Kart

[Khare]

Here's the said kart. Should be up and running *hopefully* by the end of the year as I need to still buy the running gear, it's just a rolling chassis at the moment.

It's a 2008 Sodi SR5, known for it's durable and very stiff chassis, making it great in the rain and for heavy drivers (me).















Engine going in is the Rotax Max 125cc spec engine, going for a 2009 onwards (stronger and better design) with only a couple of hours use as I need a strong engine due to my weight. Hopefully around November I should be buying it 

[T_J_G]

How much does this kind of kit set you back?

[sharki786]

i thought it were a toy 

[Khare]

£445 for the rolling chassis and some spares.
£47 for National B race licence application form, rule book, dvd showing you what's in the test etc.
£110 for OMP CIK/FIA approved Level 2 suit.
£50 for Sparco race gloves.
£55 for rib protector.
£20 for knee pads.
£20 for undergarment shirt.

Helmet is being given to me as a present by my father, will be picking it up from Spain in November. It's a 2011 HJC Ben Spies replica, comes with clear and tinted visors as well as tear offs.

Need to buy all the running gear which will cost around £1300 - £1400.

Need to buy roof racks ~ £50.

Need to buy trolley ~ £50-£70.

Need to pay for race licence test.

Need to buy full wets, brand new set is £170 and brand new slicks are £160.

Need to buy the odd tool here and there.

Need to pay for membership for the club ~ £50

Then there's £40 the cost of practising for a day and £50 the cost of a race Sunday.

Cost of fuel, servicing and consumables. I'll be using about 10l of fuel per race weekend, but I'm planning on changing the engine oil and spark plug at every race meet. Tyres ideally I'd like to change to a brand new set every race weekend, however at £160 for a new set that won't happen. Most likely I'll buy a new set every 4 or 5 race weekends.

Then there's petrol to and from the track which is just over an hour away + food as I'll be camping there on race weekends.

So all in all pretty damn expensive! I'm going to be trying to find sponsors and arrange discounts by promoting businesses as I need all the help I can get. I'll be competing at the karting event in Brazil I took place in last year again, so thanks to that hopefully it'll help to get sponsors 

[DOA]

You also want to look at getting some frame and sprocket protectors  . They may weigh extra but they save a sh!tload of hassle and damage from occuring (you wouldnt beleive the damage we did in a single test session without them lol). Also get a good package of sprockets and chains although it might be worth you cornerweighting the kart before you buy lots of chains, just in case you want to move the engine around to balance things out. Trailers are bloody handy too btw  .

[Khare]

This chassis has always run protectors, and next month I'll be buying some to keep it in good nick. Sprocket will be the same every time as it's the same track I'll be racing in, so no need to change (unless conditions are very very different, which is unlikely). I know trailers are handy, but not only do I not have somewhere to leave the trailer, but I also don't have a tow bar in the car 

[danny_p]

only 28 bhp 

[DOA]

only 28 bhp 

= Scary stuff when faced with a track you dont know and a kart you have never driven! Such fun toys and surprisingly hard work when the vibes and g's are taken into account lol. Smokers cough due to vibes is not a good aid to visibility when flying towards a corner with your visor down  .

[Khare]

only 28 bhp 

= Scary stuff when faced with a track you dont know and a kart you have never driven! Such fun toys and surprisingly hard work when the vibes and g's are taken into account lol. Smokers cough due to vibes is not a good aid to visibility when flying towards a corner with your visor down  .

28hp (30hp actually) in a kart is pretty decent. Clay pigeon isn't big enough for more power anyway, I would have gone into shifter karts if they raced them there, but they don't.

[Seanl]

Could have got a complete kart with loads of spares for less. I know it's the fun part building it up as well though. I sold my rotax max for less than £1500 with tons of spares and consumables and all my race suits and gloves. Granted it was a bit older and probs could have done with a rebuild though!