New Hobby... Go Karting in Japan. Yep.

[EternityOfPain]

Hello everyone,

Long time no see heh. So I have now been in Japan for a bit over 3 months. Visited Mandrake stores in Osaka (both) nothing really good though. I plan to hit up Tokyo in December/January. So I should be able to find some good art then. But in the mean time.. I have started a new hobby. Go Karting. My go kart can go up to 80 MPH, with a 0-60 in about 4 seconds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=595bY4JavCo (you’ll hear a lot of Japanese in the background, and some exhaust pipes, at this time the bikes were on the course, we shared the course that day 20 minutes at a time)

http://img831.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=pict0012jq.jpg (High Res photos taken of the go Kart)

I have bought the following gear and will be getting it sent to Japan in a few weeks:


[url]http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...16-Helmet.aspx[/url]


http://www.kartingwarehouse.com/Karting ... _info.html


http://www.kartingwarehouse.com/p310/Oa ... _info.html


http://www.kartingwarehouse.com/Karting ... _info.html


http://www.kartingwarehouse.com/p314/Oa ... _info.html


http://www.kartingwarehouse.com/p312/Oa ... _info.html


http://www.kartingwarehouse.com/Karting ... _info.html


Total spent on gear: $780 USD.

I am having it sent from the U.S. when it arrives at my residents there, so it`ll be a good 3-4 weeks till I get my hands on it sadly.

Whats left for me to buy are:

- Ribtec 3 (I have a free rib protector, but assuming it doesn:t do the job, i plan to get this)

- 360 Plus Device from Team Valhalla. I have been looking around for a good neck brace, and from what i found, valhalla is the best there is. So I am leaning towards purchasing this when I get some more money together.

Overall I am really enjoying this new found hobby. The Go Kart track is near my apartment so its nice. Cost of the go kart was 100,000 yen. Then there were storage fees (to keep the kart in there warehouse) which is 38,000 yen a year. So far I am about 201,000 yen in the hole for it from the go kart, storage fees, and my entire gear set.

But I am loving it heh. Going to enter into my first race in December.

Look forward to seeing me... in... F1... Someday

[Blaster]

That sounds like so much fun!

My work did an end-of-year go-kart party last year, and it was a blast I can't imagine how much fun it must be to actually have your own kart!

[Nene]

I wish I did more go-karting in my youth, I did it a couple of times and I've always enjoyed it. I've always wanted to have a go at rally driving actually. I had one of those "driving experience" gifts once but the company went into liquidation before I got to use it.

[awajikiwi]

Hello everyone,

Long time no see heh. So I have now been in Japan for a bit over 3 months. Visited Mandrake stores in Osaka (both) nothing really good though. I plan to hit up Tokyo in December/January. So I should be able to find some good art then. But in the mean time.. I have started a new hobby. Go Karting. My go kart can go up to 80 MPH, with a 0-60 in about 4 seconds.

......

Nice ! And welcome to Kansai!

The best thing in Japan was get a motorbike. Haven't looked back.

Off to Koyasan in Wakayama Prefecture in the weekend.
http://www.geocities.jp/kmaz2215/sonota ... uyou04.htm

[EternityOfPain]

I wish I did more go-karting in my youth, I did it a couple of times and I've always enjoyed it. I've always wanted to have a go at rally driving actually. I had one of those "driving experience" gifts once but the company went into liquidation before I got to use it.

Right there with ya Nene. When I was younger I always dreamed about owning my own go kart. But I never hand the funds nor the yard space to do it. So when I found out there was a real go kart track (not the ones you see in amusement parks, etc) 10 minutes from my house I had to check it out. Everyone there is 20 and older, wearing full on gear like the above suit and all. These go karts go fast, 80 mph plus. On Sunday I am going (I try and go at least once a week) and the owner is setting me up with a new seat for free which is great.

That sounds like so much fun!

My work did an end-of-year go-kart party last year, and it was a blast I can't imagine how much fun it must be to actually have your own kart!

Nice. Yea its really fun. I am already planning out some modifications and everything. Plan to get decals made for it etc. It feels like owning your own race car, almost heh.

Nice ! And welcome to Kansai!

The best thing in Japan was get a motorbike. Haven't looked back.

Off to Koyasan in Wakayama Prefecture in the weekend.
http://www.geocities.jp/kmaz2215/sonota ... uyou04.htm

Hey Awa, I didn:t know anyone on his board lived in Japan as well. Where in Kansai you at? Ahh Koyasan, I am planning a trip down there in Dec/Jan when my brother comes.

As far as getting a bike I really want to, probably will in a few months.

[Belldandy]

Woah! That seems like crazy fast speeds for such a little cart! Sounds fun, but I'd be too chicken to try something like that, I like my skin unbroken by asphalt >.<

[awajikiwi]

I live on Awaji Island.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap ... 668817#map

I was the guy who once ran animetaro and those other now long forgotten sites. (I changed my username <thankyou admin>

Originally from New Zealand, Been here for almost 20 years now.

BTW : Carting looks like wicked fun !

[EternityOfPain]

Woah! That seems like crazy fast speeds for such a little cart! Sounds fun, but I'd be too chicken to try something like that, I like my skin unbroken by asphalt >.<

Lol, well thats partially my reason for getting the gear. Gotta love being only several inches from the engine... But its amazingly fun.

I live on Awaji Island.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap ... 668817#map

I was the guy who once ran animetaro and those other now long forgotten sites. (I changed my username <thankyou admin>

Originally from New Zealand, Been here for almost 20 years now.

BTW : Carting looks like wicked fun !

Oh nice. Kansai is a great place to live without a doubt.

Yes I couldn't agree, karting is awesome. We get people coming from Kobe-Osaka and further south coming to this track. Its really far priced for a whole day (3000 yen for whole day if you have your own wheels).

Ever been karting anywhere in Japan yet?

[awajikiwi]

Woah! That seems like crazy fast speeds for such a little cart! Sounds fun, but I'd be too chicken to try something like that, I like my skin unbroken by asphalt >.<

Lol, well thats partially my reason for getting the gear. Gotta love being only several inches from the engine... But its amazingly fun.

I live on Awaji Island.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap ... 668817#map

I was the guy who once ran animetaro and those other now long forgotten sites. (I changed my username <thankyou admin>

Originally from New Zealand, Been here for almost 20 years now.

BTW : Carting looks like wicked fun !

Oh nice. Kansai is a great place to live without a doubt.

Yes I couldn't agree, karting is awesome. We get people coming from Kobe-Osaka and further south coming to this track. Its really far priced for a whole day (3000 yen for whole day if you have your own wheels).

Ever been karting anywhere in Japan yet?

No never in Japan. Looks amazing! I love speed !

Just got back from Wakayama. Found some crazy mountain routes ! Was a tad bit cold.

Photos Up!

http://picasaweb.google.com/stephen.whe ... anWakayama#