SKUSA Mission Region TAG - Thanks, but No Thanks

Doug Ring

We ran the TAG class at Grange yesterday, and I must say I was pretty disappointed with the total SKUSA package. Total "hot laps" were only 20 - 2 qualifying, 6 heat, and 12 main. The folks running the series seem nice enough, but they look like they are suffering from the "club racing syndrome" - too many discrete classes taking up valuable track time. Classes like Jr60/Jr80 (3 entries) and K1 (4 entries) need to be combined or dropped.

SoCal TAG's - long live Gatorz! The only race I'm not looking forward to is Grange on June 26 - it'll be ~120 degrees in the shade, and that track is really getting bumpy. Bring lots of Advil.

Andy Seesemann · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 11:09 am Post subject:

Doug,

So, are you and Joe going to make all of the GATORZ races?

I agree that the GATORZ Cup races are among the best value in karting. At least 1/2 hour of practice, 20 minute open hot pit qualifying, 15 minute heat race and 25 minute main.

This equates to about 3 times the track time you get at most other one day events.

See you at Moran!

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.

joseph hollinger

Okay, before I make any more enemies, the SKUSA people were very
nice. But it's pretty clear that TAG isn't their bag (so to speak). So the
people at tech/scales had no idea what TAG weights were supposed to
be. Not to mention that there is a difference between senior/masters/
different motors, whatever. Not that I'm all in favor of the current rules,
but the tech people need to know (and enforce) whatever rules are
currently in place. At Grange, that wasn't the case. I'm not even sure
they scaled any karts at the end of the main event.

Bottom line is that SKUSA has to decide. Is TAG a class or not? If
so, treat it at the same level you treat the shifter trash. If not, drop
it. We're there to race, not to subsidize the glamour classes you
really want to run.

David Thompson SR · Joined: 06 Mar 2002 Posts: 584

Not to back up J.R. or anything ....

This is a new class for skusa and there will be growing pains. Mission Region is very low key and fun This isnt pro moto or anything. We Started at 8 and were done by 3:30 not to bad I thought.

I had the tech manual with me and all the weights, that was all handled in pretech.

The guys at the scales were new to tag also but after the first heat all the cars had weight stickers on them and they all went thru as far as I know.

After the main I personaly watched the top 3 cars were weighed . The 1st Place kart EasyKart had a sealed motor 2nd place Lepord wasent sealed, 3rd place rotax was sealed so eng tech by the top 3 was waved and we all went home.The drivers discussed this and all agreed.

No sour grapes the top 3 were happy End of Story.

BTW Easy Kart is competitive Dennis Howel on a Dave's Performance tuned Easy Kart sat on pole won the heat and the main easley(pun intended).

Dave

www.davesperf.com

Ben Bottomley · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 8:07 am Post subject:

I agree that Gatorz is the place to race at this point in time for Tag. I also think Tag needs to draw more drivers. Grange Skusa was less that expected. What would be good is that if we could get 12-18 karts all at the same race. I think Gatorz will be the place where that will happen.
Too bad Tag is not part of Vegas. The Tag Class could have used that momentum.

joseph hollinger · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 8:07 am Post subject:

Debbie Kuntze · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:01 am Post subject:

If you like lots of track time, fun people and a new track to try, come out to Firebird East (AZ) on April 3rd and 4th with SCK and SWRA. This track is as fun as Streets. Cool

_________________
Debbie Kuntze
kart9899@aol.com
www.uskgp.com

Ben Bottomley · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:33 am Post subject:

I would not call being beat by a easykart happy, If Dennis was in his rotax I would have had a easier disappointment. We did agree on the tech thing, I did not want to wait around for my engine to be torn apart.
My question to Dave is? Can a 40 year old race an easykart at Stars?
Not that I would want to, but just curious. I must say for 3,999 the easykart performed better than I expected it to.

Rick Blood · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 12:23 pm Post subject:

I believe that you are all due an explanation for what occurred at the Mission region race. As is the case in most circumstances, not knowing all the facts has resulted in you not being 100% pleased with your participation. I'm not trying to defend my actions or the Mission regions actions, just making you aware of what was going on. Here are the facts.

Normally we only have 2 or 3 TaG entries. At the first few races I brought in a certified Rotax technician just for you guys. Needless to say that was overkill. I personally will not pay SSC the big bucks they want for certification just to tech 1 or 2 karts. Tech is done for the benefit of every one in a class not just the top three.

Several workers did not show up on Saturday leaving the race director short handed. Not your fault or problem. However it did require that we double up on duties. I was running the scales, collecting transponders, doing tech, taking sound readings and dealing with drivers problems.

The SKUSA rule book is a mess at this point and I didn't feel that I could be fair to you guys by rushing through checks that are not clear.

As is my normal practice, I watch a portion of every race. It is usually clear if anyone is pulling more horsepower than anyone else and who has the setup and/or is outdriving the others. At this event if you weren't one of the top 2 drivers you were just plain were outdriven.

If you felt that somebody in front of you was illegal it becomes your responsibility to bring it to my attention. I would be happy to try and resolve any issues.

Regarding the scales. Every kart has a sticker that has your class and weight written on it. I knew if you were light or not. After the main the top 5 karts were weighed. That brings me to another point. You guys are NOT allowed to drive across the scales. It's sometimes hard to take the offenders seriously when you sit in line at idle then drive on the scales and wait to be waved through and drive back to your pits all the time never even raising your shield. There is a rule in every rule book that forbids driving in the pits. You give the impression of just being lazy.

Regarding the number of laps. This is a race. If you came to drive laps then maybe a practice day would have been a better idea. The whole idea is to come prepared, do your final setup and race. Giving you more track time by combining the 80 classes was not an option because of insurance requirements. One of the things that keeps people coming back to the Mission region is the fact that we get in and get it done before dark.

The TaG gang is always welcome I'm sure JR appreciates you guys coming. If tech becomes an issue then we will find a way make sure that everyone is treated fairly. If you have any questions or concerns, please talked to me personally.

By trying to be brief I may have confused the issue or not been clear enough so let me know. I hate long posts.
_________________
Rick Blood
www.flowdata.net

David Thompson SR · Joined: 06 Mar 2002 Posts: 584

Thanks Rick Ive always thought JR and crew do a good job.....

We run alot of series's they all have there issues...

Dave

john kelly · Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 11

I.K.F / SKUSA / Tri-C / Golden State / Amago / San Diego Karting Club...
I wish I could Race full Time!!!!!!! JK

john kelly · Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 11

etc..............................................................................................

David Thompson SR · Joined: 06 Mar 2002 Posts: 584