Birel TO 30?

[srchn4sponsors]

Has anyone ever heard of this chassis model? I have pics attached but they are pretty small so I don't know if they will help. After reading the discussions on this board, however, I thought if anyone would know... you all would!

I am trying to get into Rotax Masters (heavy) and am curious as to whether this chassis could be modifed enough to get my first thousand laps in. After that... then it would be time to invest some real money once I better understood tuning, maintenance, track adjustments, etc.

Just an old fart trying to live out a lifelong dream og racing but don't want to go into debt past my arse for the first year. After that... debt up to about eyeball level might be ok. Thanks for any help anyone can provide.

Srchn
Proud member Disabled Vets of America

[Garry Lobaugh]

We know the TO 30 and it is a 1996-2000 type production item. It worked best for 4 stroke low horsepower! Not a Rotax. Obviously anything goes to get you on track.. So to me, it is better to be on track than not on track. If you bought if from a shop, then you can expect their full support, but I doubt that this is the case.

If you purchased from an individual, then it is possible they are there trackside to assist, but I doubt it.

We have spare parts for the kart, we know the kart, but if your goal is the first 1000 laps, then go for it. But please don't ask me to endorse this model kart for the application you described.. But at least you have a kart and the passion and we can work it out from there.

Most likely if you are a heavy guy.. then you will need a very stiff torstion bar, one which is hand made and for sale.

[srchn4sponsors]

Garry,

Thank you very much for the information. This Kart (I have not purchased it yet)is being advertised as a 2001 model that is "suitable for both junior and adult racing up to 125cc." From what you have said... this seems to be a bald-faced lie or misrepresentation by the current owner.

I really do appreciate your help here. I already have my thousands of laps with the weenie two and four stroke 35-50 mph Karts and am finally feeling that I am fully ready to make the next step. I am comfortable and consistant in my laptimes and hitting my marks but have surpassed the level of machine's capabilities with my own seat time and driving improvement. That is why I want to make the next move upwards.

I don't want to get into the higher level classes unless I have a machine under me that I can drive well at higher speeds and performance levels. Yes, you are correct that I am a big guy too. It's been alot of years since I was on the football feild in Germany but I still pack about 240 lbs (it's jjust not all where it used to be!) so I would definately need the torsion bar.

My main question to you, as the pro that you are is... could I start out by dropping a 125 TAG into this chassis and still learn or would I just be wasting my time and money? With the TO chassis would I face never being able to get a good set-up in order to gain the knowledge which I am srchn4?

The set up etc. are the main things I need to do/learn for a season before buying a brand spankin new machine and putting a serious dent into someone's points lead?

Thanks for all your help and for your time. Do you have any idea what the chassis as a roller might be worth? I look forward to any response for which you may have the time to make in regards to my additional questions. Thank you for your time.

Srchn


on 17. Jun 2006 21:42 Garry Lobaugh wrote:

We know the TO 30 and it is a 1996-2000 type production item. It worked best for 4 stroke low horsepower! Not a Rotax. Obviously anything goes to get you on track.. So to me, it is better to be on track than not on track. If you bought if from a shop, then you can expect their full support, but I doubt that this is the case.If you purchased from an individual, then it is possible they are there trackside to assist, but I doubt it.

We have spare parts for the kart, we know the kart, but if your goal is the first
1000 laps, then go for it. But please don't ask me to endorse this model kart for the application you described.. But at least you have a kart and the passion and we can work it out from there.

Most likely if you are a heavy guy.. then you will need a very stiff torstion bar, one which is hand made and for sale.

[Andy Seesemann]

Srchn,

First, where do you live? Find the birel dealer close to you and go see them.

Second, as Garry said, this chassis is not perfect for your application.

I see that the ebay auction is up to $735. That is a fair price for the chassis, but once you add shipping, you will be over $900 into this chassis. That is $900 for an almost 6 year old chassis. I would bet that your local birel dealer has a line on a 2-3 year old chassis that better fits your application for only a few hundred dollars more. If you could find a 2003-2004 for $1200-1300, it would be a far better value.

Once again, where do you live?

Andy

[srchn4sponsors]

Andy,

Man... I am glad I found this forum! You all are fantastic! I live in Utah and with the opening of the new Miller Motorsports Complex out where Blackrock used to be (it is one of the finest facilities in the nation, bar-none) i really want to step-up-my-game in this sport/passion of mine. The main local dealer is M2 (M Squared) for Karts from Birel, Tony Kart, CRG etc. The guys there are pretty good to work with but they seldom deal in anything used. They travel so much with their own race team set up and merchandising programs that they rarely hold onto anything for very long before it is gone.

My main practice time has been in Sodi Karts and some other chassis. These are still alot of fun but when your lasp times are consistantly within one tenth or less and you are running with guys that are 25 years younger and 100 lbs lighter... its time to move up!

Thanks for the advice. that is my bid on eBAY and I have already talked to the seller about a possible retraction if it holds up. I hate to do that because it seems like a decent deal and I don't want to ruin my eBAY reputation either. Kind of a rock-and-a-hard-place situation here. thanks for all your help guys. Any other advice is more than welcome.

I have attached some clearer pics of the Kart that is in discussion if you are interested in checking it out a little closer.

on 17. Jun 2006 22:42 Andy Seesemann wrote:

Srchn,

First, where do you live? Find the birel dealer close to you and go see them. Second, as Garry said, this chassis is not perfect for your application. I see that the ebay auction is up to $735. That is a fair price for the chassis, but once you add shipping, you will be over $900 into this chassis. That is $900 for an almost 6 year old chassis.

I would bet that your local birel dealer has a line on a 2-3 year old chassis that better fits your application for only a few hundred dollars more. If you could find a 2003-2004 for $1200-1300, it would be a far better value.

Once again, where do you live?
Andy

[Garry Lobaugh]

To folllow up about your local dealer.. You are in luck as the dealer for Birel in the area is Miller Motorsports Park. The guy to talk with is Preston. They are located where you need them most at the track! It pays to support the local dealer as it create good will as well as follow up support.

[srchn4sponsors]

I want to say thanks to all of you for the great advice. This is an excellent forum. Most forums seem to ignore a "new guy" for a while, before taking any of his or her questions seriously. You all saved me from making a $1000+ mistake and it is much appreciated. As I continue on my path of learning this season, hopefully I will be able to add some meaningful advice or tech hints and help to the other members of the forums' questions. Thanks again all!

Srchn

[Garry Lobaugh]

You are offering good advice just by your comments. Maybe at some point create a new post from that perspective.

At any rate, I do hope you pick up the phone to your local track which just happened to out spend all of us reading this forum. I think the number is over 80 Mil on a race complex. Some might consider the group a 900 Lb Gorilla, but from my dealings, I do know the Miller MotorSports Park is real in every aspect. Just pay them a visit in person and you will see the value of dealing with a professional kart shop. Of course we are biased as they are Birel dealers.

I've watched lots of new start up companies and the success of the Larry Miller companies is stamped clearly on his Motorsports complex and he will raise the bar for all of us in many areas. # 1 is of course customer service and that takes good people.

[Marc Miller]

To add to what Garry has been explaining - contact Preston Newberry @ Miller. They are newer - but have been selling a lot of Birel's so far this year. Ask about used - and feel free to have Preston contact Steve Miller regarding used karts that would fit your application. From time to time - we will send Used materials to dealers that might not have used items to fill stock and have them available. Just an idea if new is not in the budget.

Marc Miller
MRP Motorsport
Director of Marketing & Brand Development
www.themarcmillershow.com

[srchn4sponsors]

Thanks for another great piece of advice. It is very much appreciated. My wife and I went car shopping today and I found a great deal on a SUV. You wouldn't believe how hard it was to get them to throw in a tow package after we had negotiated the price... but... I got it done! Now I know that I have an excellent tow vehicle, which is onne more step along the racing path.

And... since I bought the SUV for my wife... I am hoping that it will add to the incentive to keep my wife fully involved in our racing venture. After all, from what I have seen at the track, Karting is very much a family sport and I would love to get her into racing at some point as well.

With the excellent advice I have received on this board, I know where i can turn if I am stuck with a problem. Thanks to all!

Scott
SKR Rebel Racing

on 4. Jul 2006 17:28 Marc Miller wrote:

To add to what Garry has been explaining - contact Preston Newberry @ Miller. They are newer - but have been selling a lot of Birel's so far this year. Ask about used - and feel free to have Preston contact Steve Miller regarding used karts that would fit your application. From time to time - we will send Used materials to dealers that might not have used items to fill stock and have them available. Just an idea if new is not in the budget.

Marc Miller
MRP Motorsport
Director of Marketing & Brand Development
www.themarcmillershow.com