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@Jim Keesling wrote:
When do you want to work together with a positive attitude and help fix any of the problems you always point out?
Jim,
I’m sorry if what I just wrote was not spelled out clear enough. It was positive. I complimented the current CSC staff on running better races. Without question, the $50 I spent to be a member of the CSC was one of the best investments I’ve made in Colorado karting. I got much better run races than in previous years. I’ve thanked them many times for it.
But we can improve. We had some difficulties that could have been avoided or minimized with additional trained and experienced staff to help. What I’ve done is tried to demonstrate that without asking for one more dime from our customers, we can get two things we need, a black and white rule book AND increased staff. What’s negative about that? I don’t know how to make it more positive!
The bottom line of my post is simple.
1. The CSC did good.
2. We could do better.
3. I gave a plan on how to do it better with out increasing costs.
What’s negative about that? Oh I see, it doen’t fit your plan!
Now lets get to your other point and lets clear it up so there no misconception. Did you or any other person in the CSC give us a written proposal for sponsorship last year? This year? No. You won’t get if you don’t ask!
We get requests from all over the country every year to sponsor classes and events. We get kart clubs from Washington to Florida, from Maine to So Cal asking for money. They all do it with written proposals. We get on average requests from 50 to 100 karters asking for sponsorship. They do it with written proposals. If you submit a written proposal, then it will be given the same consideration as all the rest.
Shockwave Karting is a national company. More than 70% of its sales are to dealers. Our largest customer base is in California followed by Florida. Maybe you are a bit confused about what Shockwave is, It’s not a local kart shop. It’s a manufacturer of karting products that just happens to be local. It is bringing money into the state as 95% of its sales are out of state.
In fact, it’s bringing in more money in to the USA than we are exporting. We export more products than we import. Canada and Mexico are big customers of ours. We are good not only for Colorado karting, but the USA! We’re bringing back some of the money guys like you are exporting by buying Birel’s!
Did you or any other person in the CSC give us a written proposal for sponsorship last year? This year? No. You won’t get if you don’t ask!
Doug,
If you need a driver to sponsor here in CO for all the CSC races I have been waiting for my big break. I have been thinking about changing careers. 😀 I can offer you a rolling 24′ billboard. I will run in any class you would choose. I will bring a well educated driver to Shockwave. :cheers:
Tom
Doug,
Good answer. You bring up the best point ever. Your business, and the business of a rule book are that; business. I’m not going to ask why I can buy a chunk of metal and make a part for far less than buying it from a manufacture. That’s business.
You never pointed out who is going to take the liability of an accident when one happens?
That is the real unwritten vaule to the book. I’m sure you don’t want your name as the responsible party in the worst case accident.
I’m sure you carry manfactures liability insurance for your products, because just making and selling them would be real cheap and easy. What if a part failed and death was the result? Are you willing to be the responsible party? If so, I will cut and paste, and put your name on it as a contact person and company. (wow, that really was easy to save money)
You sure can hide the real benefit of money well spent.
The cost form a legal point of view is really expensive, otherwise we would just cut and paste.
Back to work,
Jim@stacey cook wrote:
Dear Sirs: my namE es StAceyCoOK we ONW a trak aNd nEed Help wILL u SponOR uS? 😀
I’ve seen worse! At least you gave your name. I’ve seen some with only a screen name.
Stacey,
I will gladly sponser you!!! You have such a great use of your capitals as well as lower case letters. Oh by the way I can only sponser by entry fees to your wonderful track. Hope that will at least buy you a meal at your favorite fast food establishment.
Brian Moore
Father of Brandon #77 comer 80 novice shifter or possibly a 125 ICC on NitrousScott has the right idea starting this thread. I’ll rephrase his thesis; How does Colorado continue to grow karting as a motor sport. The answer is simple, attract new potential karters (me) and maintain the current karting community (the majority of you reading this thread).
The first thing I learned when looking at karting is money, money and more money. The initial cost of entering karting and being competitive is $6,000 for World Formula or EasyKart, what I consider the least expensive categories to begin racing. This is only to own the kart with very few spares, safety equipment and one gallon of fuel. I now need to find a place to race, pay for the races, tires, additional track time and etc! I would consider very few used karts/engines for the simple fact they all have a new top end, have less than eight hours on the rebuild and have never been wrecked. Karting is expensive, an individual making $30.00 per hour ($60,000 annually) would need to put 10% their annual salary to have a new hobby. I?m married and I can?t see me telling my wife I want to spend this type of money so she can watch me race on Mother?s Day!
The next thing I learned from this forum is hardly any of you seem to like a ruling body. However, the four track operators need a nationally sanctioned body to cover their corporate rear ends; SKUSA, WKA and RMax Challenge include insurance for the race promoters along with standardized rules. It also appears that few of you were happy without this sanctioning body because you didn’t trust your fellow drivers (mechanics/fathers) and if you (your child) didn’t place well, everyone else was cheating. Is SKUSA abandoning CSC like some posts suggest; is WKA about to collapse (they cancelled a series in karting Mecca, California; can EasyKart force their way into tracks with a monopoly type series from 6 years to masters? My head hurts just from considering this.
Another important thing I learned is there are too many options available within CSC, SKUSA and Colorado tracks! This I will blame on good old American Capitalism. Is it fair that several hundred motors are available and at least a dozen different Colorado businesses want inside my wallet? Do I pick Rotax, Sonik, Yamaha, Honda, B&S, Parillia, TM etc. Now what about my kart chassis? Is a non-homologated kart legal in SKUSA, WKA or RMax? Due to the insurance angle, I don’t think they are. Who makes the determination, the track owners that are competing for your businesses against SAC/Billet and any internet business? Any of the four tracks (and soon The Track) could put the majority of karters out of racing by specifying engine a or b with kart a or b and no others. This is bad businesses and could also cause their tracks to shut down. The problem with CSC and TaG are too many engine/weight options. The number of engines as a minimum should become limited! What I like about RMax, EasyKart and World Formula is the fact each of these classes has only one engine and you can?t crack them open to gain an unfair advantage over your class. Two engines are sealed and the 7K rev limiter on WF makes blueprinting the engine idiotic.
The last item I?ll discuss is racing education/training. Do a google search for Colorado and karting schools. I?ll bet you got as many hits as me, zero. I have been to three tracks to date, CRE, IMI and Sears Point (aka Infinion). I hope to get to GJ, Action Karting and The Track to watch races there as well next season. Infinion has lessons, a lot of other racing all around you and Sunoco 116 Octane for $6.99 a gallon. I know George is planning a newbie Rotax training series, but I don?t see any of the other tracks offering/advertising any of this. How do I learn about tuning a kart, walking a track, or jetting an engine to be competitive? No offense to the TaG Masters or RMax Masters is intended by this statement, I don?t think any of you would come up to a competitor and say, Michael you need to run a 83 gear, try to raise the back of your kart and widen your front end. If you do this, I think you can run a 42 at CRE or a 53 at IMI. You want me to compete but also want me looking at your exhaust pipe until I learn tuning on my own.
Capitalism is a great thing. To all of the track owners, please be there next spring, I like to watch road racing. To the other businesses, keep working at getting into my wallet. To all of the other racers, support these businesses, just like several fly fishing businesses that closed this year, if you buy everything over the internet, where will you go for advice, emergency parts and remember, you cannot race your real kart on the internet!
Mike,
interesting post, but i have to disagree with your following comment:
“No offense to the TaG Masters or RMax Masters is intended by this statement, I don?t think any of you would come up to a competitor and say, Michael you need to run a 83 gear, try to raise the back of your kart and widen your front end. If you do this, I think you can run a 42 at CRE or a 53 at IMI. You want me to compete but also want me looking at your exhaust pipe until I learn tuning on my own.”
It is the other way around, the Masters walk up to the front runners and ask them what gear? what should I do with my push? etc? etc. They always give me advice-ALWAYS. The innitiative comes from me/you. the Masters want good close, safe racing, we have a tight bond.
Also, your comment on training. We have several guys who consult with all types of drivers-Newbies to Old Fart like me–AJ Noud/Preston N./Marc E./Track owners.
I have tried to put together a Rotax Newbie Training Program last yr and I am trying to put one together this yr—See my post about a new TAG Forum. Last yr there just wasn’t enough interest to justify my time. Since I am unemployed (any leads on Purchasing/Supply Chain/Buyer positions in Pharma or Chemical industries?) at present I have the time.
So soon I will again try to promote a Newbie/Novice Rotax Training Class-motor/carb tunning/gearing/maxjet software/micron race Studio software/tires/driving line/etc/etc. I was an adjunct faculty member at Front Range Community College for 5 yrs-so I know something at teaching-but it will cost, not free.
Hope to see ya. If you want to talk send me a private message. :sun:
Mike
Last year we did a training class in Grand Junction that was a combination of class room and track time. We will be doing it again this year as soon as we can find a date in an already busy schedule.
We will also be doing one on this side of the hill that is class room only in conjunction with our open house. Look for details shortly.
The year before we did one on this side of the hill, free to all, that Curt set up. There are also several tuners/driver coachs available for hire for more personalized instruction. Give us a call and I can point you in the right direction.
my nickel:
seat time is where you get fast. Ask questions around the track – people will be happy to tell you stuff. Gearing, jetting, and other things people will tell you when you practice. Race day is another thing.
You’re making it sound like we all don’t share our passion. If that is your observation you are missing the point by approximately a mile…
8)
Ask and yea shall get…
See you at IMI when it’s warm
Michael , it seems you have a lot of complaints for someone who has not even started as yet .
Perhaps if you would give our karting “family” a chance , you would find several drivers and shop owners ready and willing to welcome you into the fold so to speak.
We do a lot of coaching for our clients , showing everything from tuning to basic repairs on your equipment .
I hope the best for you , and sincerely hope you will join our quest ,your insights will be helpful .Regards , J.B. Action Karting @ Bandimere
@Mike Jansen wrote:
See you at IMI when it’s warm
Now you won’t run in the cold? And from the guy who wants 20 laps? Awww come on Mike, you need to bulk up. Get you lazy butt out there. 😀 Maybe this is why you can only make 8 or 20?????????
Its too cold for us too. We’re thinking of making a quick trip to Tucson over Hew Years weekend. Do a little testing, get a little warmth, do a little racing, its all good.
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