WKA or AKRA Clone Rules

paul hir · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 9:57 am Post subject: WKA or AKRA Clone Rules

Hi,

With changes in rules every year, what are the local tracks changing to for 2013 WKA or AKRA? or a mix between both?

John Matthews · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 12:01 pm Post subject:

Looks like you might have to build one of each plus whatever "special" rules there are for local tracks where you race. Should be a little better in the sprint world where more tracks are owned by clubs that follow a national sanction instead of dirt oval with many private owned tracks that do one-off rules that kinda follow national rules with exceptions for what the local builders want to do.

I hope you all understand I'm not trying to be negative here on the clone, I know lots of folks are loving it but as an engine builder I've seen this coming for a long time.

Back when I was building a fair number of flatheads (Raptor 3) I used to field all kinds of calls from dads that were frustrated with the "local" rules their tracks ran (mostly dirt oval). I actually have quite a collection of rules from different tracks that pretty much read like they were written based on what the tech man had in his trailer. My favorite is "it's just like WKA except there are some different things you can do...." In that case the officials wouldn't even tell the competitor what the legal deviations were, they just needed to go buy an engine from the local builder.

Strong, consistent, stable rules are what we need in this sport in order for it to grow especially at the novice/grassroots level. It really doesn't help to have a beginner class where people have to buy 3 different engines to run at the tracks near them. Clubs, track owners, and participants need to be strong about not letting rule changes mess this class up if they want to keep it going as intended. My preference would be WKA but it really doesn't matter as long as all the tracks within reasonable travel distance agree on what rules to use so competitors can run in more than one place without having to change engines.

JMHO,
_________________
John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

William French · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 8:12 am Post subject: Clone engine rules

I'm hearing more and more tracks/orgs referencing WKA Gold Cup rules in the sprint world. I beleive NCMP uses WKA and they certainly are the trend setter in the Midwest for sprint racing.

paul hir · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 9:33 am Post subject: Re: Clone engine rules

Mitch Wright · Joined: 04 Sep 2001 Posts: 437

Anyone running a combined LO206/AKRA clone class??? We have some interest and are looking into it since we have a handful of racers with both packages.

John Matthews · Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2012 1:16 pm Post subject:

Mitch Wright · Joined: 04 Sep 2001 Posts: 437

If the decision is made to add a Sr Stock class running clones and LO206 engines it would be one class. Again we are doing our best to keep class creep to a minimum.
If the interest is really there and the racers come that say they are it would be 6 racers.

Still have some work to do to gauge the interest.

Mitch Wright · Joined: 04 Sep 2001 Posts: 437

If the decision is made to add a Sr Stock class running clones and LO206 engines it would be one class. Again we are doing our best to keep class creep to a minimum.
If the interest is really there and the racers come that say they are it would be 6 racers.

Still have some work to do to gauge the interest.

John Matthews · Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 10:47 am Post subject:

Yeah, one class would be best. Can always play with weights to get them closer if necessary. Just keep the engine rules the same.
_________________
John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

Mitch Wright · Joined: 04 Sep 2001 Posts: 437

John,

We will be using Briggs LO206 rules which we have had great success with our JR1 and JR2 classes that are growing.
We have a group of Clone racers that run at a track 2 hours north of us that want to come race with us using AKRA rules. Plus we are starting to get interest in the LO206 SR class locally.
So we will see if the Clone guys come and see if we can build the SR class locally.
We race a different track layout for each of our 12 rounds which has proven to be an equalizer in our Super Sportsman class (F200 4/ and KT100's)
Our first points race is January 19th you all are welcome to join us.
http://www.nolamotor.com/forum/showthread.php?1747-2013-sprint-racing-series-track-maps

John Matthews · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 5:20 pm Post subject:

Hi Mitch,

You have no idea how much I'd like to come to New Orleans in January Laughing

I was down there on holiday right after Mardi Gras this year and had a great time, now if I could add a kart race I'd be in heaven.

I really like the fact you're combining classes/motors and changing up the circuit should be the equalizer among similar packages. I just think it's more fun if you can get some brand rivalry going....

I'll be saving up my money for a road trip Wink

Cheers,
_________________
John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

Mitch Wright · Joined: 04 Sep 2001 Posts: 437

John, I agree and we have a really fun rivalry with in our Super Sportsman class between the Kt100 and F200 racers.
Looks like we have the same starting with the clone and LO206 contingents and they haven't been on track together yet.