United States Pro Kart Series

Mark Peters · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:46 am Post subject:

Hello Jerry - nice to meet you and if you ask my wife she would let you know that my comments above would not even reach the top 10. What you saw was frustration on my part. I stated earlier I'm good with 380 and even 385 which is the common TaG Masters weight for a Leopard. What frustrated me are the comments pushing for 395 and 400+. Where does it end if someone doesn't push back.
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Mark Peters
#54 Badger TaG Master Series

Jerry Hudson · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 8:06 am Post subject:

Likewise, Mark, and what you heard from me was frustration, too, sorry. As a tall guy, I always struggled to make weight in any class I ran when I became an adult, and this is what you always here from people. Karting always seems to cater to a "smaller" individual, if you will, and I understand. How many 6' 3" plus IndyCar or F1 drivers do you know? But, karting is not IndyCar or F1, so don't make it into something it's not. Keep it fun. I feel 385 ilbs. is a great weight for the Master's Leopard package when you have other engine options at higher weights, but not for a 190-200 lb. guy, he will be at least 10 lbs. over no matter what chassis he runs, and in a competitive series, that won't fly.
And, to me, kart count really matters. Racing was a lot more fun to do and watch with 25-30 kart classes than with 10 or less karts running. I would like to think, if I was a guy who made weight easy, that I wouldn't mind adding 5-10 more pounds to my kart to try to add 20-25% kart count to the field. No personal offense meant, an attack on the argument is what it was.

William French · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 8:23 am Post subject: Masters Weight

Jerry, you nailed it. It doesn't matter what other series to with TAG with respects to the Leopard package. Here we are talking a LEOPARD ONLY MASTERS CLASS. Of which I don't beleive any other major series runs. I'm all for something in the 395 to 405 range.

Tim Koyen · Advertiser Joined: 26 Nov 2002 Posts: 1556

Hey Guys, let's keep the conversation friendly, there will be plenty of time to rub pods once we all hit the track. Wink

The realities of fielding a driver who is small in stature, but big on heart can be challenging for sure, but at least there is some hope in the way of ballast. As far as the svelte, handsome, but taller guys go, there is little they can do to cut their weight. So being somewhat inclusive of them is certainly necessary too. I'm sure we'd all rather race against 20+ guys at a higher than ideal (for us) weight, than 10 guys at too low of a weight. There won't be a maximum kart weight.

Just a reminder that the higher weight option of the Vortex/other no longer exists, so please keep an open mind.

As I said before, give us some time to make sure we do this right. We'd like to make sure the next announcement is the one that is best for the Series and all interested parties.
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Joe Palmer · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 9:19 am Post subject:

Get rid of the header restrictor, minimum flex lenght requirements, and set the weight for TAG Masters at 395 - 400 pounds. This is my 1/2 a cent, I couldn't afford the whole 2 cents, with the way this economy is!

As several have previously stated. With a spec engine class, minimum weights will need to be higher, or you run the risk of alienating too many great racers. At the highest levels of competition, 10LBS, heck even 5LBS is alot to overcome. I would also suggest that TAG senior weights might need to be elevated as well. Maybe not as much as Masters though.

Great racers like John, Brian, and Chris don't need or want to slow the karts down to save their tired worn out bodies. Just take a look at the TAG Masters at the Supernats. None of those guys are looking to go slower? Get rid of the silly header restrictor, and even the minimum flex lenght requirements. It's likely no one that will be competing in this series is all that concerned about an extra engine rebuild. Without these restrictions, maybe the guys that are still a little over on weight, will have more tuning options?

Whatever decisions that Mark and his staff ultimately decide on, they're just not going to make everyone happy. All anyone can ask for, is that they continuously work to improve the series, and provide better value for your racing dollar. Like many startup businesses, your ultimate vision doesn't change, but perhaps the path to get there has to change and evolve.

Joe Kennedy · Joined: 30 Nov 2012 Posts: 2

As a newbie to karting I would like to ask some questions regarding the USPKS.

Why make it a masters class instead of just pro heavy?

Where does the 28 year old who is 180-190 pounds fit in?

I am a 35 year old kart racer that has no qualms with competing against younger drivers at the same weight. I personally feel they have alienated a large group of karters.

I would also like to see the masters weight increased slightly.

Mike Burris · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 1:46 pm Post subject:

" In place of the header change I think an easier way to accomplish that would simply be to run the masters class on a harder tire and limit them to one set per weekend. "

Chris, or anybody else, we have a tire (B44A) that is in the mid 50's (56) hardness wise and has proven to be very consistent through out its tread life that's fits in that category! They retail for about $180 a set and made in the USA and are readily available. If USPKS or any other group is interested we also have an awards package if it is a spec tire so contact us for details or endorsements.

Regards, Mike

Gary Osterholt · Site Admin Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 2769

Brian McHattie · Joined: 28 Jan 2002 Posts: 386

Mark Peters · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 5:23 pm Post subject:

OK - I didn't take enough flak for last nights post I'm back for round 2. I'm wondering if we can find a win/win for the giants and the midgets. Would it be possible to set up two weight classes within the TaG Masters group that compete head to head for the race win and the championship. If we were to use the restricted header for the lite guys and the standard header for the heavy guys could we find a weight formula that would be competitive, ie 355# for the lite and 405# heavy. In concept its no different than other series that run multiple engine packages.

Before you start lobbing gernades, stop and think about how it might work and benefit the group and the series before listing all the reasons it can't.
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Mark Peters
#54 Badger TaG Master Series

Brian Seward · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 6:06 pm Post subject:

Here's an idea. For those wishing to change the weight for Masters, post your actual weight and your intent on participating in the series. A Leopard kart race ready should be between 170-180 lbs fueled and race ready. This could help give the decision makers some actual data to go on when pondering the class weight. Data is always good! By the way, I weigh 175.

Just a thought in order to keep the minimum weight as low as possible, maybe allow heavier drivers (over a certain weight) to remove the battery and starter components from their karts. The starters rarely work anyway lol!

Tim Koyen · Advertiser Joined: 26 Nov 2002 Posts: 1556

Gary Osterholt · Site Admin Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 2769

Gary Osterholt · Site Admin Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 2769

Chris McGinley · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 6:57 pm Post subject:

My vote is for Masters to be 195 ... I think this is a good compromise between Rotax Masters and TaG Masters, and hopefully pulls more Masters racers into the mix.

My $0.02 on the matter.
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Monster Raceworks
Rotax Masters
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