No matter what your budget is in racing, you will always spend it all (and then some). Doesn’t matter if it’s 206 club racing or X30 national racing. Certainly somethings are more budget-friendly than others, but if someone has $25k to spend per year on karting, they will find a way to spend it all.
Lots of karters are not willing to admit they are not winning races because of their own inadequacies as a driver or tuner, but instead like to place the blame on “lacking budget”.
I can’t count how many times I hear “oh I can’t race nationals because I can’t afford a new kart every weekend like the top guys” or “we didn’t win the regional championship because we didn’t have enough money to rebuild our engine every weekend”. Statements like that artificially inflate the perceived budget needed to compete and all of a sudden the paddock gossip is that you need to spend “$10k a weekend” to run nationals.
Money certainly can help you shortcut some things or make life easier sometimes in karting, but improving yourself as a driver or tuner is free (or close to it), and there isn’t a single person out there who has achieved perfection in both of those. So until you get as close to driving/tuning perfection as you can, you are spending your money and time in the wrong place by buying new karts, new tires, constant engine rebuilds etc.
Not directed at anyone in particular, I just get crazy when people discuss (and complain about) how much they spend on karting, when it really doesn’t need to be that expensive, because it scares people out of the sport or away from trying bigger races or pushing themselves to learn.
No big name builder on the KA. But I don’t have an in on a budget builder either.
I was doing all my own 206 work, but I don’t do my own KA work. Ironic that I was more comfortable servicing the more complex engine.
The 206 involved no bore gauges, no honing, and no critical dimensional tolerances that I was pushing or measuring. Also had ample tooling for the 206. So I was ok with that. The KA, not so much.
Do not follow my service practices…just stating what I did on ours: As for parts, my 206 maintenance was as follows.
break in, let head heat soak several sessions
pull head, toss exhaust valve, cut both exhaust and intake seats, lap in intake and new exhaust valves, reassemble with new head gasket
race for 1 big regional race weekend or several club weekends until driver complained…he could tell when the exhaust leaked…it was nuts.
pull head, would try lapping twice, then cut seat and lap, if that didn’t get it, put new exhaust valve in it and reassemble with a new head gasket
rinse and repeat
I didn’t replace springs but once a year, 20ish race weekends. I replaced the top plate one time ever. I had one motor that needed the guide bushings replaced, but we stopped racing 206 about that time. I know others will say I should have replaced more, but it’s a 6k rpm engine, just didn’t make sense.
As mentioned by many the builder cost and self cost can vary, but if the side cover bolts come undone in the lo206 you can just pay the $350-$400 for short block.
I am seeing similar tire wear Ka100 and Lo206, however I use a harder compound.
If the Ka100 was similar cost to a Kt100 and you could pick up a stock new for $500, and get the same reliability as the Ka100, I think the cost would be closer, I can see the upfront cost of the Ka100 scaring away people and with the big fields and competition in Lo206, it’s hear to stay until electric takes over. On fun factor level Ka100 is leaps and bounds more fun to drive and learn.
My son says he won’t go back to LO206. Says he would be content as a midfield driver in KA over a front runner in 206. Says it’s just more fun to drive. He’s had a taste of running with the lead pack with some national level talent in KA as the season has progressed and has garnered a couple club podiums and a win, so definitely no going back for him.
As for the cost, my comparisons aren’t perfect, they are merely what we spent in one versus the other. I did all of our tuning and motor work on the 4 stroke. On the KA, it’s still all voodoo to me after 8 races. . I struggle tuning and don’t have the tooling for proper dimensional checks on the motor. My son is close enough to graduation that the investments in tools and learning doesn’t make sense.
I definitely agree that the up front cost on KAs are high and intimidating to newer karters.
What does this mean? IMO, karting should be a lifelong hobby, even if other race cars / opportunities are taken…
I will second @Vash_Stampede assessment of fun factor on the KA. The sLOw206 may be easier on my body and fuller fields, the KA makes a kart dance like its’ supposed to.
I am currently having these discussions with my son. We have raced 10 seasons, 2 years in KK, 4 years in 206 sportsman, 2 years in KA junior, and now finishing 2nd year in KA sr.
He is 15yo, a bit over 6’4", and 175 lbs. He plays football, and will likely be 1 inch taller and another 20-25lbs heaver by next karting season.
We’re battling a few issues.
After 10 years, I’m a bit burned out on spending money on karting. Between motor rebuilds and new tires every 2 to3 weekends, it’s just so expensive. I prefer to sell all of the KA Stuff (2 newer chassis and 3 engines) and buy a Coyote/Briggs and run senior medium or senior heavy. Less work, and less spending, but he still gets to race and hang out with his friends.
My son still wants to GO FAST. We race in an extremely competitive club, and can usually garner a top 5-10 finish. I’m not sure that possible next year with the added weight. The coyote is a lighter chassis, so that would be a benefit. Our Senior Heavy class is smaller, and less competitive.
So do we continue in KA in mid-pack and max the budget, or do we have fun maybe being more competitive in 206 senior/senior heavy with a much more affordable budget.
Since I know my sons follows KP, and will read this, I love you buddy! Kart racing with you has been some of the best times of my life!
Try 206. Fun should be the goal. If it isn’t fun running mid-pack and spending a lot of money, you’re better off trying to get into a class where you can maybe be more competitive with less money. Going to a smaller pond makes a fish feel bigger.
Go Roadracing!! Chill atmosphere, weight matters far less, easier on body, cool tracks, schedule more sparse…
And can also do KA or LO206 there, choice between speed fun or mega-drafting…
I would recommend trying the 206 and using some of the money you save to give a couple regional races a shot. Regarding weight, 4 cycle chassis tend to be a bit lighter than a typical European kart and the orange tire is more forgiving if you are a few pounds overweight, there is also good competition at CKNA in both medium and heavy classes if you decide to go that route.
Weight out what is near you and what he wants to do. My son refuses to go back to 206. He enjoys the KA much more and decided he would rather that. He is doing so knowing that he has a motor maybe not as good as the leaders and has stepped from being a podium contender in 206 to a mid pack KA driver in TSRS events.
They will no longer be MY investments. They be HIS investments. So it doesn’t make sense for me to invest in motor build tools for 2 years of financing his racing. If he truly loves it, he will find a way to keep doing it.
For his freshman year of college we won’t be attempting to make the full TSRS schedule and will only race as finances and school workload allow, likely just some occasional club events. So for at least 1 season we will have a hiatus of sorts. After that, I will still cover travel and food and will still wrench for him, but he will have to start owning some of the race budget as his own.
. I struggle tuning and don’t have the tooling for proper dimensional checks on the motor. My son is close enough to graduation that the investments in tools and learning doesn’t make sense.