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I’ve taken a run at this in previous forum topics, so thanks Dan for bringing it up again.
For the record, I only want to run a shifter if we have a stock class. I don’t have the time or $ for the extra maintainance required by a modified motor. A co-worker with a shifter (who also hasn’t raced yet) feels the same, as I’d bet many newcomers do.
I like Wayne’s suggestions. I’d have one problem, though; without a straight manifold, my air filter would interfere with the seat strut. And I’m sure this would be worse with a spec air box.
I asked several people about a stock moto class yesterday at Steamboat, and every response was positive.
As a newcomer, I love it. Group 3 has lots of options, and we can decide what to run based on weight, tolerance for engine maintenance, and whatever used package we can get the best deal on (or a new stock engine). It not only gives me a class to run a reliable stock engine, but Jr80’s can move up to seniors without changing equipment (I assume this is a sr. class proposal).
The problem is that the current S2 and Sr/Hvy guys with ICCs don’t have a place to play. We could put more weight on them for Group 2, but 435lbs. seems like alot.
They don’t mention the tire restrictions, but that should be an easy decision.
Doug (and sons) – would this structure tempt you back into shifters?
I hope we take this proposal seriously.
I used kartship.com to ship a roller from Georgia, cost about $200. They were extremely easy to deal with.
There was a string on this a month or two ago – you could look through the forum history to get some other ideas.
Kurt Freiburg
I’m not asking anyone to buy a new cylinder, head, and pipe, but let’s call that class of engine what it should be: S2. Modified motos can run with the ICCs here in an S2 class (of course, we could go even further and have a separate ICC class like SKUSA, but I won’t get into that). Make novice truly novice. Right now we are making newbies spend an extra $1400+ on the engine, and change pistons and bottom ends 2-3x more often, and spend more time tuning the engine, and deal with a peakier power curve, so they can avoid being a rolling chicane in “novice”.
I’d also bet there would be a few current novice 125 racers that might even like to take their engines back to stock to avoid the extra time and expense.
I got the new issue of SKI last night, and their article on the stock moto class makes this case better than I am. If our participation keeps growing, we’ll need room to expand, and a stock moto class would be a pretty sexy alternative to TaG for a low maintenance class.
I also agree with Mr. Zipnby on the Comer Cadet class, and second his motions on the organizational procedures.
Jim –
Will we have a promotional tent set up? I will be down there but not racing, and would be more than happy to sell karting to the spectators. Would even volunteer to pull this together if no one has so far. Let us know what you need.
From a father of someone who wants to start in Jr1 soon, I agree that they’re too fast. For a kid who didn’t run Comer 50s, starting in Jr1 is jumping onto a pretty fast moving train. I’d like to see the class slowed down if anything, and have a step between Kidkarts and Jr2.
Then there’s cost – $2500 for a Mini-Max? That’s what – 2 or 3 times the cost of a nice Animal? If that’s what it takes to be competitive, we (and probably lots of other potential karters) will find another sport.
So if you’re taking a poll, I vote no.
Just to back up Spencer’s post, I recommend kartship.com. I had a chassis sent from Georgia, a shifter with lots of extras, and it cost me about $200. They are extremely easy to deal with.
Don’t be too worried about moving to Chicago – there are plenty of tracks within a few hours. Brodhead, WI is just over the border near Rockford. Wisconsin also had Dousman, Stockholm, and the Briggs Motorplex at Road America. Illinois has Norway (I’d guess about 2 hours from Chicago) and Quincy, and long track events at Blackhawk Farms near Rockford. If that’s not enough, there’s even more in Indiana, and MRP, Grattan and Gingerman (the last 2 are long tracks) in southwest Michigan. So if anything, you’ll have too many choices. Not sure which of all of these run Rotaxes, though – remember, Wisconsin is the home of Briggs and Kohler, so there’s probably more Rototiller classes than Rotaxes (Brodhead only has KT100’s and HPVs for 2 strokes, for example).
I’d say keep the kart – you’ll probably need it to keep your sanity in grad school.
Angie, I’ve got the next IMI race on the calendar. Who could miss a chance to meet some of the colorful characters that post on this website! Hopefully it won’t get snowed out this time.
Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t accusing anyone for not supporting the PMT with my open question (so no excuses are necessary), but I’m looking for some feedback that can help improve the event next time around. There’s some good feedback already here. I hope that Stacey and Joe Janowski are benefitting from all these comments.
A few comments from a not-yet-racer who drove out to just to watch:
First of all, I heard there were 72 entries total, not 44 (right, Stacey?).
This was the first kart race I’ve seen, period (at least in the last 20 years). I was quite surprised by the contrasts. On one hand, there was great commentary, champagne awards ceremonies, trophy girls, a nice hospitality tent for sponsors, and a SOBE promotional tent handing out free drinks. On the other hand, there were only a few spectators (I’d guess maybe 20-30 that weren’t associated with one of the teams). Aren’t these events supposed to be a big show? I thought alot of us grass-roots local racer types would love to go at least go see the pro teams at work, but that wasn’t the case.
I had a great time. The racing was top quality, with some excellent battles (watching Alex Doman get the jump on the national Junior field, and Austin Farley working his novice shifter through the TaGs, for example). And Darren and Stacey are great hosts, taking time out to introduce themselves, living up to their reputation.
Seems like the PMT is a great product, but few customers.
So, on top of the discussion about why y’all didn’t race, I’d like to know: why didn’t you go watch?
