Rotax Grands National participants, please read.

[Doug Welch]

If you didn’t get it, this was just put out by Rotax concerning the Grands. Please read it over including the technical section.

Attention Grand National Participants,

By Wednesday July 25 we expect to have all drivers registered!

Timeline
– Monday, 7/16 – Series will be submitting their qualified drivers on Monday.
– Tuesday, 7/17 – All qualified drivers have until Tuesday evening to register online.
– Wednesday, 7/18 – We will review each series list to determine who has not registered.
– Wednesday, 7/18 – Series directors will be notified who has not registered.
– Thusday, 7/19 – We will start contacting series directors to notify alternates who have been given an available spot.

Once a driver registers a confirmation will be sent back with pit reservation instructions. We urge you to contact your Series Directors and pit in your Series’ designated pit area. When requesting pit spots it is important to remember you must meet a 1.5 driver per pit spot ratio. Each pit space is 10 x 30. If you do not have room for your trailer there will be off site designated trailer parking.

NATIONAL RACE DIRECTOR COMMUNICATION
2007 CCRKC Grand Nationals

This year you will see representatives from Champ Car, Mazda, Motul Oil, Bondurant Superkart School, and NKN in a designated area. Please thank these people for their support as both companies have made significant investments into our program. Mazda will be the sponsor of the 2007 Americas Team.

Some important notes:
– Numbers are required on 4 sides. 3 digit numbers are allowed, no letters in the number will be recognized. The first person to register for the number will get it, those who register next will get their second choice. If you do not list a number when you register and do not have one when you check in we will assign you a number for the event.
– Numbers will be required on your kart before being allowed on the track for practice.
– Transponders are the responsibility of each competitor. Bring your transponder to both registration check in and Scrutineering. We will not have transponders available. You will need to make arrangements to have a transponder when you check in. Again you will not be allowed on the track without a transponder. If we do not pick up your transponder in practice we will wave you off of the track, if the transponder is on and not picking up you will be allowed back on. If y! ou do not have a transponder on your session will be over.
– All safety equipment will be checked and marked at Scrutineering, if you plan to use more than 1 helmet you will need to bring both to be marked.
– When on the track for practice, remember it is practice. Show courtesy for your fellow racer, if they are faster let them by and learn as you try to follow. If an on track issue should occur, look to the track worker for direction. DO NOT take shortcuts available just because they are there. Per CIK rules you must use only the official course unless given direct instructions from a course worker. This is a safety issue we have followed over the past couple of years and unfortunately have had to issue penalties for non compliance.
– For Parc Ferme the driver and one mechanic will be allowed to work on the kart. The drivers identification will be his RMax License and the mechanic will receive a badge at registration. If the driver does not have his license card ! when he checks in replacements will be available for $2.00
– For Pa rc Ferme, fuel containers must have caps on all openings. Fuel jugs submitted without caps to secure all openings will not be accepted. Each time you return your fuel container and tank these openings must be secure.
– Practice group assignments will be made at Parc Ferme, for the few running 2 classes please inform officials of this so they can assign you to groups providing time between your sessions.
– If you miss your practice group you may not go out with another group. If you are found on the track out of your practice group you will be black flagged and assessed a one second penalty in qualifying. Please understand this policy is black and white, there are no extenuating circumstances.

As everyone knows we are expecting 300+ entries with a senior class that could meet or exceed 80. In all classes we will use the A-B-C-D group and 3 heat format. We have scheduled Last Chance Races in all 5 classes.

The tentative schedule is:
– Tuesday Check in and Scrutineering. We are actually going to start this on Monday evening. Parc Ferme should be set up and ready to go early Tuesday. I encourage everyone to get your fuel, oil, and tires checked in and mounted on Tuesday. 6:00PM is the Welcome and Awards banquet.
– Wednesday All day practice. Due to the large numbers, plan on getting just 2 – 10 minute sessions and a 15 minute session (w/hot pit). We will use the last 15 minute session to set qualifying groups for Thursday morning. All of the qualifying groups should be posted by the end of the day.
– Thursday Qualifying and the beginning of the heat races. We schedule as many heat races on Thursday as time allows, with the balance scheduled for Friday morning. After the heat races we will run t! he Last Chance Races (LCR) for all classes.
– Friday All remaining heats. At the end of the third heat in each class we will post the transfers to the Pre-Final and also the starting order for the LCR as soon as possible. Everyone going to the LCR should have ample time to prepare. The LCR races are 20 kilometers and lap cars will be waved off the track.
– Saturday Pre-Finals in the morning
Official Ceremonies after the pre finals and a lunch break
Finals

Drivers advancing to the world finals will need to pick up a world finals packet prior to leaving the track. This will give you all of the forms you will need to complete and also instructions for preparation to attend the Rotax Grand Finals.

Joe Jr. and I will be arriving on Saturday the 11th to start official preparations. The staff will begin arriving on Sunday and begin to set up registration and Parc Ferme on Monday. We anticipate opening registration at 3pm and Scrutineering at 4pm on Monday. You must check in at Registration before proceeding to Scrutineering. We expect registration to close at 8pm and reopen Tuesday morning. Parc Ferme will open Tuesday. The more you can get done Monday and Tuesday the better. Those who wait until Wed to get their Parc Ferme items completed will have to compete with those practicing for room. We are doing everything possible to provide ample time for everyone, don’t wait until the last minute. Parc Ferme will be scheduled to close at 5:00PM on Wednesday. Those who do not complete their Parc Ferme requirements by this time will be moved to the slowest group in qualifying and receive a 2 second penalty.

For those of you who are attending the Rotax Grand Nationals for the first time, please understand some very basic things;

Our responsibility is to plan and execute the event plan.

Each driver’s responsibility is to:
– Read all of the communications and information provided
– Watch the clock and show up at your designated time. If you are on time you will never miss your scheduled track or Parc Ferme time. If we get behind you should still show up at your scheduled time because we will soon get back on schedule. If you show up late you will suffer any consequences. We will not wait.
– Don’t use the excuse you did not know because everything you need to know is presented in some form of communication.
– If you have a question, don’t hesitate to ask one of the officials, except for those in scoring.
– Do not go to the scoring house, this is off limits to all but officials. If you enter the scoring tower your name, class and number will be registered and a penalty will be accessed. This area is not where questions are answered.

Marshall Martin
National Race Director
Champ Car Rotax Kart Challenge

NATIONAL TECH DIRECTOR COMMUNICATION
2007 CCRKC Grand Nationals

Since the inception of this program, an advance article has been published to refresh the collective memory of our constituents as it regards the technical requirements immediately prior to the Grand Nationals.

Please read carefully as the evolving program has several significant changes. The spirit and focus of the program remains simple and clear but some changes have occurred and are important to address.

Please contact me at [email protected] should you need any further clarifications.

Scott G Evans
US RMax Challenge
National Technical Director

– The technical rules in effect for the event are the US National Rules Sprint Primer, the ROTAX Max Challenge Technical Regulations, current version as published by ROTAX-Bombardier and the CIK-FIA Technical Regulation as published by the Commission Internationale de Karting. The hierarchy is as listed, when in conflict, the US National Primer supercedes the ROTAX Tech Spec and the ROTAX Tech Spec supercedes the CIK rules. These documents are available online at the following locations:

– US National Rules Primer — http://www.rmaxchallenge.com
– ROTAX Technical Specification — http://www.maxchallenge-rotax.com
– CIK Technical Regulation — http://www.cikfia.com

– Specified tire and fuel for the event:
All classes except DD2 will use the MOJO D-1 slick. The DD2 class will use the Bridgestone YJB compound slick tire. All slick tires must be purchased at the event from SSC Racing. The specified rain tire for all classes is the Bridgestone YJP only. Each competitor must bring his own new and unmounted rain tires, maximum of four front and four rear. Plastic wrap is not required but molding nibs are required as evidence of the tires being new. ROTAX Administration reserves the right to allow introduction of additional rain tires should conditions dictate. Make sure you bring your supply of rain tires with you as there is no guarantee that they will be available at the track.

All classes will use VP Racing Fuels Motorsports 93 unleaded gasoline as supplied by the organizer, mixed between 32:1 and 50:1 with Motul 800 Factory Line Off Road full synthetic oil. Competitors are free to bring their own sealed containers of the specified oil.

– Parc ferme procedures:
ROTAX Senior, Masters, DD2 and Junior classes will be under parc ferme regulations for the event. For slick tires, each competitor checks in at least two front and two rear tires and a maximum of four front and four rear tires. These are the only tires acceptable for use in competitive elements of the race program from Friday morning through the end of the event. Should you check more than four tires total, the tires are free to manage as you see fit, though only one set is allowed on grid at any time.

For any possible morning practice sessions it is not possible for you to use your race tires or your race fuel. Practice tires and fuel are acceptable for these sessions. If you have only one fuel tank, it must be brought empty to parc ferme prior to the first competitive element of each day.

Be sure to bring closures for your fuel jugs and tanks. Open or poorly secured gasoline containers will not be accepted into parc ferme.

Bead lock rims per CIK rules are required for slick tires in all classes except MiniMax. Bead lock rims are NOT required for rain tires in any class. Maximum front mounted width, 140mm per the Primer.

Fuel must be purchased at the track. Your tank and fuel jug will be checked into parc ferme at the specified time. It is strongly advised to bring a new fuel jug to prevent any sort of contamination altering fuel test results. You will responsible to mix and manage your fuel in parc ferme. The ratio is specified between 32 and 50 parts gasoline to one part oil and the ratio will be checked by Digatron readings to be within plus five and minus ten points of the controlled sample. Supplementary fuel testing methods are available and will be used as deemed necessary.

Some rudimentary descriptions of the parc ferme process can be found here, http://www.rmaxchallenge.com/page.cfm?content=70

– Engine passport requirements:
Engine Passports are required at pre-tech scrutineering and throughout the event, all classes. Engines must remain sealed at all times from scrutineering forward except by permission of the Chief Scrutineer.

Only engines of US origin and sealing or grandfathered engines under SSC passport are allowed. All submitted engines are subject to verification of origin.

The last entry on the passport must be accompanied by the responsible service center’s official stamp. Hand-written entries will not be accepted. Use this notice for time to inspect and correct any passport irregularities.

Some tips and reminders:
– One of the better rules coming out of Europe in recent years is the requirement to place load spreading washers or plates under each seat mounting point. Additionally, all struts must be bolted through. We will be enforcing this at the Grand National. To summarize, a metal or nylon washer of 1/16 inch minimum thickness and 1 ? inch minimum diameter must be placed against the seat at all seat attachment points, including the bottom points. Any questions on problem installations can be directed to my email address.
– Make sure you have the proper spark plugs! Only Denso Iridium IW24 thru IW34 and NGK BR..EG spark plugs are allowed. Make sure you purge your tool box of other types to avoid a costly disqualification!! The Denso heat range restrictions are new for 2006. The original compression washer on the spark plug is required as usual.
– Check your air filter for rips, cuts and tears. This presents an airflow advantage and will! be grounds for disqualification. Also, make sure the rubber flange to the carb adapter fits well into the airbox. Airbox rest pins are recommended but the airbox must not be fastened in any way to a supplemental component. Presentation at scales of an airbox hanging off of the rubber flange will continue to be grounds for a DQ.
– For the MiniMax class only — make sure you bring your required intake restrictors as noted in the US Rules Primer.
– MiniMax main jet requirement:one-forty-five minimum
– MiniMax spec gear ratio: 13-82.
– MiniMax tires will be marked at the time you pick them up and these tires only are allowed except in case of damage. Contact tech director in case of damage. MiniMax fuel is not under parc ferme but is subject to tech compared to the controlled sample.
– MiniMax, remember your full width bumpers and accredited chest protectors. You will not take the track without both of these items.
– For all classes, our obligatory caution! to check your bodywork for conformance to CIK regulations follows…

Make sure the steering fairing does not protrude above the plane of the top of the steering wheel – measured parallel to the ground – and that there is 50mm minimum clearance to the steering wheel, wheels straight ahead.

Make sure the side pods do not extend outboard of the quadrilateral created by the outside edges of the four wheels. Stretch a string or long straightedge from the forward outside edge of the rear tire to the forward outside edge of the front tire — with the wheels straight — and no part of the pods may be outboard of that line. There will be no leniency in this requirement so make sure you are compliant prior to arriving at the track. Cutting of the new-style bodywork is permitted for radiator clearance only!! Sidepod protrusion rule does not apply to DD2 class, however I will be on the lookout for gross conditions and requiring correction as necessary.

The nose cone must be unaltered. Any possible center knock out must be in place or covered with tape. Hard mounting techniques for old-style nose cones are permissible and recommended. Functional spring clip mounting is not required of any nose cone. Nose cone may not extend wider than the front tires except in MiniMax.

More tips and frequently asked questions…
– Make sure you have a secondary brake cable of 1.8mm minimum diameter between the master cylinder and brake pedal.
– Brake cooling ducts are permitted provided no modification to the braking system or sidepods is required.
– A very successful change this year is the method of ballast attachment. Please go to the Primer and read the specific wording, but to recap quickly, if you are using a single 8mm bolt for a piece of ballast, it must be drilled and wired, keyed or pinned. Survey your kart for any ballast secured by a single bolt. Make sure it is drilled and wired. Weights over seven pounds require two bolts. Lock wiring or cotter keying is not required for any other attachments, but secure fasteners are. It’s always wise to do a nut’n’bolt before any race, especially big ones, look for overused Nyloks…
– Maximum overall width, all classes — 140cm.
– Snell 98 minimum helmet requirements. Proper SFI an! d British Standard helmets are welcome. All competitors must wear industry-standard driving suit, boots, gloves and unaltered neck brace. Please check your neck brace now. If the foam inside has been altered we will reject it. Rector must have two layers minimum, one of which must be thick. Leatt neck brace is specifically permitted.

In the end, I hope that this effort will help you have a positive tech experience at the Grand Final. I can always be reached at [email protected] for any questions you might have.

Respectfully –

Scott G Evans
National Technical Director
Champ Car ROTAX Kart Challenge

[Doug Welch]

In answer to a question I’ve been asked several times.

Fuel and oil for use in parc ferme will be available during the event. So you can add to your 5 gallons if needed. Additional tires will be available but must be checked in to parc ferme before the start of official qualifying.

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