Results from Topeka National Championships

Larry Andrews

I don't see them yet, but I have seen a pic on the net for someone in F125-L.

Anybody got a link???

-la

Christian Hubbell · Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:59 am Post subject:

Results:
http://www.scca.com/Event/Event.asp?Ref=06-solo-nats

Pics:
http://www.scca-milwaukee.org/Solo/2006/Nats/06Nats1.html
http://www.scca-milwaukee.org/Solo/2006/Nats/06Nats2.html

Jason Vehige · Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 7:54 am Post subject:

BIG Congrats to All !!!!! I will be there next year!!
_________________
Jason Vehige

08 Gillard Charlotte / SGM sl204
05 Vanspeed Sirio / SGM sl204

John Steflik · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 6:07 am Post subject:

Kind of off topic - I heard that a handful of guys either this year or last went to a kart track for some test and tune time that was about an hour away, but no one can tell me where they went.

Please do tell me where this elusive place is, or at least the name of it.

Thanks!

John

Larry Andrews · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 10:36 am Post subject:

Lake Garnett Kart Track - or something like that. I'm not sure about the specifics but it's supposed to be a fun but extremely slick track. Randy Chase (www.chasecam.com) had a video on his website of that track, not sure if it's still there or not.

The long-timers have been making the trek down there on mondays for as long as I can remember.

It's interesting to see the flux of new drivers into the class, keeping the size fairly consistent from year to year. A great sign!!! Alan, ya done good.

-la

Larry MacLeod · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 4:54 pm Post subject:

Yes, its called Lake Garnett. Its a track in a park that is run by the city of Garnett. Its seal coated asphalt. REALLY slick. Not very big either. but good practice for Solo II.

I didn't make it there this year, but went last year. After my weak showing in both the Pro and Nationals, maybe I should have gone.

BTW, V-force3 reed pedals last less than 1 solo season. Rolling Eyes

It took me until after Tuesdays runs to figure that one out.

Larry MacLeod
_________________
F125 #196
Old Birel/ hodgepodge Honda CR125
Lefty Funk
Detroit Region

Bob Monday · Joined: 21 May 2004 Posts: 91

I never could justify the risk after spending hundreds of dollars in pre-nats preparation. I've seen what happens when karts get together, and even a track day can tear stuff up.

I wish there was a decent rental track available!

Bob

Alan Sheidler · Joined: 09 Aug 2001 Posts: 473

First time I have had to read or post since getting back, the last month has been busy!

Nats was a blast, the negatives were small in comparison to the good stuff. HPT's autocross pad proved to be great for karts. Personally I prefer course layouts where higher average and peak speeds are attainable, and the PAX results don't exactly show F125 as a hot class.

Never mind that, though. In reality we kicked some butt against seriously high $ machinery. In fact, just one car with two drivers had total elapsed times which were quicker than the top three in F125. I'll be bragging to relatives about being eighth fastest overall out of 1150 drivers for a while. Wink

One class we very rarely beat is BModified, basically Formula Atlantic cars. This time there were TEN of us ahead of their fastest! (Ouch!) HEH!

I was really hoping for 30 to compete this year. With three who could not make it, we had 23 running, plus the 4 in Ladies. Once the word gets out how kart-friendly the surface is, I'll be again expecting an increase in competitors. And, perhaps those who think that ICCis the answer will join Russell Blume in giving them a go. Afterall, there is no weight penalty vs. the Motos, 385# is still the target.. for now... Smile

Next year I hope also we are not saddled with running first thing in the AM. BTW, to ALL who I met for the first time, and everyone who I did not get to spend enough time talking to, glad to meet you and see you. We were thrashing on the kart more than expected. Sure would be nice to show up and drive just once! (And spend more time visiting with friends.)

Alan

Dale Seeley · Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:52 pm Post subject:

Is there going to be an opportunity for the Formula Junior B (Cadet 80cc) to run at Nats in 2007?

Alan Sheidler · Joined: 09 Aug 2001 Posts: 473

Dale Seeley · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 6:07 am Post subject:

Am I the guy? There is an outside possibility, with a few realistic hurdles...

Biggest hurdle, and easiest to solve, since moving awat from Upstate NY (FLR region), I'm not a member of the SCCA anymore. That will be fixed shortly as my son will be finally old enough to autocross after three years of wheel2wheel. FLR was the regional pilot program for Jr Drivers (or one of them) so there is some historical importance for me personally.

I was some help to Dennis Grant a few years back with the introduction of Street Modified to the class line-up, and campaigned the first STU (when it was infancy stage SM, before it became street tire) car with Mark (The Great Kazoo) Daddio driving it, a turbo Neon, long before the SRT-4 was a reality.

What you've outlined is do-able, I've experienced it with SM, as far as making it an exhibition class. But, let's not kid ourselves about the amount of work it takes, you've experienced that with F125 I believe.

When I hosted an autocross, a free autocross, at HPT in mid-July this year, only Bob Monday and his sons attended it from the Karting world, the invitation is still on the front page of this forum. I was lucky to get Cindi Lux and Scotty B. White to attend and set up the course. I am hosting that event again (SRT/ Modern Mopar Nationals -modernmoparnationals.com) next July, this time with two days of autocross, so without a strong team of 'Do-ers' helping me, I know I won't have the proper time to make a Jr driver program happen all by myself.

I no longer know the people on the SEB, or at the SCCA HQ, so I don't have any 'reputation' to work with there.

Enough of what I can't do... here's what I can do.

I can create a website to start building communication between families interested in a Formula JR class at Nationals, presumably exhibition, like we did for Street Modified many years ago (streetmodified.org). I can put a forum on it, and begin recruiting participants and an organizing committee. Obviously, I need you, Alan, on that committee, if for no other reason than to introduce me to the current leadership in Topeka.

Starting out, my expectation of a success would to have the class running at least as exhibition, on the same courses as everyone else, on the same days, even if that means first runs of the morning. I would also expect the entire class to be recognized enmasse at least as participants, at the awards ceremony afterwards. I know that recognition for the kids in the 'List of Champions' in the rulebook is unlikely, but would be a bonus.

Does anyone else out there care to help start the development of the Jr drivers at Nationals, which will in turn feed the 'real classes' at Nationals in the years to come?

Regards,
Dale
http://lake-effect-racing.com

Bob Monday · Joined: 21 May 2004 Posts: 91

And a good time it was! They boys and I still talk about it regularly. The folks who didn't come missed out. If the invitation is extended again, I'm sure we'll be there!

Your biggest hurdle in this project may well be, "...kids shouldn't be taken out of school for Nationals..". something to think about: a few (?) years ago, there were some exhibition classes that ran BEFORE Nationals, on Saturday or Sunday as I recall. If you did the same thing, you could put the kids on a 6pm bus and.... Wink

Bob

Dale Seeley · Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 11:41 am Post subject:

My son doesn't attend the government schools, so for us, racing is scheduled into his curriculum. Wink

But I can see the point.... It would probably have to be a Sunday thing as exhibition, but on the flip side, if it were intended to become a legitimate trophy class, it would have to show viability on the Monday/Tuesday schedule...

Regardless, the first step is still me putting together an information page and starting to contact all of the regions to have an interest survey included in their region newsletters. Details will come (be dicatated) as they are required...

And of course the Karts are all invited back to the Mopar event. You guys were the 'real racers' of the event. And I really, really appreciated all of your help with setup and teardown.

One of the ideas tossed around for the 2007 event is using the courses from this past National Championship so us newbs can compare ourselves (different year, different weather, etc) to all ya'll big dogs....

Regards,
Dale

Bob Monday · Joined: 21 May 2004 Posts: 91

My boys would have liked to attend your school. You may get some applications from Alan's boys now...

Bob

Brian Garfield · Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:53 pm Post subject:

Hey Dale, I've got two boys that have been running for a few years as well. We have a large program of FJr's, including FJJ (5-7yr olds), here in the WDCR where my whole family is involved. My wife Lisa and I are both in F125 and both my parents run and are also on the D.C. Region committee.

I attended the National Convention a couple of years ago where the idea of FJr's at Nationals was brought up again. It was immediately shut out by the rest of the room who were concerned about "Little League Dads" and the complications of the kids running.
Something you must be aware of is that there are "people" on the SEB who hate karts, plain and simple. The LAST thing THEY want is Jr's at Nationals.

I completely disagree and believe that as important as this sport has become for our entire family, it would be so much fun for the kids to come to Nationals as well. But, after attending that convention, I pretty much gave up hope, at least doing it on my own.

What I can offer is lots of experience running upwards of ten FJr's on a regular basis on very large courses, as well as Junior Kart Schools I run for the Region (along with their car Novice Schools, 20+ a year).

You have my support and whatever I have time to do to help. Just let me know.

Brian Garfield
bgarfield at gmail dot com