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@Jay Luttrull wrote:
I cannot believe that everyone is acting like babies and I cannot wait till the IMI club kids kick the crap out of the CSC kids
Jay, that is such an adult and sportsmanlike thing to say. You have a right to feel that way, but why do you feel it neccesary to say it out loud (or in this case, on the forum). That kind of comment is a perfect example of what is wrong in this class. It shouldn’t be “my kid is better than yours”, but lets all go out and show the kids how to race AND HAVE FUN doing it.
I can tell you that my kids did just fine last year with motors out of the box. You don’t have to go to any extra expense to be competitive in this class. I hope the new or potential kid kart parents out there are not reading this and getting discouraged. It really is fun for the kids, and except for a few incidents last year, the racing has been fair and fun to watch on the track. The kids will learn to be better racers if the field is closer. Cheating to get your kid out front, to run by himself, and get a bigger plastic trophy, is ridiculous. And that is not to say that a kid won’t be out front, running by himself (or herself), with a box stock, legal motor. It happens….driving skills make a big difference with these little motors.
The Honda motor might make the most sense, but the way that it was introduced is the problem. Brad was very generous in offering to provide the motors, but all of the track owners were in agreement to use the supplied Comer motor program. Brad was willing to put in the money and effort to get the motors, but all four track owners agreed that using the Comer supplied motor was worth a try this year, to pull this class back in check. It was only when Brad changed the motor to be used without consulting the other CSC track owners that it got messy. Yes, some parents were concerned, too. It means more time, effort, and money, to go practice. Because unless you buy a Honda set up to practice with, you have to rent one, and put it on for the day. Not a huge deal, but still one more thing to do.
This year will expose the karters to the Honda motor, and to a supplied motor program at IMI. Then, we can use that information to go forward to next year.
Off my soapbox now.
How about this.
On race day draw number for engines! Let those few parents stick all kinds of cash into their engines. I bet this would stop all the funny business. Of course you get your engine back at the end of the day.
I think there is a liability issue there. That was discussed. As was a claimer rule. I think a claiming rule would be a good idea. Others say it would kill the class. What do you think?
Why are we again talking about a solution to the engine problem when we already have one? We have been over the claiming and engine swapping scenario many times. I have yet to hear one good reason not to use the Honda engines I am providing. Just because it is not a Comer is not a legitimate reason. The Comer engine is the problem, has been the problem and should not be part of the solution. Where are the responses from the parents that are against using the Honda and what are your objections to using them? This reminds me of when I asked my dad when I was 6 years old why I had to go to church on Sundays when my friends did not, ?because I said so now get in the car before I take off my belt?. I have only heard positive responses with a majority of parents in favor of the Honda package.
Brad,
I have a 5 yr old and was thinking about starting him this year. I think you have been more than generous and I was about to jump in. I do not like the idea of using the same old stuff and trying to better control cheating. Why not use supplied Honda’s and eliminate the cheating. So what if a child doesn’t have seat time with the engine. It would be a good experience for them and remove them from their comfort zone. That is called life!
How much does a kids kart Honda engine go for?
Tom
We are selling the Honda package with clutch, engine mount, throttle adapter for $450. The Comer is $510 stock $800-$1200 blueprinted.
I didn’t mean to say we should implement a claiming rule this year. I was just trying to get feedback as to what people thought of claiming rules in general. In case you didn’t notice, my family is also in favor of the Honda. I think that having the Honda around this year will prove their reliability. Brad, you have implemented the supplied motor program for this season – so we will also see how that works. If all is good, we have found the cure for the Kid Kart class in the CSC next year IF ALL OF THE TRACK OWNERS ARE IN AGREEMENT. It isn’t about a few parents whining, although I think listening to comments from racers and parents is important.
Discussions that happen on this forum are not deciding anything – that happens at another level. So why not allow people to express their ideas here? I believe that is the reason that I started a forum on this site in the first place.
Angie
ps. there is no reason to have a blueprinted Comer to win. Wyatt earned the #3 plate at the Nation’s Cup with a stock motor. (actually would have been second, except for a little confusion with the checkered flag! 😳 )
What exactly are the other track owner?s objections? How many Kids karts were running in the Nations Cup, how many had blueprinted engines? If it?s not an issue then why do parents spend the money to get their Comer engines blueprinted? Why do some of them blatantly cheat?
Brad,
I am one of the parents against using the Honda motor, and this is why. When you told us in Jan. that you were going to supply tested & equal COMER 50’s I was all for it. Whatever happend to that test? The biggest reason I am against it is because you changed horses in the middle of the race. We were promised one thing and handed another, without being able to give our input. Correct me if I am wrong but don’t the majority of these baby karts come from Italy supplied with a 50cc Comer motor, my 2 karts did(no engine option). The basis of this class is low start up costs. I shouldn’t have to have two motors, when I allready have one that is recognized through several national sanctioning bodies. As much as I appreciate your generous offer to supply motors on race day at no cost, I don’t appreciate having to spend an extra $450 so my kids can test and tune. Don’t reinvent the wheel, just keep it true.
Love,
JayJay
After figuring out exactly what had to be done to the Comers to make them equal it just was not practical or economical. Why do you think it costs $300-$800 each to blueprint them? I also would be constantly working on them to maintain the consistency. You can buy kid karts without the engine, granted not all of them, but you can. If it is an issue I would take the new Comer 50 as a trade in on the Honda. You do not have to buy a Honda engine for practice as they would be available to rent at any CSC track for $10 a day. You also do not have to pay to have it repaired or rebuilt. Another advantage is you have backup engines available on race day in the unlikely event that you do have a problem and it won?t cost you a thing. Why did you feel the necessity to have your engine blueprinted? What did it cost you to have Scott Smith blueprint your engines? It should have cost you a days points for the fine example of cheating with the cut seals he provided on your engine which you claimed no knowledge of. The wheel is broken and can?t be repaired without getting a new one and that is true as we have found out over the last few years.
Here is the big question I have about all of this. Since the CSC season is a month and a half away. If it was decided to run Honda wouldn’t everyone have ample opportunity to get time on the track? Also, how different can a 50cc engine possible be? I am assuming that the hang up on all of this is the extra $$$ it would take for those parents who have Comers already and not any adverse reaction to a Honda.
I am asking these question be I am not in the know and am truely trying to make a decision on my sons participation. I could care less if he wins or loses as long as he has a smile on his face.
Tom
Sorry I haven’t responded sooner but the National Inquirer and Star came in the same day as my People and US magazine. Priorities you know… 😀
When I used to sail competitively in Long Beach California we raced in a charter class that were boats used by the skippers of the America’s Cup. The night before the race the commodore of the yacht club would gather 13 straws and we all drew straws with numbers on them. That would be our boat, in essense a claim type race so to speak.
I had a feeling what the issue was and I would like to say bravo for the initiative Brad! Keep moving forward everyone. One setback isn’t enough to give up.
“Little League Dad” will always be involved in sport, get used to it. Due to their own inadequacies and lack of morals/ethics they will always try to overcompensate with their kids. Instead of emulating the Earl and Tiger Woods of sport they emulate the fathers of the Mary Pierce’s of sport. There is the truth, now deal with it. Statistics and anecdotes prove that…
Keep your eyes on the goal, we’ve identified the issue now let’s continue SOLVING the issue. I for one don’t know all the facts and like any good trial lawyer will tell you, don’t ask the question unless you already know the answer. If the Honda’s only getting usage in the IMI club races then that is a START. Better than no action at all.
In the meantime… :cheers:
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