I have been racing for roughly 8 months, and I’m looking for something faster than LO206. Where I race the next most popular class at my track is a KA100, but I was wondering what would be most competitive/provide the most opportunity post karting? I always thought of karting as a branch into car racing, so I was wondering what would be the next best choice for me to find drives if I can win championships.
I do not have a budget, but I’m relatively unknowledgeable on the whole karting community so I wanted to ask.
KA is the next logical step. It will start to teach you about braking and more advanced driving techniques as well as more in-depth tuning with the higher speed, softer tires, and higher competition. Are you winning in 206? If not, doesn’t really make much sense to move “up” to KA unless you just simply want something faster. From a competition standpoint you should be competent and successful in a class before you move to something faster or more competitive generally.
The national-level karting “ladder” at the moment would be club and regional stuff in 206, then regional and national stuff in KA, and then a move to X30 or OK-N or something like that where you are competing against the best in the country. The fields are deeper in KA nationally, but the X30 and OK classes get the hype because that’s where the “pros” race. Even if there is only 15 of them.
What engine choice you go with 9 months into your karting career will have next to no impact on how far you get or how successful you become in car racing. That mostly depends on how deep your pockets are or how savvy you are on social media.
Unfortunately without budget you won’t get very far no matter how well you do. Winning championships may help the better car teams (at each next level)be willing to take your money for a seat. This is a pay to Play sport at all levels with only the higher levels paying drivers vs taking your money to provide a seat.
You need to spend a lot of money to show ppl
You are worth a paycheck.
I suggest doing what makes you happy. Follow the passion, as cheesy as that sounds.
I meant no budget the opposite way, as in I have funding but no background in racing in my family to help me. But yes, I couldn’t agree more on the passion in racing. Some of the most fun I’ve had has been competing in LO206 in regional and club racing.
There aren’t really “scouts” out there looking at karters to move them up the car racing ladder. So it doesn’t really matter what you drive or how much you win. Maybe some scouts, but the reality is they are looking for someone with funding because until you reach some sort of professional level, you are not collecting a paycheck and you need to fund your seat. They aren’t necessarily looking for talent.
If you’re serious about moving up, you can totally get into KA racing and I would recommend finding a team who can provide karts, support and parts etc. so you can go race some regional stuff. KA racing at a regional and semi-national level is a whole different ballgame than 206 club racing.
We have a few topics regarding costs that might help.
Cars are no different to karts in the sense that to race, you just need to make the financial and time commitment. There’s really no hierarchy other than budget.
Karting will likely be the best use of whatever budget you have though when you consider depth of field and available seat time.
Few links to help with Ka100 cost analysis. I have found the cost similar to Lo206 however the speed is much faster. I ran MG Reds used set and new set of Levanto, they showed very little wear. I run 110 and ran pump gas with the Lo206 so there is a small amount money difference. Rebuilds are similar except you can’t replace a shorty Ka100 for $450, like a lo206. I changed this year So for I am enjoying the change and plan on running Ka100 next year.