TAG weights

[Bob Ogden]

No, keep the weight on the karts and out of the oceans and fresh water drinking supplies.

[Bob Francis]

look we're not talking about safety to fish here, just people . we can deal with the environment garbage later. and besides thats the divers responsbility not ours.
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B.Francis,

[John Denman]

When I first assigned weights to the TAGs a few years ago, it was my intent not to handicap the average adult male age 18-34 who weighed 187 lbs according to figures I got from CDC.

TAG was intended to be mostly a local club or regional class, so the concept of offering standards was such that any club or region could alter them in any way that suited them. As a standard they weren't forced by an organization to conform 100%.

As TAG moved to a Nationally sanctioned class through TAGUSA and SKUSA the liklihood of having them change their rules to accomodate larger or smaller people isn't likely.

At the other end of the racing spectrum are the local clubs and regional series. If there are enough people to have a local-option class (I would suggest at least 6) at higher or lower weights, by all means knock yourself out and get together and ask for it.

The whole purpose of TAG was to be a recreational class where the racer has fun racing. It was intended to a eliminate bunch of 1-make classes from sprouting up only to die from a lack of competitors. If your local track or series has an abundnace of large or small people I would encourage you to take the actions that serve the majority best in your area.

Now that we have TAG working, watch for the next class evolution coming from us later this Spring.........
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John Denman
Producer for RTMP
http://www.kartweb.com

[Bob Francis]

well John you have some good points, but now that SKUSA has added the TAG program to any level of license holder on the national series it's more than a club only program. but I agree that different areas and clubs should adapt to their customer base, and like i have said before if everyone takes a look at the amounts of lead at the grid area the answer should become clear these classes need to loose at least 30lbs. for the majority and have a sumo or heavy class if they want. TAG will gain popularity and the grids will grow/ there shouldn't be a problem splitting this class today not to mention in the future.
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B.Francis,

[Ray Drinkwine]

I think it would be great if we could get a TAG light class started at the regional level and see what happens 310 sounds awesome. Only one promblem, what if thats what everyone wants to run? Maybe we could find out who the minority is this way also. I wonder if Chris Egger is following any of this?

[Spencer Bunting]

How much do these TaG karts weigh without driver?

310 is damn light. If you figure the kart weighs 175lbs (estimate), then that leaves 135lbs for the driver.

Thats just too light unless we are talking about a Junior class.

I'd like to see the Rotax in the 340-350 range so us "lighter" guys (150-170 range) can run a lightweight setup without additional weight.

[Ray Drinkwine]

Yeah 310 might be a little light but, we can aim low and hope it would come in at 330-340 an go from there.

[Bob Francis]

ray i think that really 330 is good number for light. that is about perfect for a 150 lb driver. then the little guys can add 20lbs or so. it would be a great transition class for junior drivers moving up. also a great training ground for ICA drivers that don't want the high maintainence of ICA motors for practice. i know there alot of 16-17 year olds around 150. don't worry big guys you can create something in a heavy class if it suits you.
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B.Francis,

[joseph hollinger]

[Rob Martin]

It's curious that the overweight, non-athletic, full-figured, adult male drivers never seem to complain about lifting their karts. In fact, most are enlisted to help lift the heavy equipment.

It always seems to be the 145lbs, "athletic" drivers doing all the complaining.

Now don't tell me the extra 50lbs of lead makes that big a difference. (50lbs/2 = 25lbs extra per athlete).

Heck, my wifes' purse weighs 25lbs and she doesn't complain.

I guess some folks have a different definition of athletic.

Maybe limiting drivers under a certain weight from participating in heavy classes would force the mid-weight drivers to participate in lighter classes and perhaps open a few eyes to the difficulties heavy drivers face.

The "extra weight broke my chassis" argument doesn't hold any credibility. If it did, masters (heavy) drivers would be buying chassis much more frequently than our mass challenged friends.

[joseph hollinger]

[Bob Francis]

well we have had 1188 views and 55 posts. people seem to be curious. i wonder what the people really want? there are arguments on both sides of this issue and Joe had a good point, the demographic for karting is probably leaning towards 150-160 more than 180-190. so lets get some more opinions. how can we get sanctioning bodys to sit up a take notice, and yes when i get the chance i do voice my opinion to sanctioning bodies.
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B.Francis,

[erik nystuen]

I weigh in at 165-170 depending on the time of year (turkey and dumplings usually put me up at 170). So that puts me in the light class for our local track. I still add 10lbs to keep the fuel load down. I don't feel that I am the average sized guy out at the track though. If I look at the average male 20-45 they are my weight or larger and if you look at the demographics they are deffinetly closer to 200 than 165.
If we want Kart Racing to grow we have to be open to the demographics of the people not already in Karting. Hence not the 140lb folks that are already here.
I agree that the light and heavy weights should be further apart than 20-30 lbs. 355 and 400 would be great in my opinion.

If the lightweigh people want to have an ultra light class, get the people together in your area and make it happen. I for one would like to see how fast a TAG Kart would be at 310-320 lbs. I just will never get there as the lightest I can get too is 345.

I think everyone can agree that growing Karting is in everyone's interest you just need to make it happen at the club level. When it's proven it will go national. How do you think TAG got started... Localy first then National.
Get involved at your club and make it an optional class if you think it's a great idea. All it takes is commitment.

[Bob Ogden]

Bob F. wants to know what people think. I think a major travesty occurred when SKUSA decided to take TAG into its program. The fallout has been that a recreational class has now become another political hot button with people whining about weight, about which engine, 4/ vs. 2/,
etc.
The truth on the weight issue is that as people age, the VAST MAJORITY tend to spread and gain weight. Look at any number of retired professional athletes, including F1 drivers.
It's not 16 year old hot shoes that are growing this sport. It's people with disposable income, who want to race recreationally, many of whom are in their late 40's or 50's, and aren't in the svelte form they were in their younger days.
I have nothing against SKUSA lowering their weight to 320, 330, or even 250 if that's what they want to do, but at the club level keep it at a level where the guys with the means to keep this sport growing can be competitive. Otherwise, look to have karting become invisible...again.

[Jeff DeMello]

Bob O short simple and right to the point just leave T a G weight just the way they are at the local level