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Post by El Sid on Apr 24, 2003 9:23:44 GMT -5
I have communicated with both Henrik and rick1776 re. getting my son (and maybe me too) started off as a kart enthusiast. I have just come back from Killarney (65k's & 45mins). Spoke to ex Rotax Max Champ, Claudio Piazza-Musso and his mechanic, Ricky Perdigao (both of Italian descent it seems). They have a sh*t-load of karts and new parts in their workshop which is right next to the Kart track and pits. I explained my position re: my 7 year old son (8 in October) and they came up with this: An "All Kart" chassis which is currently being rebuilt from scratch with all new parts plus a rebuilt W60 motor (Tillotsen Carb - I know because I asked ). The good thing here is that all the parts and slicks are absolutely new. Even the nosecone and sidepods. The price, I think is pretty reasonable. R12500 which translates to about 1650 US$ at a current rate of 1US$ being R7.50 I took some pics of a similar but older kart but, as yet, don't know if I can post them here. My Mickey Mouse website wont allow linking direct to a jpg or any image for that matter. According to them this option should be sufficient for about 4 years for the little guy before he has to move to the 100cc class. As I said to them we want to attend the next meet on 17 May first and take it further from there. The bad news (there always is bad news) is of course this: I won't be able to drive it, his backside is much narrower than mine. I will need a Arrows based Rotax Max which will set me back about R55000 new or R35000 2nd hand and I ain't got that kind of ready cash. Pity, but true! So I will have to play the part of Chief Engineer/Strategist/Owner/Cheat, but not have a seat myself. Just as a side note, they said to me the Arrows chassis from Australia is far more popular than the CRG amongst the Karting fraternity over here in SA. Your opinions on this will be greatly appreciated. Take your time. I'm still going to be here for a long time starting with #1 for the day
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Post by daSilva on Apr 24, 2003 10:04:34 GMT -5
It sounds like you've got the equipment issue sorted. Now on to your son. Get him to be as commited to the project as you can for a 7 year old, I hope he is as excited as you, get him some books on basic driving styles and Karting. I remember getting my first Kart when I was 14 (LOL I didn't sleep the night before we picked it up), I spent hours and hours reading about the Kart and pouring over Denis Jenkinson's book on driving (old book but relevant). I always hated having to clean the Kart after a race weekend, but now I look back and would love to be able to shine up my old Kart. LOL. If you do choose to go Karting it is a fairly large commitment to the family and not just your son. But being racing enthusiasts I can say from personal experience that you will create some of the best memories a Father and Son can have together. More of a human POV than mechanical.
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Post by worthless on Apr 24, 2003 17:56:42 GMT -5
Personally, I would start slow. Start with the basics. Make sure that your son is comfortable in the kart and that everything is safe. Allow him some time to learn how to drive and, most importantly, HAVE FUN I would wait a few years, or at least until he has some laps under his belt before you start buying a lot of equipment. At 7 he might not care if he wins every race. He might just enjoy driving. I know I would Let him develop, see how serious he gets, and meanwhile start saving up for that wind tunnel. As far as the kart set up - go with whatever rick1776 tells you. He knows his stuff.... See you in victory lane
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Post by Henrik on Apr 25, 2003 1:52:49 GMT -5
ElSid,
Good to see you are about to make the step! I hope you will now continue to keep us all updated as things progress.
Okay, the chassis and engine for your son should be fine. Obviously the chassis on that level of competition is not all that important, or rather there is not that much difference from one to another. You are stepping in to the beginning of a long learning period for your son, and the very steps are going to be about driving, not working too much on the set-up. I guess the only question I would really ask myself in your place is, are you sure that your son is really up to it? It is a bit of an investment, and it would be annoying if he loses the interest after year. Do you have any possibility of getting him to test a kart?
With our circuit, we will soon be starting a karting school, particularly targeted at kids/parents like you. The karts will not be competition karts (i.e. 60cc 2strokes), but good 4 stroke rental karts. However, it will provide a great initiation for the kids, help in seeing if there is any natural talent, and properly help them learn the basics in order to move on to real competition.
As to the Arrow karts being favoured over the CRG, I can't really comment as I have yet to see an Arrow kart over here. I know they do have a good reputation in general, are obviously raced extensively in Australia, but also as you say, in SA. Here in Europe, obviously the CRG is one of the top chassis, but there is also Tony Kart being another major player. Then you find brands like Tecno, Biesse etc. But you also have hundreds of smaller manufacturers, some that can produce some outstanding chassis. I think if you go with a CRG or an Arrows (from what I hear), you'll have a good chassis that will allow you to feature well in races.
P.S. In case you have not done so already, check the "Championnat Romand" thread....
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Post by El Sid on Apr 25, 2003 3:42:35 GMT -5
Thanks for all the good advice so far guys. I really (or "honestly" as M$ would say oh, how I love that guy!) appreciate it. So far I have thrown the idea open for discussion at home and I am happy to report that there is a karting fever starting to develop. So given a bit more time, until our envisaged attendance in 4 weeks' time, and I think it will be "A" for away! My idea of the whole venture is definitely a family issue. One which can only be beneficial to the all of us. My flying club experiences of some years ago are very vivid in my mind. I just recently actually was pondering the idea of taking that up again but it is far too expensive and too singular in nature. And was I single then! ;D
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Post by raptor22 on Apr 25, 2003 11:12:14 GMT -5
Sid, Great to hear that you're taking the plunge! If you'er interested I can find out Kart prices over here and bring one back for you (after direct transfer to my bank account of course). There will be NO import duty as the Kart will be in my name and '2ndhand' (snigger snigger) and part of my household goods he says gleefully rubbing his hands togetherI think a Rotax Max is around £2900 (R33 000) new but I'll update that price later {subject to exchange rate fluctuations.} I'll be getting myself one before I leave the UK. Let me know if you're interested. It may translate into a substantial saving for you. I reckon 2nd hand I could get it even cheaper. Watch this space. Signed shady kart dealer
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Post by El Sid on Apr 26, 2003 2:41:06 GMT -5
Thx for the offer raptor! (check your PM's ) The R33 000 is not affordable right now. I have basically set myself the limit of R12 500 and for starters I'll just have to stick with that. OK, that will sort out the lighty and I don't want him to go competitive just yet. Maybe next year. What I still want to discuss with the guys at Killarney is the possibility of getting a 2nd seat which I can swop on the kart as required to make it usable for the both of us. But, at the moment, it is all to create interest and fun times. I hope that by the time you get back we'll be well on our way. Just a note to Henrik re: the CRG vs Arrows bit. Although I was told that the Arrows chassis is more popular here than the CRG, he said it is mostly down to personal preferences. Although I don't know the differences, I believe it must be more of a price issue than anything else. For the time being I will just watch from the sidelines and try to gather information from whoever I get to meet. Actually, I would like to know what rick1776 thinks of the Arrows - being a Oz kart and all. The secretary of the club emailed me all I need to know re. the general requirements and regulations laid down by Motor Sport SA and promised other info via snail mail. Sh*t!, and I'm not even a rookie yet. I wonder if the "8 hours between the bottle and the throttle" is also applicable here? Nope, can't find anything so here goes
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Post by raptor22 on Apr 28, 2003 4:33:55 GMT -5
Checked my PM and had a good laugh because that happens a lot. AAs Isaid, a cape flats church can be an entertaining place to be on a Sunday morning Re the kart: Ok, but the offer stands if the lotto has your numbers Could you forward that same info on to me please kanala. IS there a Pro Kart class?
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Post by Henrik on Apr 28, 2003 6:16:05 GMT -5
Had another race weekend, the story about to be posted under the Championnat Romand thread, but I just wanted to bring up a subject here that really started to irritate me and that concerns this thread.
Parents with kids that race!!!
On a race weekend, it is normal that some of the competitors will end up getting upset, excited, mad etc due to a various number of incidents. The result of two drivers making contact usually ends up in a heated discussion in the paddock afterwards, which is normal. Okay, sometimes I wiwsh they wouldn't take it so damn seriously since it really is only for fun, but I know myself that once you are on the grid, it's like you are racing for your life.
What gets to me is the parents of the small kids (8-10 year olds). They tend to be extremely competitive, and end up taking out their frustration/anger on their kids, and whoever else happens to be in their way. Some of them will yell at their kids for a poor result, often ending in tears for the poor kid. Hell, they are only kids! Then there is the whole cheating issue, where some parents will tinker with the karts/engines of their kids, making them illegal just so the kid might win. Then when the kid gets disqualified in the tech control you have two issues:
1. The kid really knew nothing of it, and so in his mind he is unfairly excluded. 2. The parent will refuse any criticism, always claiming that the control was not correct etc, often ending again in some very heated arguments, seeing the other parents jumping in and accusing the first of being a cheater etc.
All this I think has a very negative impact on the whole karting experience for both the kid and the parents. The kid first of all does not enjoy himself, and often gets a evry negative imprssion of what is racing. The parent just gets aggravated from what was supposed to be a fun weekend with him/her perhaps getting a bit closer to his kid.
So, all of you who might start your kid in karts, make sure it's fun for both of you.
Da Silva, how was it when you raced?
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Post by daSilva on Apr 28, 2003 11:10:18 GMT -5
Exactly as you have described, there were incidents of cheating and even the odd fisticuffs, sometimes between parents and sometimes between competitors. I will say though that these incidents were actually few and far between, maybe twenty years ago was a kinder gentler time, LOL. The only incident I was ever involved in was when a fellow competitor intentionally flipped me on the last lap as he couldn't legally pass me. I wasn't happy at all and we had words. I can honestly say that my Father never raised his voice to anyone.
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Post by El Sid on Apr 29, 2003 7:06:14 GMT -5
I get the message But it is true. And something that really p'sses me off is when the parents go verbal. I've considered that fact and it is an important reason for NOT going competitive too soon. The whole ambience of the karting/racing/club fraternity first has to be sussed out. I'm still excited though. I hope to be able show you here: (uploaded some pics) This and for Hey! The preview says it works! I used www.ofoto.com Also slow, but I seem to have an ISP problem right now.
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Post by Henrik on Apr 29, 2003 7:21:31 GMT -5
Great looking kid!! What's his name?
Oh and the kart looks just fine for him to start out with.
Now as to you driving a kart, well because of your avatar I keep picturing you as Jack Nicholson, and so I get this image of Nicholson in a kart. Not a pretty sight!!!!
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Post by El Sid on Apr 29, 2003 8:09:53 GMT -5
hehehe Me look like Jack Nicholson May the heavens forbid! Actually, the "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" bit came to mind when it struck me that a lot of the delinquents, over at the place a lot of us were spawned, need to be in a nut-place permanently. The movie itself had a profound effect on me at the time, but that's a different story. BTW, the chappie is De Wet, which is a rather traditional family name. Translated it means "Da Law" and believe me, he IS the law, whether I like it or not. Why don't the pics work all the time? Some problems at Photoisland maybe? Should we not look for something different?
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Post by Henrik on Apr 29, 2003 8:54:01 GMT -5
Photoisland does pose a problem on a regular basis. If you have a better solution then by all means we can switch!
I simply set up the account at PhotoIsland because I knew of no other provider that could give me the service, and I suppose I was too lazy to surf around to find others. It works, most of the time......
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Post by Henrik on Apr 29, 2003 8:55:50 GMT -5
By the way, I believe you are in Cape Town. If so, why don't you try and hook up with Brainfade to do an indoor karting race for the Shamu Karting Championship...
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