03-30-2006, 03:54 PM
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#1
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Karting Leagues vs. SCCA.. Racing on a budget in the US
I've recently gotten into kart racing.. I haven't driven a real shifter kart yet, but I can imagine how much fun it would be to race those.
I have always wanted to get into serious racing, and now it seems Karting is the only thing I would be able to afford at the moment. I could pick up a used kart for roughly $3,000. Maitenence would be a lot less versus a normal racing car.
Anyone have an experience in racing Karts? or SCCA?
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03-30-2006, 06:01 PM
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#2
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^^ Yeah, if your just 'running' a kart then yeah its cheaper, you wanna win or be competitive then the tyre engine and chassis budget will bum rape you good and proper!
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03-31-2006, 02:57 PM
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#3
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Well.. I'm not planniing on becoming the next F1 driver or anything, but I would like to race competively (its just that much more fun) but in some sort of "rookie league"..
So I guess the question is should I buy a car to join a SCCA division or a Shifter Kart to join a karting league?
I'm not to sure of the exact costs of running Competively in a Racing league, I know their high, but not to sure how high it really. What would the average cost be to run a season of racing?
Depending on which one is cheaper I would start by purchasing either a Kart or stripped out Car and take it to the track casually for a couple years before actually getting started in real Competitive racing.
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03-31-2006, 08:30 PM
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#4
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Location: Hellaware USA
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So I guess the question is should I buy a car to join a SCCA division or a Shifter Kart to join a karting league?
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At least you wouldnt have to worry about losing the car in a wreck...
(just throwing in my two cents as I stepped out of racing and am considering jumping back in myself)
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03-31-2006, 10:51 PM
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#5
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That's true... I would have a daily driver as well too.. but it would definitely suck to total the car..
Where and what did you used to race?
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03-31-2006, 11:03 PM
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#6
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Just south of Confused
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Spec Miata would be the cheapest as its a stock category, the only modification allowed being the suspension which is only one legal part number, and you could probably find a Miata for around 3K if not less.
Karting though, holy crap. For a shifter kart you're looking at 10K The motor alone being half of that. (i just found this out last week)
I'd consider the Spec SCCA classes as your best bet for som fun
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03-31-2006, 11:14 PM
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#7
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Location: NJ
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DMF, do you know of any legit karting tracks around the NYC area?
All I know of is the planned one at Raceway park.
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03-31-2006, 11:19 PM
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#8
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Join Date: Jul 2003
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There one up in Orange County.. take the Palisades Parkway all the way up.. I forgot what its called and where exactly it is, but there is one there. about an hour and half from the GW bridge..
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03-31-2006, 11:21 PM
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#9
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Originally Posted by ZfrkS62
Spec Miata would be the cheapest as its a stock category, the only modification allowed being the suspension which is only one legal part number, and you could probably find a Miata for around 3K if not less.
Karting though, holy crap. For a shifter kart you're looking at 10K The motor alone being half of that. (i just found this out last week)
I'd consider the Spec SCCA classes as your best bet for som fun
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I actually know a guy that has a 125cc shifter kart just sitting in his garage begging to be put to use..
I also found a couple of used shifter karts for sale for around 3-4k..
Miata racing would be fun though.. I need to do more research on exactly what it takes finacially to join racing leagues.
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04-18-2006, 11:23 PM
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#10
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Location: Passing under braking
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I think its morrisville, ny.
Spec Miata is like 10k when it comes down to all the little nuts and bolts...thats before the season starts and your being competitive.
Karting and Spec Miata are probably the cheapest things out there...being from NY though you dont see many tracks here and there is alot of traveling to NJ or upstate.
Good Luck!
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04-19-2006, 01:44 PM
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#11
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,566
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Oh man, you should totally go for it! How old are you anyway? If you really are 50+ you should get out on the track before you keel over and die.
I'm getting my friend who's 64 back into racing with karting. He couldn't be more excited.
Luckily, I wont have to pay much because I will be racing his karts that he now tells me I have part ownership over.
Spec Miata sounds like lots of fun, light RWD open top racing can never be bad!
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08-16-2006, 12:15 AM
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#12
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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tell you one thing if you want to race competitively than connections into the racing world should be your main concern, find a sponsor, do your best. Succeed
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08-16-2006, 02:05 AM
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#13
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Join Date: Jul 2003
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Yeah, the past 4 months of track days at with the kart I've learned that if you really want to become a race driver in today's motorsport world, all you need is money.
Sad but true, all you need is a sugar momma will millions to shell out.
I don't think I'm goin to be the next Schui, so borrowing a friends Shifter kart while paying for maitenencec and track time will be fine for now
It's WAY cheaper and way faster than anything in SCCA
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10-08-2006, 12:58 AM
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#14
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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I wish you the best of fun!
Right now I am competing at Cameron Motorsports in Hamilton, Ontario Canada and am leading the chapionship in the rookie series, have big plans to move towards the team for next year in f1k!! They're pretty damn fast and I hope you learn alot from the experience.
Good Luck!
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10-12-2006, 05:49 PM
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#15
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Join Date: Jul 2003
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Thanks, but it seems my season has come to an end due to some blown water seals in the 2 stroke.. Planning on rebuilding the engine with more power over the winter.
Hopefully next season I will do some races as I have just been doing open track days.
Good luck with your championship! and welcome to JW
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