New Tire Program

[Joe Rosse]

Curt,

I’m having a hard time understanding where SKUSA is going. SKUSA is trying to grow, yet in the last couple days we’ve learned that in order to race in the series we have to purchase wide rear bumpers and a specialized tire. According to the release the SKUSA-branded tire performs pretty much identically to the MG Yellow that has been the staple of Colorado kart racing for years. Apparently it wears a bit better–a good thing–but it means that if we want to race in multiple series we need to stock two different types of nearly identical tires. How does this encourage us to add SKUSA to our racing plans? I’m not trying to be negative, but I just don’t get it.

[Curt Kistler]

Joe,
Great questions, and here is my 6am reply to them.
First the bumpers: All of karting is moving to the full width bumper for the main reason being safety. The new homolagation of every kart next year will carry full width bumpers and it’s something that is going to happen anyway. I have mixed emotions on them, but will comply to the new rules. With the weight we need to add to our race craft you may just see Matt out there with a railroad tie bolted to his frame.

Second the tires: In order for anything to grow it takes sales. The new tire will enable SKUSA and the SKUSA Regions an opportunity to generate the cash necessary to produce quality races, with quality workers. I do not have all of the specifics, and do not want to say something today that will put my foot into my mouth. I can do that very well without the help of karting.
Look at it this way please, you need to purchase tires to race, the new MG-SK White will perform at the same level, mount the same, and look the same. You should be able to get more laps out of them according to the reports, and they just may be cheaper than the Yellows. You will be able to purchase these from your current MG dealer, and they too will also have the opportunity to generate some cash for their growth. I do not see any issues with this tire.

There are still many details that need to be worked out in the Mountain Region before this tire hits the shelves. We are working on them daily. If you talk to any MG dealer today they will all tell you they have heard nothing out of us. Time will tell how this will all work out.

Thanks for your questions,
Curt

[cgordon]

Curt,

The spec SKUSA tire does complicate tire management for us because we’ll have different series in Colorado requiring different tires now. I hope the spec tire will be cheaper because before I could get a discount by buying enough tires to cover all my racing in Colorado. Now with number of races for each type of tire cut in half, I doubt I will buy enough sets to qualify for a discount.

What about the other part of the SKUSA rule that requires two CIK or CIK-style side pods with side bars? Are those a different style of side pod or does that refer to the same old sidepod bars we’ve been using?

Thanks,
Charles

[Greg Welch]

As for the bumpers, its time. I’d like to see them required on cadets and kid karts as well. Its nice not to get your rad/pipe/shoulder run over for a change.

Charles, The bars for the pods should be the same, the just have to have a cik plate or etching on them. the ones that came with your CRG and Intrepid should have them.

As for the tires, I don’t get it. Maybe someone can explain to me how a new 4th tire option for the state in all of our different series is going to help unify the racers, which I thought was the easiest way for a series to pull cash?

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