Compliments to the honorable gentleman Mr. Jacobellis for not only offering a viable alternative to the proposed supplied motor debacle but also for his volunteering to put up the first two hours of testing time. I will follow by offering another two hours of time and suggest that this test should be done regardless of the potential impact on the class although the intent is certainly to try and stabilize this issue. I?ll pay for two hours as well if just to satisfy my curiosity. I would also suggest that we take advantage of what NASCAR spend millions of dollars to learn and that is that we include a restrictor plate right from the start in this test. If you are wondering what this test will potentially prove, it in fact may not ?prove? anything. That?s not the point. The value of this test would be to legitimately illustrate the variation of a test group. The point then would be that by observing the % of variation, one could possibly and reasonably consider the other points of variation. For example, lets say that after this test it was found that under the same control measures, i.e. same carb, same restrictor plate, same jet, same gear, same fuel, same plug, etc. that the test group was all within 5% variation. To scientifically argue that this % of variation within the motors was relative to the outcome of a race, it would have to be potentially more variation than the variation that exists among each of and the aggregate of the other variables notable in this case: A. Ones ability to tune engine variables like jetting, fuel ratios, spark plugs, etc. There are 5 jet variables, at least 30 fuel ratio variables and reasonably 12 spark plug variables. That calculates to 1800 different combinations of engine tuning variables. B. Ones ability to choose and tune chassis variables, you can calculate this one. C. And finally the aptitude, talent, skill, maturity, motivation, enthusiasm, etc. of the driver. Just try and calculate those variables and don?t forget to multiply your answer by the number of days in the year and atmospheric corrected altitudes for each of the regions where the races will be held. So, does the total potential variation of these things outweigh the % of variation within the motors? (Insert honest answer here____________________________) You don?t have to be a scientist or a statistician to get a gut feel for the answer. In the event that one or more lie outside reasonable variation, either above or below, then a solution could at least be considered regarding those examples.
Just in case we are not getting the point here its not to just through away all rules and guidelines because in the end they don?t matter anyway, no, it?s just that if you really take a scientific approach to this issue it never ends and if you think you can eliminate any and all variation within the equation and let the kids just battle it out, it can?t be done. Fair is fair and honest is honest and rules are rules but I don?t think it makes sense to take all of the tuning and driving variation away from us, that?s the race! What if supplied motors catch on for the other classes, when will anybody ever learn to tune, if and when they make it to IRL? Consider this, between the 1st 2nd & 4th place Kid Kart dads there is close to 100 years of motor sports experience. It?s not wrong it?s not unfair it?s just a coincidence. If you don?t run into them here you?ll run into them somewhere else or in the next class. Our first year we didn?t even finish on the lead lap until the last race of the season! He thought maybe he had won because it was the first time that nobody had passed him during a race? We celebrated! Yet we?ve watched first time entries bring in motors from all over the country thinking that the motor is the answer. How about the loose nut behind the wheel and the wing-nut turning the wrenches? I?m not insulting them I?m saying there?s a learning curve here and when we move up we?ll be starting over too! I have an idea, you know how hard it is to get youngsters up early in the morning, get them fed, get dressed, and get them to the track in a good mood? How about supplied drivers? Now that would save us some time. (Oh yea, it was for them in the first place?.)
Also, to those who may say: How can you go wrong, wow I wish someone would buy me a motor, look at the effort and expense being made, he must really care. Like the saying goes: ?If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.? When you look at all of this it doesn?t add up, except perhaps in one way. If one goes back and looks at all of the posts coming from our motor host and what has been said in person and overheard by many, one may conclude that there is more of a personal vendetta at play here than any genuine concern for the class?
Questions that will not be answered:
– What is the percentage of factory rated performance variation within Comer 50s vs. Honda GXH50s?
– Why were only host track drivers invited to participate in the ?rigorous testing??
– What is the maintenance schedule for the supplied motors?
– By what method is it determined that a motor is in need of a rebuild?
– Why was an honest question regarding the format of the testing not only not answered but sarcastically brushed aside?
– What are the reliability test results on a motor that will have to turn 7000+ rpm when the optimum operational rpm is 4300 rpm?
– If the starter cord breaks on the pre grid will the race be held up so that the CSC sponsored pit crew can make necessary repairs?
– If a motor does expire during competition will the driver receive a finish position equal to the position they held when the motor let go?
– What are the brand names of the Kid Karts available without Comer motors, who are the dealers and what in the price?
– How many Hondas will be available at any given track and if more karts show up for practice and/or a race than motors are available, by what method are the motors distributed?
– If the carb is found to have dirt in it and damages the performance, will that heat or main be re-run?
– Why were the participants in this class never officially polled for their input and ideas?
– Why can you find 8-10 Comer Kid Karts on a given weekend at a track practicing and only find 3 split between two classes at an actual race the same week end?
Faulty theories:
– You can eliminate variation in engines.
– You can eliminate variation in chassis.
– You can eliminate variation in drivers.
– You can eliminate variations in the environment.
– You can legislate honesty, ethics and character.
Thanks again Jay for your thoughts and ideas, bravo!
Respectfully,
Scott Hannum