I want to write about my experience attending the Jim Russell shifter kart course. For those of you who have been indoor karting for some time and are pretty comfortable with driving a kart, you should definitely try this.

They use TrackMagic karts with 125CC (not sure about the engine maker) and 6-speed sequential gearbox. The kart goes from 0-60mph in under 5 seconds and can top speed at 120mph (according to the instructor, we didn't have a chance to go that far).

Since some of you have been discussing how "cool" the karting places are, let me tell you, the folks at Jim Russell are the best to be with. They don't treat you like a rookie at all. In fact, if you're lucky like me, you could be attending the course with some professional drivers(I had 2 former Champ car driver classmates! And they were simply FAST). If you're with one of these guys on track, how can you not pick up a thing or two? Even though it is a indroductory class, the teachers would ask you to push the kart hard, brake late and full throttle early.

But then on the other hand, your body and mind will likely reach their limits before the kart does. The acceleration, when you reach the engine's powerband(12k~14k) is like you're riding on a rocket, except that you're only traveling a few inches off the ground. And you literrally have to grab the steering wheel as if your upper body is being torn apart. The brakes...ah yeah, front and rear Brembo's brings you from over 60mph to full stop in around 2 secs.

The cornering is about the only thing I haven't tasted the limit of....the instructors said the karts can pull a max of 4G's.........I am not sure how close I got to that but there are corners where literally air is being pushed out of my lung! I can feel my organs being pushed to a side. That feeling was just extraordinary....until now when I recall those corners, my hands would sweat and would want to jump on the kart and go out again.

I think the word "fun" is irrelevent here. To me, the feeling of driving that was just like, you're being brought on a battlefield by the kart. You know it's totally not a joke and you're so much eager to have a good fight using the kart.

Seriously, although I've always liked watching racing, I've never felt the same excitement the shifter kart made me feel. Afterall, what else do you want to do with a machine like that? Like one of the teachers said, "Let's go racing GO GO GO"

And one more thing that I really wanted to say. I know many people tend to think (or even claim loudly) that a kart is just for kids. Big NO NO. Many professional drivers race karts to keep them in shape during off-season. And, according to the teacher, the formula cars may be faster. But their relatively rich downforce makes the car more stable in turns whereas on a kart, going thru a corner will see you busy with both the steering wheel and shift rod. It's very nervous and you will need really quick reflex to keep the kart on the road.

 

Wow great review.

How much did you pay, and how long was the class. Time to organize an i-club day.

 

$495 for a full day (from 8:30a to 3:00p, about 7 or 8 20-something min sessions, it's good enough to get your body and mind tired for a few days).
It's a bit expensive, but it is definitely worth it. And necessary too, if you consider getting your own shifter kart. After you've driven it, you'll know that not even your best buddy would let you drive his kart without taking this course

 

where was this? how do I sign up? when's the next event?

 

it is at the karting track of Infineon Raceway, Sonoma. Google for "jim russell karting".
There are many jim russell schools, I'm talking about the one at Infineon(and i think only this one is in the US).

 

I'm pretty sure I'd have to do some serious physical training to do 7 or 8 20 minute sessions! Does a post race massage come with that?

 

sweet dude, I was just at Infineon this weekend with my STi running the road course with BMWCCA.

ill check it out.