- This topic has 3 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 21 years, 1 month ago by
.
- Posts
Man, some of you guys are really need to step back for a minute and stop suggesting that everything is about “politics”. I’ve stayed out of these CSC arguments because I didn’t participate in an official CSC race last year, but I did attend the meetings, and I raced the tracks.
The whole concept was laid out on ekartingnews last year, in my personal opinion the goal is to have as few classes as possible, and have each class’s optional motors to be as equal as possible. Has everyone forgotten those 3 kart classes at IMI 18 months ago?
IKF/WKA/SKUSA/STARS/TAGUSA, they all have a bunch of classes, more than can be run and/or supported in one state. I wasn’t all that excited last year as my KT100 and CR80 no longer had a class to run in. But I have a Rotax now, and it’s the best motor I’ve had. I’m going to run against the Leopards, and the Bilands, etc, and it’ll all work out by the end of the year.
The goal for each class is to try and make the motor/kart packages as EQUAL as possible. I did the math last year, the Italsys with the electronic ignition, that motor, with the listed weight, would have been the dominate package. But if I, or somebody with more talent, had gotten that motor, the weight just would have gone up it. It’s clear; the concept in all the classes is to equalize them.
The whole thing with the 4-strokes, sounds to me like some well funded kids program (or motor builder) quickly saw an opening in the posted rules and went out and built a motor with 1.5 more hp than the other motors in the class. Stop and think for a minute, if the goal is to equalize the packages, then it’s probably going to be closed. Its not politics, and it’s not fair to tag these shop owners as such either. Don’t forget, they make more money on NON-RACE weekends. Piss-em off, and we can all race with the rental karts, I’ve done the math, it’s more expensive.
As far as the weight issue for TAG, Brad kindly posted his concern over how the weights were put together, I may not agree with his reasoning, (I own a Rotax, put 50lbs on any other motor, I’d like that rule) but facts CHANGED after the meeting at IMI occurred. Do we expect the people who run this series to act in a vacuum? I think some racers feel they’ve found what they perceive as an advantage, spend money on this advantage, and then get all pissed off and call peoples integrity into question when this advantage goes away.
Remember, it’s all about creating as few classes as possible, and making the packages as equal as possible. I don’t see where anything discussed hasn’t been consistent with those concepts.
I don’t think this series is perfect, I’d like a final set of rules for my class, I’d like to know if it’s going to be 1 class or 2, I’d like to know if I’m going to be able to use my 2 new set’s of MG Yellows. But this is a heck of alot better than it was 2 years ago, and I know the biggest factor for me to podeum isn’t going to be the weight on my kart, or another racers kart, or what tires I get to run, it’s going to be if AJ and Jake show up, if they finish (I hope AJ kept his motor guy), and if I can drive 20 or 30 laps with MHOMA. I doubt this is much different for any of the other TAG guys either.
See ya in April, at least if I can get there. I’m cursed for the CSC, now my in-laws are coming to town for the first time in 5 years, and yep, it’s April 4th, arggg.
Jeff,
Good to hear you are still here and ready to race, eventhought the relatives are coming in.
The rules will come, you had good comments and we will all have fun. Hang tight. I agree with your comments on the track owners-they seem to be taking a lot of abuse and without them we would have zippo!
It looks like I will have to load up on wts this year also. I can’t decide to run Rmax in the international or masters and will run the Tag.
Should be a fun year no matter what the heck the rules come out to be!
I just love to race!
Jeff,
I suppose that Bill Clinton didn’t inhale or have sex with that woman? I love how people can listen to an argument and just assume that the individuals running it have the racers best concerns in mind….it boggles the mind. I am an unbiased outside observer looking in. I am also the 2003 CSC Tag Sr Champion going away! I ran a rotax and thought it was a great package. There were only 3 of us from colorado that ran at RIGP for the largest Tag event in the country. I am basing my opinions off of those 2 very independent events.
In Rock Island, Biland arguably had the best driver lineup with Matt Champagne, Sam Walls and Christ Thode – 2 National drivers and one very good local driver. Rotax probably had the second best driver lineup and more karts in general….rotax had Michael Johnson (factory driver) and Wade Van Hooser (F3000 driver). The RIGP track is setup to favor the rotax motors in DRY condition as it is a wide open .8 of mile track with a total of 6 (90*) turns and the rotax’s qualified better than the Bilands. IT RAINED, which slowed the track down and put more emphasis on the bottom end power. I met with most of the rotax drivers and mechanics before the race and most of us decided to raise the rear gear 5-7 teeth. I did normal chassis adjustments just like all other front drivers at RIGP so there really wasn’t an advantage in chassis….it came down to driver and motor. Guess who won? It went Biland, Biland, Biland, Rok and then myself (rotax). The 3rd place biland kart came from like 25th starting position – and he wasn’t even a good driver. Matt and Sam are 2 great drivers and they would have been in the top 5, probably top 3 in the dry but there were 2drivers that weren’t even top 10 drivers who passed us.
My point is this and I’ve stated it before. Rotax’s should win at GJ and IMI….Bilands should win at Bandi and Steamboat. Guys, I won by over 7 seconds at GJ and IMI – it wasn’t fun. I got lapped at Bandi – it wasn’t fun. My motor was strong and I made some changes at Steamboat which made me competitive – by far the best race of the season
1. First, thanks Jeff for your comments. I raced in the 4 cycle CSC last year, and I enjoyed the traveling. Now I am moving to Tag. When the dust settles, I will even buy my equipment. The Colorado Karter, which is to be commended, has provided a forum for the exchange of ideas. This was their intention as stated in their preamble in each Colorado Karter newsletter. However, as you have suggested, we do need to be professional in our criticisms.
2. I too would like to thank the track owners and Shockwave for their efforts. This series would not been born but for administrative efforts and sponsorship of Shockwave. It would not have come to fruition, but for the cooperative efforts of the track owners. It is my understanding that this is the Shockwave Colorado Sprint Championships (See April 2003 Colorado Karter newsletter). As such, participants should realize that Shockwave and the track owners do have a legitmate interest to lobby and decide what the rules will be. First, they publish them. Second, by choice, their is no charter, or governing body or by-laws.
3. As participants, we also play an important role. CSC has allowed participants to, by a yearly meeting, to adopt or deviate, by vote, from rules of other governing bodies. Because by chocie, there is no charter, or governing body or by-laws. Additionally, we (that includes 4 cycles and Jrs as well) make this series what it is (See Colorado Karter newsletters May 2003 forward). Angie acknowledged, in her coverage of CSC, how this series has developed.
4. The exchange of ideas and information is important and helpful – even when controversial. As you have pointed out, and I agree, suggestions of inappropriate motives are not helpful. We must be patient with each other. When the rules are finally adopted, we will have to all work with each other. Lastly, I can’t wait for next years meeting!
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.