TAG weights

Jose Rodo · Joined: 19 Aug 2002 Posts: 530

Rotax Max FR125.........................(27 hp) 365 Ibs.
Comer.............................................(27 hp) 370 Ibs.
BM Jaguar.....................................(27 hp) 370 Ibs.
Parilla Leopard.............................(27 hp) 370 Ibs.
Biland 250 SA...............................(28 hp) 375 Ibs.
Vortex Rok.....................................(29 hp) 375 Ibs.
SonikVX125..................................(27 hp) 385 Ibs.
Sonik SL125.................................(27 hp) 385 Ibs.
Italsistem ML47H.........................(31 hp) 390 Ibs.

10.5. Class 5 ‚ TAG USA MASTERS
Age............. 35 years of age and older
Engine........ As per Section 1
Weight........ Add 30 Ibs. per Section 1

I'm going to run the Sonik motor and I'm over 35 years old, so if I understand correctly does it means that I have to put 30 pounds on top of the already insane 385 pounds?
I think it's a little too much for me to add in a total of 75 pounds since my total package is only 345 pounds.

When is these insanity going to stop to make a few heavy guys happy so they can be competitive.

John Denman · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 9:26 am Post subject:

Jose,

Why not choose the Rotax and save 20 lbs?

One of the elements of the TAG concept is to provision motors at weights that small and larger people can run together.

Granted there is no one answer that will ever satisfy the diversity in karting over weights. TAG just does it better then any other class by offering the competitor a choice. It would be up to the competitor to comply, not the organization.
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Andy Seesemann · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 9:37 am Post subject:

You don't have to race Masters.

When are we going to stop having age specific classes just so a few older guys can be competitive?

A
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Andy Seesemann
FULL THROTTLE KARTING
Orange County, CA.
www.fullthrottlekarting.com
Rotax Challenge of the Americas
www.rotaxchallenge.com
WKA District 10 Trustee
www.worldkarting.com
Really Good Guy.

Jose Rodo · Joined: 19 Aug 2002 Posts: 530

John,

No Rotax for me. I like to be able to work on my motors.

Andy,

I'm 43 years old and I used to run FA and ICA and I never had a problem not being competitive. I thought that being over 35 that I had to be in that class. I agree with you, for less classes but it seems that the classes are built, not about ages but about weights.

Rob Martin · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 12:25 pm Post subject:

Jose,
Is 345lbs your full package weight with fuel, safety equipment, and driver?
What is your actual drivers weight?

It must be terrible to have so many choices available to you.

Many adult drivers are penalized by their weight and given only one option of what class to choose for racing.

It's curious that karters feel any adult over 160lbs is overweight or out-of-shape when the national average for an adult male is closer to 175lbs

Jose Rodo · Joined: 19 Aug 2002 Posts: 530

Rob,

I'm 178 pounds, 6' tall. Yes the 345 is the total with all gear and gas. I used to run ICA which is 330, so I was over 15 pounds. But now puting 40 pounds more for a motor with less horse power is too much.

And I know it's only my opinion, but I have to voice it, because I know I'm not alone on this weight issue.

Andy Seesemann · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 1:45 pm Post subject:

I guess you just picked the wrong motor to run, Jose.

At your body weight, you would be just about there in a ROTAX, Leopard or BM. You may have to add 5 lbs, but you would be close. At your size, you are exactly who this class is designed around.

The amazing thing to me is that Sonik built a motor that is somehow 20 lbs less than all of the rest.

Furthermore, you said that you raced ICA and was 15 lbs over at 345lbs, which is the same weight that you are now. The Sonik guys added a starter, wiring and a battery, but miraculously stayed at the same weight! Where did they shave 10 lbs off of the motor weight to make up the difference?

Sell your featherweight Sonik to a fat guy and buy a Leopard or Rotax, you won't have to add much weight that way.

Andy
_________________
Andy Seesemann
FULL THROTTLE KARTING
Orange County, CA.
www.fullthrottlekarting.com
Rotax Challenge of the Americas
www.rotaxchallenge.com
WKA District 10 Trustee
www.worldkarting.com
Really Good Guy.

Jeff DeMello · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 2:12 pm Post subject:

Jose Rodo · Joined: 19 Aug 2002 Posts: 530

Andy,

I guess you're right. My other option will be the leopard.
At the time the Sonik was 365 pounds until some heavy guy got is behind kicked.

Andy Seesemann · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 2:35 pm Post subject:

Rob Martin · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 2:41 pm Post subject:

No fair....Andy types faster than me. I want to add weight to Andy's keys.

I'd run the motor package that puts me closest to my natural weight. HP discrepencies will eventually be adjusted to level the field. I wouldn't want to be the guy having to add 20lbs just because some of the drivers using my motor are winning.

Jeff,
I think Andy was trying out his sarcastic keyboard. (He already admitted such but just happens to type faster than me.)

Jose,

What chassis are you running?
178lbs driver only leaves 167lbs for your kart, motor, fuel, and safety equipment. Most installed TAG and Rotax motors I've scaled come in considerably heavier than 167lbs without fuel / fluids. I think an average 30/32mm TAG kart is much closer to 180lbs without any additional weight.

Designing an adult class weight based on a 180lbs driver is reasonable.
Using 145lbs as an expected driver weight is unrealistic for most US adults.

Andy is absolutely correct. The Sonik motor is a bad choice based upon your current driver weight / chassis combination. Rotax international is just about ideal. Take the advantage where ever it is offered within the rules.

Jeff DeMello · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 2:43 pm Post subject:

Andy We weight about the same What TaG do you run and what is your total weight?? I am getting a Italsistem ML47H

Jose Rodo · Joined: 19 Aug 2002 Posts: 530

178+ 167= 345. Put +- 2 pounds.

Swiss hutless/ Italsistem on ICA 330 pounds class. 2004 is going to be the first time on TAG

Kimi Yasumoto · Joined: 11 Jan 2003 Posts: 220

The right weight for the Sonik should be 370. It has the same power of the Leopard and it is only a 118 cc. Did you know that ?

Jose should be enabled to run at proper weight. In any case, Jose, I think having experience on ICa and FA you can make it up even if they add 25 lbs to your chassis.... Wink

By the way..Sonik is a good choice, and regardless ....make your own decision. Talk to TS or the place in NY that deal with Sonik. They maybe able to help you.

Lets be objective here.....The driver that won in Vegas simply was driving the heck out of that package....he got it right and he should get teh credit of the win. If the weight is being added for that race, would make no sense. By the way I saw the exhaust of that engine...it was WHITE, so every little thing he could give and more...was taken.

The weight on the sonik is probably a mistake. It make no sense to have 20 lbs more than they had before.

Andy Seesemann · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 9:21 pm Post subject: