General Junior kart info

[Jones2gareth]

Hi still looking at karts for my son he wants to start karting he’s 15 years old . What’s the difference with a junior and senior kart ? Please could I have some advice and info on junior karts as it’s all new for me as well ? many thanks

 

[LE#99]

Hi Gareth

The physical chassis are the same size (Jnr/Snr) it's only the engines that are different (& some regulations etc).
At 15 I'd say just go senior, no point doing Junior for a year or whatever as he'd do better putting the test time inn and getting up to speed in what he's going to race going forward.

There are 3 main classes in MSUK racing
Senior Rotax (Senior Max) with 2 variants based on weight
Senior X30
Senior TKM (TKM Extreme Maybe)

But there are a few other classes as well including Senior Pro-Kart which uses twin Honda GX engines.

As many will say, go to your local club/track (or the track you think you will start at) and see what classes they do so you know what is available locally.

Costs wise I guess it could be (most expensive to cheapest)
Iame X30
Rotax
TKM
ProKart

I'd suggest to start with dont get all tied up with MSUK racing. Do some local IKR (Independent Kart Racing) at tracks which offer these championships, get used to the kart, learn for a year or so and then you will have more of an idea of the karting scene.

For a test day out it can be cheaper than a day shopping with the family (so my dad says).

Hope this helps a little bit but one final note, there are loads of people who know it all in karting and will sell you a 'great deal'. Remember the motto buyer beware, look around, talk to people but always try and seek good advice from those not trying to earn something out of the deal.

Karting is fantastic, I love it and I'm sure you and your lad will to. Theres so much info on the internet now that you can find out loads, for those questions you cant this is a great forum and then there's guys like Alan Hoyle, Rob Hanscombe and Jack Dex who are in the sport and will give you an honest opinion.

Any questions just ask

 

[Jones2gareth]

Thanks bud that’s some great advice . I take it the single gtx engine kart would be a junior set up ? I’ve seen a few twin gtx pros that I’m going to look at just to get us started I think

 

[Jones2gareth]

Can you race these old rotax engines

 

[Jones2gareth]

Can you race these rotax engines still ?

 

[LE#99]

Thanks bud that’s some great advice . I take it the single gtx engine kart would be a junior set up ? I’ve seen a few twin gtx pros that I’m going to look at just to get us started I think

Cadets use a si gle gx160 or gx200 (in ikr)
Prokarts always have 2.

Just make sure that whatever class you choose is run at the circuits you are looking to visit.

 

[Adam]

Big thanks as always @LE#99 for helping out a fellow member. Great advice as always!