Beginner to the hobby, need a couple answers!

[hockeyfights118]

Hey guys, I've been racing Go carts all my life and joined this forum about 2 years ago when I wanted to get into the more competitive, DIY side of things. After not having enough money, I've kind of moved on from things the past couple of years, but now I want to get back involved with the idea of getting serious into go karts!

So I have a few questions, honestly they all may sound basic, but I'm just curious. I want to be able to purchase a kart I can work on, build up, and drive around and my backyard. There is also a league in my area that races karts, called slka (I'm in st.louis) and I would maybe like to eventually join races there to have more fun in this hobby. My question is, what kart should I buy? I know there are a lot of people that recommend craigslist, but what about online shops? And what kind of kart will I have to purchase in order to achieve the ability to race in the local league but also drive in my backyard and on parking lots, etc.? Finally, I am wondering about upgrading karts, what are some things that most people upgrade? I'm pretty good at working on things so I think I could do builds and stuff.

Thanks guys

 

[fowler]

Welcome to DIYGK

All karts can be worked on and modified at home

Do a little research into what type of karts your local club races
Go down and chat to a few members

Some racking clubs have strict regulations on what sort of kart u can get
The rules are usually safety relates as well as to keep completion fair

Start here this wil determine what type if kart
The n we can work out what brand if frame or if u can make it your self

 

[qtband]

I'm in St. Louis (how 'bout them Cards?) and I never heard of SLKA. I looked it up and it looks to me like they all use race karts. Those karts will be useless off road. My advice is to pick which one you want to start with. Yard or race. Get the preferred one first, then add the other later. I have about 7 karts in the garage that all came from CL. If you are willing to drive a little, you can pick up some good deals.
If I were you, I would look for something with a torque converter and a Honda clone engine for the yard kart. They use those engines on race karts and they have a lot of
upgrades. You can test your skills on the yard kart engine before you divr into the racing circuit. Good luck!

 

[hockeyfights118]

I'm in St. Louis (how 'bout them Cards?) and I never heard of SLKA. I looked it up and it looks to me like they all use race karts. Those karts will be useless off road. My advice is to pick which one you want to start with. Yard or race. Get the preferred one first, then add the other later. I have about 7 karts in the garage that all came from CL. If you are willing to drive a little, you can pick up some good deals.
If I were you, I would look for something with a torque converter and a Honda clone engine for the yard kart. They use those engines on race karts and they have a lot of
upgrades. You can test your skills on the yard kart engine before you divr into the racing circuit. Good luck!

What else do people us go karts for? Just driving around having fun? Is it legal to drive them by your house?

I really just don't know where to look on my CL. THere are mayn shapes and models and prices with titles that just say "go kart." What does a street car and yard kart look like?

 

[fowler]

It is legal to drive them around your yard (in all country's I know of)

But not on the road
But that is up to the local cops and your neighbours
Loads of people do it with differant results

 

[qtband]

PM me if you would like to come by and see a few yard karts and a street kart that I have. It may clear things up a bit.

 

[hockeyfights118]

Alright, thanks.

I'm just having a hard time picking out a kart from my craigslist. And I'm not really 100% sure on what each kart should look like.

 

[qtband]

This is a yard kart:
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/rvs/4048014863.html
And this is a race kart:
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/mcy/4074055690.html
This would be an "asphalt drive on the pavement" kart:
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/sno/4025761786.html

 

[OzFab]

Isn't it funny how opinions can differ; what you consider a yard kart I would call an offroad kart/mini buggy & what you consider an asphalt kart I would call a yard kart

 

[jandj]

I agree. Throw some knobbies on that Manco and tear up the grass or sling dirt to your heart's content.