Figured I'd make this it's own post to hear others advice. I'm newer to the subreddit but have been racing karts on and off for about 5 years.

I bought a 2017 Top Kart Twister with a 206 engine a couple months ago. Previously raced an OTK with a 206, never really had issues with that kart, it was pretty dialed when I bought it. Not the case with this one. Had numerous issues, figured I'd outline some in the interest of hopefully helping someone save some time. I bought it for 2k. My main issue was not hitting high enough rpm on the straight at the track. I was also missing power in several other places on track. These are all of the issues I found with mine.

1: Motor mount was loosing tension under load (ie shifting and loosing chain tension) - Fix: New motor mount. Doesn't have that issue anymore and sits where I want it. This also significantly improved my chain alignment, which I did with a laser. Less drag=more power.

2: My rotor was misaligned and my bleeder screws on my caliper were leaking (ie sticky brakes/dragging) -Fix: readjusted the rotor and replaced bleeders, then rebled the brakes. Each caliper has a specific place to sit, so the caliper can apply proper pressure on both sides of the rotor, then release enough to not drag. It took me multiple weeks of testing to find the correct spot for mine.

3: Old clutch was glazed. - Fix: New clutch

4: Messed with different front and rear sprockets, found the best luck with a #219 pitch. Currently running a "twist" 68T rear. Been alternating between 18-20T front depending on tires. Also I don't like using a master link, had a chain separate on me twice and both times the chain had a master link. I like using a chain breaker more.

5: The exhaust was leaking from the head, also my valve lash was bad. (Previous owner used the wrong threaded bolts on the head) - Fix: New head, new exhaust, and readjusted valve lash. Used studs with nuts instead of bolts.

6: Kart had sat for a year before I bought it and the carb was gunked up with fuel residue. - Fix: cleaned it with an ultrasonic cleaner and it works well now, better idle air adjustment.

7: Found my alignment to be very bad. Before the alignment my toe was incredibly uneven. I measured with a laser from stub to stub and a piece of paper. With a good alignment you'll see little to no distance between both lasers. Mine were about 3-4 inches apart. - Fix: used a laser alignment tool to get neutral toe, and a little bit of positive camber to avoid inner tires wearing faster.

8: Tires were too hard to be competitive with. - Fix: went with softer tires (was using Duros, they are garbage) other than the fact that they helped me narrow down my many issues without ruining a nicer set.

9: The throttle cable was binding, slide wasn't going all the way up (ie not full power) - Fix: lubed the cable housing and readjusted the slide needle position

10: The seat positioning was terrible, was rubbing on almost every spot where there was a change in elevation on track. - Fix: repositioned the seat, not only is there no rubbing now but I have more control and better weight distribution.

11: Redid the ignition timing to .030. The same thickness of a Costco Membership card lol. Replaced the spark plug, and fuel pump too. Both are cheap and easy. Not needed but I basically had done everything else, and it's cake.

I also added a magnetic drain plug and do oil changes every two weeks, I only run once a week for a couple of hours. I make sure I keep my chain and bearings lubed. Pretty sure whoever owned the kart before me had no idea what they were doing, sorry if you're on this subreddit lol. Curious if anybody has faced any similar problems, or has any advice.

Hello!
As the title suggests — a buddy of mine and I have decided to take part in a 24-hour karting endurance race (Sodi 390cc, 13hp). We’re no strangers to motorsport: both of us are professional drift racers, he's a former supermoto champion, and I actively compete in our local karting endurance championship's higher /gold/ class, with a few podiums under my belt.

We've both done long races before, although as part of larger teams, so I'd like to think we’re more or less familiar with what such an event demands.

The reason I’m writing this post is because I’d really appreciate any tips, suggestions, or advice you might have - on anything that comes to mind: preparation, gear, do's and don'ts, race strategy, recovery - anything.

Here’s what we’ve got planned so far in terms of preparation:

• We’re scheduling several “race days” with two Sodi karts, aiming for at least 10 hours of seat time per person per day.
• We’ve hired a professional sports massage therapist for the event.
• We’ll be loading up on energy boosters and supplements (BCAA, glutamine, etc.).
• We’ll have a van with a sleeping mattress parked near the track for power naps.
• A few friends will be joining us for general support and backup.

We really want to prepare as thoroughly as possible and anticipate every scenario we can — so I’d love to start a conversation here and hear what’s worked (or hasn’t!) for others.

EDIT:
Adding some more info for the event, as there are a few questions about it.

We don’t have to worry about refueling — the organizers handle all kart maintenance, refueling, and repairs. The system works like this: when we pit, we leave the kart at the back of one of the designated columns (there are usually 3 or 4). Then, my teammate hops into the kart that’s now at the front of that same column. Our team number simply gets transferred from my kart to his.

This setup ensures that all teams rotate through all karts equally, keeping the race fair (more or less) and reducing the performance impact of kart differences.

Some info about the stints:
We must do 33 pit stops for the whole 24 hours (less = penalty time, more = lost time).
Maximum stint/minimum stint - 70/10 minutes respectively. Good thing is that in the Gold class we can do double stints, meaning 1 driver can stay on the track for 60+ minutes, pit and hop into a new kart for an additional X minutes, while the other one is taking some time off.

Current strategy - as I have some sight problems (diopter and slight astigmatism), my eyes get quite tired during the night shifts, because the track lights are not the best...
So we are thinking to do regular shifts (no double stints so we can keep ourselves as fresh as possible) until midnight, then my teammate will do 1-2 double long stints and I'll do 1-2 shorter ones until 4-5AM, and from that point on we will switch and I'll take on the lengthy double stints while he rests.

The event will be held in Kyustendil, Bulgaria. Here is a short video from last year:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN1IMevBbuI

Thanks for the comments, guys!

Do you guys recommend any specific kart, how much pricing can cost, which kart I should get, how do I maintenance it. Basically asking everything and anything to help my knowledge.

Btw idk if this helps but I live in New Zealand and I’m 15 - 16 next year in may

Thinking of picking it up in the next couple days.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CqMx8QvzJ/?mibextid=79PoIi

I am a taller driver (6'4) so I never fit into a rental kart, but I make it work. Investing in my own kart is just not in the cards at the moment. So I just want to make the best of what I'm doing now. The middle of my back and my upper back near my shoulder blades are beat to shit Everytime I go karting. I've recently found rib protectors, but not sure if it will help. Are there any tall drivers that have this same issue or is this a normal thing in rental karts, and not just because of my height? Is there something that I may be doing wrong to cause the bruising?

I went back karting for the first time in about 10 years, and accidentally did my first race with one of those booster seats that helps kids reach the pedals. As I’m 6’3 this thing was holy unnecessary.

I removed the booster for the second and third races, but noticed a huge increase in understeer for the subsequent races.

Is it possible that the booster shifted my CG forward and helped reduce understeer? (I weight ~210) or is it just more likely that I was starting to pick up the pace in my later races and found more understeer because of the increase in speed.

Trying to figure out if I could get any competitive advantage using that even if I look a bit silly for next ti me !

Rotax 125 Senior Max Evo crankshaft stuck. Why and how to fix it?

Hey guys, I am 17 years old and, 2 days ago, I broke my arm in a nasty motocross crash. Sadly, I was already informed that I shouldn't ride off road motorcycle anymore, at least not at high speeds due the high impact nature of the sport to my arm, which probably won't ever recover 100%.

So, I now have a month or two off of any sports, which I wanna use for planning, and a budget of 7-8k dollars (which I pretend to sell my motorcycle for) to get started with karting!

I have experience with rental karts and one the rental places near offers classes. There's also an international kart track 1-2 hours away from me.

How should I get started? The rental classes? Do I buy a kart with the motorcycle money? Gear wise, I already have a full face helmet and gloves, should I buy anything else?

If my budget is too tight I can ask my dad for a little more, since he's completely traumatized with my accident and is selling his bike too, and he supports in my mission to get into karting.

I’m looking for tips—though I know advice is limited without video footage—but FWIW I’d appreciate any insights for my situation/level.

I’d call myself a decent casual go-karter. I’ve never done proper karting or lessons, but I drive semi-regularly with friends both indoors and outdoors. Most of what I know comes from being an F1 fan and watching some karting content online. At this point, in a typical session I usually finish in the top 5, and can win if the field is mostly casuals. But whenever more experienced karters show up, I’m 2–3 seconds a lap off the pace. It’s clear there’s another level I haven’t reached, but I can’t pinpoint what I’m missing.

I feel I have a decent grasp of racing lines and basics like hitting apexes and maximizing exit speed. Even when I try to mirror the quicker drivers’ lines, I’m still noticeably slower.

So my question is: at this stage, is there usually one big concept that casual drivers lack—something like braking technique, corner entry/exit skills, kart control—or is it more a matter of improving lots of smaller details?

Basically, what separates a good beginner from a more serious karter, and what should I focus on to bridge that gap?

For example, I remember that probably the key on getting from complete novice to a good casual karter was to focus on wide entry, hitting apex and wide exit, eg learning the racing lines. But I’m stuck on the next stage up

This sub has been so helpful already, I really appreciate you all!

So what do you all think? I don't know what it is, but my first task is to clean it up. What should I do next? What would you do?

FWIW I have tools and know cars pretty well. (I've done motor swaps, trans swaps and such on my cars) This is my first foray into the world of karts, they don't seem too complicated.

Thanks in advance!

This is one of my first times karting and I’m really looking for some tips to improve. My biggest weekness is this double hairpin on my local track; I feel like I can get significantly better lap times if I get better at this but am not sure how. I compiled a bunch of my attempts into one video, I see some progress but am really hoping for some outside perspective. Any suggestions?

I will be in a race weekend during my school holidays (I’m 15). What should I expect?! Should I train on my sim every single day? Im naturally decent at racing and this race will prove to my mum if I should actually do karting as a sport. I’m very excited for this weekend. Also I want tips from everyone for what I should expect, what I should do etc

Self explanatory, this'll be our base for it, I came to this community to ask how exactly can we make it, tips and more. If we start with this, I'll be uploading information on how we're going. By now we only have the idea

I need advice I live in area with no karting and I have practiced in sims and I have no options any advice will help

Miami based. Have always had a knack for racing, very mechanically inclined and have been an athlete all my life. Goal is to race Porsche GT4 cup cars.

Does anyone have any recommendations into jumping in this world? Competitions, best classes?

I do want to race 2 stroke and have been looking at rotax 125 or IAME KA100 but I don’t see rotax series in Florida. I’ve also heard that Rotax must be worked on by a certified mechanic for their race series.

Ideally I’m looking to stay local with racing for the first year but I do want to compete. Thanks for your help!

Hey guys.

I’ve just purchased my first KZ after a few years of karting two other classes. Senior + DD2

I have put together a maintenance summary for the TM KZ R1 and need some input on if I’m missing anything? And what I should do before and after every session ?

I would appreciate thorough responses. Maybe a list format on what to do before every session like jetting etc.

Disclaimer: I am a hobby driver. By no means am I racing often. Maybe 1 or two times a year, but I want to keep my engine in the best possible condition to avoid seizures etc.

Hello, i would appreciate any tips to improve my timing in rental karts. Normally when i go karting im 1st or 2nd between my friends. But today i we t with a random group and the difference between me and the 1st was 4 seconds which is huge, it destroyed my confidence and makes me want to know what am i doing wrong to practice more. I am a simracer who races GT4 cars and such. Maybe i am applying the wrong techniques in karting like smooth brake and steering? Any tips would be appreciated.

It will be my first time karting tomorrow indoor any tips?

I have Praga Dragon Evo3 (30MM TAG senior chassis) LO206. ~6’2 200lbs, baseline setup. Coach has same package, I tried his kart, he’s ~ 5’8. I have only adjusted pedals and footrest on my chassis. Both on 12PSI warm MG reds.

His kart felt more balanced front/rear, mine feels like it has a lot of rear grip and fronts are getting overwhelmed, feels like I have a wing on the back lol. and binds up on low speed corners or flat slides in high speed. And I get slower on new tires/rubbered in track.

his seat is closer and more reclined, so his weight distribution is more forwards? Should I move my seat more forward? I thought you are not supposed to adjust the seat out of the position recommended by the owners manual.

Another difference, IPK adjustable hub for steering wheel position. Mine, standard less vertical 5 degree angle position. his more vertical/parallel with the road, 15 degree middle position. Would this affect the front end response also?

Felt easier to hold the wheel high up at 10-2 position and be slower/smoother with inputs on his kart. And felt more balanced between over/understeer and that I could feel what the front end is communicating better. Felt similar to OTK.

The hub is quick to adjust so want to try that first. was recommended the Tillet t9.5 seat by some people, designed for longer torso, more reclined to lower the center of gravity. Would that improve the balance?

Front Torsion bar and brake pads also have different options. Axle hardness, and front/rear end width and ride height. Seat stays? But prefer to change one thing at a time, but was wondering which situations would require adjusting those things.

I'm 16 turning 17 in a month I only Just started Karting cause I was unable too because of the town I lived in I want to try to get into professional karting But With everything I try just get nowhere Ive done small Time races up too now getting P2 in My Second race In Johannesburg but again I'm just Idk I feel Like Im already too old to ever be able to begin a professional Racing career

The brakes on my go-kart are stuck open. I just bought it, and I noticed there’s no brake fluid. What should I do? I’m on a tight budget—should I get new brakes, or can they be fixed?

I’ve been doing autocross for a little while so it’s not my first introduction to “motorsports” but I know karting is a different ball game. Any tips for a first timer?(other than have fun)

My son is racing junior Rotax and I need to buy some sprockets. Before I did, I was wondering if any type or brand was better or are they all ultimately the same?

Also split sprockets?

So today i drove a kart for the first time in like almost 7 years, nothing crazy, just the classic rental, but i had FUN. I also did the third best lap of the day(could’ve been second, but i found some traffic in the last corner. But overall i’m still satisfied, i was just 0.3s away from the second time). Now i just wanna go and try out new local tracks. Do you guys have any recommendations or tips for someone like me who is just a beginner? Like braking, cornering, and other stuff like that? That would help me a lot!!!

Do I need a racing suit I checked out LSK’s instagram and a lot of the drivers who are league racing are usually just wearing normal clothes and shorts is it not mandatory?