4 Stroke Karting in the Northwest (Future Kart Team Journal)
 

Hey Everyone!!

This year Nicholas, Jovan, Joseph and myself have decided to compete in the up and coming LO206 (4 stroke) karting class regionally with support from Michael. Most people aren't aware of the karting scene in the PNW so I thought I'd make a post documenting our year of racing to show motorsports enthusiast!


Luckily a few years ago I got into karting as someone was getting out of the sport and I picked up a kart with trailer and a bunch of parts. If I do say so myself we are starting to look like an actual team!! Future Kart Team came from a joke that one day we will be a real team..... one day in the future. I still have high hopes!


This last weekend (May 18/19) West Coast Kart Club (WCKC) hosted a double header race weekend at Greg Moore Raceway and I competed both days with Joseph Joining me on Sunday. There are plenty of stories from both days but it was easily one of the best racing weekends I've ever had!!

Results:

Richard:
Saturday May 17th:
Pre-final: 2nd
Final: 2nd (video)

Sunday May 18th:
Prefinal: 8th
Final: Crashed out



Joseph
Sunday May 18th:
Prefinal: 3rd
Final: 2nd



Michael was a huge help all weekend being a team mechanic/race director/photographer and put together a great video from the outside showing just how close the racing was!!!


As you can see the LO206 engine isn't very fast but the advantage is the racing. This weekend we had up to 10 karts in the class and expect to have 15-20 average for the rest of the year!!! Due to the simplicity of the engines the parity in speed creates fantastic racing.

If anyone has any questions about karting please feel free to ask!! I think karting in the northwest region is a well kept secret that even the most hardcore racers don't know about.

Hope to keep up to date with this thread as we progress through the year!

Richard

what are the costs to get involved? equipment, fees etc

is the Greg Moore Raceway (Chilliwack, BC) open to public?

It kinda depends on how involved/serious you want to be. But I'll use the LO206 class as an example. I convinced my two buddies to get into the LO206 class (two silver/black karts in the picture), they picked up used karts for around $2600 each. With safety gear etc they were ready to go for around #3k.

One year membership to the track is $500 per person, which sounds like a lot but you actually get a key to the gate. Once you're a member the track is open to you for practice 9am - 9pm any day there isn't a race scheduled.

This last weekend I competed in the West Coast Karting Club's double header race weekend and for two days of racing I paid $150 for registration. I believe a 1 day race is $75.

Race days include 4-5 10 minute practice sessions, a 10 minute qualifying, 12 lap pre-final race and a 16 lap final race.

I ended up going to the track all three days this weekend and did over 110 laps in total.

There is on-site kart storage in locked containers starting at $500 a year which is awesome. Drive to the track, pull your kart out and throw down!

It isn't like F440 unfortunately, there are no public rental karts.

HOWEVER, the WCKC club has a great program called the Race Now Challenge. I did this two years ago before getting into the sport. For $300 they rent you a 4 stroke kart exactly like the one I own and do a full race day. The $300 includes registration and they have all gear available on site for you (helmet/suit/goves/etc). You just show up and drive.

For more information about the Racenow Challenge: http://www.westcoastkartclub.com/get...now-challenge/

I highly recommend renting the kart through BBR Karting if you're planning to give it a go!

Rich

Cool! Do you happen to know if there are any tracks like this in the interior?

I haven't been to this track myself, looks like they set it up in a parking lot in Vernon BC. But it could be fun!! Racing is racing!

Website I found: Southern Interior Karting Association - B.C. Canada

Rich

That looks like fun! I have always wanted to take my kart to the Chiliwack track, but its a bit far for me lol
My kart has been collecting dust ever since F440 closed down...:(

Funny you mention that!! WCKC has a "F440 Promo Track Day" program this year for people who used to run out in Tsawwassen!

Info: ?F440? Promo Track Days | West Coast Kart Club

GMR is a bit of a drive, but man is it ever worth it!

Rich

I was looking around a bit and found that Sima Raceway in Sumas has public karts for rent anytime. They also run a rental kart race day during their competitive race weekends.

More info on kart rentals at SIMA: Rentals | SIMA Racing

Info on the race SIMA summer series: Kart Club | SIMA Racing

"RENTAL KART RACE: Driver Wanted! $50 per person. Includes qualifying, heat race and final. No previous racing experience required. Must be over 15 years old. Winner receives free entry in the next race."

Richard

Great post! I've been thinking about ways to get into Karting but been too busy (aka lazy) to research it. This thread will be handy when it comes time.

Good luck in your efforts and thanks for sharing.

Racing is racing is racing--- Nice vids!

AWESOME

def will get into this in future

Italian Motors just posted on their FB:

SIMA Race Days: MAY 10 - JUNE 14 - JULY 19 - AUG 16 - SEPT 13 - SEPT 27

Entry fees:
Early bird - $60
Normal registration: $85

Richard

Very cool - was just out at TBC this weekend for my stag and had a great time. Would love to go Karting more often. Thanks for sharing.

Been out practicing a bunch to get the karts dialed in and time behind the wheel, so I thought I'd share some pictures and video!



UPCOMING RACE WEEKEND:
Where: Greg Moore Raceway
When: June 14/15 (Saturday and Sunday)
Details: Double header weekend Reverse course
Times: Practice 9am - 11ish, Quali 11:30ish, Pre-final 2ish, Final 3ish

There are multiple classes racing this weekend, not just the LO206 field. But it looks like there should be 15 or so karts in LO206!!! Going to be fun racing!

Richard

*special thanks to Kyle Thomson for the fantastic pictures!

fuck this looks like a fun hobby

I've got some video etc coming from last weekend but before I get to that:

If anyone is interested in trying karting in something a bit faster than what we drive, SIMA Raceway in Sumas is offering their Intro to Karting for $99 +tax!!!

More information: Curriculum/Pricing info | SIMA Racing

Rich

Haven't updated in a while but the racing continues:


That is from todays race, had a bunch of fun working my way onto the podium after starting from the rear. Excited to get back out on track tomorrow!

Rich

Not all of it has to be super serious karting, here is last night at TBC!


Rich

do u really think the tbc karts feel that much different? i didnt notice much change at all......that said i dont kart as much as you

I think difference between tbc and 4 stroke is environmental being outside, real pavement etc.. They are both just karts.

That being said a proper race kart feels quite a bit different due to weight, tires, setup, and seating position.

TBC is great because the surface is so slippery, making the heavy rental karts feel quite fast.

Rich

Bump for 2015 updates

Last bits of 2014:

28 Kart field for one of the last races of the year!
https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hpho...d1&oe=553A6C54

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...574f1608762499

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...a2495205f54d65

2015!!!

Looks to be a good year as our team has grown slightly and everyone seems more dedicated this year. I'm personally planning to be more competitive this year trying to get out to more events and try out some of the other local tracks.

Currently planning to sell my Birel Kart ($500 for chassis, $1,500 for chassis/engine) and upgrade to new equipment.

The WKCK club is planning to do a Winter LO206 race January 24th which would be amazing to attend but I think it will be a game time decision for most depending on weather.

More info on the LO206 winter race: 2015 WCKC LO206 Winter Trophy INFORMATION ? Saturday January 24th | West Coast Kart Club

If anyone is interested in getting into karting for 2015 feel free to ask any questions!!

Rich

Thanks for the update buddy!

Know anyone or shops selling a decent used 2 stroke kart? Looking at getting into karting this year.