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Zach,
There are a zillion things you should have on hand.
I’d keep an extra chain and gears in the track box.
Always make sure you have chain lube, wd-40, an air tank (one of those refillable tanks), shop rags, tie wraps, duct tape, safety wire and pliers, can of brake fluid, extra spark plugs, an assortment of nuts, bolts, screws, and cotter keys, an extra throttle cable, a couple cans of non-chlorinated brake cleaner, 2 jugs of water (one for you and one for the radiator), a first aid kit, asprin, xtra bungi cords, sun block and whatever else you can think of.There are most likely some Rotax-specific things you should keep on hand, and for that I’d recommend hooking up with another Rotaxian. Rich Vito, despite the fact that he’s gruff, uncouth, unkempt, generally sour in disposition, and a reknowned blocker, could be a veritable wellspring of tips, and tricks for the ‘Tax. Make sure you check your pockets after any talks with Rich. DO NOT INTRODUCE HIM TO YOUR PARENTS AND DON’T LET HIM ANYWHERE NEAR YOUR GIRLFRIEND!!!!!
If you want a rotax person to introduce to your parents and who is safe around your girlfriend, I’d also recommend Doug Welch. He was always a big help to me. However he has a son your age, and by all acounts is a handsome devil, so if you’re gonna hang anywhere near the Welch pit, you might as well leave just the girfriend home. The young Mr. Welch would be a good one to get track time with, too. He’s sick fast in a rotax and if you can hang with him for 5 laps you’re doing pretty good.
You won’t see ME at the track.
Good luck.
@Z Gillis wrote:
My name is Zach Gillis, and in my whole life I have never been so emotionally excited, so excited about starting my first ever season in karting. I have wanted to become a racecar driver since I was 6 and my first word was car, so you can imagine how happy I am that I am finally racing, and finally starting to work towards my life goal of climbing the ladder to Formula 1.
Anyways, I’m 17 and I was one of the five who qualifyed for the Red Bull Driver Search in Colorado. I had no experience when I did and want to get the best experience possible this season for the next Red Bull runoff. I want to run in all the races for CSC TaG Senior and IMI TaG Senior. I also wanted to run in some SKUSA regionals for some more national level experience. I currently have three sponsors who have helped me out a great deal so far, Stacey and Jim Cook out at Grand Junction Motor Speedway, Vern’s Place, and Eric Strauss with EBS Carbon. Other than that I am as most people are, 100% self financed. I am looking for any general advice that I could obtain, being that I’m very new to this amazing sport. I was also wondering if I should run the RMAX Challenge, who is traveling to any SKUSA races from Colorado, and what the ideal race schedule should look like for someone like me. I also need to know what my financial priorities need to be and what things I need to look out for. I have an 02′ Birel Rotax and I want to find out what things to look out for during the season. I need to know what my parts inventory should look like and what stuff I should always keep on hand. I know pretty much the basics, but thats it. I also need to know the rules on body work. If it’s not CIK approved can I use it? I can’t wait to see all of out on the track!!! If you read this please reply.Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.
Zach Gillis
TaG Senior
(970) 224-2848
Fort CollinsWhat chassis Birel model do you have? An 02′ Birel R31 w/rotax was the first REAL kart i was ever able to drive. Handled like a champ.
Hope to see you out there at some races for sure…….. :cheers:
Where have u been practicing at lately?
Zach,
Actually believe everything Chaz says. Chaz I was laughing all the way through your comments. That is what makes racing-the people you meet and race with-just one heck of a bunch of girls and guys.
Chaz is correct about Doug very, very knowledgeable. Great on Chassis set up. Me well I can give you many tips and ideas. I have been in a shifter for 3 yrs and the last 3 yrs in a rotax. My new CRG not due for another 1-2 wks so I won’t be out to the track until then. I won’t be at the IMI meeting on the 19th-vacationing in New Orleans. We will meet up. Feel free to call me-I am in Longmont.
Some others that you should contact:
Charles Gordon: Tag master runs a Birel (new); IMI champ
Dane Buckley: Tag Senior (top runner) Arrow
Donnel ???? Tag Senior Champion CSC–Irish Champ
Hank Rutherford: Tag master Champ CRE
Jack Warrington: Tag master champ CRE GP I think
Mike Jansen: Tag Master CSC 3rd place GP
Jim Keesling: Tag Master CSC 7th place openning The Track at Centennial this yr and new Birel Dealer! GPall great guys except the Mike “the Cheese” Jansen.
Welcome to the Crazy Colorado group of kart racers!
:jumpZach
Welcome to the fun sport of Karting. My name is Dennis Dyer, everyone calls me Duff. Dane Buckley and I race under the No Limit Racing team name. Dane lives in FtC and I live in Loveland. If you’d like to see how we do it, what we carry in spares, and just ask a bunch of questions, feel free to give me a call and we can set something up. Dane is a top runner, is the RMC champion at CRE, holds the track record at CRE in Rotax and is real close to the track record at IMI. We both have raced the Rotax Max Challenge the last two years and have both qualified and attended the Grand Nationals. We will be running both the CRE RMC and the CSC this year.
Once again, welcome, and if you have any questions, just call.
Duff Dyer
970-215-6452Zach,
Welcome to the board. Chaz and Rich put a lot of good info out there. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I’m up in FTC as well so if you want to give me a ring some time my cell is 214-7252. There are many things especially regarding pre-race tech that can cause big headaches on your first raceday. If you get them out of the way before hand your day will be much more enjoyable and less stressful.
– Dane
Zach
These guys are too kind. I should warn you about the girl friend stuff, though, Greg is back on the market after breaking up with his long time steady. Any time you see us at the track, come over and introduce yourself. We are easy to spot, we have Shockwave logos all over everything. We won’t be out to IMI much this year as we prefer to test at either Bandimere or CRE. (closer to home) If you have any questions at all, feel free to call me at the shop and I will give you the best answers I can. 303-781-7829
hey zach, welcome! im new to this deal too, with racing rotax and stuff.. Weren’t you in the colordoan like a couple of months ago? cause just three days ago i came across that article and wondered who it was..
😆 Welcome to this place on the net where we can find an enormous amount of help-I will vouch for Doug @ Shockwave.I’ve picked up a few parts from him and he has always been available to answer questions no matter how busy-I see him as being a true ambassador to the sport-Thanks Doug-Barry Lewis @ Billet is also right there as far as a knowledge base
:cheers:
If ya aint scared your going too slowThanks all of you guys for the advice I definately needed it. Also, for all of you from Fort Collins and to answer your question Scott, I was in the front page of the local section in The Fort Collins Coloradoan on October 11. It was just a review of me starting my career and my Red Bull qualifying in Sonoma, CA this summer. I have to tell you that it was pretty crazy going up against the likes of Alan Scuito and other national guys out there. I was also wondering if anyone will be out at IMI this weekend on Sunday 2/13/05, and what the weather is going to be like. I want to thank all of you again and please keep the advice coming!!
Zach Gillis
(970) 224-2848
TaG Senior
Fort Collinsi thought the name was similar. Nice job getting into the paper!
Everyone at my school was like, “Do you know that kid”? Cool, i dont think ill be going to imi next weekend, i was just out there last weekend. Ill give you a call if im going there, it would be fun to be able to meet you
Scottwe’ll be at IMI on sunday. (Adam and Mike) mike has a blue sodi kart with no numbers, and a small open trailer. please come and introdue yourself. i’ll be the kid helping out.
adam
[email protected]
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