Yard kart question

I would like to build a backyard dirt kart track, like you see at grasspass.org. I dont have alot of experience with karts besides a few indoor karting outings. What is the best type of kart for this endeavor? Would the indoor/racing kart style work? Or would they just get beat up on a less than perfect surface?

thanks

There is a artical last year meybe that talks about turning a riding mower into a yard cart, can not think whatbissue it is though.

Shameless plug. I work for the company that builds these.

Lawn mower based kart sounds fun to me. And possibly easy on the wallet.

In reply to vwfreek:

What do you call those things?

In reply to Lof8:

Short Course Karts. They run in a spec series by TORC.

vwfreek wrote: Shameless plug. I work for the company that builds these.

That flagman doesn't look to be in the best spot.

We have "Mini-Sprints" around here on the dirt tracks. Similar idea only with a miniature sprint car theme.

cycle karts

I like the cycle cart idea. The top website search gives some details on building them but the parts are getting kind of rare for the wheels/tires and the torque conveter. I'd look at using some off the shelf go kart parts and maybe 4 miata spare tire donuts and base the cars proportions on that wheel's diameter. Some of the vintage racecars had solid wheels and the go cart parts are close to 4x100, IIRC, so it should help make it look and function ...ok.

oldtin wrote: cycle karts

That cycle kart is cool, but we don't want to decapitate the little guy if he happens to roll it.

Me and buddy did this. Get a yerfdog, hammerhead, etc. it's a kids off-road kart. But adults fit just fine. Replace all hardware with grade 8 nuts and bolts and use loctite. Redrill the spindles for ackerman. Weld all seams. Enjoy the Chinese motor for a time. When it blows swap in a snowmobile two stroke or a two dirt bike motor. Enjoy. Win at life.

Do you plan to do Oval or sprint track? As long as it is fairly flat you can run normal race kart (I happen to have one for sale http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/open-classifieds/fs-2011-arrow-warrior-kart-with-briggs-and-stratton-l0206/91278/page1/ if you plan on adding jumps then you should go with something different with suspension. There use to be a dirt sprint track in cleveland, Ohio. They ran 4 cycle honda, clones, and Briggs engines. They ran normal Sprint race karts, with treaded tires. Looked like a blast, but last I read they closed down.

The problem here is how he worded his first sentence. Either he wants to build a dirt track kart, or a dirt kart track.

iceracer wrote:

vwfreek wrote: Shameless plug. I work for the company that builds these.

That flagman doesn't look to be in the best spot.

That's a flag? How cute! I thought he was holding a popsicle.