May Give Up FR-S For Karting
 

Hello FT86Club,

As some of you may know, I've been tracking my own personal car(s) for the past 3 years now... And I just recently completed my 6th two-day DE event with the FR-S (approximately 28-30+ two-day events overall).

And now I've come to the point of questioning myself.

Yes, I've gained some solid knowledge and experience to become a much better driver with the help of my DE organization(s) / Instructors. And I have no regrets for all the time and money I've given up for this particular hobby and its benefits / enjoyment.

Truth is, I'm starting to feel that tracking one's own personal car on a consistent basis may likely be a rich man's hobby and pastime. Maintaining the car and always owning up to covering parts that may break and cost a fortune... Unfortunately, I don't have the knowledge or motivation to do some of the more technical labor to keep up with the car, and no telling how much stress I'd have to take on if I'd even purchase a cheap beater (or an older Miata). And then my heart would desire to get into racing, which could again take some good money.

I try to be modest about this fact, but I tend to be a highly competitive individual... Although I've struggled in accomplishing many dreams from the past.

I love driving my own sports car enthusiastically from the last several years, but it no longer makes sense for me financially and mentally to keep up with... This is why I'm considering Karting.

Perhaps some of you guys have some (or lots) of good experience with Karting, and you can clearly see my lack of awareness and experience of what I'm getting myself into. Therefore, I hope you all specifically could give me some further direction and pointers.

I've done some research (and will continue to do so) regarding this specific hobby... I have currently scheduled myself to meet up with a veteran of the Karting sport, and will also take a test ride to make sure this is something for me.

If it all works out, I will be giving up my DE track hobby with my own personal sports car, and will also give up my FR-S in order to put my complete mental and financial focus on Karting and quite possibly, getting into racing with it.

Thank you in advance for all comments, pointers, and advice.

Texas FR-S

You cant go pick up the hot babes in a Kart.

Haha... Already have the wife. Thankfully, she's supportive of the idea.

Will trade-in the FR-S for an SUV for her, maybe that's why she's okay with the plan... ;)

(If all goes accordingly and I'm happy with Karting)

I like karting, but it got old. Maybe it was really just the old guy getting old behind the wheel though. I used to borrow friends karts and/or rent, never owned one.

Hope you dont take a beating on the resale.

I would suggest trying out karting but holding on to the FRS for the time being, just in case you decide it's not for you. We used to race offroad professionally and yes, racing...any type of racing gets expensive, really fast. And that's not even going into the time involved. That's why we sold our race car qand now I just play around at DE's.

You want to know how to make a little money racing, start with a lot of money.....

Anyhow, try out different things and see what looks like fun. It may be worth it to buy in to a race team. That way you get to race but your level of expense and effort is dramatically reduced.

Karting (organized racing) can be just as expensive/more than HPDE. And it will be even more competitive, as it is racing not open laps at a track. I would most definitely chose karting over track days (even time trials), but the logistics of karting doesn't make sense for me at this point (no room to store the kart, tow vehicle, & trailer). Just be prepared to be schooled by 80lbs 10yr kids. :)

This might not make sense but I can't help but wonder if it would really be that much less costly as you sharpen your skills and your wants for better and improved equipment. I know it sounds silly to compare but I think back to the '60s when I was very heavy into organized slot car racing. The costs were no where near what they would be for a cart or an automobile but for the cost of playing with slot cars the cost was astronomical and there was always something else to try and that something else always required money. Luckily my local shop was my sponsor.

I don't care what a persons interest/hobby might be. Archery, small bore rifle, whatever, the better you get and especially if you want to be the best it's going to cost big bucks.

Personally, I think you should stick with the car but have no karting experience. All hobbies are expensive depending how far you take it. But you only get one go-around.

Just as expensive, and you cant use the kart on the street. Just stick with what you have and don't completely punish your engine. Shift earlier, upgrade your brakes to something far better so they last longer and do a better job. Also, do an oil change before every track event and possible even after. That will help keep fresh oil viscosity and help with keeping wear under control.

Tires will / should be your most expensive cost. The car should take lots of track miles with out much problem. Longevity all depends on how well you can drive the car, and how smoothly. Consequently making you a faster driver as well. Some people I know have been tracking on one motor for years as well as using the car on the street.

I also feel that the money you will lose on a resale will be far greater than matinee cost for the occasional track day's u will attend for the next year or two. I guess that all depends on what you are doing exactly.

Unfortunately if you like to drive, its going to be expensive. Karting is fun but different than cars. The cheapest way is still getting something like an old Miata that is track prepped and do HPDE.

Karting is expensive. Its going to cost you 4000-5000 for a good used TAG or Rotax may or may not have Micron. Two sets of tires for a race weekend to be competitive, at $400. Fees, kart stands, storage transport, brakes, tuning, engine rebuilds spare parts etc.

If you can get over the cost, karting depending on the track is amazing if you love wheel to wheel competition. I love it and its much more physical and difficult to be fast in a kart than car. Also you can get a lot more seat time and become a better driver in a shorter period of time.

I can bet that maybe 1 out of 5000 people on this web site are actually going to wheel to wheel race an FR-S in a competitive manner. Most people who are going to drive a car competitively are going to start in spec miata or SRF anyway thats where the competition is.

The FR-S/BRZ is a just a fun, sporty car for daily driving. It's a turd on the track in stock form. Just have to figure out where you want your money spent.

Thank you all for posting your honest feedback and opinions... It gives me a more proper insight on what I'm thinking of before trying to jump in completely.

I'm going to meet a few folks in person at a local Karting track (with their Karts) this Saturday and acquire additional information so I can be realistic with myself.

LSxJunkie: I'll be 27 years old in a few more days. Married and have two kids, so that should magically add a few more years on me. ;)

I've heard nothing but great things for those who kart race. It's a great entry into open wheel racing. I'm looking to get into it for a while then would like to do some formula racing.

Would love to try some time

The most important thing to ask is to find out from your LOCAL karting track the most popular race series.

Is it local spec class (Local Configs), Rotax, TAG etc. Why? Because you don't want to waste your time getting a kart in a small class where you are not racing others.

I would strongly, strongly recommend if you have never done it, do a 1-2 day karting school and do rental leagues first. Don't just buy into a kart right away until you are comfortable in the rentals or spec karts.

You also have to take in account the safety equipment you will need.
DO NOT do outdoor karting without good rib protection or you will be very sorry.

Get onto a team that does Chump car... maybe 1000-3000 buy in to a team and you can do real open wheel racing... karting is easily more expensive and is pretty hard on your body too, also something to consider.

It sounds like what you are missing (and want) is wheel to wheel racing which you cannot really do in the FR-S. I was in a similar place years ago and ended up racing off-road Superlites for 6 years. It was expensive but I got my "fix" and I am glad that I did it. At one point, two of my brothers and I owned 4 cars and traveled to Michigan, Ohio and New York state to run a racing series. Eventually the money and the time investment was too much and I sold the cars.

As many have stated in this post, any type of motorsports is expensive. It is even more so if you cannot build and maintain your own machines.

However, you only live once. If you have the burning desire to race competitively then you will never be satisfied until you do it. Just make sure that it will not destroy you financially or adversely affect your marriage. If the wife is on board and supportive you will enjoy the whole experience much more.

If I was to go back to racing now and wanted to do it as cheaply as possible then I would probably do Chumpcars or SCCA F500.

Good luck with your decision.

Thanks for the continued help and smart advice.

I'm pretty serious about taking a different step. Whether it be Karting or whatever, it has to be something different.

I went ahead and proceeded with trading-in the FR-S for a 2013 Toyota 4Runner today after work. It's mainly a gift for my wife, and buys me time to decide on what to do while I can pull myself away from DE events. It was the right thing to do.

This entire thread makes me very sad.

Whoa! You don't waste any time! GL!

Damn sorry for your loss...

I really hope you truly have no regrets about this decision. For competitive racing Spec Miata/Honda Challenge or karting will be about as inexpensive as you can get... but still expensive.

If you want to just do some competitive racing for cheap build a sim rig and try league sim racing...

I have one of those now. It is just not the same. I do not get the adrenalin rush or sense of accomplishment from that like I did from racing. It is fun but just 'game" fun. I tried Forza and GT5 then moved up to iRacing. Maybe I just never found the right simulator?

You also do not get the comradery that you experience in real racing. Some of the best experiences in my life were in the pits between races.

It is a lot cheaper though.

http://www.racekarts.com/
Local in Houston

@Texas FR-S

Look into Lemons / Chump car. Might be cheaper than karting plus gets you wheel to wheel. Just a thought. We run both series so any questions just holler.

Or you could give me your FRS :D

win/win

I'm poor lol

IMO chumpcar or spec racing would be the cheapest, spec would be more fun and used spec cars are always in the market for ~10K with lots of spare parts.

Or you can switch to drifting, autox, or even time attack which are much cheaper than wheel to wheel racing.