This isn't the toy I was talking about

That one was a 1/24 scale Tamiya Mitsubishi and yes that was like four months ago and no I haven't finished building it. I got like 3/4 of the way through and put it back in the box. I'll finish it eventually but I just really don't want to do it right now becaaaause

I got this :D

I've been wanting to get into karting since the ol' pre-teenager days and finally had the opportunity to pick one up with moderate parental approval. 

Specs and then I'll talk about it.

2015 ItalKart Rapido V 

125cc Parilla Leopard, 27hp, 17000 RPMs 

Magnesium wheels, MG Yellow tires

F&R Disc brakes

Fiberglass seat

Runs on a mixture of jet fuel and karting oil. 

I had a couple of my friends over about three weeks ago so I could swap their winter wheels over to their summers. My dad walked into the garage and said that my neighbor Doug was working away in his garage and that I should go over and talk to him about getting into karting if that was still something that I wanted to do. We finished up what we were doing so my friend and I walked over to Doug's to have a chat. Doug's the guy that owns the garage that I posted pictures of a while back - the one with the orange Cobra. He's raced for a good chunk of his life and offered to ask around to see if anyone was selling a package so I could get started. 

The next weekend Doug, my friend Steven, and myself were down at Sumas International Motorsport Academy checking out a few carts. Michael Valiante who'd just come back from racing in the 12H of Sebring showed us around and had a couple of strong packages to consider. Thirty minutes later I was getting my ass handed to me purely on the physical involvement in karting I never knew existed. Wasn't expecting the acceleration, stopping power, or the levels of grip they give. I was addicted before I was done my out-lap. 

Finished the day off and had the kart paid off a few days later. Michael and all the guys and girls at Italian Motors have done a fantastic job making sure that I feel comfortable in the kart and have led me in all of the right directions, pushing me to get into my first race as soon as I can. I was out on track yesterday for about an our or so over the course of fourish hours. My pace is mediocre at best but after watching my GoPro footage and comparing it to Italian Motors factory drivers footage, I have a good idea of where I can make up some time. 

The karts themselves are just too damn cool. The exposed spinning mechanical parts would be distracting on track if you didn't need to concentrate so hard on keeping your head attached to your neck anytime you give inputs through the kart. It's properly involving. I was running laps yesterday with a physician who was telling me that when he strapped himself up with sensors and monitors, his heart rate was hovering around 150bpm and was spiking 3g of force. I know I sound like a massive fanboy but you really have to try driving one of these before making criticism. 

Overall I'm super excited to head to the track whenever I can. Very well organized facility and a positive atmosphere around the entire paddock. I have tons to learn and still need to pick up a couple odds and ends but still pumped to finally be in the sport I've been wanting to do for so long.

Mike