General Advice on transitioning to owner driver karting

[its_leviozza]

Hi all, I'm a 26 y/o based in London interested in venturing into the world of owner driver karting and would like to ask for some advice on starting. In terms of experience, I've done some BUKC and Club 100 karting as well as DMAX karting at Daytona Sandown although I really only started 3 years ago and so am still very new to the game. I do however have my ARKS test done in 2022 (which I didn't renew for 2023 but plan on renewing for the upcoming year).

I've had a look at the various classes and I would like to purchase a kart to get into TKM Extreme racing as I have heard that it is the most cost effective 2 stroke option (please correct me if I am wrong). However, as I do not have a garage or trailer, I was thinking of storing my kart at either a track (I know Lydd offers storage) or contacting a race team.

My questions are as follows:

1. Do you think that I should start off with a team who might be able to assist with kart set up and mechanical issues seeing that I have no mechanical experience or knowledge of my own (I watch kart channels like Power Republic but to my knowledge he focuses more on Rotax Max and the like)?
2. I am hoping to race at Medway Valley Kart Club at Buckmore, do you know if there are any teams that offer services for TKM racing for MVKC or if not would another kart club be better (other kart clubs near me like Rye House or Bayford Meadows do not offer TKM class as far as I know)
3. Other than kart, engine and trolley, what other tools would I need? ( I already have my own suit, helmet, gloves and shoes)
4. I have heard that TKM as a class is dying and is not much cheaper than Rotax Max, is this true?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post!

Edit: Forgot to add my budget, hoping to max out at around 2k

 

[wotnotv]

Hi,

In the absence of anyone else replying I can give you some generic advice, but I know nothing about TKM I'm afraid, nor your area.

You don't say if your 2k budget is just for the kart, or for a season's running or both. You'll need to think about kart, some spares, tools, storage, track fees (these can add up), tyres, fuel, consumables (oil, lube etc).

If you've done Club100 your race gear is probably OK but it's worth checking the rules where you plan to race, and I'd strongly recommend getting a rib protector if you don't have one.

You can buy a lot of things second hand if budget is tight.

As for what class to run, my suggestion is threefold - 1. look up the clubs that are within your happy travelling distance on AlphaLive results to get an idea of the current grid sizes for each class. 2. Go down to some of those clubs on race day (or practice day before race day) and talk to lots of people. 3. Treat cautiously the advice you get from someone trying to persuade you to race in their class, especially if they have a kart to sell - check the costs yourself.

Oh, and a 4-stroke class might be cheaper (and easier to maintain the engine) if there is one available, but some do prefer the 2-stroke. You probably don't have budget to run with a team unless you're happy with very limited seat time or can get a mega deal. Do think about the seat time you will get versus rentals. The kart will be faster, but you need to be in it to benefit.

Good luck!

 

[LB Racing]

Hi all, I'm a 26 y/o based in London interested in venturing into the world of owner driver karting and would like to ask for some advice on starting. In terms of experience, I've done some BUKC and Club 100 karting as well as DMAX karting at Daytona Sandown although I really only started 3 years ago and so am still very new to the game. I do however have my ARKS test done in 2022 (which I didn't renew for 2023 but plan on renewing for the upcoming year).

I've had a look at the various classes and I would like to purchase a kart to get into TKM Extreme racing as I have heard that it is the most cost effective 2 stroke option (please correct me if I am wrong). However, as I do not have a garage or trailer, I was thinking of storing my kart at either a track (I know Lydd offers storage) or contacting a race team.

My questions are as follows:

1. Do you think that I should start off with a team who might be able to assist with kart set up and mechanical issues seeing that I have no mechanical experience or knowledge of my own (I watch kart channels like Power Republic but to my knowledge he focuses more on Rotax Max and the like)?
2. I am hoping to race at Medway Valley Kart Club at Buckmore, do you know if there are any teams that offer services for TKM racing for MVKC or if not would another kart club be better (other kart clubs near me like Rye House or Bayford Meadows do not offer TKM class as far as I know)
3. Other than kart, engine and trolley, what other tools would I need? ( I already have my own suit, helmet, gloves and shoes)
4. I have heard that TKM as a class is dying and is not much cheaper than Rotax Max, is this true?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post!

Edit: Forgot to add my budget, hoping to max out at around 2k

Hello,

Firstly I would say with a budget like you have have you considered 4 strokes ? as the maintenance and lower start up costs.

I made the jump almost 4 years ago now and you will always find new tools you will need and parts from time to time but id say a set of Handled Alan keys and a set of spanners and a socket set is a good start point.

 

[LE#99]

Go Prokart, any 2 stroke racing will be far in excess of the budget. You can pick up a prokart and run that while you save money for parts and engine servicing etc. If it wee 2 stroke you'd be into engine servicing much earlier.

 

[its_leviozza]

Hey, thank you all for your replies! I have since managed to find a 2021 OTK Rotax Max Evo which I have made the financially irresponsible decision to purchase haha. Plan is probably to try to spend the year practicing with the hopes that I can get up to speed both racing-wise and kart maintenance with the view of club-level racing the year after. Hopefully I haven't bitten more than I can chew.