Whats with being from Indiana and being into Go Karts?

[SDcarting]

I live in San Diego, CA. But I was born and raised in Indiana.

I started my build in my 40s here in California and the one observation I keep making over and over and over again is how many people I come across on facebook, youtube, and even probably this forum are from Indiana and sometimes Ohio and are into making go karts. What happened where we are into this sort of thing. Is it a rust belt thing or what?


Even if you argue its not limited to Indiana it certainly is a midwestern culture thing. That and mowing a perfect grass lawn.

 

[panchothedog]

I live in Oceanside Ca. just up the road from San Diego. I have 4 off road go karts and a mini bike. I've never even been near Indiana, and was born and raised in Southern California. I think it's more of a coincidental thing about posts you have been reading than a cultural thing. BTW, welcome to the forum.

 

[Master Hack]

Indiana? There are some real nut cases there! Isn't that over there by Kyrgystan?

 

[bob58o]

Things to do in Indiana…
1.) GoKarts
2.) Think of things to do

 

[SDcarting]

It might be me reading into it, but I am really getting into the hobby and I keep bumping into the same state Indiana. I know growing up it seemed like every farmers son was working on a go kart.

I was just watching a video of someone restoring a go kart called a Manco. He went into the history, they were allegedly made in... Indiana. LOL

Anyways goodnight.

 

[Denny]

The people from Indiana are a wonderful and creative bunch. They love to build their own things not buy. They were taught that from a young age. We have a lot of rural areas and are self reliant. Oh, and we’re nuts too and have the papers to prove it! You may want to go get checked out!

 

[pearl111]

I live in Putnum Co. Indiana for about 10 years.

 

[SDcarting]

I am from Putnam County! I went to North Putnam! I grew up on a gravel road on the outskirts of Heritage Lake. A stone throw away from Coatesville. You cant make this up. Well Hello Pearl111.

 

[SDcarting]

I live in Putnum Co. Indiana for about 10 years.

Just using the reply button to get your attention from my previous comment.

 

[pearl111]

I am from Putnam County! I went to North Putnam! I grew up on a gravel road on the outskirts of Heritage Lake. A stone throw away from Coatesville. You cant make this up. Well Hello Pearl111.

My ex-wife parents used to live on heritage lake
And my ex-wife also and a beauty salon right next to heritage lake
It was called... hair we are
I used to live about a mile or two off a heritage lake
And if North Putnam high School is the one that was just off of route 40. My ex also graduated from that school way way back in the day

 

[SDcarting]

My ex-wife parents used to live on heritage lake
And my ex-wife also and a beauty salon right next to heritage lake
It was called... hair we are
I used to live about a mile or two off a heritage lake
And if North Putnam high School is the one that was just off of route 40. My ex also graduated from that school way way back in the day

"hair we are" That sounds so familiar. Is it next to McPherson gas station on US 36?

Where at did you live by? That would be wild if we were lived in almost the same spots. For people who may be lurking. This is NOT a heavily populated area or really known for anything, so it is kind of fascinating.

I used to live right near to "Canaan Community Church" Coatesville IN. It used to be a tiny church and they just kept adding on to it.

Talking about this brings back some heavy nostalgia.

 

[pearl111]

I believe the hair salon was on a road that headed south from 36 about a mile or two
But I lived in that area a long time ago
Plus a few other places in Putnam county between 1982 and 1992 approximately

I would have to look at the map real good to remember any more details it's been many years ago

 

[Denny]

I’m from Whiting in Lake county.

 

[SDcarting]

I believe the hair salon was on a road that headed south from 36 about a mile or two
But I lived in that area a long time ago
Plus a few other places in Putnam county between 1982 and 1992 approximately

I would have to look at the map real good to remember any more details it's been many years ago

Sounds like it was next to Pizza Den. Was the building brown? We definitely lived close to each other at one point. I lived there from 85 to 99. Crazy.

I’m from Whiting in Lake county.

That is why we are interested in DIY go karts. Probably had something to do with auto manufacturing in the day, and the Indy 500 etc. Some carry over from childhood.

In fact AFTER I posted this someone on the facebook group was looking for a frame and he said hell pick it up in Indiana area. I'm like man another one.

 

[pearl111]

Sounds like it was next to Pizza Den. Was the building brown? We definitely lived close to each other at one point. I lived there from 85 to 99. Crazy.

That is why we are interested in DIY go karts. Probably had something to do with auto manufacturing in the day, and the Indy 500 etc. Some carry over from childhood.

In fact AFTER I posted this someone on the facebook group was looking for a frame and he said hell pick it up in Indiana area. I'm like man another one.

Yes she was on the left side of the pizza shop in the brown building (log cabin).
I always went to indy time trials and practice and races. I've been to couple indy 500 races since I've been back here.

 

[Kartorbust]

Hard to say why its popular here in the midwest. I've always wanted my own go kart growing up. Still don't have one yet, even though in nearing 32. It helps that Briggs and Stratton is based out of the midwest though and they do a lot for go kart engines. The Animal was kind of popular and the LO206 engines have their own class for kart racing. The Predator engines have really done a lot for the hobby over the last decade or so.

With how California is becoming these days, I'm surprised anyone can race gas karts out there.

Mowing grass is an art in itself.

 

[SDcarting]

Hard to say why its popular here in the midwest. I've always wanted my own go kart growing up. Still don't have one yet, even though in nearing 32. It helps that Briggs and Stratton is based out of the midwest though and they do a lot for go kart engines. The Animal was kind of popular and the LO206 engines have their own class for kart racing. The Predator engines have really done a lot for the hobby over the last decade or so.

With how California is becoming these days, I'm surprised anyone can race gas karts out there.

Mowing grass is an art in itself.

Q1: I just ride in my neighborhood and hope no one reports me. Neighbor whom I NEVER speak with was asking my about my kart 2 weeks ago. Now suddenly he has welded a frame in his garage and looks ready to ride on the street also. (much smaller kart) Think I created a 'wave'. Saw him welding yesterday on it. Hope he sees me doing my laps and joins me for a local cruise.

Q2. My yard almost looks like a golf course, just a few more holes to fix. Most peoples grass is dead or looks like its on life support usually. Water is pricey. Californians aren't lawn care people.

 

[Kartorbust]

Yeah I'm kind of hoping once I do a build, it may spark interest around my small town. Did see someone did have an old 2 seater kart outside of their garage a couple months ago, looked like it had a Tecumseh OHV engine. Not there anymore, not sure if someone bought it or if they scrapped it.

 

[panchothedog]

SDcarting. That is great that you have a neighbor that is welding up a frame. Obviously you have caused some interest for someone to do that. Way to go. Only thing I get from my neighbors is a visit from the Police department. Once in a while I'll let the grandkids take a lap or two around the block, but no more than that. Usually just testing something. After the third or fourth time that the Police showed up, and the officer started talking about impounding the karts, I went and bought a trailer. Now it's 90 miles out to Ocotillo Wells off road area. At least I don't have to worry about the Police, or street traffic. So aside from the drive, it gives me peace of mind. Safer all the way around.

 

[SDcarting]

SDcarting. That is great that you have a neighbor that is welding up a frame. Obviously you have caused some interest for someone to do that. Way to go. Only thing I get from my neighbors is a visit from the Police department. Once in a while I'll let the grandkids take a lap or two around the block, but no more than that. Usually just testing something. After the third or fourth time that the Police showed up, and the officer started talking about impounding the karts, I went and bought a trailer. Now it's 90 miles out to Ocotillo Wells off road area. At least I don't have to worry about the Police, or street traffic. So aside from the drive, it gives me peace of mind. Safer all the way around.

I fully intend to start a thread for where people take their DIY karts in San Diego County and will look forward to your input. I am concerned about safety and police. I want my daughter to ride with me and not feel like she is terrified. LOL