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Post by bigpaulie on May 23, 2013 16:46:31 GMT -8
At 60 years old and 200 pounds, I may not have the right stuff to get into karting. But assuming I took a crack at it, what would other karters suggest as a class?
While I'm not too stingy about buy-in cost, I would strongly prefer low maintenance approach. Buying new tires every 3-4 running days and having to freshen up a high-strung engine more than once a year doesn't appeal to me.
Also, are there other karters in the TCKC in my age group?
Thanks!
Paul
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Post by Ricky Worley on May 23, 2013 19:37:27 GMT -8
Hey Paul,
There are a few guys in your age group at TCKC, but not many and they are kind of spread out between classes. For your weight, and wanting Low maintenance i would highly recommend the World Formula Class. Currently there are no older guys running them at TCKC, but the engines are pretty simple, require only the oil to be changed every weekend, and the occasional valve adjustment. Most other classes are much higher maintenance. You can run at-least half a season on a set of tires. You can even run electric start on the World Formula if you so choose, though most do not due to the extra weight of the starter and battery, they pull start pretty easy though. If you have any other questions, you can reach me on here or at Ricky@midnightmotorsports.com
Ricky Worley
Midnight Motorsports
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Post by bigpaulie on May 23, 2013 20:37:47 GMT -8
Thank you very much, Ricky. I've seen the World Formula talked about in various forums, and it does look interesting to me.
Is there a frame well suited to my size and that class? Or...is the frame part of the formula?
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Post by Gorgeman on May 23, 2013 21:57:35 GMT -8
I am well into my fifties and running in the World Formula class. Rickey is right they seem to be pretty low maintenance. Come on out and run with us we need more karters. Eric
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Post by bigpaulie on May 24, 2013 0:03:35 GMT -8
I'm living Central California right now, but may be moving to the tri-cities area in the future. I'll be there in August for a visit, so will come by the track at that time.
It looks like a lot of fun, and the WF class really seems like it's what I would be interested in.
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Post by Ricky Worley on May 24, 2013 5:11:07 GMT -8
Frame wise, there are many options that will work with the WF. It really depends on whether you want new or used. When you are interested let me know.
Ricky Worley
Midnight Motorsports
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Post by mbenton on May 24, 2013 5:15:40 GMT -8
Another class you might want to look into is the clone class. Engines are cheaper etc. We have a weight rule of min. 370 with driver and kart. I weigh 190 and have to put 13 lbs. lead on my kart to make min. There is 2 of us north of 60 and 2 guys north of 50 in our class. There is a fast complete clone kart for sale in classifieds for sale. Mike Zamora has it and it is race ready. Look into clone claim rule. Winning engine can be claimed for $150.00 in an effort to keep costs down.
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Post by mikezamora on May 24, 2013 6:51:44 GMT -8
Paul,
I agree with the other guys on here, a 4cycle class would probably be your best bet for reliability and ease of maintenance. World Formula is a good class with decent speed out of a 4cycle kart, and the Clone class is a little slower and cheaper. With either engine the key to long life is keeping up with maintenance, especially oil changes.
Come out and talk to the racers at the track, everybody is very friendly and willing to give advise.
Mike
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Post by Ricky Worley on May 24, 2013 9:08:48 GMT -8
While the clone class is a little cheaper, with the unreliability and constant maintenance I would recommend against it. You can ask Marc, he has his engine apart after every race. The World Formula can be run all season or longer without pulling it apart, just changing oil mostly.
Sent from my PG06100 using proboards
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Post by bigpaulie on May 24, 2013 9:26:19 GMT -8
These are great replies, and it makes me feel like this is a good sport/hobby to get into.
Thank you everyone...
Paul
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Post by mikezamora on May 24, 2013 11:13:59 GMT -8
While the clone class is a little cheaper, with the unreliability and constant maintenance I would recommend against it. You can ask Marc, he has his engine apart after every race. The World Formula can be run all season or longer without pulling it apart, just changing oil mostly. Sent from my PG06100 using proboards Actually Ricky, Jarrod ran last season and 1 race this year with no issues at all. Changed the oil every day and 2 sets of $10 valve springs was all we had to do. Marc just tears his kart apart after every race either cuz of OCD or cuz he's semi-retired ;D |
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Post by Ricky Worley on May 24, 2013 12:11:54 GMT -8
While the clone class is a little cheaper, with the unreliability and constant maintenance I would recommend against it. You can ask Marc, he has his engine apart after every race. The World Formula can be run all season or longer without pulling it apart, just changing oil mostly. Sent from my PG06100 using proboards Actually Ricky, Jarrod ran last season and 1 race this year with no issues at all. Changed the oil every day and 2 sets of $10 valve springs was all we had to do. Marc just tears his kart apart after every race either cuz of OCD or cuz he's semi-retired ;D All I can say is you guys got lucky... Sent from my PG06100 using proboards |
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Post by rsection8 on May 25, 2013 6:59:56 GMT -8
If you want to race on a budget, the initial cost of a clone is cheaper, but I have found in the last few years the maintenance on them is very annoying. Here are somethings we have experienced on more than one occasion. - Side Cover Bolts Backing out (last race & blown motor the latest), blown head gaskets, and warped heads just to name a few things.
We also ran 2 World Formulas and didn't do much of anything to them all season except set valve lash. Left more time for chassis setup and maintenance. They are more expensive, but I believe it's the best bang for your buck.
I like the idea of the clone class and how it is a drivers class, but when you buy a motor you don't know if you're getting a motor that will run fast or just be a giant turd. These motors can vary a lot.
Those are the options as of today that I have experience with.
On a side note, me and my friends are planning on switching to a BRIGGS LO206 to run with the clones. The quality of motor is so much better than a clone, and only about $100 bucks more in initial cost. That motor will run forever without hardly any maintenance. It hasn't happened yet, but I honestly see this eventually taking over the clone class. No need to buy any after market parts for this motor this is a true bolt on and race package.
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Post by bigpaulie on May 25, 2013 15:18:59 GMT -8
RS8,
Forgive my ignorance, but how does the LO206 compare to the WF
engine? Is it the same engine?
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Post by Ricky Worley on May 25, 2013 16:54:02 GMT -8
They are both based off the same Briggs Platform. The LO206 is an evolution of the animal which has a sealed bottom end, a 6100rpm rev-limiter, spec pipe, open clutch. The WF has the same block and crank as the animal and LO206, the connecting rod and piston are different and spec on the WF, the WF has a specific head, pipe, muffler, and clutch. The cam in the WF is also much bigger. The WF has a 7100rpm rev-limiter. The WF is definitely faster, while the LO206 is about clone speed. Currently there are no LO206's running at our track, but some other areas people have switched from clone to LO206 due to reliability.
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