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Brad,
As the track owner who accepts the money and is in business, It is always the track owners option to follow or not follow the rules, and check the entries (the same way it is my responsibility to conform to the racing rules with each of my karts). If you are afraid to let her know that you did not follow the rules, I will gladly explain it to her, (the same way I will explain it to anyone else that doesn’t follow the rules).
The easy way to check is to have anyone who questions an entry of any competitor is to submit it in writing. We all try to self-police the sport.
Let me know.
By the way, I will be racing on Sunday,
Thanks,
JimRich,
After all the excitement last year at the Grand Prix, this years event has grown 3-fold. (http://www.gpdenver.com) Parking has become an issue for the weekend, and the kart track (mini-grand-prix) is more popular than ever.
The bad news is I don’t have any time to run the exhibition race that we did last year, nor the parking space for the trailers.
I tried to get a bigger lot to set up a full blown shifter/TaG club race and the cost was too much.
The good news: The Track at Centennial will be set up Aug 1-14th.
We are booking private corporate parties, so customers will be able to have an event downdown. Currently we are 50% sold out, so if anyone is interested, please e-mail us soon.
I hope to be set up with enough time to join you all at IMI on the 31st.
Best of luck,
JimLarry and Brian,
First I want to say I’m sorry for being a little rough in my post. Everyone that has spent hard earned dollars on a kart really has a voice. I just get a little tired of all the problems being pointed out and no solutions. I don’t know if there even will ever be a solution. It seems to always be the lessors of all the evils.
Please keep the comments coming, regardless of what I say. Hopefully everyone working together will find a solution and make the differences in this sport all work together.
Thanks for putting up with me and my posts.
Have a great weekend,
JimLarry,
1st) SKUSA was not a last minute decision.
2nd) Yes, I do run a sonik
3rd) If you choose not to be a part of CSC, you have no voice in the matter
4th) See the post on E-karting news, its the TaGUSA org that is “fishy”.
from e-karting news:
PR Wire: TS Racing Comments on TaG USA’s Weight Increase
The following is a letter released by TS Racing on the issue of TaG USA weight increase on the Sonik and Comer enginesOn June 16, 2005, TaG USA President, Dave Larson, announced that he was increasing the class weight for karts using the Sonik TX and Comer 365AE engines, from 385 to 415 pounds. Sonik Racing Engines, TS Racing, Inc, Comer Spa, and Grand Products want our customers and the karting community to understand our position on this change.
First, we were not notified in advance of this change. After the announcement, we attempted to contact Dave Larson to determine the reasoning behind his decision. We requested information about any dyno or on-track testing used in making this decision. At this time, Mr. Larson has not responded.
Based on our contact with tracks, clubs and the major kart sanctioning bodies, we believe this was an arbitrary change made without the best interest of the karter in mind. The basic structure of TaG is working at many locations around the country. As with any multiple engine class, certain engines perform better at certain tracks. Current results show that engine parity has been achieved when looking at the country as a whole.
This weight adjustment is in direct conflict with the decision made by TaG USA in its April 21, 2005 rule change. Dave Larson, TaG Racing International and TaG USA announced, ?With that in mind, we at TaG Racing International have come to the decision to return to the 2005 weights as published. These weights will remain in effect for the balance of the 2005 season.” It was also made effective immediately with no ?cooling off? period to allow for discussion or racer input.
We applaud IKF, WKA, SKUSA and KART for their desire and strength to stand behind the rules that were in place from the beginning of the 2005 racing season. We ask all Sonik & Comer owners to express their opinions directly to TaG USA, phone number 866-489-3283 or by email [email protected] and to continue to support the national kart sanctioning organizations that support your engine programs: SKUSA, WKA, IKF, and K.A.R.T.
Opinions can also be forwarded to the TaG Work Group:
IKF- John Motley – [email protected]
KART-Bernie Baldus – [email protected]
SKUSA-Todd Bellew – [email protected]
WKA-Dan Stowell – [email protected]Larry, if you don’t like it, why don’t you come up with options to fix it?
Just wondering,
JimDoug,
I agree with your statements, however, we race here at IMI, GJ and Bandimere. It really doesn’t matter what happens at New Castle, or any other track around the US, it matters what happens here, in our region. We havn’t seen any big advantage to they way our series is running. If you want to adjust the motor advantages to level the field, then we should set weight adjustments for each track AND motor to make it fair. Once the snowball starts rolling downhill, its hard to stop it. The CSC is following a national set of rules, SKUSA. Joe has told me SKUSA is not following the latest change by TaGUSA. The CSC is following suit.
The difference in the motor packages is more noticable once “pro” drivers started racing the in class. The recreational driver wouldn’t have seen much difference, however bring in the pro’s and we now have opened up a new set of problems. You saw this first hand when Greg frist raced his TaG kart last year, then jumped in Kyle and you both were several seconds faster than the entire field. Motor difference, no. Experience. Yes.
I just feel we need to know how to level the field so that it is a documented change and not a guess.
Lets see if we can’t “steer” the rule setting orgs. in the right direction.
Bye for now,
JimAs SKUSA Mountain Region Director, I would like to stand on my soapbox for a few moments regarding the TaG Weights. To start off I need to make a few points. 1) I totally agree with wanting level racing. 2) If there are differences, weight can help level the playing field. 3) The racing arena is completey the wrong venue to make such a decision. The results should be a guidline for any decision.
That being said, I now put a challange out to any track owner, rules creater and organizer to do the research to create a forumla on the effects of weight and time on a go-kart.
I know Doug Welch will have his two cents, however, he has an engine package and has a vested interest in how the results will affect his team. I know I have an engine package and have an interest in how the results will effect my team.
I want somebody to take two exactly identical karts (same motor package), one driver, 1 closed track, 1 day, several sets of tires, and test the times of adding or subtracting weight on a kart. The karting community needs to know what effect 5, 10, or 15 lbs. really makes in seconds around the track. The test should be completed with all TaG motors. Using racing results adds too many variables to the forumla (home track advantage, experience of driver, different times of the day, wear on tires…) This testing isn’t going to be cheap, and will take some time, however, when some organization puts out a rule change, at least there is some data to explain why.
My other challange to the rules creaters… Why are we always adding weight? What happens to the kart when we start taking weight off? Are the TaG senior drivers all on a diet, or is there room to level the playing field from the other side of the equation?
Once somebody has done the proper testing ON THE TRACK and not on a Dyno, we will have real answers to the effects of weight and the karts. We all know what the HP output is of each of the motors, however, lets look at the whole picture and start collecting the data to make an educated decision to level the playing field, if it needs it.
This is why I agree the best decision is to do nothing regarding the TaG update. They didn’t show any documentation regarding the decision, and the results of putting the weight on any of the motor packages.
See you at The Track,
JimMike,
Here is that update you asked for… 1 club (putter only) Any make or brand, Min. 1 beer per hole, 1 beer per penalty stroke, 12 balls MAX per hole, no spiked shoes, no gloves, no tools (except bottle opener), no golf tees, minimum 1 umbrella girl per player (required!), (3 max per player: 1 club holder, 1 ball placer, 1 beer caddy-umbrella holder), 1 beer requirement for each hole under par, cigars optional….Give me a few moments and I will add a few more “updates”.
Bye for now…
Jim
:devilCurt,
I’m in, however keeping in line with the stock moto concept, I challange anyone to a “one club only” rule. Simple, no mods, cheap, more room in the bag for tasty beers, easy to tech,… the list goes on…
Bye for now,
Jim
:cheers:Freez,
Such is life. You should look at the stock moto. Shortly, I’m going to write a little story on the difference between stock moto and the ICC I ran last year. I think we all were under the impression that the stock motor wasn’t going to be as much fun both speed and power compared to a fully built moto. I decided to step into one for two reasons. First, low maintainance. I will spec the package as the arrive and drive kart at the new place, and wanted to see first hand if it really is low maint. Second, is it fast or just a dog? Well, in my opinion, it is fast enough to still wear you out on race day and make the ribs cry for a hot shower.
I don’t have anything to say bad about the stock moto.
I do have bad things to say about others rules or attempt at rules to govern the package. The whole thing needs to be left alone. Stock, stock, stock. The term “spec” as some use is once again sending a great package into the shops for work that doesn’t need to be done.
If you want to “work” on your power plant, than step into a class that allows it. Let’s leave stock alone. Sure, there are going to be factory production differences, but so what. It’s low cost and low maint. It’s also a great step into shifters. Make a shifting mistake, and it has not cost you a $7000 motor.
See you on the 19th, and I know of 2 more S3’s that will be there.
JimGood morning all,
I will try to answer your questions regarding why ICC and Moto’s are being run together. This is the perfect Catch-22, damned if you do, damned if you don’t situation.
Last January, when I presented the option of following SKUSA, the board (JB, Stacy, Brad, Angie) all were on a conf. call. We wanted the “least amount of change” to affect the series, but the most amount of rules.
JB’s total concern was what to do with all the used karts out there that currently ran in “novice 125”. All of those motors were ICC, Moto, stock and fully built. Within in the CSC, all 125 shifter classes had all the engine options run together. Enter SKUSA
For this year only, to fade into the structure, SKUSA and the CSC let our region adapt as we saw fit, knowing that for ’06 we would be fully following the book. This way, we didn’t excluded anyone with an older engine package a place to run.
If you had aspirations of competing nationally, you had better get the engine package that fit the class you wanted to run in and start by the book right now.
The ICC motors in S2 and S1, in my opinion, are doing a hugh disservice to the drivers. They have created a false sence of winning, as nowhere else would they run together. They should be in ICC only.
Next season, they will be in their only two classes, ICC and G1.
This is part of the growing pains.
SKUSA is keeping an eye on all the class structures, with the future always in mind. The rules are a “living document”.
I’m glad these questions have been asked, so that the karter understands what’s going on. Once we fade into the class structure, and stick by the rules, the sport will continue to grow, as all those watching from the outside will start to feel comfortable with the investment and want to play.I hope this answers your questions.
See you at the track,
JimDoug,
The Centrix Financil Grand Prix of Denver presented by PacifiCare has me set up on Colfax ave., both east and west bound lanes, around Civic center park for Cinco de Mayo promoting the Denver Grand Prix this August.
Last year, 420,000 people were there. Yikes, I hope 12 karts are enough!!!
WB2 is covering the parade down Welton to 17th, over to Linclon and back up to 13th. Dog House racing is in the parade promoting the Grand Prix as well as The Track and karting in Colorado.
The team minus the old leader will be back up at Action Karting for the CSC on Sunday.
Good luck to all, and PLEASE – RACE, but RACE SAFE!
JimTom, Tom, Tom…
Where o where did you find the time away from concerns this weekend of track direction, gearing, 3 or 4 tires to use, jetting, seat placement, trailer set-up placement, weather forecast and lunch to worry about my little project??? (ha, ha)
The Tec-Pro are loaded in the race trailer, the karts and suits are loaded in the mothership trailer, and I will test the track Friday evening around 6PM. Saturday, a pre event parade is happening, so the Dog House Racing team will be showing off their colors in full force, all covered by WB2. The track opens at 11:00 am Saturday and will stay open until 6:00pm both Sat and Sun.
450,000 are expected to attend and it should be quite a showing…
I have two private parties from 4-6 Sunday and 2-4 Saturday for the TV crews and the event promoters. Aj and Justin from RUSport will be in attendance, so we should have some fast times set to try to beat.It’s going to be a busy weekend. Have fun up at the CSC.
Jim
Mike and Rich, I agree with what you have pointed out, however, Rich,
you need to run back to back classes for 40 laps, then 20 will seem like it’s just a walk in the park (ha, ha).Thanks to Angie, Rusty, Dennis and the Cooks with the whole gang for pulling off the first race of the new season.
I wish I could be at Bandimere for the next one, however, The Track will be set up on Colfax for Cinco de Mayo promoting the Denver Grand Prix.Good luck to all!
Jim
Rich,
Thanks for the kind words. I wish I could tell everyone the firm schedule, however, working with a project such as this one, there seem to be a lot of “behind door” discussions that go on.
Things still are looking good. I have posted the track layout on my site for all to see. Soon I will put in the elevation changes.
Thanks for your support.
(shameless plug… The Track is also a distributor for MG Tires.)(in stock, full size karts, thanks)
Jim
