Set-Up Costs
The costs involved in getting into go-kart racing include both the purchase of a kart along with the appropriate safety gear. Wether you purchase a new or second hand kart will depend mainly on two factors, the available budget and the reason your getting involved. If you have the budget a new kart is the best option. Just like a car, karts do wear out. The chassis becomes less responsive after years of use and other items like brakes and bearings will need to be eventually replaced. On the other hand you can pick up some good second hand deals. You generally can tell how well a kart has been maintained by how it is presented. Some things to look at when purchasing a second hand kart are:
- Eligibility - Is the engine, muffler, tyres, kart eligible to race in the class you have chosen.
- Suitability - Make sure the chassis is suitable for the class you will be racing, tube size, stiffness, axle diameter all vary for different classes. Generally the more powerful the engine or heavier the driver the stiffer the chassis will need to be, i.e. clubman light may need a 28mm chassis with a 40mm axle while a Rotax 125 Max will need a 32mm chassis with a 40 or 50mm axle.
- Chassis Brand - There are numerous brands of karts on the market. The two main categories are Australian made and European made karts. Make sure the kart you are purchasing still has parts available for them. A majority of parts on a kart are interchangeable but there are some parts that are specific to each kart.
- Chassis Age - The price of the chassis is reflected by the age of the kart as well as the condition. For competitive racing you should aim for a chassis that is less than 4 years old. Older karts will still perform well but are ideally suited for recreational use.
- Chassis Fatigue - If there is any evidence of cracking it is best to avoid the kart. Look under the kart to make sure the kart is not badly worn. Missing paint is normal but if you can see the main rails have been ground it normally means the kart has had a hard life.
- Engine - Is the engine right for the class, what size piston is it on, when was the engine last serviced, is it legal for racing, do they have any receipts for the work they have had done.
Kart:
There are several price ranges you will be looking at when purchasing a complete kart
| $1000 to $1500 | Karts within this price range normally are more than 10 years old. These karts often require some work and will normally not make for a competitive race kart. |
| $1500 to $2000 | Karts within this price range would be between 4 and 10 years old. You can often find a good competitive kart within this price range if the original owner has not abused the kart. |
| $2000 to $3000 | Karts within this price range normally are good competitive race karts that require little or no work done to them. Normally you will find that they will be under four years old (the normal competitive life expectancy of a chassis is between 2-5 years depending on brand). |
| $4800+ | The price of a new Clubman chassis set up with a KT100S engine ready to go |
Race Gear:
You can often acquire second hand equipment but it is often very hard to find. With items such as helmets it is always best to purchase new to ensure the helmet is in good condition.
| Suit | These range from $195.00 up to $950.00 depending on style and brand |
| Helmet | $120.00 up to $2500.00 depending the material, graphics and brand |
| Gloves | $40.00 up to $95.00 |
| Boots | $129.00 up to $365.00. Boots are not required but your shoes must cover your ankles |
Spare Parts:
The amount of spare parts you need to carry is up to you. We normally recommend to following parts as a basic kit as they are parts you will eventually need to have. Sprockets, Chain, Spark Plug, Accelerator Cable, Exhaust Springs. Approx cost is $100.00