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| Features |
| EKN One-on-One: Jamie Sieracki - Franklin Motorsports |
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 | Jamie Sieracki
(Photo: merlinusa.com) |
The great aspect of kart racing some take for granted is that it’s a great way to spend time with the family. While there is a very small majority that focus on their progression into the upper ranks of motorsports, the core of the sport are in it for the family fun and just the thrill of competing around the kart track. This is the mantra you get when working with the Sieracki family of Franklin Motorsports.
At 30 years of age, Jamie Sieracki - along with his father George - is piloting the Wisconsin-based operation into a new era in karting. The father/son duo began in their family garage, building engines to local customers. Now, they have taken over the well-established Franklin Motorsports and expanding the Merlin chassis brand throughout the eastern half of the United States.
There is no doubt the Sieracki clan is one of the hardest working tandem in the karting industry with their full-force support for all of their customers. We were lucky enough to track down Jamie to answer a few questions for us, discussing the progression that led them to where they are today.
eKartingNews.com: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today.
Jamie Sieracki: Thank you guys.
EKN: As we ask everyone we interview, how did you get started in karting?
JS: I was about 10 and my dad (George aka GEO) used to talk about driving karts when he was younger. He didn't race in sanctioned events but him and his brother and a few others would set up bottles filled with water in parking lots and go at it. That was the initial interest. We started investigating it and went to a couple swap meets and got started relatively quick. We began at Badger Raceway in Dousman, WI and eventually began running other places.
EKN: What year was that and how old were you? Also, what was your first kart?
JS: I believe it was 1991 when we started and I was 11 years old. My first kart was a Coyote Free Roller with an 80cc DAP engine. I was very fortunate as it was equipped with a Redeye tach/temp gauge from the get-go as well as an Azusa seat pad for comfort.
 | The 'Merlin Nation' continues to grow, adding hardware to the trophy case each and every year
(Photo: merlinusa.com) |
EKN: That was the set up back then. I remember not being able to race without my seat pad (laughing). Looking back, what has been your most memorable race that you competed in?
JS: I honestly don't have an answer for that. There are so many races over the years that had great moments, not one really sticks out. Not to mention I have a bad memory and the years are beginning to stretch out and blur together. I guess I would have to point out November of 2000 when I did 3 weeks straight in Vegas. I raced at 1 or 2 of the races and worked the others. That stretch sticks out because that is when I met my wonderful wife Michelle (http://www.ekartingnews.com/news_info.php?n=4973). No clue how the results ended up. In recent years my favorite races are with a few of my younger customers when they moved up to the Senior ranks. Kids like Tommy Andersen, TJ Koyen, Shinya Michimi, Andrew Hobbs, Jason Foley...the list goes on. I love racing with them when they move up as they now usually beat me regularly but there are still things I see on-track that may help them along. It's a great sense when you can help drivers of that level improve on race craft.
EKN: When did the business side of things begin for you? It was Dream Works Karting Supply that started it all for you correct?
JS: The business side began early on. Dream Works was created around 2003 but it all began much sooner then that. I would say during the 1994 season, we started carrying extra parts and supplies to the track as there was always a need. Also around that time my father was building the US820 engines we raced and we started picking up customers there. I can remember beginning to build my engines at 14-15 years old. At that time, we were operating under C-G Racing (my parent’s initials). That kept growing little by little until 2003 when I began working it full time and Dream Works Karting Supply was created when we started working larger scale to other shops and importing the Merlin chassis line.
EKN: How did your relationship with the Italian company MRC and Umberto Merlin start? Were you the first importer for the chassis?
JS: I first met Umberto at the KMI show in 2003. I was selling BRM chassis through Profile Racing at the time and we had been steadily growing year in, year out. Walking through the isles I saw the kart and Umberto standing there. It looked nice but the language barrier was pretty limiting. At the time Barbara, who was my contact at BRM, had me look a second time at the karts and introduced me to Umberto and helped break the ice a bit. At that time the karts were welded at BRM and Barbara knew our situation and the need to have a more direct relationship with a company. There was an importer earlier on in the states but it had been a few years prior. Later that season we tested the 100cc model and it wasn't a hard decision. That first impression was an instant sell to me in the driver’s seat so it made sense to take on the line and offer it to others.
Since then, working with Umberto has been fantastic. He really has a stellar grasp on what would benefit the end user. Performance is always #1 but longevity is always close behind, which has done great things for many of our customers. He usually visits an event every 12-18 months. It's great when he is here as he always comes up with some ideas to test and new frames to discuss. While the designs stay similar, he is very creative when it comes to materials and changing them to change how the kart works and responds.
 | Sieracki has been working with some of the best young talent in the country, including New Jersey's Shawn Sharkey
(Photo: On Track Promotions - otp.ca) |
EKN: How much have you helped with the design of the Merlin chassis line?
JS: I would say input more then design is a better description. We constantly discuss horsepower, tires, and driver sizes with Merlin to help seek out what end result we are looking for. Umberto is open to ideas but ultimately comes up with the chassis lay-out. Making things stiffer or softer is solid input we can come back with that may go into the kart design.
The MR28 and MR29 are karts that are made specifically for usage here in the states. Components and other accessories are always open for discussion and if possible changes are made. It's always nice to debrief over the phone with Umberto regarding national race events and pointing out the strengths and weaknesses while also discussing the local level arena. All in all, it's great to have the input and see it put into effect in the product.
EKN: The Merlin brand is coming close every year in the WKA Manufacturer Championship Trophy race, is that important to you or just an extra bonus if in fact Merlin does win the honor in the future?
JS: It has been getting closer the past couple years however this year is a bit of a struggle. On the flip side, the EKN Constructors’ Championship point structure is showing the capabilities of the Merlin brand. We have been consistent with top 5 finishes in classes with decent fields. While winning the title would be a great accomplishment, it is difficult to set that as a focus. A small percentage of karters will win. It's an odds game.
Our goal is to get each participant to improve when making a switch. That's where I measure our success. Having one or two drivers rack up the points would be nice but that takes an effort that may be better spent on the guy struggling in 15th. When he cracks the top 10 or the top 5 for the first time, it is just as rewarding as having the guy win that is expected to. In addition, I've seen a number of guys dumped on the last lap while staging to take the win, so it's difficult to use those statistics in a business manor. It is still a great thing to have as it groups people together and unites them as more of a team when at the events.
 | Sieracki still has the skills behind the wheel, recently subbing for the injured Colton Ramsey at the WKA Man Cup New Castle event
(Photo: Go Racing Magazine) |
EKN: We see a number of Merlin karts in the Midwest and along the east coast - flying the colors of ‘Merlin Nation’ proudly. What plans do you have in place, if any, to expand the brand west of the Mississippi?
JS: As much as I would like to see the karts span out to the west coast, it's a numbers game. Due to materials used for the frames, margins are a little smaller and it's difficult when a shop may want one kart to justify shipping and transport costs to a far away location. For us, it is difficult to support a customer on the west coast so without dealer involvement, it is a challenge to get out there and grow the brand while offering support. Each year at the SKUSA SuperNationals, we usually talk with a few potential dealers so hopefully this year it will grow into a closer and stable supplier for the area.
EKN: In 2005, you and your father acquired Franklin Motorsports. How did the purchase of the long-established company come about?
JS: For a while before that, we had always kicked around the idea if it were available. The Mayr’s seemed to be at a point where they were ready to move on. They worked hard for many years and built a good business and I think the timing was right. In 2003 and 2004, we grew C-G Racing to the point where we were taking the next step regardless. It was a good fit and as mentioned the timing just happened to work out.
EKN: The structure of the company seems to be unchanged, providing all the many different types of products Franklin Motorsports has had available to put racers on the track. What are some of the latest new additions to the Franklin catalog of products?
JS: A lot of the variety still remains however we have changed a few things on the organizational side. New items are always circulating through such as the Tillett line. We work a lot with the hand laid line, which is always longer production but it is a better quality and performing product. Keeping the focus on what is faster and lasts longer is always our goal. The hand laid line is more costly and time consuming to make but when the main focus is racing, it allows us to offer a superior product. While the focus is there it is still important to have a good selection for the hobby karters as well so there is a critical point of balance.
Another thing going is the development of the Driveline brand of products. We recently have had 219 gears made of 7075 aluminum versus the common 6061. It is a small thing and maybe means little to the guy who just needs a gear to get by, but it is a huge value when it lasts longer. Again, it is a bit more costly for the material and to have this item fully machined but it is far superior to a stamped piece in quality and can hold the abuse of TaG engines and higher horsepower categories. It provides more value to the customer over the long run.
 | The new location for Franklin Motorsports has plenty of room for the many products the operation houses with more room to expand in the future
(Photo: franklinkart.com) |
EKN: In January 2009, you moved to your new location in New Berlin, WI, approximately 15 miles west of the previous Oak Creek, WI location. Now over a year move-in, how has the transition been for the company?
JS: The feed back has been great on the new location. It is more convenient for a good number of local customers and that is apparent as our walk-in has been increased dramatically. The facility is larger and that has helped with growth as well as the
layout being a little more favorable. We've always felt that a nice show room and the extra amenities portray a true commitment to the industry and the sport. There are plenty of places to get your racing needs, but the serious shops/stores have a professional operation and I believe that is a direct reflection of the products and service they provide. The new store/shop is also set-up with ability to grow more when needed.
EKN: What is on the horizon for Franklin Motorsports as we close out the year and looking ahead to 2011 and beyond?
JS: We have been adding a lot to our online store content and starting to sort through the non-current items; things that just are not normal items that are taking up space. We need to keep making room for new current items and widgets that a higher volume of people want. On the race side, we have a good crew of guys going to the SKUSA SuperNats so I am looking forward to that event. We have a great time with our customers there, on and off track, so that is exciting. As we go into 2011, there are tweaks we are working on before WKA Daytona KartWeek to make our tent program accessible to a greater amount of drivers. 2010 marked the first year for the Franklin Mobile Store and that worked out well, so we look to make a few tweaks to improve that as well in 2011. We have a few things coming down the product line for Merlin also, but the details are still in the works.
EKN: Thank you Jamie for your time and we’ll see you at the track
JS: Thanks for the opportunity. |
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