New to CIR (and this forum)

[abhaysaxena31]

Hi everyone,

I'm Abhay, moved to Chicago about 3 years back from India for my Masters, and just started going to CIR last year. I used to race karts quite a lot in India as a kid but stopped karting when I went to college for my engineering degree and then masters from UIC :frown:

Anyway, I've really enjoyed karting at CIR and have been trying to reduce my lap times at track 1 (BG), my best so far has been a 15.15 (last weekend), and its been my 2nd visit to BG so far, so I'm hoping I can improve those times further!

Have been trying to find out if there are any leagues that I can join or come race for since I'm really interested in competing with some really good racers and learning from them!

I plan to come there at least one weekend each month If you have any information on the leagues or events that I can take part in, that would be great!

Thanks,
Abhay

Btw my current pro score is 120.63 and xp score is 184 - Any idea how these are calculated? Does it depend on whom you are up against?

[Rick]

Welcome to the forum Abhay.

Those are pretty good lap times.

There are several leagues that I know of at CIR.

1. Peter J event (aka Pro League) - run by Peter J - probably most competitive - Most guys on the forums here race in this one
2. CIR Monthly Runoffs - run by CIR
3. KIRL - run by Ken Johnson
4. Hillbilly Racing - run by LAPS, Inc.

During the summer months, most of the people in #1, #3, and #4 are racing outdoors. So your best bet is probably #2 at this time.

Have you considered trying outdoor karting?

Proscore is like a chess handicap. Everyone starts out at a 100 and you gain points when you beat someone. The amount of points lost or gained is weighted by the relative difference in proscore between 2 drivers.

[abhaysaxena31]

Hi Rick,

Thanks for the info! I'd love to try outdoor karting! The only place I know off (from this forum) that's close enough to Chicago would be CHMS, right? Do they allow you to race with Rental Karts or would I need to own one to race there?

I'd actually love to come race at the MRO's sometime, although I'm not sure I'll be more than a moving chicane compared to you guys :D
CIR's website doesn't have the Spring/Summer MRO schedule up yet, so I'm not sure when the next race will be. Also, in the past I've been hesitant to sign up because I live and work in downtown Chicago and am not sure I would be able to make it to BG or AD by 6 if I left from work at 4:45 or so?

I definitely do want to get more involved though, and hope I'm good enough to feel the need to buy a Kart and go racing with the big guys!

Thanks once again. Am I glad I found this forum or what!

[Jeff Salak]

Hello Abhay,

They have rental kart at CHMS. But if you like karting think about buying one. There is no heavy hitters in karting!!! LOL! Everyone starts somewhere. And starting out at CHMS is a good place to start. They have a new clone class that is affordable to race. Then you can see if you want to hang around the sport. If you like the racing you can then go to a different higher HP engine then.


Indoor is great practice. CIR is a great facility. But the outdoor karting and having a kart that is yours makes it all that much better.

Good luck!
Jeff

[abhaysaxena31]

Hi Jeff

I think I'll make a trip to CHMS one of these weekends! I'm not very familiar with the terms so if I ask dumb questions please bear with me :redface:
Here it comes: What is a clone class? How much would it cost me to get a used/new one?
Problem is I live in a studio apt downtown and I don't have a car yet so I'm not even sure where I could store my kart. Someone suggested a storage facility... I do have a zipcar membership though so I can always rent a truck to haul my kart over if I need to. Something I need to think about.
When is the next race at CHMS/CIR that you all will be going to? Even if I cant race I'd like to rent and see how I do, will also be able to meet you all.

[LikeStig]

There's a race this weekend. You should try and make it down to watch. I think theres a mechanics race this weekend (Arrive and Drive race) that you could enter and the mechanics races are relatively cheap. I wont be racing, but I will be there. Maybe I can get in that mechanics race :evil_lol:. If you cant make it this weekend, come the 15 of May and see the Route 66 Series when we're there. Theres always a good turnout for those races.

[Jeff Salak]

Route 66 series is a great series. Not sure if Rt 66 has a clone class. Check out a club race may be better.

If you do some searching on this forum and ekarting news you will get better info than me. But here is the short story of clone. Clone is a low HP engine, with a very low cost. I think $100 or $150 gets you an engine. Chassie wise you can go with any good used chassie and give it a go. A $500 to $1500 chassie and your good to go. Lots of quality used stuff cheap right now. For around $1000 to 1500 should get you going in this class. As far as storage, you can rent a small garage at CHMS or someone might be looking to share a garage and save some money that way. Many people store the kart at track. I think the cost to race is $40 or $50. There are season passes and stuff like that. If you call CHMS Andy or Les will talk. If you get Les be prepared to talk for hours!!!!:p

When your new there are no stupid questions! But if you do some searching on the sites, you can really start to learn alot. All your questions have been asked by someone else. If you go on ekarting, look on general info in the forums. Look for the word newbie and you will get all the answers you need!!!:grinyes::drinking:

[ScottPod]

May 10th is the next MRO at Addison.

[abhaysaxena31]

Route 66 series is a great series. Not sure if Rt 66 has a clone class. Check out a club race may be better.

If you do some searching on this forum and ekarting news you will get better info than me. But here is the short story of clone. Clone is a low HP engine, with a very low cost. I think $100 or $150 gets you an engine. Chassie wise you can go with any good used chassie and give it a go. A $500 to $1500 chassie and your good to go. Lots of quality used stuff cheap right now. For around $1000 to 1500 should get you going in this class. As far as storage, you can rent a small garage at CHMS or someone might be looking to share a garage and save some money that way. Many people store the kart at track. I think the cost to race is $40 or $50. There are season passes and stuff like that. If you call CHMS Andy or Les will talk. If you get Les be prepared to talk for hours!!!!:p

When your new there are no stupid questions! But if you do some searching on the sites, you can really start to learn alot. All your questions have been asked by someone else. If you go on ekarting, look on general info in the forums. Look for the word newbie and you will get all the answers you need!!!:grinyes::drinking:

Thanks Jeff :). I'm reading up whatever I can from ekarting and will also give Andy a call this week. Will be in touch!

@Scott: I will definitely be there on the 10th. Thanks :)

[ScottPod]

5/10 @ Addison
6/14 @ Buffalo Grove
7/12 @ Addison
8/16 @ Buffalo Grove

[abhaysaxena31]

5/10 @ Addison
6/14 @ Buffalo Grove
7/12 @ Addison
8/16 @ Buffalo Grove

Thanks! Anyone else going on the 10th? I was wondering if they allow you to get some practice runs before the qualifiers. I've never races on that track (I'm assuming 7?) Hopefully I can drag another friend along so that I'm not last at least

[ScottPod]

I'll be there. They do allow "practice" before the event if you are early enough. It's not always the big track though. My first big track events were with Peter J. and I got my ass kicked. I've gotten a lot better at Addison but struggle a little with Buffalo Grove. It's ok to be last once in a while, don't worry about that.

[abhaysaxena31]

I spoke with Brian earlier today asking him for the MRO form, and he told me that this week's event will start off slightly later than the usual 6 pm, at around 6 30. Apparently some company's got an event planned the same day, so I guess we won't even be able to do any practice runs on the shorter tracks either.

Is there anything else I need to know before coming to the track on Monday? I cant wait for this week to get over! :D

[ScottPod]

Later is better. I wish they all started an hour later. I feel you... In the winter there are 2 MRO's and a Peter J. Event.

[JET Karting - Andy Finke]

Hey Abhay-

I don't want to hijack the thread, but feel free to call me anytime. Between rental racing and Friday night leagues that are getting started in the Rental Karts, as well as Spec & Clone classes, we have quite bit of affordable karting.

If you haven't run karts outdoors much, my Intro to Karting driver academies may be a great way to try before you buy. It really helps your confidence to be sure you're jumping into the right spot in the sport.

Let me know what I may be able to help with!


Andy

andy@jetkarting.com
815.496.9196

[abhaysaxena31]

Thanks for the msg Andy. Email sent :)

[abhaysaxena31]

:redface:What an ass whooping that was. Haha it was great fun though. Had some good fights at the back of the pack :p I think I really need to go take that course with Andy and see how I can improve my karting.
Hopefully next month Buffalo Grove wont be as embarrassing for me.