U.S. Superkart Championship for 2005

Rob Howden

The debut season of the U.S. Superkart Championship must be considered a success. While we did not get the national participation that we would have liked, the series did enjoy the support of a good group of drivers and we did crown our first-ever national champions in Formula E (J.R. Osborne) and ICE (Andy Kiker). My hat is off to both of them.

In discussing the program with many people, one of the best ideas I've heard deals with the geographic expanse of this continent, which has been a roadblock for virtually every motorsports program, especially amateur ones. The approach is different than the three-race series that was run this year. Instead, the country is split into East and West divisions with three races on each coast with separate points. At the end of the three races, we will crown Eastern and Western Champions. To cap it all off, the points from both series will be blended and a final will be held at a yet-to-be-determined location with the championship going to the driver who scores the most points. I'd suggest a double-point final.

This program has worked before and is currently used by the Stars of Karting and Superkarts! USA national sprint programs.

Just to lay out some ideas for venues, I would suggest the following:

East:
#1 - Road Atlanta - Georgia (Mar.)
#2 - Motorsports Ranch - Texas (May)
#3 - Road America - Wisconsin (June)

West:
#1 - Fontana - Cal. Road Race Festival (Jan)
#2 - Laguna - World Superkart Challenge (July)
#3 - Portland (Aug.)

Finale: Barber (Oct.)

These are the ideas we are batting around and the initial response has been very good.

What do you think?

RH - EKN
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Rob Howden
Editor / Publisher
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Riley Will · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 8:31 am Post subject:

I like the idea Rob. We would definitely support the WEST division, maybe both Shocked

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Riley Will
BRC Engineering
rwill@brceng.com
(403) 216-0630 wk.
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Bill Kassy · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 8:46 am Post subject:

Rob Howden · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 9:27 am Post subject:

Bill...we could have a lot of questions like that....there are a bunch of great tracks out there. In truth, I was just throwing out a couple of names. Also, the tracks and events I named would embrace the 250 classes as a big part of the show - Road Atlanta and Road America last year were great 'events' and the 250s were shown a lot of respect and courtesy.

Plus, I was trying to picks tracks where there are a lot of 250 guys that support the program. Texas more than deserves a big race as they consistently bring 10-15 guys to the major events.

I'm sure people would like VIR though...although Mid-Ohio is another option.

I think J.R. Osborne is running with the ball now as well and has a number of ideas...and some corporate backing as well (re: points fund and race purses!).

RH - SKI/EKN
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Rob Howden
Editor / Publisher
www.eKartingNews.com
www.eKartingNews.ca
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www.eSportsRacer.com

Larry Dobbs · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 10:28 am Post subject:

Is it possible to look at the Championship from two perspectives and still achieve the mission (what is our mission anyway!)? First point of view is from the competitors who pursue the title, "Superkart Champion". The second point of view (mine) is racing for pure enjoyment. This East-West is preferable to this year's format, and perhaps three geographical areas would be best, ie., East-Central-West with a Grand Finale which could be rotated each year.

John M. Skowron · Joined: 18 Jul 2002 Posts: 444

Something that racers have probably already figured out by now, but I will mention it anyway. Any kart that can reach speeds over 100mph, at least over the timing loop, should be using a transponder rated for cars. If it is an AMB system, then I would recommend a Tranx260. After some of the scoring issues that I have seen in the past couple of years, this should actually be manitory.

J.R. Osborne · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 10:47 am Post subject:

***2005 U.S. SUPERKART EASTERN CHAMPIONSHIP***

Hello All,

I, like the rest of you, love to race 250's. We do it because we have a passion for it, not because it saves us time and money. The last couple of years have been really good for the 250's. We got to run at Laguna Seca and more importantly, Shifter Kart Illustrated started covering our events. Even with that, things could be much improved and I'm putting my money where my mouth is...

Currently I have $15,000 to put towards the Eastern Championship. I will have over $20,000 commited to the series within a month. This money will pay for magazine coverage/advertising, top notch trophies, and PRIZE MONEY.

Minimum payouts are as follow (as more money is found, more is given out):

Per Event-

250 FE

1st $300
2nd 200
3rd 100

250ICE

1st $250
2nd 150
3rd 75

For the Series-

250 FE

1st $2,500
2nd 1,250
3rd 850
4th 500
5th 300

250 ICE

1st $1,500
2nd 850
3rd 550
4th 300
5th 175

I have a couple of changes that I would like for the series:

1) Weight- 485 for FE, 465 for ICE
2) Length- Maximum 110". Laydown's are welcome (more competitors the better).
3) 2- 20 minute races, not a 20 and 30 min.
4) Points system: Race #1
1st 100
2nd 95
3rd 90
4th 85
etc...

Race #2
1st 200
2nd 190
3rd 180
4th 170
etc...

Fast Qualifier- 25 points
Most Laps led- 25 points

The membership fee to compete for the series and the series prize fund is $300.00. You can enter and race for the event prize money, but it will cost you $50.00 more per event and that money will go to the event prize money fund. Entry fees should be very reasonable because we want to piggyback other karting events.

5) I would like to see 4 or 5 events and one of them will be at Barber Motorsports park to crown the champion. One race will be able to be dropped and not hurt your season points.

6) Fuel- AMA approved fuels are legal. That will include leaded and unleaded types.

7) Weight Penalty- If you win event you have to add 10 lbs. to your class minimum. If you win again, another 10 lbs. will be added to your class minimum. If you win 3 times in a row, another 10 lbs will be added and that will be the maximum added. If you have added weight, you may remove 10lbs per position off of 1st place. (i.e. if you have 20 lb added and you finish 3rd, you can remove the 20 lbs.)

You are adding to you class minimum only, i.e. If you are 495 lbs in the ICE class you would not be required to add anymore weight no matter how many races you won.

Cool

Races:

Firouz is working on a night race at Texas Motor Speedway.
I am working on an event at Pikes Peak International Speedway.
Johnny West is coordinating the Road America race
Jerry Echols is working on the Mid-Ohio event
I need to also coordinate the Barber Motorsports event.

9) I would hope the boys out west could do the same kind of structure w/ money and rules for a Western Series and then we could have a year-end shootout at Barber Motorsports Park to crown the National Champ.

These are my preliminary ideas. Please add your CONSTRUCTIVE ideas. I don't have all the answers today, but if we start now, all problems will be covered by race time next season. I think this type of series will raise the bar and give us racers the joy of running a proper championship and a championship that gives some $$ back.

Thanks For Your Support,

J.R. Osborne
Denver, CO
jr@equinoxhomes.com
_________________
Anderson/Gas Gas/P-1

Gary Kozuma · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 11:11 am Post subject:

Steve Tillman · Joined: 01 Mar 2002 Posts: 53 Location: Wichita, ks

Awesome!!! Idea J.R. Osborne, count me in and I'm here for anything you need help with, keep up the good work.

Steve Tillman

John M. Skowron · Joined: 18 Jul 2002 Posts: 444

At Road America, the location of the timing loop changed from previous years due to logistical issues. Because of that, we had karts going past the timing loop (now the start-finish line) at 120mph. That is beyond the specification of a TranX160. That is why I make this recommendation to move these karts to a standard of the TranX260. I wouldn't want anyone to loose a championship over something like the timing system not being able to pick up a lap or two.

Bill Kassy · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 2:23 pm Post subject:

Rob,
Sent you a PM.

Thanks,
Bill Kassy

michael beamer · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 10:03 pm Post subject: What is a Superkart

What direction is this idea going?Is this an Unlimited WKA type of superkart concept or is this the strict WSK definition of a euro based ICE category.J R you say that laydowns are welcome(not the WSK profile)but does this mean that twin engine clutch -non gearbox- karts are also welcome? Specifically 125 Parrilla twins and if so what would they compete against, the 250 singles as in WKA?What kind of body work rules ,mandatory wings WSK rules and how would the laydowns fit into this?If numbers matter it would be nice to have an open concept of what is allowed to run ,a race of unlimited karts against each other instead of a strict euro based definition of what a SuperKart is.
Thanks for the effort,
Michael Beamer

randall johnson · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 359

Beemer
You gunna run that thing this year???
The class your good for is Unlimited 1, as I in my twin 125 Laydown Kart .
I will be running Unlimited 1 one at Daytona and a Anderson BRC250 twin
the next Day.
I want to see that kart of yours finish!
I have worked with Robbie Harper to make sure we a OK for unlimited 1 and 2 next season.
He has cleared the way ,so I was told.
RJ Razz

J.R. Osborne · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 7:52 am Post subject:

Hi Michael Beamer,

I will give you my thoughts on your questions:

1) The direction of U.S. Superkarts is to have a 250 series that gives something back to the participants. To have a series that has a meaningful championship. To have a series worth traveling 1000's of miles. To have a series more about the joy of racing rather than politics.

2) The predominant entries will be of the Euro style bodywork, but I know there are some fast laydowns out there that would like to run a 250 championship w/ prize money. I do not see an issue with letting laydowns with full bodywork compete as long as they are within 125% of the leaders time. If someone is slower than that it may cause safety issues on tighter courses.

3) The original idea was to have 250 shifter style motors. I do not have a problem with twin Parillas, but would like opinion from others before we say o.k. I don't think there would be enough clutch karts to distract from the Superkart theme though. What do you guys think?

3) This program is designed to be a more open concept for unlimited style karts to compete in. As more people voice their opinions and desires, we can then start finalizing rules and details.

Thanks,

J.R. Osborne
Denver, CO
_________________
Anderson/Gas Gas/P-1

Scott Loewenstine · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 8:17 am Post subject:

J.R. awesome idea I agree completely with what u are saying and am on board...J.R. will u be at Daytona ?