How to enter a championship

Flapshot · 17 Sep 2009, 14:28 (Ref:2542829)

Hi All,

I'm about to race the 24hr event at MK Daytona, and I feel pretty excited. I'm thinking that if it goes well, I might want to enter a kart championship next year. I have no idea what to do, so could use suggestions.

Here is a bit about me\my situation :

I'm a male 32 about 12 stone (just under)

I raced karts at an indoor kart center when I was 16 and caught the attention of a local-ish pro-kart team.

I was invited to test the said prokart at RyeHouse in 1993 and was invited to join the team (didn't happen for one reason or another).

Haven't raced a kart in anger since although I "sim race" to a fairly decent standard.

Plan to take ARDS and run in F Vee or some other low cost series in 2011. In the meantime I figure kart racing is the way to go.

Local track is : http://www.redlodgekarting.com/

I do not own a kart, but would consider purchasing one, although I am keen to investigate arrive and drrive championships...

I hope you guys could help

Many thanks.

**ghinzani** · 20 Sep 2009, 19:52 (Ref:2544502)

You should be able to buy a Prokart for around 5-600 that can run at redlodge - I think its non-msa there so you wont need a licence or an ARKS. If you are fairly mechanically adept then a Rotax Max can probably be had for around a grand.

Flapshot · 21 Sep 2009, 10:56 (Ref:2544838)

Thanks for the reply mate.

I see so many Rotax Max I don't know what is the ones to buy? I mean, say I race at Red Lodge but next time want to run in a bigger championship, I'd like a kart that would be useful. I'd like to run at MK Daytona, Ryehouse and other top circuits.

BTW - Finished the MK 24hour yesterday - what an event and I was in the 1:10's in a pro kart. First run in ANY kart for 15 years and first time at MK Daytona

I'm bruised to hell though as for 2 stints I had no seat insert and smashed myself to bits.

Peat · 21 Sep 2009, 11:41 (Ref:2544866)

You could do what i do at the moment, rental championships.

Daytona have thier new 'DMAX' championship (Rotax) that runs at MK, Sandown, Buckmore, Whilton (and possibly Red Lodge??)

Theres 'Club100' that are based at Rye, but go all over (I'm racing with them at Llandow, South Wales this sunday). They use 115cc TKM's.

And there is one called 'CovKart' i think that runs regually at Red Lodge using pro-karts.

If, like me, you have little in the way of time and places to store a kart, these arrive and drive style things are perfect. Beware though, they are bloody competitive. I used to be 'the king' of 4-strokes but am stuck in the mid-field of the 2-stroke-ers!

Good Luck!

**ghinzani** · 21 Sep 2009, 12:34 (Ref:2544924)

Not bad advice from Peat there, arrive n drive could be a very good idea if you are considering moving on. Club100 gets very good reviews constantly, and if you can cut it there you should be of a good standard. Depends if you want to run the kart yourself really though, if you want to up your mechanical knowledge then buying one might be a better solution.

Flapshot · 21 Sep 2009, 13:47 (Ref:2545024)

Thanks to you both

I have considered arrive and drive and am looking at the DMAX and now club 100.
If I suck at 2stroke I'll go pro kart

I noticed that the prokart series inkart at MK Daytona - I was faster by 3 seconds than the fastest lap from the event. It's probably the tyres though, are the bridgestones super grippy?

**ghinzani** · 21 Sep 2009, 14:41 (Ref:2545089)

Probably got enduro tyres on yes, that would explain difference.

**ghinzani** · 21 Sep 2009, 14:45 (Ref:2545102)

Worth reading this thread if you havent yet - http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111599

Covkartsport championship runs at your local track at Red Lodge.

Flapshot · 21 Sep 2009, 18:27 (Ref:2545299)

Great! Thanks again. I've looked at the covkart site and it looks pretty good and pretty low cost too.

Might be worth running in a low cost arrive and drive championship and then if I get on well buying a kart and enter s1 (

)

I'm going to drop into the redlodge track and have a chat with them. I didn't know it was MSA approved

**ghinzani** · 21 Sep 2009, 18:32 (Ref:2545305)

No problem, however people dont tend to just go into S1 as a novice ;-) its very expensive!

Flapshot · 21 Sep 2009, 19:37 (Ref:2545358)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghinzani

No problem, however people dont tend to just go into S1 as a novice ;-) its very expensive!

LOL, I know mate - hence the (

).

ascarracinguk · 21 Sep 2009, 20:29 (Ref:2545419)

try the forum on www.karting.co.uk it has loads of useful people on there that can advise what to do.....to warn you though, rotax is very expensive..i race in tkm, its cheep and fast, great class to race in but it depends on what track your racing at, some race rotax, some tkm.

Flapshot · 22 Sep 2009, 09:56 (Ref:2545801)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ascarracinguk

try the forum on www.karting.co.uk it has loads of useful people on there that can advise what to do.....to warn you though, rotax is very expensive..i race in tkm, its cheep and fast, great class to race in but it depends on what track your racing at, some race rotax, some tkm.

I don't know what TKM is and what the difference between that and rotax is? I'm going a load of research

Thanks, I'll check out that link

kimbo · 23 Sep 2009, 10:43 (Ref:2546530)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flapshot

I'm a male 32 about 12 stone (just under)

I think that even at that weight, you'll struggle in many of the MSA classes, which are very much geared towards adolescents with the build of a pumped up jockey and weighing in at under 10 stone.

Most clubs, however, run a 'heavy' category in the popular classes and there used to be a national championship as well - maybe still is, but I've not been involved in karting for many years now.

Formula 6 is an all 4 stroke club running championships for owner drivers in various classes and is a nice low key intro into truly competitive racing. It's where my son started before going to 2 strokes at Buckmore, etc, then on to 'Super 1' and then into car racing. I would strongly recommend it as a starting point if you dont want to spend too much.

Dont under estimate whats involved, the step up from clubbie to Super 1 is vast - it took my son over a year to get back on the podium at Supers after being a regular visitor there as a clubbie at Buckmore Park.

Kim.

p.s. please note, I am not suggesting that a 12 stone adult is overweight - that would mean that I'm obese - just that the weight limits favour the lighter driver generally.

Peat · 23 Sep 2009, 12:08 (Ref:2546587)

True. I'm 6ft3, very slight build (ok, streak of p*ss really....) yet i am in the Club100 SUPER-Heavyweight catergory. Pretty hard to come to terms with.

Flapshot · 24 Sep 2009, 08:32 (Ref:2547193)

LOL. Thanks Kim

I've been looking at club level kart racing, and as I'm no spring chicken trying to carve a racing a career - then maybe S1 is a step I don't need to take.

TBH - If I have a good year or two of karting, I intend to try my hand at Formula Vee.

Thanks again

@Peat - I looked at club100 and I think I might well get involved next year

BTW - Looked at F6 and that looks terrific! Seems I might need some advice with regards the ARKS test. I see I'll need a medical, what do they test? My hearing is down by 50% in one ear (I was born with it). Shouldn't be an issue should it (it kept me out of the army at 16 though

)

**ghinzani** · 24 Sep 2009, 08:52 (Ref:2547204)

If you are'nt going to run your own kart and are going to go down the hire kart route then dont bother with your ARKS as its not needed.

Flapshot · 24 Sep 2009, 09:32 (Ref:2547227)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghinzani

If you are'nt going to run your own kart and are going to go down the hire kart route then dont bother with your ARKS as its not needed.

Thanks ghinzani, I know that is the case

I saw this on ebay : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HONDA-160-TWIN...d=p3286.c0.m14

Anyone help me understand what it would be eligible for? Like is it OK for F6?

**ghinzani** · 24 Sep 2009, 13:11 (Ref:2547325)

Well it would need proper chainguards for a start, and I cant see that its got a disc protector but apart from that would be ok for your local Prokart series or F6 - however I cant vouch for the eligibility of the engines as the selelrs not put on the listing whats been done to them. Is there a Prokart championship at Redlodge? There is a non-MSA series up around your way at a track, either Wildkarts or Carver Barracks perhaps? Sorry my geography aint great.

Flapshot · 24 Sep 2009, 16:09 (Ref:2547409)

Hi ghinzani,

Yeah, Red Lodge run a non-msa pro kart championship

I'll be honest mate, it all seems so complicated when reading up on things. I guess it becomes clearer as you start to participate?

**ghinzani** · 26 Sep 2009, 11:59 (Ref:2548547)

Yes it does, especially at non-MSA level where there are fewer prima donnas and pushy Dads, you will find everyone very helpfull. However if you want to go on to car racing Club100 or Covkart may be a better palce to emasure yourself against other wannabee race car drivers. I dont say that in a demeaning way, just you might find yourslef loving grass roots level karting so much you never leave!

Flapshot · 27 Sep 2009, 10:53 (Ref:2549067)

Hey ghinzani - I just emailed Covkart to see if I have to pay the full years membership just to compete in the last 2 races of the season at Ryehouse and Ancaster...I'll see what they say

Gilles lives! · 9 Oct 2009, 00:22 (Ref:2557102)

Hi Flapshot, I've been involved with the F6 Championship this year with my son who is racing in the Junior TKM 4 stroke class. They run a senior TKM 4S class too, these are proper race engines that only need to be rebuilt at around 50-100 hours. The class is very competitive though as mentioned by Peat most of the drivers are pretty young.

F6 also caters for Pro karts and run a Heavy class within that (if needed ). I would recommend you attending one of the F6 meetings to have a look, it's a very friendly club and they are crying out for more entries.

Unfortunately there is only one meeting left now this year which is at Bayford Meadows in Sittingbourne Kent this Saturday 10TH.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Flapshot · 9 Oct 2009, 11:45 (Ref:2557422)

Hi Gilles lives,

I have entered the last two rounds of the 2009 covkartsport championship - Ryehouse a week Sunday, then Ancaster next month. I plan on running a full season with them next year - but I'll see how the two rounds go before comitting.

As for Formula 6 - I'm very interested in stepping up to that, but of course I'd like a full season arrive and drive before I decide kart racing IS something I'd like to do long term.

I like the idea of the TKM 4S - where can I find info on these karts (inc cost etc).

**ghinzani** · 9 Oct 2009, 18:28 (Ref:2557673)

TKM 4S is a bot of a dead end as far as I understand it, especially with the new TAG TKM 2 strokes coming in. Having said that I do have a TKM 4S chassis sat in my garage if you want to buy one ;-)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[Team] Williams enter 2010 F1 championship	Marbot	Formula One	28	29 May 2009 07:38
What if a new manufacturer wants to enter?	racer69	Formula One	12	30 Mar 2008 19:32
Lada to enter JWRC!!!!!	OVERSTEER	Rallying & Rallycross	7	21 Feb 2002 13:44
everyone that's going to enter the F12000 championship	G-R	Virtual Racers	2	14 Apr 2000 23:09