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Even if 4 RMAX races are made available at GJ or the Track, there are still schedule conflicts with the Western regional and the Grand Nationals. It would be nice if these conflicts would be resolved so that Rotaxians could still have the option to run the CSC and RMax races. Especially this year when the Grand Nationals will be in Utah.
If there was an RMax series in the Denver area, it could draw more entries into both RMax and TaG races. If someone is looking to buy a TaG kart, being able to also run RMax would be an enticement to get a Rotax. Having the ability to run two series could attract more people to TaG/RMax. More karters in a class will attract more karters, and that’s what we want.
One other thing I’d like to see for the TaG classes is a restriction that only one motor type can be used by a competitor for the entire CSC series. Whatever you run in your first CSC race is what you’ve got to run in all the rest. So for example, if my first race is with my Rotax, that’s what I’ve got to run in all the rest of the CSC races.
I think the mix of tracks we have now keeps things pretty even. The different types of motors have advantages at some tracks and disadvantages at others. A few people have run different motors at different tracks in the past seasons, but I haven’t seen anyone really try to press that advantage. If someone does, we’ll all end up having to buy multiple motors to stay competitive. We would all pay lots of $ and end up with a situation no better than what we have now.
I’d like to see the CSC stay with MG Yellow tires, unless there’s a compelling reason (like sponsorship money) to change. It needlessly costs money every time you change tire specs. You have to go testing to understand a new tire and that costs a lot of money when you add up track time, fuel, and burning up at least one new set of tires. Besides, I think the MG Yellows were very good.
I’d like to see the rules and schedule finalized by early January. We need time to adapt to any changes. Also, planning any family events that require a long lead time (like vacation reservations) is difficult when you don’t know the schedule.
Overall, I was pretty happy with the CSC this year. In TaG Master, the weight rules seemed pretty fair and the racing was very even. The fuel/oil requirements were also fine.
I think the races were run as quickly and efficiently as we can expect. The only realistic way to shorten the days would be fewer classes. Two-day events also could shorten the days, but I don’t think those are desirable, for a number of reasons.
Charles
For me, I could easily run MG Yellows for 2 races. On several occasions this year I ran 1-race old MGs for practice and there was still plenty of tread wear left. I think the MGs maintain their speed pretty well. I used new tires for each race mainly because new MGs give you a bit of an edge for qualifying. I plan on using my Bandimere tires at IMI this weekend.
My suggestion, at least for CSC races, would be to mark the tires and require that they be used for 2 races. In other words, every other race would be a “new tire” race.
Maybe other people would have issues with this and this wouldn’t be workable. I’d be interested in hearing what others have to say.
Also, though it would be useful to save money on tires, I don’t think that’s the big thing keeping new karters out. I think it’s 2 things:
1. Cost of getting in – I estimate it cost me close to $10,000 including the cost of a used kart, all associated tools and accessories, driver’s gear, and spare parts.
2. Lack of promotion of karting – I lived in Colorado for 3 years before I heard anything about karting here. I just happened to hear from a coworker that he went to a birthday party at IMI.
Charles
Rich,
I think Rotax weight should be back at 395. I explained my opinion in detail on a post on the earlier thread on this subject.
See you in Steamboat! 8)
I just got back from vacation and saw the new IMI TaG weights. At the risk of sounding self-serving, I just wonder why no weight was added to the Soniks. The last 2 CSC TaG Master races were extremely close, the closest races of the day according to many spectators who talked to me. From where I sat the differences between the Rotaxes and the Soniks came down more to chassis setup than motors. We passed and repassed each other several times at different places on the track so I didn’t see any major Rotax lap speed advantage – certainly nothing that justifies adding 10 lbs. If there is any one advantage anyone has, it’s that the Soniks are WAY quicker on the starts. The Rotax cannot stay with them at all until we get up to speed. At the last IMI CSC TaG Master race, the 2 Soniks jumped the front row on each start. So, there is more to performance than just HP or power to weight ratio, the engine power characteristics matter, too, and the Sonik has an advantage there.
Yup, it was a pretty exciting race. Positions changed so much that I think I raced with just about everybody. Mike ought to write the race report – he always gets the best view from the side of the track. :type:
Charles
I agree with Joe.
Rotaxes are at a disadvantage if it means we have to pay $300-400 everytime a frivolous protest is filed. One of the main reasons I bought a Rotax is that it can be run in both TaG and RMax, so I need to keep it sealed. None of the other TaG motors have this problem hanging over them. I, too, thought this was solved last summer.
Charles
Sorry Rich, but I like the 20 lap mains and I think that’s a bare minimum. I wouldn’t even mind 30 laps. It takes too much expense and time to prepare for races then only get to race for 13 minutes (15 laps).
Be glad you’re not racing in California. This weekend the Gatorz Rotax Pre-main was 20 laps and the Final was 33 laps!
Charles
