Started in 1960 or 1961 with hire karts at Matchams running on part or the hot rod oval. Father then bought a Trokart with a Clinton A400. Drive one side, brake the other. Initially drove this around the garden, then concrete surfaced yards. The motors swiftly changed to JAP, JLO. We built a kart to take 2 JLO's Class 2(for adult). Raced at Elmoor Plain, Long Newton, Castle Coombe (in paddock), Blanford Camp and later Clay Pigeon, Little Rissington. Motors continued to Erakaze (French, fast but tempremental) Parilla S13, Parilla BA 13. Around 1965/66 Juniors were required to run Montesa M100? Competed in 2 of the 3 rounds of the British Junior Championship. Ist round missed at Fulbeck, 2nd round at a track near Morecombe, 3rd round at Brands Hatch in and out of the pits and back straight. Remember racing against Alan Turney, and I think Terry Fullerton. Piston broke in half while well in lead of final in torrental rain. 1967 became a senior. Micky Allen was doing great things with a BM F100 so bullied father into getting one rather than the Komet K77. Competed in the British Championship final at Little Rissington. Retired 1st lap of Final with broken (aluminium) axle. Girls, cars and rallying happened next until 1995 when son Charlie started karting in TKM, and still is via 100 National and ICA. Avoided Cadet as was warned that the Comer engine cost (in 1994) £300 going on £1500. Nothing changed there then!!
Karting was and still is a motor sport in it's own right. My brother competed as a priveteer in Formula Ford in the late 1960's so I was accutely aware of the difference and costs. I do not actually think the comparative costs are much different from 1966 to today. New engines and chassis were coming out all the time then. The big difference is how people approach racing. 1966 kart in back of Estate car or small trailer very much out in the open. Now large awnings and teams. Need to run with a 'team' to have accsess to the best engines. Engines that don't change, but with all sealed classes, some engines are so more equal than others.
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