probably skyrocket (as PA said).

 

Rep owed!

I may end up going karting with a friend, but they would be as novice to it as I am. I'm not exactly looking to run a race season or anything just yet, and I think BigE summed it up well, I'm looking at it as recreational. I'd like to just do some open lapping days or go to some sort of instructed group (if that's something they do with karts).

I'll have to do some more searching online to see if I can find parts costs and such. All the advice has been helpful, and at the least I will go to F1 Boston in the near future and mess around on some rental karts.

 

the 100k per season price that porscheaudi mentioned is correct, at least in a competitive european karting season.

check your local tracks, you can most likely find a vendor for an "arrive and drive" package, might be the ticket if you don't plan on being competitive and are just looking for recreational karting.