Motorsports - get involved! Racing is life, everything before or after is just waiting...

[linkster]

Yes everyone uses the same karts. The other question is a bit more complicated.

We are competing in two competitions, the Daytona Inkart which is monthly and the NKA Championships. The former categorises you on weight and by age, although I do find it a bit harsh that senior means 16 - still, means I really do have to think of everything I possibly can do to improve. The NKA has only used age so far; not weight which seems weird. I guess it's cos they are trying to make it as inclusive as possible.

I thought more about Whilton and I must confess I prefer Daytona. Daft as it may sound, I think Daytona is more scary.

[marsh]

Never went to Daytona despite being on it's doorstep, but it was more to do with the fact they wouldn't allow minimoto's on the circuit. When I raced the childs bikes we were split up by weight classes and that remains to this day.

On the quads I race now it's a bit more of a freeforall, although I think in the bigger events (I'm only in the smaller local stuff at the moment) they spilt it by 4wd and the normal 2wd bikes. Motocross enduro is what class you think your good enough to run/size of bike engine/2 stroke vs 4 stroke, people have been moving around the novice classes in an effort to win which has pissed a few people off.

I like being the underdog on the quad, though I've got a two day scramble at the end of the month, and I'll be on the big 440. I've started bench pressing the quad in an effort to build up some strength in my arms!

[Hackign]

Do they ballast the karts for fairness?

They do for the championships. My seat used to be weighed down with lead. I used to have like 40kg of lead or something attached to my seat when I moved up to the Rotax Max senior class to meet the 162kg minimum weight limit.

[linkster]

Never went to Daytona despite being on it's doorstep, but it was more to do with the fact they wouldn't allow minimoto's on the circuit. When I raced the childs bikes we were split up by weight classes and that remains to this day.

On the quads I race now it's a bit more of a freeforall, although I think in the bigger events (I'm only in the smaller local stuff at the moment) they spilt it by 4wd and the normal 2wd bikes. Motocross enduro is what class you think your good enough to run/size of bike engine/2 stroke vs 4 stroke, people have been moving around the novice classes in an effort to win which has pissed a few people off.

I like being the underdog on the quad, though I've got a two day scramble at the end of the month, and I'll be on the big 440. I've started bench pressing the quad in an effort to build up some strength in my arms!

My Inkart last month was an eye opener, I was exhausted during the first qualifier, figured it was just anxiety cos ye kids just rocketed away from me, vowed to up my regime and bought a stomach crunch bench, dumbells and doubled the length of my morning run. I could certainly feel the benefit today.

[marsh]

I think the next race while over 2 days is only three races of 20 minutes, not the 2 or 3 hour buggering that is enduro. Love it though, best exercise in the world.

[linkster]

Where do you live now then?

[marsh]

Cornwall, tarmac is fairly prcious down here along with townies complaining about the noise on weekends that they come down to visit. St Eval do a karting thing like yours, but I've never been consistently quick in a kart. One week I'll go round blazing all the way, the next it's as if I've never been in one!. We used to do something a couple of years ago at work , which is how I found out, very quick in heavy traffic slow as fuck out on my own.

I also find with the quad that it's a much more even playing field, more about the rider and his ability than the equipment.

[linkster]

Cornwall, tarmac is fairly prcious down here along with townies complaining about the noise on weekends that they come down to visit. St Eval do a karting thing like yours, but I've never been consistently quick in a kart. One week I'll go round blazing all the way, the next it's as if I've never been in one!. We used to do something a couple of years ago at work , which is how I found out, very quick in heavy traffic slow as fuck out on my own.

I also find with the quad that it's a much more even playing field, more about the rider and his ability than the equipment.

That's funny, I've only been to Cornwall once and we went on that track, it basically made me think 'i should do this more'. The same holiday was the only time I have been on a quad bike, loved it, pretty hairy doing the assault course though!

[Indy @ S.E.]

Has anyone raced at the Milton Keynes Daytona outdoor circuit?

Have booked up a private session with 20-odd mates, first thime for pretty much all of us!

[linkster]

Has anyone raced at the Milton Keynes Daytona outdoor circuit?

Have booked up a private session with 20-odd mates, first thime for pretty much all of us!

Yes, it's one of my two regular circuits. Are you racing D-Max or Pro karts?

[Indy @ S.E.]

Not sure Linkster, all the chap on the phone said was that they are twin-engined and can hit upto 70mph... slightly nervous about that :s

[linkster]

Not sure Linkster, all the chap on the phone said was that they are twin-engined and can hit upto 70mph... slightly nervous about that :s

Ah, Pro karts. Yeah you'll have a blast, and see many cocky types go distinctly quiet after the experience

You'll never hit 70 though. Over 60 if it's dry and warm, and you keep the foot down and can cope with the vibrations.

Hope you love it.

[marsh]

That's funny, I've only been to Cornwall once and we went on that track, it basically made me think 'i should do this more'. The same holiday was the only time I have been on a quad bike, loved it, pretty hairy doing the assault course though!

That's the one with the bridge and the flyover? I desperatly wanted to race the bike there, but some townie who's bumming the council has managed to put the kybosh on any sort of noisey equipment. They have incredibly limited running there on a good week.

I take it the quad thing was at the ATV centre in blackwater?

[linkster]

That's the one with the bridge and the flyover? I desperatly wanted to race the bike there, but some townie who's bumming the council has managed to put the kybosh on any sort of noisey equipment. They have incredibly limited running there on a good week.

I take it the quad thing was at the ATV centre in blackwater?

Bizarre, given it's so far from anywhere

That Blackwater name isn't familiar, it was a place which had a farm shop, little cafe, utterly crap kart track, archery, and did quad excursions around a little course out in the fields.

[holly]

Bizarre, given it's so far from anywhere

That Blackwater name isn't familiar, it was a place which had a farm shop, little cafe, utterly crap kart track, archery, and did quad excursions around a little course out in the fields.

I think we did the quad biking at the other circuit in Wales which wasn't Glan y Gors, actually, not in Cornwall at all. Look familiar? http://www.glasfryn.co.uk/

[marsh]

Makes me laugh, they never let you out on anything bigger than a 250. The atv centre down here runs 125's and they've been restricted.

The kart track is indeed in the back of beyond, but one neighbour 2 miles away with a bit of money and some influence can do alot of damage. They're not allowed to run any form of two stroke engine, and are only allowed any running on limited days.

My plan which is massive blue sky dreaming at the moment is to open an mx/quad track on the outskirts of an airfield. Though there could also be the opportunity to do something down here that's allready been used in the past but fallen into disrepair, but it's far more scary than running my own online games venture. Other than that there's bugger all here, there's Jeepers fun karts which is about 5 yards in length on the outskirts of a nature reserve, and they run all year round.

[linkster]

I think we did the quad biking at the other circuit in Wales which wasn't Glan y Gors, actually, not in Cornwall at all. Look familiar? http://www.glasfryn.co.uk/

ah sorry, you're right, getting my hols mixed up

[linkster]

Makes me laugh, they never let you out on anything bigger than a 250. The atv centre down here runs 125's and they've been restricted.

The kart track is indeed in the back of beyond, but one neighbour 2 miles away with a bit of money and some influence can do alot of damage. They're not allowed to run any form of two stroke engine, and are only allowed any running on limited days.

My plan which is massive blue sky dreaming at the moment is to open an mx/quad track on the outskirts of an airfield. Though there could also be the opportunity to do something down here that's allready been used in the past but fallen into disrepair, but it's far more scary than running my own online games venture. Other than that there's bugger all here, there's Jeepers fun karts which is about 5 yards in length on the outskirts of a nature reserve, and they run all year round.

I'm amazed how relaxed people who run these places are. They never take good opportunities to market themselves. Some don't even bother encouraging the public to come and have a go. Daytona is how I'd run a circuit if I had one.

[marsh]

It's not just about having a circuit though is it?, it's about repairing and selling the equipment you hire out. What better marketing tool than the ability to go and use as man intended?

That's what I'd do, and it's what they do at Hullavington with minimoto's. I fear the reason they don't encourage it is the blame and claim culture enforced upon us by the USA, and the insurance premiums that come with it.

Racing in any form is great, and something the UK is particulalry good at, it should be encouraged at every opportunity.

[Indy @ S.E.]

Ah, Pro karts. Yeah you'll have a blast, and see many cocky types go distinctly quiet after the experience

You'll never hit 70 though. Over 60 if it's dry and warm, and you keep the foot down and can cope with the vibrations.

Hope you love it.

Have seen a couple of vids of people zooming around on youtube, hoping that it stays dry on the day although having a bit of rain will make it a bit more exciting, not sure if we'd cope with that though.

[holly]

Have seen a couple of vids of people zooming around on youtube, hoping that it stays dry on the day although having a bit of rain will make it a bit more exciting, not sure if we'd cope with that though.

One of our first sessions at MK was in the wet (might actually have been our first session, thinking about it) and it was hilarious but also baffling. We were the first session out after a puddle-making downpour and discovered that, actually, karts don't turn if you're coasting through a puddle, so unless you actually put a bit of power on (and only a bit or you spin really easily) you can turn the wheel as much as you like and the kart goes straight on.

Of course, I don't actually try to turn with no power on these days, but it's easily done when you're hurtling at a corner and don't think you're going to have any grip because you're in the middle of a puddle...

[marsh]

I was watching a kart race from 1993 with Senna racing against Prost, I suggest anyone interested in karting has a look. The most amazing skills I think I've ever seen. It's on youtube.

[linkster]

Have seen a couple of vids of people zooming around on youtube, hoping that it stays dry on the day although having a bit of rain will make it a bit more exciting, not sure if we'd cope with that though.

Wet or dry just be careful to brake in a straight line until you get used to things, and be extra careful on the first lap til tyres warm up.

[linkster]

It's not just about having a circuit though is it?, it's about repairing and selling the equipment you hire out. What better marketing tool than the ability to go and use as man intended?

That's what I'd do, and it's what they do at Hullavington with minimoto's. I fear the reason they don't encourage it is the blame and claim culture enforced upon us by the USA, and the insurance premiums that come with it.

Racing in any form is great, and something the UK is particulalry good at, it should be encouraged at every opportunity.

amen. I really want to move to single seater at some point.

[marsh]

amen. I really want to move to single seater at some point.

What, proper formula ford type thing?

If that's a yes then

[Indy @ S.E.]

I'll definitely keep the braking comment in mind, are there any other tips and tricks you guys could give?

[holly]

If it's dry, and you've warmed your tyres up a bit, you can take the corner at the end of the long straight flat out, but you'll have to then really stamp on the brakes because there's a tight hairpin straight after it. And watch stamping on the brakes because that's also a good way to spin

[linkster]

What, proper formula ford type thing?

If that's a yes then

Yeah, I just don't know if you can do it without owning your own vehicle, I'd have thought not but not really looked into it that seriously yet. Got to convince myself I can drive a fucking kart first

[linkster]

I'll definitely keep the braking comment in mind, are there any other tips and tricks you guys could give?

The braking one is the main one, if you're all fairly new to it then there'll be a lot of spinning, and braking/turning with that amount of power at your control is incredibly easy to do. Otherwise, there's a good track guide inside the building, just pay attention to what it says about where you can go flat out and you will surprise people

[marsh]

Hire and drive, there are teams out there that do just that. All you'll have to do is get your licence and get to the circuit. It's obviously a bit expensive but if you don't have your own transport it's the way forward.

Again, I'd love to do single seaters but there's nothing in the south west