General Dad & lad novices

Morning all and thanks for the add. I'm looking to get my son into karting so I committed the ultimate sin and bought him a cheap Facebook marketplace kart to practice with.
I didn't do the research so I'm kicking myself a little now, though luckily it was fairly cheap.
My son is currently 7 - and turns 8 in April 21, so I bought him a Cadet kart with Honda GX160 setup. The issue with the kart I bought him is that its a 2011 homologation chassis - which I now realise is no longer eligible. The engine is a UFO SP T2 which I've updated to 2020 regs iaw the Gold book (restrictor plate, emulsion tube, breather tank & DEP exhaust).
Our local circuit is Dunkeswell (Mansell Raceway) though Clay Pigeon isn't too far away either. Due to his age he's never actually driven a kart on his own (hence the reason I bought a cheap one) but info hasn't been very forthcoming from the local circuits due to lockdown 2 I imagine (no response to emails or calls).

Does anyone have any info on the best way/where to go in order to get him practicing in preparation for ARKS tests?
Basic handling skill is all I'm really looking for - and I may be being a little cautious but obviously with him never having driven a kart before, I don't want to put him in a potentially dangerous situation with other drivers but I'm not sure its possible on testing days anyway due to the chassis?

I know its the worst time to try to begin as its pretty much the off season and with lockdown, it's difficult to get to race meets and speak to others. From the research I've done though, the first year plan is for him to practice and gain some confidence before getting him a newer chassis and doing a year on the local championship just getting used to competitive racing, then going the route of the CKC using the GX200 as it seems fairer and more economical whilst he's starting out.

Hope that makes sense and thanks for any responses in advance, you can't beat a good forum as a knowledge base!

Best regards,

Sean.

Cheers for the reply, I'll have a look into that book thankyou. We've watched a few tutorials on YouTube & all the vids linked on here too. I actually had a response from Clay Pigeon on Thursday but it had gone into my junk mail. All good and they've confirmed we can attend their practice days without current MSA/ABkC requirements, though I'll probably invest in a good helmet & racewear for him in the meantime. I think a bit of practice time getting to grips with the control of it on some local hard standings would be of benefit though....

LE#99 said:

Maybe if he's never driven it at all but just go down when its quiet and pound round

Click to expand...

Yeah that's what I'm thinking. Should be able to get down there late Dec/Early Jan though their practice calendar only goes out to 2nd Jan at the moment. They are open pretty much every day for practice though as opposed to once per month for MKRC, so hopefully won't be rammed.

Thanks Adam & also LE#99 for the advice. Yes I've already stripped the engine down and replaced all gaskets, brand new carb and bits mentioned previously, with air filter & oil (KRT 0w20). Also purchased all new bearings, brake pads & a load of sprockets & spare chain, and replaced pretty much every nut and bolt for stainless or high tensile where required. Need a spare set of rims for the wets, but not sure what width to go with yet. He also needs a new helmet and racewear, so I'll get those next month as I've spent enough already this month! Trying to search out somewhere "private" just to let him go round slowly in to get a bit of confidence on the throttle & brakes, before sending him out on track. I think we'll be going to our first practice day on 2nd Jan, and I'll give Clay Pigeon a call again to ask a few more questions closer the time. Thanks again all!