So I've been seriously looking into getting a shifter kart for autocrossing in F125. I've been checking out the eKartingNews forum, and the F125 Yahoo message board. But I'm curious for the GRMers point of view on this? Anybody doing it? Seems like its really caught on in the last couple of years, and for the money F125 seems hard to beat.
Initial cost doesn't seem too bad. I wouldn't call it cheap, but in comparison to other things it really is cheap. I've been looking and it seems like you can find a used kart with motor for $2k - 3k. A few year old kart sounds like its probably ok for autocross. But probably should budget more for spares (and an engine rebuild?). In the long run I know its probably cheaper to just buy a full package from someone getting out of it. But it seems possible to buy a chassis and then a motor separately to go with it without spending a fortune. I also figured I'd need to budget at least another $500 for safety gear. (Suit, rib-protector, etc., assuming I could use my current helmet.) Storage and transport is definitely way easier with a kart too.
I've been autocrossing a miata for about 4 years now, and love autocross and the miata but I'd like to try something different. Plus a 94 miata with a torsen falls into a weird gap between class. I'm setup fairly close to the STS guys, but I'll be running in STR (well next year). So I'd like to get into something where I actually have a chance for competing, rather than just for fun. In the DC region there are maybe 10-15 people running F125 with the SCCA club.
I plan on bugging the guys at the next SCCA event, but any GRMers out there with any tips?
