Update

Adie · 24 May 2007, 14:41

Hi Guys,

Right, first off reletavely new to this forum so "Hello"

Also, I've been thinking of giving Karting a go now since I was about 10 years - However, I've never had the budget or means to do it until now. To be honest with you I'm totally confused by the amount of series etc out there and not sure where to begin!

I'm kind of being lured to Club 100 at the moment, I like the fact the have a HW and Super HW class. I'm 6ft 3 and nearly 15 stone so It'd be good to race with people my "size". However, I digress...

I've recently bought a flat and whilst I have a shed on site, I don't have the means to store a Kart Trailer etc so Club 100 appeals again.

Thing is @ £1500 for the season does this represent good value for money over local club racing as an owner-driver?

What is a good price to pay to get started in Karting and be fairly competetive? and What are the average running costs over the course of the season?

Does anyone on this forum race in Club 100? What are the age splits like? I'm 26 now and in the nicest possible way don't want to be spending my time with people half my age etc? What are the people like who race there? I'd like to get out to Clay Pidgeon this weekend as it's my local track but I've got prior commitments this weekend...

Cheers all - *ANY* Help or advice would be greatly appreciated. However small!

Adie

Adie · 24 May 2007, 17:22

Edit - "For about 10 years" not since 10 years (Doh!)

rcarr · 24 May 2007, 17:29

From my experience that figure is about on par with some club racing. My Dad and I do 6 races a season if we are lucky and I don't think we spend more than £2000 on each car in terms of fuel, tyres and entries per season.

Certainly the lower formulae like stock hatch you can buy a cheap car for less than some karts.

I am 20 odd stone and 6 ft 2 and I struggle in 1 make formulas, we have an XR2 championship, I am a clear 2 stone heavier than the 2nd heaviest guy, I am racing against guys half my weight and it shows in my lap times.

Tony_Simpson · 24 May 2007, 23:22

Hello there.

I do race in Club100 and have done for 4 years now (think there a couple more of us too). I'm 26 too and i'm towards the younger/average age!!! Yes there are a couple of 17 year old who race but also people in there 40's and 50's.

Yes £1500 for a year looks bit steep, but you can do just one or two races (at £150 a time) and see if you like the Club 100 atmpsophere. If you like it then good keep doing it.

also you do not have to worry about putting new tyres on, buying spares, cleaning it, worrying about jetting, repairing the engines, worrying why you spent £500 on a new chassis only to have it broken in the first race!!

if you bite the bullit and buy your own and find its not for you then it costs alot. with club100 you get to try before you buy in effect.

Apart from looking at karting.co.uk website for more info i can't help you much for club racing.

btw have you done much karting at all?? if not then it is an experiance to have 25 other karters on track with you at once in club100!! not sure how many club series have that many people on track at once?

also we are at Clay saturday and Sunday, racing from about 10am till about 6pm both days for any one else who is interested in watching.

Rockmunky · 25 May 2007, 21:33

I think Club 100 is quite a good way of getting to grips with racing with other people and building racecraft, without the worry of costs going out of control.

Although i've never tried either club racing or club 100, i do intend to dip my toe in the water in the future.

And welcome, Adie!

**ghinzani** · 25 May 2007, 22:35

Hi Adie, Ive sent you a PM.

Tony I might try and pop down to Clay at some point this weekend, if so I will say hello

trevisio · 30 May 2007, 17:39

Purely from a driving point of view, if you go straight into club karting or any owner/driver racing, with its plethora of chassis/engine tuners, setups etc. how does the driver know if its his/her driving or the kart that need improving if not on the pace?

At least with Club 100 you know its your driving that does the talking, everyone pays the same and has the same chance to win. I would recommend Club 100 as you will learn to drive and race against some very good drivers. There are many ex British Championship runners doing it, including ex champions. They say they are enjoying their racing more than they ever did before in owner/driver.

If there does come a point where you have the urge to buy your own kart, buy a trailer, storage, pay a mechanic, pay for damage, pay for engine rebuilds etc. then, having done Club 100, at least you will have learnt to drive first and not end up spending wads of cash for no reason as all the time it was your driving that needed improving! Going this route I would suggest taking a look at Easykart as at least the chassis and engines are the same.

Of course my point of view is that of somebody who is really only into the driving and has little interest in kart prep/maintenance and associated 1 million other things that all have to be 100% right if you want to beat the best.

quantic · 30 May 2007, 18:44

Hi there, i've raced in Club100 on and off for nearly ten years i would say, though not so much recently. It's good fun, very good value for money compared to running your own stuff (i've owned and raced a Formula TKM at clubbies as well...)
My only problem with it, and the reason i don't bother with it now is that it's very very hard to turn up at a sprint, do 4 laps practice and be competetive. Most of the front runners do the endurance event the day before and so are instantly in the groove for the sprint and unless you are exceptionally good it's hard to get on the pace in such a short time.
I used to be able to go to a sprint, turn up, and expect to get in the A final and even got a few podiums but i think those days are gone (maybe i'm just a has been now!!!)
It seems to me that the point of Club100 is budget racing, but if you want to be competetive then really you have to do the endurance race first and use it as a test day-that kind of defies the object a bit to me
If, however you're happy to turn up and just have a blimmin good race then go for it!!

jhansen · 30 May 2007, 22:14

Kind of curious about these questions to. Although in the states we have different names and such I think. Where can I find a good break down of types of karts, series, clubs, etc?

Tony_Simpson · 31 May 2007, 16:25

for uk karting i guess look at karting.co.uk

that seems to have alot of the karting classes, and specs, series etc you are after.

Adie · 3 Jun 2007, 19:52

Cheers guys for all your help.

I'm thinking Club 100 it is then. I'll try to get onto the grid for a couple of races later on this year - well that's the plan at the moment with a view to a full season next year.

I've got no idea what to expect competitive wise, except I think it'd be best to rule out any A-Finals for a little while. I usually hammer my mates when we do 'corporate' Karting, but this will be a totally different kettle of fish and some top 10 'B' finals finishing will good by the looks of things. Still, we'll see!

Thanks a again guys.

**ghinzani** · 4 Jun 2007, 08:16

Adie - for the price of 3 Club100 rounds you could have your own kart that you could race whenever & whereever you wished. Wheres Club100 going to take you? Around the country admittedly (with all the expoense that entails) but its not going to get you your own equipment and regular laps at a few tracks to sort out your driving, then you ability to make and recognise changes. You will spend most of your first year learning differenet tracks but then you dont come back for another year, how can you tell your drivings improved? My advice would be get a cheap kart, race locally and find your feet that way. If you want to move on after you've improved your driving and knowledge then at least you have something to sell to fund the next move.

**ghinzani** · 4 Jun 2007, 08:19

ps £1500 a year is what I would spend on a season of MSA racing at Clay or Forest, and I'd want a engine rebuild and three sets of tyres out of that and all the fees, maintenance costs.