colorado racing

[Jeff Field]

I heard a lot of racers say on Sunday that we should be unified and have events everywhere. Seeing the weak turnouts is not just the economy, BUT the economy prevents racers (including me) from running every event (20 races between CSC,RTR,Clubs).

I don’t know much of the history and politics between the owners, but I hope some solution can be found that maximizes the fields and competition in CO.

[Anonymous]

I agree / we need to go racing and keep the politics OUT.
Very low turn out’s from last year’s season.
I think we also need to promote this sport so that more spectators are not only there to watch but to enjoy the day.
Sorry everybody but THE TRACK should be voted # 1 when it comes to CLASS ACT not to mention it’s peolpe , very clean and it’s food.

[stacey cook]

Bobby you dont like our food??? 😕

[Greg Welch]

Well we all wish that racing here in state could be better. Its been a long train of events that has put us in the situation we are in now. Bottom line is the only way us as racers can make it better is to go out and practice or race or just even spectate at whatever track it is that you like the most. From a drivers standpoint I can’t pick one out of the 5 tracks I like most or least, I do only wish we could run at all 5 of them for a series again. It won’t happen in my lifetime but we can still hope.

The only way we can re-grow karting from where we stand now is to not loose interest. Keep karting, keep getting out to as many tracks as you can to step up your game. The more people that stay in, it the more people will want to be involved. Even if Brad and Jim never get along again, as long as we have a dedicated group of racers karting can still be fun. There is no one who can blame this on any one person, as ALL track owners and ALL shop owners have played a part (for better or worse) to turn karting in Colorado into what it is today. I do know that people like Brad, Jim, Stacey, JB, George, AJ, Barry, and my family have a passion and a love for the sport and want to see it grow. Hope to see you all at some race down the road, and maybe we can all race together again someday.

I still remember 1997 pulling around 250 entrants for a club race.

[Anonymous]

Whopps / my bad Stacy
I stand to be corrected everyone.
Grand Junction kickass food not to mention Sorry Jim but he does have airconditioning eating area and you can watch the race.
Anyway you Owners you truly make the sport very exciting to watch with your facilities.

[Anonymous]

Very well said Greg Welch
What do ya think guys can we pull back together ?

[stacey cook]

No problem Bobby, I was worried you didnt like the food and I cooked it myself. 😆

[Rick Schmidt]

Justin,

You’ve said a mouthfull!

I’ve been to both State Level races and honestly, they were both pretty lame. They were both just another kart race, with pretty anemic attendance compared to the quality and size of fields this state has generated over the past 7-8 years. Nothing special and a bit of a let down. What happened to the 20 some kart fields that Tag Masters used to generate and the crowd moving to the fence to watch the race? Two racers finished Masters in the RTR’s first effort and three finished in the Csc’s first effort and there were ony a few people at the fence? That’s just one small example of the field / race quality and size.

Those who have raced at the State (this certainly can’t be considered a regional series anymore) level for a while and who are at the higher levels of competition want to race the best, it would be cool to know who the best racers Colorado has to offer. The ability to accomplish this is very diluted right now. The collateral damage from this fragmentation is very sad. The racers (customers?) are certainly not the winners in this situation.

This is not the first time this has happened in this state. There are a few racers who were around when it happened last time and it tore karting apart here and took quite a long time to recover. Unfortunatley this conversation took place a few times this weekend. And unfortunately, many of the poeple who race now or have raced the past several years will not be around for the process to take place, it will just take too long for this to recovery.

Which leads to the greatest tragedy of all. I have been around many of these families for several years, our friends are in karting, I look forward to seeing these people every year, the races are where we gather. There are racers we’ve been around since they were driving kid karts, there are children growing every year, turning 16, graduating, turning 21 and so on. I have loved every minute of the experience of watching this whole process take place, it is one of the pure joys of my life. I suppose a few of you know I had a heart attack at a race last year, as I sat there in my pit very disoriented and having a very good idea that I was in fact having a heart attack and knowing full well I have had cousins die 15 years younger than I from our family genetics, (and other family members the same) as I sat there feeling like an elephant was sitting on my chest, I thought about the negative impact this would leave on the kids and friends who we race with and how I couldn’t cash it in here, I also thought for an instant that this is the best place to go, with my friends doing my favorite thing. Kart racing with friends. These little machines with tiny little tires a little motor and a little tubing has been a large part of our lives for 3 generations. It may sound sappy but, all these things and more ran through my head in what seemed like 20 minutes but actually only took a few I’m sure.

Get a taste of your own mortality and see if the ego still motivates taking over the karting world. Is this is really that important? Try to walk a mile in Richs shoes. You would not want to be tugging and shredding this small racing community apart. What the hell are we doing to what is a very good family activity? Breaking families apart? I don’t think the racers need to boycott the local racing powers to get this thing straightened out, but it is hard to increase the amount of people who want to race right now or even get the people who already race too race more? You guys are totally scewing the pooch here in this quest to be king of what? As one of my great friends says “we are racing karts, not curing cancer”

If everyone can’t just get along and appreciate what we had, shame on you! This is not some large customer based business that can afford to leave a trail of bodies in the wake of success or a power struggle. Is it? I also feel sorry for the kart shops, this whole thing has really created a lot of tension for them. It is like high school where someone says if you like someone in that group, you are not welcome in our group. Too bad the axe can’t get buried on all of this. Not sure if we are losers, but there are certainly no winners.

My son is 21 years old, we raced through a very exciting period for karting in Colorado, my wish would be that those of you with younger families get to experience something like we did. This is not all economy driven, many use this as their soccer or other sport, they will find the money to participate in something with their kids. I got to spend all my kids teenage years spending the main interest together. How many can say that? This has been a long time in the making and there should not be a big finger pointing ordeal. There should be a courtesy to allow us to compete as a unit once again. If not, it was good racing with you all!

You know, it is not going to make any difference what I or many of you feel. I’ll hit submit on another windy post knowing full well my support of karting days are probably going to be numbered anyway. It is just too hard to go backward.

Rick, Roman and Lucy.

[Jim Keesling]

Hello Colorado Karters,

There is a lot of information related to the events being discussed in this thread that no one but a select number of people are aware of, with good reason. I am happy to speak with anyone who has questions, whether at The Track or by phone.

There is no split in Colorado karting. A true split would be different equipment requirements, same day races at different tracks, and truly forcing a choice of one versus the other.

You, the karter can race with your kart at any of the tracks in Colorado. I picked the same weekends I had last year – no more, no less.

Racing the Rockies is a new series that we are excited about. The series dates are not on the same dates as any of the other Colorado series. It was planned that way on purpose. It is growing, and you the karter have a choice to do ALL races!!!

In reality, there are two less races this year than last year, if you did all of them. You have that choice to do all of them.

And for the record, I think you all are winners, and all of us at The Track appreciate your business.

Best,

Jim

[Cris Schureman]

?

[Mike Urban]

Excuse me, but I just don’t get it.

For all that post and complain about turnout, lack of competition, and that the world is coming to an end, a few points from a novice.

It is the economy stupid! Racing is expensive, especially when you have more than one racer per family, or enter more than one class.

Are you racing for the sport, or for something else?

There is more quality racing in Colorado than most people can take advantage of.

If you think there is no one to race against in Colorado, look into the mirror. How about enjoying the sport for what
it is, and see what you can accomplish yourself.

It isn’t the track owners that are the problem.

If you choose not to race, try to get out when you can and encourage those that do.

We can all make it better.

[Kirk Deason]

Nice post, Sam.

I’m not out there swelling the midfield of the TaG Old guys because I’m broke. This IS expensive, maybe too expensive for me. But I’m not quitting. I like being at the track, I like the company, and I love the competition. Someday, I might even be a decent tuner. Hell, maybe in a couple more years I might know what tire pressures to use so the kart doesn’t turn into a piece of crap 2/3 of the way through the race. But that takes time. I still enjoy the sport. I also enjoy watching other people’s credit cards turn to goo. (that term is called ‘schadenfreude’ for those keeping score at home).

In the meantime, ONE of these two series will prevail as ‘the’ state and regional series where the fast guys go to see who has what. This is capitalism. This is healthy. This competition for our dollars will only improve the product being offered to the racers. Look at the live timing and scoring now online at both series, everyone benefits from that. (bravo to both of you guys for doing that, btw, nice touch) Look at the awesome pricing Brad has come up with for tire and entry combos. Look at Jay’s series and how much fun the kids are having.

Competition improves the breed, it does not dilute it.

[Justin Mueller]

Jim, Thanks for taking the time and talking to me today. I now understand some of the reasons for people’s concerns. All in all I personally love racing and I enjoy all the people and personalities at the tracks. Each one of us need to do right by each other and I think for the most part that is happening. I for one can’t wait to get out to the track this weekend and practice. I hope we can all get out and race at the end of the month. Hope to see you all there. Stacey Great track I really enjoyed trying to learn it and race it last month Get your g1 guys to slow down a little bit LOL …… Mike you are right there is a lot of racing in colorado Thank GOD for that… Golf is to slow for me……..

[Mike Jansen]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

LET’S GET REAL HERE! I hear a lot of sidestepping the issue and until we address the White Elephant in the room we’re all just flogging a dead horse and wasting our time.

That said; let me lay down some background here in this post. This isn’t a knee jerk reaction but a genuine effort at trying to do the right thing and I’d like to think I’ve got the stones to call it like I see it. I’m not trying to say X is a butt head or Z is a jerk or live in the past. Let’s work on TODAY so we DO have a future.

FACTS about me:
-Mike Jansen is a passionate karter and businessman who has “no dog in this hunt” but wants to see 25+ fields in TaG Masters and in other classes like there used to be. I used to get excited coming down the dirt road to IMI and seeing the parking lot overflowing and 160 was the max entrants I’ve seen excluding Rmax Nationals @ Centennial
-Mike Jansen has been Karting for over 5 years and has seen many racers and families come into this sport and leave this sport for various reasons good and bad
-I saw Rick Schmidt and Roman STRUGGLE behind me and in the true sense of the sport would tell them EXACTLY what I was running (we both ran rotax) to help them get their game up to MY level. I wanted to kick Roman’s butt and I did each and every race but I wanted to beat them from a gladiator standpoint (I’m a better driver and your second best) and not from a “my engine and gearing is better than yours” standpoint. Same thing with Ron Reed and Rich Vito and Lee Gagna (for those of you who remember him) Jack Warrington too for that matter in his quest for #1

FACTS as I see them about Jim Keesling (since K comes before L)
-Jim is the new track owner and in a SHORT period of time has rocked Karting here in Colorado. Cases in point: Rotax Grand Nationals in his 2nd year of existence; Television coverage of said race; Television coverage in the local news of his track and Gas station promotion. Track sponsorship I’ve only seen at a European Kart level, Formula One level or Indy racing level.
-I knew of Jim when I lived in Southern California by name because of his organization of J class sailing regattas. So when I met him and put that together he had my respect from the get go.
-Jim’s pockets are (in my opinion) deep and he has a LEGITIMATE concern towards safety and preventing lawsuits against himself and his family. Do you blame him in this litigious society?
-Jim (at times can be a little abrasive in his reactions to situations. I experienced his wrath 2 years ago and I consider Jim a friend. I was breaking in a piston and had my nose glued to my Mychron and not watching him flag me to say my session was done two laps earlier! He had words with me once I came off and I took it like a man and said nothing. I went back to him 20 minutes later and told him of my inattentiveness towards flaggers and was more concerned about my engine being broke in and I was at fault and sorry. He’s always treated me fairly and even in this case he might have been excessive but he called it like he saw it at the time and there are no hard feelings.
-I always get a “thanks for coming out, we appreciate you being here” when I leave from Jim’s. It’s corny but it ALWAYS makes me feel good going home.

FACTS as I see them about Brad Linkus (because L comes AFTER K)
– Brad is the Horatio Alger story in that you look at what he started YEARS AGO and what he’s accomplished to this point. For that he has my respect and he’s always treated me fairly
– Brad used to race and he’s experienced the pain of losing to someone who’s cheated and if you look at the actions he took to start the kid class with the HONDA engine you see that he’s vowed to not let cheating happen if he can help it. He practically GAVE kids the engines to race with. A racers racer. Nuff said…
– Brad is innovative, thank him for bringing 4 stroke engines here to America and improving the product. A few years from now we all might be racing them just like they do in MX.
– Brad’s got the shop that carries everything and he’s willing to help you if it’s appreciated. I can’t tell you how many times I was at his shop after hours while his crew worked on my engine or he was putting a weld on my seat stay that broke from racing at Bandimere. He’s probably forgotten more than many shop owners KNOW. I brought with me several times beer to say I appreciate your dedication to being here and helping my butt out. A little goes a long way and it was always the least I could do.

Now the White Elephant as I see it and I’m not going to name names but many of you already know the cast of characters:
The uneasy alliance between track owners. One has a “we’ve done it this way and it’s always been good enough” vs. a “this is great but we can do better”. That progresses to the infamous meeting last year that got out of hand and was pathetic at best. Nuff said, the marriage is broken now let the divorce begin. I’ve always been of the opinion that if you’re at fault then man up and say you’re sorry so you can move forward. REMOVE THE “E” OUT OF EGO AND WE ALL GO FORWARD. Am I getting through? Helloooo…

The arrogance of the opinion that we the kart racers are stupid and will put up with your crap is nonsense and it shows in the attendance of both series. Prior to the season I heard numerous people saying that they were siding with X’s series because of (fill in the reason). I heard a few teams say that they were taking their team to Y series and then bad mouth the other series. I heard innuendos that Y series didn’t have their insurance; leases signed; race directors, etc. That makes me saddest of all because we are grown men and not teenaged kids. What ARE we teaching our kids? PATHETIC and you know who you are. You have contributed to this mess. I hope you’re proud of yourselves. Let’s Look in the mirror and honestly ask the reflection, “Did I contribute to this mess?” Glad I run my business opposite of that and NEVER badmouth my opposition. It’s called professionalism.

You all laughed and snickered when the numbers came out for the Race the Rockies #1 race. Now we’re all snickering about the numbers of the CSC’s initial race. Bottom line is we all should see it for what it is and that’s a reincarnation of the Indy Racing League vs. Champ Cars. DIDN’T WE LEARN ANYTHING FROM THAT? Or were people too arrogant to say, we’re different that doesn’t apply to us. Reality checks now that we’ve had round ones of both series wouldn’t you agree?

Some say economics and I say you’re kidding yourselves. Fess up and be honest: I’m not racing 2 series because that’s what we had a few years back when we had 9 races at the state level. I have a job and other responsibilities and I don’t want to win the alphabet soup but I do want to win at the PEPSI center and if anyone can pull that off its Jim. So there’s my reason to race RACE THE ROCKIES. CSC, I know what I get and I have the “been there, done that” attitude and if I’m going to drive at a track several times due to the lack of usage of Colorado tracks then I’m driving the track that has more of a challenge (only my opinion) and I love the bus stop and the first and last corners. PERIOD.

Kiss and make up and someone needs to swallow a little bit of humility. I feel grateful and blessed to know that I’m not fighting for my life in an intensive care unit like my fellow Masters karter Rich Vito. HOWEVER I do feel used when a post is made that says I’m a loser because I didn’t race in CSC and support Rich Vito. I also felt angry to have it played that way. RV51, how much has been raised by that? T-shirts, how much in that? CSC how much in that? Every little bit helps but don’t EVER place us (actually me) in the category of loser because we elected to race in one series and not the other.

I’m still dissapointed with the sponsorship money raised last year vs. the return to the karters. That was suspect at best. There it’s been put out there. Did the CSC ever say thank you in written form to the sponsors? Did they feel appreciated?

The other white elephant in the room that needs to be squelched: Have either series “sponsored or paid entry” for certain drivers to show to ruin the other series. If that’s true, that’s the track owner’s prerogative and has NOTHING to do with us common racers. If it is true I think it’s a pathetic and desperate ploy. And my entry fee was paid by myself thank you for asking.

In closing I’d like to bring to attention the reasons why we race and why we put ourselves in harms way when we drop the visor on our helmets: We love the camaraderie; the competition, the quality time we spend with our family as a family. I’ve seen Tate and Lauren Holleran grow up, David Zippie go from average student to honour student with a passion for life and school. I’ve drank beers with the best of the bunch and those who just love this sport. I’ve got memories of my first P1 result; my first accident; being locked in a port a john an everyone thought it was funny but me; had a zip tie attached to my drive shaft and pulled over only to say, “I’m going to get that Schmidt if it’s the last thing I do”. If this can’t be fixed then I hope one series wins and wins quickly or perhaps EVERY track owner in Colorado come to their senses and realize a symbiotic relationship is best and only brings more kart buyers off the spectating sidelines and into the fray of kart RACING. If I wasn’t passionate about this and trying to get things resolved it wouldn’t be 1:50am and here I am writing this message.

Hopefully the white elephants have been identified and we can move forward to resolve this MESS to get back to 150+ fields and 20 lap mains with a straightaway full of TaG Masters competing to beat each other on the track and swapping stories and laughs afterwards.

[Les Prins]

@Greg Welch wrote:

I still remember 1997 pulling around 250 entrants for a club race.

Back then, what were the classes like? What was the most popular class for adults and Jr’s?

Just curious.

[Author]

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