TRUE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE

Chris Villarreal · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2001 11:50 am Post subject: TRUE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE

Paul,
Outstanding idea. I would support this venue and encurrage all my personnal support sponsors to ban togeather and make this an event a reality. It's long over due. It's time for to crown a true national champion. The smoke screens advertised by individuals promoting progression to the next level only lines the pockets of the promoter in most cases. Generally the racer has to pay their own way for a test or season of big car racing. Maybe this venue will help generate the attention of some larger organizations that have the ability financially and are willing to assist our members that are racers.

deborah d-harpur · Joined: 31 Jul 2001 Posts: 164 Location: harbor city, ca

No backdoor politics this time Deb!

I would bet that someone has high hopes of getting the rest of the BOD to re-consider the issue of waiver fees.

I know that I have had personal conversations with Art V and Chris V about re-addressing this issue, but since there are 8 of us on the BOD and none of us have met yet (as you know the meeting is next weekend) I don't know how any of the other guys feel. I haven't seen the agenda yet, so I don't know if it is an agenda item either.

Also, I would suggest to the people that support this idea of a joint race to either attend the meeting and bring up the idea to the IKF BOD, or send in the idea in writing to the IKF Office. Since I think only 2 of us look at this site, that is the only way to find out if a majority of the IKF directors are in favor of the idea, and that way you can get things a rolling!

Keep in mind there are currently 8 directors, so the opinion or thoughts or wishes of 1 or 2 or even 3 IKF BOD members on any given issue may not end up the way they would like them too. Everything is up in the air until it gets voted on at the meetings in front of the membership.

Hope to see you all at the meeting in Seattle!

ddh

Paul Harraka · Joined: 28 Aug 2001 Posts: 1345

Deborah D-Harpur,
What are your feelings about having a National Championship race that is co-promoted by IKF and WKA? Do you think a race like this is needed and would it be good for karting? Do you think it is feasable? Would you or could you support it if WKA and IKF could agree to the terms? Thanks.
Paul Harraka

Debbie Kuntze · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2001 5:29 am Post subject: TRUE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE

See, that's what I was talking about. Deb H has it right. "It's all up in the air until it gets voted on in front of the members." Paul, The responsible thing to have had your board member say is that, "IKF is looking into removing the waiver fee and it will be discussed and voted on, my opinion is that it should be abolished." See, I knew the board was looking into it, I have been in several discussions about it myself. Deb H had that great luncheon to discuss items like this. What frosts my cookies is saying something is a done deal BEFORE it is brought to the meeting, whether a phone or general membership meeting. Nothing sinister. After all, I am the one running around getting comments from the rest of the membership/country so I can make an informed decision. I definitely would not say something is a done deal, until it is done!

There are several issues that have to be considered: The waiver keeps people from other organizations from running the Nationals. So, you can't call it a National if you don't let all participate. But it is the IKF Nationals and thusly, for IKF members! So, join IKF just as someone would who just wants to run Daytona. The waiver was designed to protect the local clubs, to give them entries. The waiver was then split to give money to the club (it used to all go to IKF and disbursed differently)so it did give something back to the local club. But, then people were claiming some had bought a Duffy (Yes, I complained about this myself.) Now, all forms of kart racing are getting really competitive and unless you race and practice prior to the "big events" you are left in the dust. So serious racers who want to win won't need the waiver. And these are just a few quick thoughts to think on for keeping or removing the waiver and issues to deal with to bring all organizations together and have a true National Champion race for XYZ class. Think of all the reasons for or against that some others may have that this issue really matters too!

Debbie K

John Denman · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2001 7:30 am Post subject: TRUE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE

quote:
Originally posted by Debbie Kuntze:
But it is the IKF Nationals and thusly, for IKF members! So, join IKF just as someone would who just wants to run Daytona.

And that takes it back to a true National Championship is held on neutral ground.

Charlie Tackett · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2001 8:25 am Post subject: TRUE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE

When DDH and any of the rest of the west coasters come to run at Road America, they don't have to join the WKA, DMSS, MKC, Badger an anybody else. Just pay the same entry fee as Ted or anybody else and be ready to race. Almost all of the independent races around here are the same....no dues, no membership, no penalty tax, just pay the entry and race.

I don't mind joing the IKF, or like when we ran in Texas at teh IKF RRGNs, we paid something like a $35 waiver fee. But $300 is obscene and sets it up as a closed shop. You go to Daytona or want to race any WKA race and you pay your membership ( and there is talk of discounted 1-event memberships) and that is that. No $300 surcharge!

As for being competitive, you won't need the waiver? SOunds like what the IKF office told us a few years back when we ran the GNs. We were just local midwest club racers.We didn't belong there.

Paul Harraka · Joined: 28 Aug 2001 Posts: 1345

Charlie, Debbie,
I agree, no one minds paying $45.00 to join an organization to race in a National race , but to add on another $300.00 on top of it for a waiver is absurd and obcene. But I think that IKF realizes that and will rectify it. I didn't mean to give the impression that it was a "done deal". If I did I apoligize. But some Board members feel it will be repealed.

[ October 01, 2001: Message edited by: Paul Harraka ]

Deborah Davidson-Harpur · Joined: 19 Jul 2001 Posts: 1128

Paul, I said earlier, around page 1 of this topic... that my team would attend such a event, if classes for our type of racing were offered.

As for the waiver fee, I can state this: I personally am opposed to the current fee, and am of the opinion that the entire issue needs to be re-addressed. As Charlie T. said earlier, when I go and race at Daytona they don't make me pay 300 bucks, I don't know if they charge me any extra at all, I think I just have to become a member, but since I don't write the checks for racing, I am not sure.

Still looking forward to seeing many of you at the meeting in Seattle!

ddh

Chris Wehrheim · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2001 2:01 pm Post subject: TRUE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE

Paul;
This is a great concept! As long as WKA and IKF want this to happen and they can put politics aside, it will happen. This is when we need a ballot to have the racers vote so they can truely see the support they would get for this type of venue.
Randy has the perfect name for the championship, - North American Karting Championship!! It just needs to be held so most everyone can attend, although the track at Charlotte Motor Speedway is one of the best tracks and facilities.

Another note, look at what the 250's recently did at Laguna Seca. They made an annoucement they were going to have a race as a filler for a car race and had people coming from all other the world and was highlighted on either SpeedVision or ESPN.

By the way, this is John, not Chris.

Greg Keresi · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2001 3:18 pm Post subject: TRUE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE

I too agree that an event like this is worthwhile in raising the bar, competition wise for all. We're all looking for the event that accomplishes this for racers in the US and is accessible to many more.

IMO, it would be great if this was organized under another banner, but this probably wouldn't happen for years down the road for true recognized national classes and champions, but that's another topic of long discussion I could have here.

If it happens, we're there dude.

Paul Harraka · Joined: 28 Aug 2001 Posts: 1345

Deborah Davidson-Harpur,
I spoke with Randy Kugler today and he thinks doing a joint IKF-WKA race at Marshalltown, after the IKF Grand National is done, is a good idea. He just wants it to be fair and beneficial to BOTH organizations. He realizes that the racers want this. He also agreed that this would give a HUGE boost to BOTH IKF and WKA. The media exposure would be something IKF and WKA have never seen before. This hasn't been done in 30 years. I hope the Board at the IKF meeting next week gives it serious consideration. It's a win, win, win situation for everyone.
Thanks, Paul

deborah d-harpur · Joined: 31 Jul 2001 Posts: 164 Location: harbor city, ca

I will bring up the subject to the guys over the weekend. Since I leave tomorrow for Seattle, I will not be checking this site until Monday.

Although I have never met the WKA president, I would be more than happy to work with him on this type of the event, if the others on the BOD do not have an objection. If so, I had a great time at Daytona a few years back and met Robbie Harper there who was a really neat guy. If any of the WKA officials want to reach me, they can feel free to contact me!

I want what the Karters want. Of course, IKF members are who I represent, but I feel it is in the best interest of all karters to work together, and have a good time!

Still hope to see you at the meeting!

Roger Ruthhart · Joined: 24 Jul 2001 Posts: 1298

If so, I salute Mr. Kugler for his vision. I hope he can help make it happen.

quote:
Originally posted by Paul Harraka:
Deborah Davidson-Harpur,
I spoke with Randy Kugler today and he thinks doing a joint IKF-WKA race at Marshalltown, after the IKF Grand National is done, is a good idea. He just wants it to be fair and beneficial to BOTH organizations. He realizes that the racers want this. He also agreed that this would give a HUGE boost to BOTH IKF and WKA. The media exposure would be something IKF and WKA have never seen before. This hasn't been done in 30 years. I hope the Board at the IKF meeting next week gives it serious consideration. It's a win, win, win situation for everyone.
Thanks, Paul

Rodney Ebersole · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2001 5:45 am Post subject: TRUE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE

With the introduction of the Briggs Animal this would be a great time to even out the rules between WKA and IKF for all 4 cycle karters wanting to travel and race. WKA has set some rules for the up comeing year now if only IKF can follow suit and not make small changes that make the two organizations run farther apart. Cordination of the rules as this new power plant develops would greatly help the growth of the sport.

Steve Welk · Joined: 25 Jul 2001 Posts: 56

I think that the idea of a 100cc Sprint National Championship is a great idea. I also think that there needs to be a premeire class, say 100cc controlled, to highlight the best equipment and drivers in an elite class such as SKUSA's super pro class. And the total number of classes should be no more than 4 senior classes. The more classes that are run, the less competition you will have in each class. Also no more than 2 Jr. classes and 1 sportsman class. Then you will have true national sportsman, Jr., and the elite Sr class championship.

Just my feelings.

Steve Welk www.SteveWelk.com