Season Costs

[Tom]

How much did your first season in TaG cost and what did you replace/fix durring the season? I'm trying to get myself into a kart and TaG looked like a good series but I don't know how much it would cost to run. I know a good kart can run about $4,000, but other than that, what kind of budget do you need?

[Martin Lenick]

I'm looking into TaG too. Anything of value to the decision-making process that I come up with, I will post. Soon we'll be heading out to Norway, maybe South Bend too, to check out the scene. At this time I'm interested in Margay or Emmick (both American-made) with Leopard or Rotax, but don't know nearly enough to make an informed decision. Any advise would be appreciated.

[rct25]

Martin,

Go with Margay, GREAT chassis. Look at the results on WKA at Daytona.
Leopard is a good engine, really low maintenance required, a lot of karting stores sell the parts.
Did you looked at the "turn key" packages that Margay had at the expo?

Roberto

[rct25]

Martin,

Go with Margay, GREAT chassis. Look at the results on WKA at Daytona.
Leopard is a good engine, really low maintenance required, a lot of karting stores sell the parts.
Did you looked at the "turn key" packages that Margay had at the expo?

Roberto

[Martin Lenick]

I've sent a couple of emails to intensekarting and hope to hear back about what they have available at the track in the way of sales, service, parts, garage, lessons, etc. So far, no response. Would it be a good idea to buy from a shop at the track (if available) and receive their local support and expertise?

As far as Margay vs. Emmick, I've been told that the Emmick will last a lot longer, and that the Margay might only last a couple seasons. Any thoughts on that?

As a complete novice, I don't think I'd have the ability to drive the difference between the two. Resale (investment) value seems to be low on either, but it might be a little easier to unload the more popular Margay if I deside the sport isn't for me.

Three rails vs. four, 32mm vs. 30 vs. 28, "aircraft" vs. "regular" chromoly, blah-blah-blah?

The Emmick details specify 4130 chromoly; I've emailed Margay asking for clarification on their material spec. I can't yet confirm if either stress-relieves their welds.

I'm probably over analyzing this. What on a chassis would actually wear out?

Update: I received a personal response from Margay within 30 minutes of my email. That speaks highly of their customer support. Their email is attached (if I do it right).