Putnum Park and the 150 mile race!

[Patricia Hechler]

Charlie:

When I went to Summit Point to watch, I ended up playing engine builder, clutch person, and data collector... It was alot more fun that just plain sitting there, so, yea, I change tires! How much is it worth to you?

See you there!

[Marc Miller]

Charlie-

I agree... but the problem is, this race has only been promoted on the smallest level, then instead of making a one class free for all, it is now TWO races, each taking up 2 hrs... there is no real format, I sincerely doubt that it will be very structured (even though the idea sounds great) and I also doubt that when people actually sit down and realize what they could do to their equipment in this time period, they would still do it.

I, don't want to rebuild my top end and use up 2 sets of tires, and 4 fuel fill ups on friday alone.... and at the same time, I am doing a tire test so I will need 4 sessions just for that. So I will be unable to get a set up for Sat/Sun, then still test tires during Friday practice.

I hope I will be able to enter the track and exit the track if need be during the race. Because it would be only fair to charge 1/4 of the normal practice fee if I only get 1/4 of the track time, don't you think?

MM

[Charlie Tackett]

Marc, I don't have a problem redoing the top end, etc. I think an event of this kind could be both a challenge and fun. I was also surprised when there was no "entry" fee. I am also starting to get the feeling that maybe this is going to end up being some kind of free-for-all. Sure would be nice if someone affiliated with Dart could clarify some of these issues!

[Marc Miller]

Charlie-

I agree with you whole-heartedly... this would be fun! I just would like a bigger commitment from the club/promoter as to what the racer gets.

So far, I see excessive wear and tear on my equipment for as of yet, no media attention and no true format or guidelines. I agree the fact that there is no entry fee is nice, but at the cost of my practice time.... so I am effectively paying 4 times as much for practice compared to what I will get because of this race.

I would love to have a TRUE endurance event like this some time, when it is properly promoted. For guys who are out to have a good time, this is a great event, but for me, my focus is to win my classes on Sat and sun and I want my practice time without wearing out the equipment.

MM

[Charlie Tackett]

Speaking of a *true*endurance race, Marc, you do know of course that they make aftermarket lighting coils for these motors!


My main concern is the safety issue. Not you being out there, personally, but with all the other series regulars, plus this being a weekend that SKUSA is running also, you could potentially end up with say 25 karts out there racing and 60 karts coming and going practicing!! Not a safe situation, IMHO.

[Tim Blaney]

Charlie,

I have to agree with the safety concerns. But to add another monkey wrench, all these pit stops. With no procedures, I could see a potentially enormous issue with people in a hurry, hot engines and gasoline!

[Scott Davis]

This post has definately gotten off topic.

[Charlie Tackett]

How so, Scott? Read the title, "Putnam PArk and the 150 mile race."

Some of us have raised very legitimate concerns about the manner in which this event identified in the main topic title is going to be run. My main concern has been expressed as to whether or not this is going to be a race or are others, with some apparent encouragement from what I would consider representatives of the organization, going to be using it as open practice session. That is not off the topic of the title of this thread. I also note that no one representing Dart has offerd any public explanation or answer to these questions. I never did get any response from previous posts as to which group the 125 sprinters would run in!

Lack of response is begining to look like either no one cares to answer or nobody knows the answer. Running this event will cost us $3-400 in tires, fuel, new topend after the event, etc. I don't think asking for some information is out of line for what it is going to costs us to participate.

[Scott Davis]

I believe the Sprint Shifters are in Group #2. Is that what you are asking?

[Charlie Tackett]

That and are karts going to be allowed to come and go as they please using the time as practice? Or will you do something like when all participants for the race are on the grid, close the track to karts coming and going from the paddock to the grid area. That way, only those karts on the track for the race are those who start on the grid? Even if somebody does use it for practice, they have to be on the grid to start. No coming onto the track 45min later to get some practice in, or leaving the hot pit area with the kart and go back into the paddock to make changes so to come back later andgo out and practice somemore.

In other words, once gridded for the race, not allowing other karts to enter from the paddock onto the hot pits and track. Let people run the race for practice if they want, but treat it as a race and not a practice session. Like I said before, I don't want to see a race start with 25-30 karts on the grid and then have another 20-30 karts wandering in from their pits whenever they want, coming and going as if it was a long open practice session. That would not seem very safe at all.

Now maybe that is already taken care of and there are plans for some such controls, but it never even came to be a concern to me until some were encouraged to use the race as a practice session.

[Scott Davis]

Charlie, what is your e-mail address? I will have my Dad (Gene Davis) address your concerns and get back to you later this evening.

[Marc Miller]

Charlie-

I believe that is an acceptable solution for sure. I was planning on pitting on the hot lane for the duration of that race, using it as practice and making actual pit-stopps (although my stops will most likely be longer than others). I also will likely not run the entire two hours...

BUT, I will stay in the hot pit lane.

Here is an added concern.. there MUST be a pit entry steward there to blow an AIR HORN for EACH and every kart that is pitting... there needs to be a pit speed limit and the air horn so that people will know that karts are coming AND how many are coming in.

This will also make the pit lane much more manageable.

MM

PS- I am very surprised that these details were not thought of when this was all laid out. Surprised and disappointed. If these details were worked out, this race could have quite possibly attraced a LOT more attention from media, outside racers, etc.

[Charlie Tackett]

Scott, Gene has my e-amil, "talked" to him abnout it last night, but in case...it's tackett@net-link.net

Excellent idea on the air horn, Marc! ANyone who is used to racing at M-O knows the sound of the airhorn! Even if i'm just standing along pit wall and no intention of moving, the first thing I do at the sound of that air horn is look to pit in! Reflex action.

I'm not trying to give any one grief about this, I'm just trying to come up with something that would give those who are out there to race some degree of certainty that 10 karts aren't going to stroll down from their trilers in the last 30min to go out and scuff in tires for Satruday or something ( don't know about scuffing in rains, though )

On the other hand, everybody paid the same price for Friday, so if they want to use the race for practice, then give them that chance, but in a more "race" like atmosphere. Having everyone on the grid starting at once you will know how many karts you are dealing with and it may also help give those wanting to just practice more of a "racing" mindset/awareness.


BTW, our pit crew seems to be vanishing before my eyes, so anybody looking for something to do on Friday afternoon....
This "army of one" concept ain't going to get it during a pitstop!!

[Greg Walters]

Good points all!

I save the expense of an air-horn and bang on a guard-rail with the end of my yellow flag when I am in pit lane and karts are entering. Everybody looks up and pays attention. But, you need to have a pit steward who is on his toes!

As for the media bit, I should be back home in Indy and might be talked into making the forty-minute drive to Putnam. Been out of town for over a week but then who needs sleep!
What day? Friday? Can anyone set up a media pass for me or put me in touch with someone who can?

Greg Walters
The Inside Track http://www.theinsidetrack.com

[Ardy Sadeghi]

Charlie,

that sounds like a very reasonable and practical approach to consider. this eliminates any concern for some one breaking-in engine at low speed during the race. while providing a chance for those who may want the extra practice, but not necessarily to race their equipment for 150 mile and all the wear and tear!! well said.

May be a good idea to have this posted on the dkc BB. perhaps some one in the DKC BOD will make an effort to reply!