Nice Job WKA

Mike Weaver · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2001 8:48 am Post subject: Nice Job WKA

Kevin:

Probably his soul (he's the race director again for Mfg Cup).

Honestly though, "I" sent the photo in and Mike Traylor just loved it and instantly put it on the cover. I don't think Bingo had a chance to "negotiate"!

Paul Harraka · Joined: 28 Aug 2001 Posts: 1345

Bingo and Ken did a good job last year but Wait a minute. I thought for sure they were going to make ME race director next year. I wonder what happened.

[ October 23, 2001: Message edited by: Paul Harraka ]

Chaz Clover · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 879

One reason could be that SKUSA has a professional, dedicated, on-the-job, gives a damn and paid (or so I'm told) webmaster.

If those conditions weren't in place I doubt very much if SKUSA would have them posted either.

There's also the fact that the IKF and WKA have larger, more detailed rulle books that have to be assembled, laid out, and printed. That costs money. Alot more than what it costs to put up the SKUSA rules.

Another factor is that I sense a surprisingly widespread attitude about the web by the industry and sport in general - a lack of trust,and understanding about the power this medium offers. This contributes to a kind of "why bother" attitude within the karting business community. Take a look around at the majority - VAST majority of karting web sites. Low production values, not maintained or updated and in some cases they flat don't work.

And they're apparently unwilling to upgrade to a better presence or to pay someone to do it for them. Ask around any web developers trying work within this industry. Cold shoulders, lack of interest, and just try and get some of these companies to actualy pay money (and the money the work is worth) for a web site.

Looking at it that way, it's no surprise you can't find rule books online. That and a testiment to SKUSA's foresight and commitment when it comes to this medium.

To ramble a bit - I wouldn't stop at just posting a rule book. I'd drop that sucker into some kind of data structure - maybe LDAP or something like that. Cross-reference the heck out of it. Allow people to search it properly for precisely the information they seek. Let them pick and choose the bits they want or need, assemble that into a single document they can print out or download. There are even programs available that could take said data and create a PDF file on the fly.

It would be an awesome, useful, and incredibly valuable resource.

Now if someone will pony up the funds I'll get started right away

.

Chaz Clover
http://www.kartmonster.com

quote:
Originally posted by John Denman:
I wonder why WKA doesn't just post the rules on the web?

SKUSA is the only karting org operating in the twenty-first century when it comes to rulebook publishing. Not that their rules are better or worse thn any other org, only that they provide a copy for all to see.

I just wish WKA, KART, and IKF had the decency to do the same.

Chaz Clover · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 879

quote:
Originally posted by kevin nelson:
What/who did Bingo have to pay to get Zack on the cover?

ARE YOU KIDDING??????????

That picture (I saw it on the 3Gs site) is worth it's weight in gold. Especially these days. It's the kind of image people might actually pay Bingo to use. It's an incredible image (as opposed to a picture). A real classic. A young American carrying his country's colors at an American event during what could be thought of as one it's historical low points. There were a lot of bummed-out people that weekend. It did my cynical heart a treat to see it and God love the person who got that shot. It should be on the cover of every, single karting publication in the US.

For those who haven't seen this image check it out at:
http://www.3gsracing.com/91601flag.htm

Chaz Clover (A cynical but proud karting American)
http://www.kartmonster.com

Dave Stevens · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2001 10:03 pm Post subject: Nice Job WKA

quote:
Originally posted by Chaz Clover:

Another factor is that I sense a surprisingly widespread attitude about the web by the industry and sport in general - a lack of trust,and understanding about the power this medium offers. This contributes to a kind of "why bother" attitude within the karting business community. Take a look around at the majority - VAST majority of karting web sites. Low production values, not maintained or updated and in some cases they flat don't work.

It's not that much different outside the karting world in other small businesses, either. There are some good sites in karting, primarily by larger shops and manufacturers. If anything, some of them try to have too much glitz, and not enough beef, in terms of usable information.

Gone are the days when a sole "web designer" could craft a comprehensive site. Also, the days of a designer working within only a single industry are by and large history. The Web has gone from a static information container, to an interactive application and as a result, some of the smaller businesses simply aren't aware of what it takes to develop a good Web strategy and presence.

I don't know that it's fair to paint the industry with the brush of resistance, but perhaps not fully informed as to the options and advantages. Then there is the cost thing. Many, if not most of these businesses are family run, and don't exactly have buckets of cash to throw about, or necessarily know which way to throw it.

I would agree, karting could leverage the Web and Internet technologies more than it has, but I don't think it's because the people don't care. I see it as they either don't know, or can't afford it.

Dave