Need Help with Kart!!!!!!

[M187]

Hello i know alot of you out there are gonna think i am stupid but anyways here we go... My 4 yr old is wanting to start Racing Oval Karts (dirt). I am needing help on building one.. Specs and so on i know we are gonna start out with a small motor such as a 50cc. Would is be easier for me to just buy the Body and such and sr\art there or could i build one? I just need all in all help.. please dont disrespect me i know i dont know anything about it and that is why i am seeking help.. if anyone knows any good sites on building and buying.. please let me know.. thank you Morgan (mother)

[DirkaDirka]

Well first of all welcome to the forum here on RJ.

I really dont know anything about karts but I am sure there has to be someone on here that does.

Have you tried to do a search on it at all??

[M187]

Hey.. thank you by the way.. and yeah i have searched for sites, but all i find are like parts and stuff but i dont really know what i need. And i thoought maybe someone that knew more about it would have a better site for me. crossing my fingers! lol

[TheRabbit]

Welcome to the site. Sorry, but I'm worthless (again) on this topic.
If I were starting and knew very little about carts I would go to some races and find a good running cart that's for sale. Personally I would make an offer to the guy (or girl) that wins most of the time. That way you're probably getting a well built and dependable cart. jmo.

[Scooterz]

Hi Morgan,

Not a dumb question at all. I applaud you for looking into this for you kid. Unfortunately, I am not the best on this either. Here is what I do know: I have seen a some karts utilize a basic engine (by Briggs & Stratton) around 5HP to 6.5HP (similar to a lawn mower engine) here in Oregon on our local circle tracks that clocked about 55mph almost in stock form. I have seen these kids race them & they are not allowed to alter the engines internally. So, the class/engine is 206 displacement, stock motor, on a chassis which is a small cart class called "Jr 1" for 5-7 year olds. Jr2 is 7- 10 I think. Look up a cart called "Animal" (I think Briggs & Stratton makes it). Do a search on Briggs & Stratton race carts or something like that & you should be able to see an idea of what they are, cost, etc...

[andamo]

You should maybe use the rest of this season as information gathering time. See if you can find a track in your area and go into the pits and start asking questions. Try and do this when the pace is slow and the drivers and crew people have time. You'll find that racers in any venue will be willing to help as much as they can. Research will pay off in the end. And take pictures too.
Just as a sidebar, building your own chassis could prove to be very daunting so a used chassis might be your best approach. Do searches on the INTERNET and I'm sure you'll find a wealth of information.
Good luck.

[fla1976]

Here is a site to begin your search.

http://sportsgoodstore.com/complete_go_karts_frames.htm

[dpassmore]

www.4cycle.com is where you'll find everything you need. Info classifieds whatever. Don't spend much. Buy a used complete kart, and see how he does. He'll need a fullsize kart with small seat and pedal extenders or a kids kart. Go to the local kart track and see what's being ran there. A kid kart has a 50cc comer engine. Make sure your local track has a class for it first. If they run rookie purple plate classes and don't have a kid kart class you can't mix them! My user name is Dpassmore on 4cycle.com. PM me there with questions.
David Jr. was 9 when he started,he's 14 now and racing dirt late models and was racing mini stock hondas and Acuras at 12. Karting is the best thing. They get alot of seat time.


http://passmore.zenfolio.com/img/s10/v2/p368317208-3.jpg

[dpassmore]

Here is a site to begin your search.

http://sportsgoodstore.com/complete_go_karts_frames.htm

No offense but that site is a joke.LOL

You can find a complete kart on 4cycle.com then see if he likes it and then start stepping up. We started with a $1000 kart. I've seen people spend 5-6k only to find their kid didn't like it or got scared or didn't stick with it. It is scary watching your kid out there. Make sure he knows the flags,caution lights and general race practices.
Here's the scary side.
Don't show him or the wife that one.LOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYUneSLZwkA

Show them this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cTZMGy1HTk

[dpassmore]

Here's a kid kart. It won't do you any good though if your local track don't have the kid kart class. Make sure he has plenty of practice at a closed track or parking lot before you send him out there.

http://karting.4cycle.com/showthread.php?t=327290

[dpassmore]

I forgot. The front page is all the vendors. Click on forums for any help and classifieds you need.

[mooneye777]

Welcome and first off please do not attempt to build the Kart yourself. It would in no way be competitive in the field of professional built chassis. There is an art and method to thier madness. There is a certian amount of flex a chassis needs, and corner to corner weight needed for a chassis to work correctly. Its been about 12 years since I owned my own kart, just rent them now. I would get a hold of White chassis, or Margay, or Comet. And talk with them, White was the ticket back in my day. Also find your local track and check the class rules. They are very strict, and mandated to a very specific set up chassis wise and motor wise as well. Maybe even some racer there wanting to update and has thier old kart for sale.

[dpassmore]

No offense but alot has changed since then. He said dirt oval karting. The margay is best known for sprint. Right now the offset chassis and tire and wheel combos are way different than a few years ago. The best thing and I think you'll agree is to go to the track ask about who's chassis does best there and who has good support. A chassis may do great around the south but not so great in another part of the country. He could "build" a kart by buying chassis, engine, and all the other parts but it would be a bigger investment and just starting out buying a used kart race ready except fitment to his son would be the best investment in the event he has to sell it because they figured out it's not for them. Buy a used kart, run a season and see how he likes it then upgrade. A freind of mine raced sprint,enduro and dirt oval several years ago helped get us started and when he saw our kart he was amazed at what all had changed. Especially in the wheel/tire combos and treatments.