Gotta hook 'em young I keep hearing so I wanted to get my two boys-5 and 7-in to Autocross as soon as possible.
I'll get pics soon but wanted to get the thread in motion.
I picked up a used but inexpensive All Kart Cadet chassis with the FJC class Comer 50 (Old Style) for a nice price to see if the boys will enjoy karting and Autocross. New tires, kart stand, front wheel bearings and a few cool bits should have us running soon.
Very interested, in the same situation.
Finally got that picture thing figured out!
We did two events with Detroit region SCCA at MIS last fall. My younger boy was not ready to take the wheel. My older son was initially apprehensive, but after tearing around a neighbors driveway he decided to give it a try for real. This is a huge step for him as he isn't the most confident kid. The smile after his first run could be seen right through his helmet when he got back in and his times dropped remarkably fast. He loved it and can't wait for next year to do it again!
Way to go, we are behind schedule but should be ready in the Spring.
Awesome!!
If he continues, please get him a seat that fits. It'll help with driving and save wear and tear on his body.
-Rob
Can you post pictures of your brake pedal setup?
That's awesome and extremely relevant to my interests. My son is 7 and my middle daughter is almost 5. I too would like to get them involved in autocross asap.
I'll try and get some pics this week and get them posted. This frame, on top of being old, has a 950mm wheel base not the typical 800mm for a kid cart (FJC). My boys are both very tall for their age but neither could reach the pedals. A local cart supply place had these riser extensions and I mounted them up.
Rob_Lewis-thanks for the input on the seat. I'll look in to that this winter along with a new steering wheel as the existing one is chewed up a bit. I wanted to control my investment to see if they really wanted to race or if I was pushing them in to it. This one was cheap and local so win-win-win as they do enjoy it!
I wanted to get them to appreciate my automotive sickness and while they can go to car shows with me and their grandpa I think this set the hook better!
Just a couple of other notes....
When you buy a wheel, but an angled steering hub or an angled wedge to go between the hub and wheel. Makes turning much easier for the kiddos because in a kart, you want to push with the outside arm and shoulder to help jack the inside rear wheel up. With no diff and a straight axle, speed and lifting the inside rear wheel is key for getting around the turns. I'd also look for a full size wheel instead of the normal cadet one as it gives more leverage.
IF they end up enjoying it more AND you end up buying another, hit up your local kart track websites. Kid Kart chassis are cheap and most of the time, you'll be able to resell it when they grow out of it for not much more than you bought it for. (Granted, the age of that one probably wouldn't garner much which was your cheap racing to get started idea).
Tires are open (from the little I've read about autocross karts), but I'd actually recommend the hardest tires you can find and pressure pumped WAY up. With the low weight of those karts, you want as little rolling resistance as possible.
-Rob (who might just have a few years of experience in karting.....)
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