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Pro Sunday results are at the top of the list (because we moved them from last to first). Sorry for the confusion. Let me know if something is missing.
Angie
I love this thread! Almost wish I could get some background music to play when people read it.
God Bless the USA and the troops (past and present) that put their lives on the line for our great nation.
Bring your flags to Greeley, so we can have an impressive display of the Red, White, and Blue!!
:us :us :us :usThis discussion is great! The timing is bad for me, cuz I am running around for the GGP, and the kids’ last days of school.
I know that the K80 rules changed very close to the start of the season. I am sorry about that.
David, we are actually doing what you suggested.. taking a program for that age, that is working here in CO (at CRE), and trying to expand it. At the point of changing the rules, we had NO K80s signed up. There was one on the list, per a phone call, as a maybe. That is why I put out the inquiries on this forum, and the decision was made to go to a program that would fill in the gap that we have in the junior class structure, between Kid Karts and the next step of Mini Max or Animal. NOT ONE PARENT called or emailed me, at that time, about their concern or intention in this class. I have since been in contact with a couple. Brian, I know that you were at the meeting, and had every intention of racing the K80 with a rules package similar to last year (once published). But again, that was one racer. And, with the engines being as touchy and expensive as you say, I am glad we didn’t go that way. No wonder participation dwindled last year.As a parent with two that are moving out of Kid Karts, I am very concerned about this class. ( we plan on moving them to it this season as soon as we get engines set up, and make sure they can handle it) I know now that people sit back and watch the info posted and base their decisions on that. If I had talked to some parents, and had people to call, maybe we could get better attendance. So, anyone thinking about this class, or that has a K80 that want to bring it out to race – but don’t want to be the only one – send me an email, and we can try to get this class to gain some momentum! Or if there is someone else interested in being a “representative” for this class, let me know.
We have gone through this with some of the other Jr classes – K3 was down to a few at one point. Once people realize that these classes won’t (can’t) go away, they begin to grow. These are classes that are integral in the class structure for Juniors. Leaving a void in the class structure for the 7-9 year old will keep new people from joining, and we could lose others that don’t have a class to move to. ( I know we have the animal for 8 – 12, but in full race trim is too fast for the younger or new kids) The Kid Kart class is growing – we should have 12-15 at the next couple of races. If we don’t have a class for those kids to move into smoothly, we will lose them.
I have to get back to work, and probably will have very little time the rest of the weekend to be posting here! If you need something, please call me at 970-689-0502 over the weekend.
Thanks.
Happy Racing.Angie
mod K80 is what I used in the scoring system to keep the CSC class seperate in scoring from the other K80s. I can only guesst that it was a blueprinted K80.
I will update when I can. The fax machine has been busy with entries coming in non stop! It really does help to have the entries in early. I am sure the pits are filling up, too, so if you don’t want to be out in the back 40, you had better get your entry in!! Oh, the preentered racers will be getting special treatment at the GGP, too. With things like and express registration line! Do me a favor, get the entries in! You can attach them to an email or fax them in.
It is going to be a great weekend!!
Don,
First, let me say that although rumors are obviously flying, there has been no official talk of cutting the Jr 1 Animal. However, I think you are right to assume that something has to be done about the multiple Jr 1 Classes. The first part of that has happened, but making the K80 stock, and dropping it to a level below the Mini Max and the Animal.You are right, you and I have discussed this.
The Junior 1 Animal Class did have its day. There were larger fields. Did the Mini Max really kill it? No, I don’t think so. Kids moved up out of it, into TaG, Shifter, or struggled with trying to race a Jr 2 4Cycle. How many of the then Animal racers moved to a Mini Max. I can think of one, Cole. Maybe a few, like the Farleys and Sullivans, decided to move to K80 to do the Stars thing.The CSC did drop the Animal after the first event last year. Not because there were only 2 at the race, but because those were the only 2 that had signed up for the CSC. At that time I did not have any phone calls, emails, or anything, from people interested in future events. If we had gotten 10 membership apps, and only 2 showed at the first event, at least we would have known that it would be bigger as the season went on. And, if it had been the only class offered for that age group, then it would have been more of an issue.
So, why aren’t we doing the same to the K80? Because it is an important piece of the class structure. Now, if you are saying that the Animal could be an engine package that for $600 could be taken out of the box, sealed without having mods, and maybe restricted to bring it to the speed of the stock K80, then maybe it is worth looking at.
The stock sealed K80 program has been run successfully, and can be good here given the chance. And if there is a better, reasonable engine package out there for this class, then we should be looking at it. I don?t know, maybe Brad is already looking at Honda for that step. But I do know that we have to have a class in place for the age group between Kid Karts and Mini Maxes, and the Animal right now is not at that level.
Jim’s Gazelles are going to be rentals, I believe, but are going on good Birel cadet chassis, and will at least let us have a first hand view of what they can do. That is it. There has been no talk of adding a class, or anything else. I just thought I would mention it, because you brought it up. I don’t think it is going to be anything for the age group we are trying to grow, but I have never seen them run firsthand.
I did not mean to debate the cost factor of the engines. I was just questioning the validity of your stating that an Animal could be purchased for $600 and be competitive. Seeing engines for sale for 900-1000, and some of those are front runners in the class, it made me want to clarify what the $600 got you. If an out of the box Animal is competitive, then why the extra dollars? I will not argue that the Mini Max is a better deal. Each has its own pros and cons. I think that the Mini Max program is going to continue to grow, and it is certainly fun to watch. I am sorry that you are disappointed that the Animals were moved out of the group with them. I didn?t have anything to do with that decision, as we were familiar with running Animals and Mini Maxes together at IMI club events. It is hard to blame the K80s for anything in the Animal class when there were a few of the Animals that were slower than the K80s. I do agree, though, that in general, they should not be run together, if possible.
I don?t like your idea of simply sending the K80s back to the club level. Let?s go race the CSC with Kid Karts, then have to quit that to go back to club only until ready for Mini Max? That hardly seems right.
I am pretty sure that there are people out there that think the CSC would be fine without any of the Kid or Jr classes. That, of course, would count me out all together. It is important for the Junior classes to be grown carefully. That is the future of the sport. Get them hooked young. How is that going to happen if there is no class for a beginner 9 year old that is not ready for the speed of a Mini Max? Or a kid that is 7 going on 8 moving out of Kid Karts. Yes, practice and seat time. But how far do they get before being burned out on that. The race day competition feeds the desire to go back and practice more. A Kid Kart racer could practice in Mini Max all off season, but going from 35mph to 55+ mph is huge. And now in a bigger chassis, with rolling starts. They will learn, but there desire will die if you send them from racing at the CSC back to local races only.
I do not disagree with the fact that the evolution of our class structure is not the most beautiful thing to watch. If you look back at what I proposed for next year, it does not include 3 clutch classes for the same age group. There is one class for 5-7, one for 7-10( or 11), and then it branches out to include the TaG and Shifter ranks with Mini Max and Novice Shifter. I personally think that structure makes sense, and without continually changing it every year, it will grow.
I wonder how many Kid Karters are planning on moving up next year? Which class do you plan to go to?
I know that this is personal for you Don, and I understand (I really do) the amount of work you have done building rules and doing research. But since you agree that we have too many classes for the 9-12 year olds, you have to understand that unfortunately the Animal is going to lose out to the Mini Max. I think the Animal is still a great package for a family to use to get some seat time and decide if racing is for them, by attending club events. But then the step to the CSC would mean changing to a Mini Max.
Stop it guys. You want to have a grudge match, do it on your own time. The CSC races are not the place to prove some sort of point. Rodney, no one took engines home over night, I don’t know where you got your information. I hope you do come out and race with us. I am not sure that waiting until race day to get an engine fitted on the kart is a good idea, it is much better to do it ahead of time. If you are out at The Track for the June 4 race, and the Saturday before, we could take a look and see.
Oh, and when you all do show up to race together. Leave the egos at HOME! Remember it is for the kids to have fun while they are improving their driving skills. It is not about you.
The personal digs have got to stop! If you don’t have respect for each other fine. But have a little respect for me, and the rules I have set forth for this forum. Have a little respect for the rest of the people out there reading this forum.
Brian, The age hasn’t been changed. You must have been reading the discussion with Don and I. If you read my post, you would see that was an idea for next year. The age is still 7-11.
Hey everybody – Jay still needs help with the awards! It would be nice if he didn’t have to stay up all night to get it done. He has plenty of other stuff to do to get the pits situated for the GGP.
Come On, somebody give him a call and help him out!!
Thanks,
AngieBill,
Curt posted this info on the GGP thread….No major changes Joe. I spoke with Doug and there will be a couple of “Slow Down” kinks in critical areas where there has been concern from day one.
From my perspective as Safety Director, I welcome the changes.Roger,
Take I-25 North to Hwy 34. Go East aprox 5.7 miles on Hwy 34, then keep to the Right onto the Hwy 34 Business Route. Go another 10 miles, then turn left on 14th Avenue. Go another half mile or so, and you are there. 14th takes you right into Island Grove.Well, you quoted my last sentence… now reread the first sentence….
Well, we have enough time at Greeley where you won’t have to worry about it.
That means if the Novice and Masters fields have decent numbers, then they won’t have to worry about being on the track at the same time. Don’t ask me what the magic number is, just get the rest of your class out there so you don’t have to worry about it!
Greeley is a 2 day event. Practice and Qual on Sat, Heats and Mains on Sunday – we will have time to let big classes run by themselves. Smaller classes are always subject to being grouped with another class.
see you there,
Angie
