chaparral
chaparral Dork
1/28/21 4:47 p.m.

So far this winter, I've sold both of the karts I raced last season and had an old friend just contact me about putting one together. Old chassis used to clutter up Craigslist and FB marketplace around me and now they're nowhere to be found. 

All three drivers are brand new to "owner driver" motorsports. Is this something anyone else is seeing?  Am I going to be running against twenty drivers on a half-mile nine turn track in TaG Light in the spring? 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
1/28/21 5:14 p.m.

We have (vrtually) been at MPMC all week--it's a SEMA event that's more or less speed dating between the media and manufacturers. Word on the street says that, yes, things will be busy this year--and have already been busy. 

gumby (Forum Supporter)
gumby (Forum Supporter) Dork
1/28/21 5:33 p.m.

I have built 6 new chassis this winter. 4 pavement(Wing Sprint) and 2 dirt(Silver Crown). This is a lot for our small shop where I am the only full time employee. Mix in a couple repair jobs, and all the bumpers, nerf bars, bodywork, axles, panhard bars, etc. that typically go with a fresh chassis, and busy is an understatement.

There is much chatter about pavement races for both Sprints and Midgets, even a couple new local track series, and I am in the middle of two more pavement Wing Sprints right now. It is awesome to see the pavement stuff growing again.

RollinM
RollinM New Reader
1/29/21 8:22 a.m.

My son races in a local kart series that begins this weekend. We'll see how participation compares to the past. The track actually re-opened late last year with a partial season and participation that seemed to be only slightly down.

ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter)
ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) HalfDork
1/29/21 8:29 a.m.

I listed a Miata-sized open trailer yesterday for a little more than I bought it for. I've probably had 50 people make offers in less than 24 hours. Should have asked a higher price I guess. 

bobzilla
bobzilla MegaDork
1/29/21 8:32 a.m.
gumby (Forum Supporter) said:

I have built 6 new chassis this winter. 4 pavement(Wing Sprint) and 2 dirt(Silver Crown). This is a lot for our small shop where I am the only full time employee. Mix in a couple repair jobs, and all the bumpers, nerf bars, bodywork, axles, panhard bars, etc. that typically go with a fresh chassis, and busy is an understatement.

There is much chatter about pavement races for both Sprints and Midgets, even a couple new local track series, and I am in the middle of two more pavement Wing Sprints right now. It is awesome to see the pavement stuff growing again.

Sounds like you need a shop grunt. 

Tom1200
Tom1200 SuperDork
1/29/21 9:50 a.m.

The motorcycle shop I go to is a Beta dealer and most of their business is centered around racing; they are slammed. 

Since indoor fun has been canceled, people seem to have discovered things like off roading, RVing and Motorsports.

GCrites80s
GCrites80s HalfDork
1/29/21 10:51 a.m.

I drive past 3 motorcycle dealerships during my commute. The giant storage yard that was packed 5-6 high with crated ATVs, UTVs and bikes last March is nearly empty.

Vajingo
Vajingo Reader
1/29/21 11:05 a.m.

Here's one thing I've noticed. Covid hits. Everyone locked down. People went out and bought Iracing and steering wheels. You couldn't even find a steering wheel to save your life. Iracing became this wretched place due to the mass influx of people. (Servers needed made, and Iracing was trying to addd them), then the Iracing community got hit with noobs with zero etiquette. I stopped iracing altogether. 
 

now many of these noobs are moving on to the real world of racing. The sport is growing which is good, but we are going to have a lot more N00bz to deal with. Some will stay, some will move on. Iracing is just now getting back to somewhat normal. 
This is just a guess. 

asphalt_gundam
asphalt_gundam Reader
1/29/21 2:03 p.m.

From what little bit I've seen so far my guess is 2021 will be a very busy year for tracks at the minimum. Seems like every organization is adding dates and in many cases competing for weekends with other groups. GridLife just sold more Gold passes (4+ event packages) than ever before in just hours from the release time. And chances are I'm not the only person planning to add a few more track weekends to my schedule over last year. 

chaparral
chaparral Dork
2/3/21 3:33 p.m.

Update: third kart has been sold. 

Does anyone have a stock tip on a company that'll go up because of this?

Vajingo
Vajingo Reader
2/3/21 6:51 p.m.

In reply to chaparral :

Which Chinese company manufactures the cheap tard kart clutches that will get burnt up when half pedaled? That's the investment. As the karts change hands, the noob behind the wheel burns up the clutch, they can't figure out why, or don't possess the tools/know how to fix it. It changes hands again, and the process starts over. 
 

and, yes, you didn't sell a yard kart, but that won't stop people from buying them and using them as such. 

In reply to chaparral :

Start up a side hustle helping newbies.

If somebody charged me $100 to meet me at the local 1/8th mile and coach me through a handful of runs I'd be all over it. And I'm a cheap bastard.

 

chaparral
chaparral Dork
2/4/21 3:58 p.m.

In reply to Vajingo :

The cheap LO206 clutches that everyone's selling are Hilliard and Noram. I guess I could buy Harbor Freight stock for the HF clones, but that's not much of a play.

chaparral
chaparral Dork
2/4/21 4:00 p.m.

In reply to CrustyRedXpress (Forum Supporter) :

It wouldn't be a bad idea but I'd have lots of competition - and if I started charging people for advice, SRT's chief engine engineer would start charging me for advice!  

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