Vintage Karting in AutoX

I've had this idea in the back of my mind for a while.

SCCA has a class for shifter karts. Why not other karting, especially vintage?

Not enough participants? Those guys are busy roadracing?

My kids ran a kart in Formula Jr for several years. Even thought they would have like to continue, they couldn't because there wasn't a class they could be competitive in. So we sold the kart and they moved up to cars.
I don't know if there would be enough participants or not, but I wish there was a class.

In reply to bravenrace:

FJB to FJA to F125 karts?

In reply to phaze1todd:

I agree, I think it would be great to have multiple autocross kart classes. I have an early 90s chassis but there's no use for it in my area. Neither of the two SCCA venues nearest to where I live run karts at all.

In reply to Ian F:

Not sure what you are asking. Yes, that's the ladder, and yes, my kids did it up until they were too old for FJA. We could have run the kart in F125, but we would have not been at all competitive. That's my point. It would be nice if there was some kind of adult kart class where you could use the same kart that you did in Formula Jr.

I have an early 90s Margay A/C chassis and a couple KT100 engines. I'd be in.

Suggested rules: Chassis must have originally been sold w/ 1-1/4" axle, single rear axle brake, Yamaha KT100 w/ 787 or pre-787 barrel, WKA 3 hole can exhaust, pump gas + oil - no exotic fuels.

You know what the SCCA needs? More classes, more rules. not

As a autocross Karter, I have zero interest in running a non shifting kart between the cones. Half the fun of a shifter kart is the launch. Nothing short of a keisel mobile launches like one. The nongearbox karts jrejet the ust don't have that kick in the pants that the shifters do. If I'm going to rejet the Carb every event and have to suit up, I want my eyeballs to rattle around my skull.

sporqster wrote: You know what the SCCA needs? More classes, more rules. *not*

I tend to agree with this..............

While I understand the OP's sentiments, there comes a point where any sanctioning body has to decide between rules stability vs embracing anyone who demands a chance to win a trophy. There is still the harsh reality that what worked yesterday, won't work today.

In reply to bravenrace:

Ah... I just thought it was natural progression: Run one class until you out-grow it; sell kart and buy a kart the next class up. At least that seems to be what the parents in my region are doing. Of course, most of the parents are also running karts.

It would make sense if you where going to try something to require the karts to be current year WKA KT100 specs.

These karts are the same basic spec as FJA/FJB and I'm not so sure at Autox that an older vintage chassis wouldn't be able to keep up with a new one. Engine power will be esentially equal due to the KT100 engine. You could allow non-WKA legal bodywork or no bodywork to enable more vintage type chassis to run. This would give Kart racers a natural way to play at Autox.

nocones wrote: . You could allow non-WKA legal bodywork or no bodywork to enable more vintage type chassis to run.

This is actually a very bad idea. When you hit a cone without bodywork, you don't punt the cone.. you get launched UP. very up.

Granted this is a good way to make sure you stay clean.

It's a shame because I have a great 1964 dart kart frame that is I don't have too many places I can use it. with that being said, I don't think I would ever want to autocross it. A cone would probably hurt.

I've hit lots of cones. It's pretty tough for one to hit your body, but you almost always know when it its the kart. It upsets the chassis pretty badly. I think bad lots are the worst strain on your body. I won't run the kart at places like Atlanta Motor Speedway.

I'm one of those freaks who don't look to be competitive, but to just get out there and have fun in a creative, anachronistic way.

phaze1todd wrote: I'm one of those freaks who don't look to be competitive, but to just get out there and have fun in a creative, anachronistic way.

In that case, if your local region allows karts, they'll probably let you run in the KM class. Just make sure your safety gear is up to snuff.

nocones wrote: It would make sense if you where going to try something to require the karts to be current year WKA KT100 specs. These karts are the same basic spec as FJA/FJB and I'm not so sure at Autox that an older vintage chassis wouldn't be able to keep up with a new one. Engine power will be esentially equal due to the KT100 engine. You could allow non-WKA legal bodywork or no bodywork to enable more vintage type chassis to run. This would give Kart racers a natural way to play at Autox.

The two years my sons placed 1st and 2nd in our region, we were running the oldest kart. I'm not sure I think the age of the kart would have as much to do with being competitive as the condition of the kart and of course the driving ability.
When I was racing, I always ran older karts, and I was always competitive.
But in any case, while it would have been nice for us to have been able to keep running the same kart, when looking at it objectively I'd have to agree that the last thing they need is more classes.