GETTING STARTED IN KARTING

If you’re looking to get started (or get your son or daughter started) in karting it may all seem a little complicated and confusing: all those classes, different kinds of tracks, what motors do they run? Where do I start? Let’s sort it out.

Firstly, keep in mind kart racing can be what you want to make it. Many of our racers at Oakland Valley Race Park are purely recreational and come out to have fun, compete, and drive fast in a controlled, safe, and supervised environment. On the other hand, kart racing can be the first step on the ladder to big league racing. If you’re interested in getting into kart racing you’re probably also a race fan of one type of racing or another. ALL of the drivers currently competing on the World Championship F1 circuit, and many NASCAR, IRL/Indy Car, and FIA World Rally drivers started their careers in karting. Paul Newman, Danica Patrick, and Marco Andretti have all been regulars at OVRP.

At Oakland Valley Race Park racers can start at 5 years of age. And we have racers 72 years old that are very competitive!

The best way to get started is come and visit the track. If you come on a non-race day, stop in at the Retail Shop, and we’ll show you around the facility, and give you some information on the age groups, karts, and different engine packages. If you come on a race day (check our calendar of events) you’ll have an opportunity to observe the activity on the track, the competitors, and the typical routine of a race day program. But, let’s give you basic information to start off with.

TYPES OF KART RACING

Sprint kart racing is run on an asphalt road course track with left and right hand turns. Oakland Valley Race Park is a .6 mile sprint track with 12 turns, a 725’ long straight-away, and some elevation change. With its long straight-away, high speed turns, and technical sections Oakland Valley is a great place to learn race technique and race craft.

Paved Oval Track racing is another form of asphalt racing. The karts are set up a little differently from sprint karts because they only turn left. Oakland Valley has a unique (for karts) paved Tri-Oval Track.

Enduro Racing is done on longer race tracks, like full size race car road courses. Enduro drivers maintain a “lay-down” driver’s position, whereas sprint drivers are in more of an upright sitting position.

Dirt Oval Racing is run on shorter, (1/5 or 1/6 mile) usually banked tracks. If it’s dirt oval racing you’re interested in visit www.oaklandvalleyspeedway.com for more information on that type of racing.

KART RACING CLASSES (For complete OVRP class structure info click HERE)

Oakland Valley is primarily a Sprint Kart track and what follows is a discussion of the most popular classes that race at our track.

KID KARTS are for the youngest age group of competitors, 5-7 year olds. There are several different Kid Kart brands, but they are all built specifically for the young drivers’ size and age. One good point about Kid Karts is that they all use an engine that is almost universal, the Comer C-51 motor.

Beyond the Kid Kart age group there are different choices to make relative to the racer’s age and engine packages. Engine groups include Rotax, Comer, and Yamaha.

The Rotax classes are:

MICROMAX 8-10 year olds
MINIMAX 11-13 year olds
JUNIOR ROTAX 13-16 year olds
ROTAX SENIOR 16+years old
ROTAX MASTERS 32+years old

8-12 YEAR OLDS may choose to race the Cadet class. Cadet utilizes the 80cc Comer engine.

The Yamaha classes are:

YAMAHA JUNIOR 12-15 year olds
YAMAHA SENIOR 15+ year olds

The Yamaha classes use the Yamaha KT-100 engine

TAG CLASSES

TAG JUNIOR 12-15 year olds
TAG SENIOR 15+ year olds

SHIFTER KART

Shifter Karts-16+ years old

ENGINES

2 Cycle engines are most popular in Sprint Kart racing. The Comer 50 cc motor is used almost exclusively for Kid Karts. The Comer 80 cc is used in the Cadet class. The Rotax engine package is unique because the lower end of the motor can be used from the Micromax class all the way up through the Senior and Masters class with up-grades. TAG (touch and go) are also popular (IAME, Parilla, and Leopard)

4 Cycle engines are popular in dirt track and asphalt oval racing. Briggs and Stratton provides most of these engine packages. Briggs also produces the World Formula engine which is very popular in some areas for Sprint Kart racing.

TAG (touch and go) are also a very popular engine option. TAG engines have on-board electric starters (as do Rotax.) IAME, Parilla, and Leopard are some of the TAG motors available. Shifter karts have 80-125cc 2 cycle engines with a 6 speed motorcycle transmission. The Honda Stock Moto engine is one of the more popular applications.

KARTING SCHOOLS

Now that you know a little bit about age groups, kart classes, and engine options, WHAT”S NEXT?

Well, as stated earlier, come to the track, look around, talk to some racers, talk to us in the shop. If you think it’s an activity you want to get started in, you can schedule an “Introduction to Karting” session. This program is for youths (starting at 5 years of age) and adults as well. Sessions can be 2 hour, 4 hour, or full day. (2 hours usually works best for youngsters.) It includes kart orientation, track orientation, lead/follow on track sessions with an instructor, learning the race line, braking points, and race craft. The program is tailored to suit the individual student and progresses as the student progresses. It’s a great way to get a feel for karting without a huge financial commitment. Click on the SCHOOLS tab on the HOME page for fees)

Whatever questions you may have regarding karting, don’t hesitate to call the shop (845-754-8500) Tim (860-318-1177) or Peter (860-318-6682) We’d be pleased to answer any questions, and do our best to help get you started and headed in the right direction!

 

OAKLAND VALLEY RACE PARK (OVRP) & HANNEN MOTORSPORTS, INC.

305  OAKLAND VALLEY ROAD   |   CUDDEBACKVILLE   |   NY   |   12729

Phone  (845) 754-8500   |   Fax  (845) 754-8838   |   www.ovrp.com