Shifter karts are cool but... (video)

**G.Irish** · 03-13-2007, 09:15 PM

The crashing part...not so much. Sure is funny when it happens to someone else though...

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-EB-Ekt1TE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-EB-Ekt1TE</a>

white_2kgt · 03-13-2007, 10:00 PM

haha, holy crap tons of grip and high center of gravity batman!

Kaan · 03-13-2007, 10:49 PM

Yeah... i'm rethinking the whole idea now... :roll:

BLINGMW · 03-14-2007, 09:00 AM

Kaan Wrote:Yeah... i'm rethinking the whole idea now... :roll:

shit man, a lot of those looked pretty life changing to me! Sad

No thanks.

**G.Irish** · 03-14-2007, 09:04 AM

Kaan Wrote:Yeah... i'm rethinking the whole idea now... :roll:

Who's reconsidering? Certainly not me.

Maengelito · 03-14-2007, 09:38 AM

haha, i'd say that its making me reconsider, but that spec miata crash compilation hasnt made me reconsider either.

Nis01 · 03-14-2007, 10:11 AM

Saw some Shifter Kart races on SPEED channel not too long ago and they are fun races to watch. Its amazing what the draft capabilities and teamwork can do with those things. Watched a pretty hard crash coming into the last turn where the kart flipped right on a young racer. Pretty crazy racing especially considering some of the guys in those things are 10 or younger.

white_2kgt · 03-14-2007, 10:14 AM

Nis01 Wrote:Pretty crazy racing especially considering some of the guys in those things are 10 or younger.

On a SHIFTER kart??? Those parents should be shot.

Nis01 · 03-14-2007, 10:29 AM

white_2kgt Wrote:On a SHIFTER kart??? Those parents should be shot.

I'm guessing it was some kind of limited class but they were still hitting some crazy fast speeds and the announcer was talking about 8 year olds learning to drive karts before they even learned to ride a bike. Thought it was interesting.

Dragon · 03-14-2007, 10:41 AM

When the shifters used to come into Allsports to practice there were at least 4 kids between the ages of 10 - 15 that were racing.

white_2kgt · 03-14-2007, 10:51 AM

Dragon Wrote:When the shifters used to come into Allsports to practice there were at least 4 kids between the ages of 10 - 15 that were racing.

Yea, but how fast are they going at Allsports? Vast difference from an indoor kart track and a wide open high speed track.

**G.Irish** · 03-14-2007, 10:57 AM

I think under 10 are allowed to race 80 cc shifters or the 100 cc direct drives. 125 shifters are usually for somewhat older kids. At least over here anyway.

A lot of kids here and elsewhere are racing 80 cc bikes and what not before they're 10 too. I know Bubba Stewart, the Haydens, and John Hopkins were all racing before they were 10 on some pretty fast machinery.

Dragon · 03-14-2007, 11:04 AM

white_2kgt Wrote:
Dragon Wrote:When the shifters used to come into Allsports to practice there were at least 4 kids between the ages of 10 - 15 that were racing.

Yea, but how fast are they going at Allsports? Vast difference from an indoor kart track and a wide open high speed track.

Well these kids were racing outdoors regularly, they were just at Allsports for practice and addt'l seat time.

GQROB · 03-14-2007, 11:19 AM

8 years and older are allowed to race with the WKC. I think they can run 100cc engines that are restricted with a PP can exhaust. They also run a different/smaller track config.

The laydown enduro karts really don't seem all that dangerous, as they sit so low that flips don't occur. Also when the kart and driver weigh in at under 400 pounds, ya don't seem to travel far when an off track excursion occurs.
Shifter karts on the big tracks are a little more dangerous due to higher speeds, and higher center of gravity.

Dave · 03-14-2007, 11:29 AM

Every now and then I think about getting into this. Rob, can you give us a few ideas on how to research this some more and/or get into this?

ScottyB · 03-14-2007, 11:33 AM

these crashes make shifter karts even cooler to me, in that i think raw, on the edge speed is pretty cool (aka rallying, F1, etc.). you really hang your ass out there -- that's pretty admirable.

i'd really puss out if i had to drive one though :lol:

GQROB · 03-14-2007, 11:59 AM

The Woodbridge Kart Club is a great way to start. They race at Summit Point main, Shenandoah, and VIR North course. Unless a person is a licensed race car driver the WKC will not permit a person to start out in a 125cc or larger shifter. 125cc shifter karts are wicked fast at Summit Point, running lap times in the low 1:20's, with a record time of 1:13.5 in an unlimited 250c.c.
It is usually best to start out in a direct drive kart, either open wheel, or a laydown, with a Yamaha KT-100 engine. These karts run lap times in the low 1:30's depending on the class a person runs in. A person can run multiple races/classes simply by adding/subtracting weight, or by running a different exhaust.
A good set-up can be had for about $2000 with everything needed to run.
Races are $75 to enter.

A lot of answers can be found here:
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.woodbridgekartclub.com">www.woodbridgekartclub.com</a>

or just drop me (Rob) a p.m.

Dave Wrote:Every now and then I think about getting into this. Rob, can you give us a few ideas on how to research this some more and/or get into this?

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