It was in the rules that no additives were allowed in the cooling system. I went around giving the heads up to the other Colorado boys about this rule because it never came up in tech as the season went along. Most I warned still had water wetter or RC20 in the kart and changed as we did.
There must have been a small amount in a pocket somewhere and when Scott pulled our water and it had a so slight green tint. He asked me what I had in the radiator and I was honest and told him I drained the RS20 and rinsed with distilled water then refilled, which is exactly what I did.
It is one of those “you’re not kinda pregnant” type things. It was there, I saw it, it is in the rules. We were excluded for the first time since I started racing at age 7. Kinda hurts a little, like being 48 years old and having your first accident. It was a long run and we’ll start over. certainly not flagrant. In hind site, I have a theory. I remember adding the RC20 earlier this year (yes we were illegal all year, as were a lot of others and I’m not naming names) and thinking “ok if a few ounces per gallon is good, 6 or 8 has to be better” Those who know me can understand. That crap was probably caked in every nook and cranny.
I could go off on how tech could have prepared us better this year….and on and on and on. But it was a 1st year series, I think they did a good job considering some growing pains and staffing build ups. We had so much fun in this series. We love the people we race with and everytime we leave one of these races we say that one was the most fun. We have a frigging blast. Win or lose.
Thats why we race! Fun! My water was not legal, tough pill, but I’ll take it. It was my responsibility. I shook Scott’s hand after we packed and thanked him for keeping a level playing field. In my opinion, he could be the best cheater in the karting world if he wanted to be. Thats what it takes to do his job and there is not anyone any better. Guys like me who have no intention of cheating feel some comfort in knowing there is a guy like him keeping the big money out of this. Even though your “you know what” slams shut everytime his eyes are in the direction of your kart. Lol
It is possible that it could have cost us 1st place in the Mile High series this year. Not sure if it’s a local series option for drops or not, have not been able to find much about DQ’s and how they relate to drops in Rmax. Roman is really disapointed, anyone who saw his closure and race craft and how hard he drove would have to be impressed that a racer 18 lbs overweight on a Rotax no less, could have that much drive and desire to be competitve. Hell, they started the race while Roman was being a sportsman and letting outside pole postion catch up after he dropped a full half lap back on the warm up lap, he nearly stopped the field like he did for Jim earlier in the year. Then got stuck on the outside waiting to let him in and got jumped big time. No restart, Didn’t complain. He wants to race. I’m thinking go and he’s thinking “lets race”
Regardless of what decision is made or who makes it. Some good people will benefit from it if were moved off the podium in this years series. We knew we could have stayed home this weekend and not jepordize the championship (2 more days of track time is not going to make or break us) but we wanted race and give the count for Masters as large a group as possible. At least I feel we were the team to beat this year. We worked very hard on our program and the results showed the effort. Jim, Roman and Rod are the men in the class (no offense to others) is has been extremely competitive all season. Thats what we like.
Late