May Give Up FR-S For Karting

[gmookher]

Originally Posted by ANTI_LAG

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

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by Texas FR-S

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.

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.

[JesseE]

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.

[Rampage]

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.

[Texas BRZ]

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.

[Asterisked Accolade]

This entire thread makes me very sad.

[iLuveKetchup]

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

[JoeBoxer]

Damn sorry for your loss...

[Vracer111]

Originally Posted by Texas FR-S

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.

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...

[Rampage]

Originally Posted by Vracer111

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.

[ANTI_LAG]

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

[FT-86 SpeedFactory]

@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.

[Snoopyalien24]

Originally Posted by Texas FR-S

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)

Or you could give me your FRS

win/win

I'm poor lol

[blur]

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.