[Brian Degulis]

If you don’t see the value of a good complete service manual YOU SHOULD KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

Your spot on in all respects information is hard to come by in all areas of karting. Tracks list the classes they run but not the participation levels so there isn’t any way to know if it’s an active class. KZ engine manufacturers love selling a $5500 engine package but none of them offer a service manual I could get for a $175 chain saw It’s insane. There is no beginners guide I know of that’s complete. The standard advice for the beginner is “go to your local track” That’s OK if you have a local track and your lucky enough to randomly pick the right people to talk to and not the knuckle heads.

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

I looked into the Rubig and bought an Aixro. I think the Rubig is going to be very similar to a CR 500 in a TAG engine. It’s big and heavy with a low RPM range It’s probably got great low end grunt but lacks top end HP. I also think the overall production numbers are very low. I would be concerned about whether or not they will stay current or become obsolete.

The Aixro has a lot of power but the thing that makes the Aixro different is the way it delivers the power and the fact that it does it in a compact unit that isn’t very heavy. The Aixro drives like it has no power band. After the clutch engages you have torque regardless of the throttle position. It’s the polar opposite of a 2 stroke and better than a 4 stroke at giving the driver precise control of power output. It’s also much smoother than a piston engine.

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

I like calender 2 more and I won’t mind doing Ocala Twice. just based on distance to travel.

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

OK it worked for me also. I wasn’t hiting the image tag (didn’t need to in the old forum) I also found that I have to use a diffrent link than I used to from the photobucket choices.

Thanks

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

Well I ended up with 18/73  a 72 rear would be perfect but I didn’t have one on hand. I’m very impressed with the engine but the Preimere cluch supplied with the package is going in the scrap bin. This is the second premiere clutch I’ve had trouble with they’re won’t be a third. I switched to a Hilliard Inferno with the bully conversion to run a 219 sprocket with a bearing instead of the bushing. Much Much better smoother easier to tune all is well.

 

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

OK lets try this one for instruction purposes

 

[URL=http://s1218.photobucket.com/user/banned13/media/GO%20KART/DSC01810_zps88d7b1ce.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd420/banned13/GO%20KART/DSC01810_zps88d7b1ce.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[Brian Degulis]

 

 

 

[Brian Degulis]

Maybe a little selfish but the Aixro is much closer to shifter performance than TAG. Aixro and TAG isn’t a competition. Be patient if this takes off like I think it will someone will do the same format with TAG.

 

Brian is right. Anderson Race Park Welcomes shifters on track days but they’re concerned about the noise with 10 or more on the track in a racing format. They like the idea and would love to host but they just can’t.

I’m going to a Banquet for Tri City Kart Club on Sunday. They have some awards for 2 of my kids. I know they would welcome this. As mentioned earlier the track isn’t the greatest. I think it’s workable but it’s up to Brian since he’s taken charge. Let me know if you want me to persue it?

 

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

If it’s doing it at a stand still it’s either your float level or your float needle and seat or possibly a punctured float. With the Dellorto pump you don’t use a return line. It’s possible that your old set up with the Mikini pump and return line was  covering up a carb problem you had all along.

 

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

I think KF is what the European’s call TAG but I’m not sure. I think what Tom is saying is that a 125CC TAG like Rotax, Parilla, PRD etc in the right hands can compete with a shifter. The problem I see is the combination of a good shifter in the right hands and a not so good TAG in less experienced hands will create a big speed diffrential. I think we should be cautious. We want limited rules but if it gets to crazy the hosting tracks won’t like it.

 

Brian

 

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

Brian have you talked to ARP about it?  I know years ago they where requiring ICC silencers on moto shifters but aperantly they aren’t requiring that anymore. Moto shifters run there every day with the standard silencers you see on all of them. I think the scheduling would be more of an obstacle than the noise? I’m there all the time and can ask about it if you like?

 

No matter which tracks get used the more people I talk to the more I think we might have a lot more participation then we could imagine. It just seams like so many people are looking for a more relaxed racing format.

 

I’m planning on Ocala. If there is open karting the day before I might try to get some practice in. I’ll be taking the bus and depending on how many of my family is going I might have room for one more kart. So if anyone in the Tampa area has a transport issue I might be able to help.

 

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

[quote quote=7303]Tricity is not really a kart track, it’s a better than nothing local option. Not knocking it, but with the other tracks in Florida, it would be a last resort type thing in my opinion. Anderson is difficult due to the zoning ordinances. They cannot have competition karts on Sundays. On Saturdays, the competition karts have to be off the track by 4 or 5. The once or twice a year a race does occur, they are so limited on time, it would be very difficult to be added to the schedule. Due to insurance and such, I think the only viable option would be if during a regular Saturday practice day if they would give you a 10-15 minute block of time here or there to run an “unofficial” practice and race. [/quote]

 

Anderson is considering it. On a Saturday practice with the group and work in 2 heats then run a feature at 5. Marc did talk with them about it I’m not sure if he persued it or ever got an answer from them.

Tri city’s showtime track isn’t the greatest but it’s workable. The people running it are very easy to deal with and I’m sure would welcome it and really acomodate. They run a senior box stock on the big oval why not a shifter? It wouldn’t be very challenging but sometimes easy isn’t so bad.

I’m good with all FL tracks but Jacksonville and Monticello I can’t commit to because of the distance. It would depend on the timing.

 

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

[quote quote=7295]Brian : If ever the term applied it would be the old adage K.I.S.S. I am sure you all know what that means . again I would refer you guys to the North East Shifter Kart Series which basicly started along the same lines of what was proposed . It took them 2 years to build up the numbers and align with different tracks but NOW alot of guys that were originally against it are running with them . Just stay at it . Now
I am almost embarassed to say and it Probably Won’t qualify for your group But I have decided to move forward with a purchase of a one race old Praga DD2 shifter kart . WHY ? Because I like NEW . with my limited mechanical Skills I DON’t WANT to get involved changing Pistons , Rings every other event , BUT I DO enjoy the SPEED FACTOR and could care LESS if I finished DEAD LAST . To me it is ALL about the FUN . OH did I mention The cost of the New Chassis with a NEW GONE over by the ROTAX Factory Mechanics complete unit $4500 is Hard to beat Price wise . [/quote]

 

EXCELLENT CHOICE!!!!  I have a CRG DD2. With 5 in my family all running karts plus an ocasional tag along I’m pretty busy keeping everthing running. When the whole gang is out the DD2 is the kart I run because it requires the least attention. They’re fast and will compete with a shifter on a short track and they’re about as trouble free as you can get in a kart. For lots of seat time it’s perfect. I would recomend getting the on board variable main jet. Rotax is sensitive to jetting in diffrent weather conditions and that makes it simple.

 

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

[quote quote=7224] @briandegulis – (just playing devils advocate here) Why do you keep engines/karts that, admittedly, NO local track supports? [/quote]

 

That’s a fair question and one I’ve been asked a lot. The answer is simple. I’ve been in manufacturing my entire life I own a company that builds tow boats. pushboats-barges.com a shamless plug I know. I’ve spent my life trying to build a better mouse trap because I know that what’s popular and the norm isn’t always the best. I like coming in with a CRF or an Aixro and being asked “just what the heck was that”? I like letting the local hot shot try out some of my creations it’s a good opourtunity to see what they can really do and it’s fun to see them pull in get out look at me and say “that’s Fxxxking insane” (CRF450) More so I like putting something together tweeking it fine tuning it learning it and seeing whats possible.

 

But thats just me. I meet and run with lots of middle age guys in Honda’s DD2’s Yamaha’s Kawaski’s etc. They don’t participate in organized racing for all the reasons Brian Wilson stated. They don’t want to be teched to death they don’t want to be told what tires fuel etc. They don’t give a fat rats ass about recoginition or points or trophies or jackets. They’re working lives are to structured now they don’t need more stinking rules and they don’t much care for hanging around with egos. They just want to mix it up a little and have some fun.

 

Brian your reading my mind and I suspect a lot of others. If I can help in any way just let me know.

 

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

I understand the frustration in trying to get a group of people to agree on anything. Marc you have a spec Honda and your OK with the rules and procedures used in local series and thats why you show up that is the reason. There is also a reason why others don’t show up. In my case I can’t show up. I’ve been told by OGP that it’s spec Honda or ICC. I don’t have one. I do have an Aixro, A CRF 250 and a 125 Kawaski. I’d like to show up but that’s the reason I can’t. Others have diffrent reasons for not showing up. If the reasons for poor attendance aren’t addressed then it’s pretty easy to predict the outcome.

 

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

Alan If I were you I would keep reading John’s reply over and over untill your convinced it’s good advice. You really need to think twice about putting maybe $400 -$600 worth of parts into a $1000 engine that’s completly worn out.

 

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

[quote quote=7036]please stay on topic with series, the only way to grow shifter karts attendance is to piggy back, since it as a structure already in place, starting on own will only have 1000 emails coming in wanting to change everything to suit each driver, its simple you want to race show up, strap up and do the best you can, go home evaluate what was good/bad make changes and start over again, once you start seeing 15 20 kart each event now will be time to think about anything else.. [/quote]

 

Anyone who wants to run an existing series can. The problem is they aren’t showing up right? So why would offering up the exact same thing in the exact same place adding only an age restriction cause anyone to show up that isn’t showing up now?

 

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

[quote quote=7012]call your local DEP or EPA office and ask about putting down an <span class=”st”>impenetrable surface and see what they tell you….I think you’ll change your mind pretty quick…before you ever think about laying asphalt you’d have to have an engineer design a drainage and retention system for you, someone to certify that there are no wetlands on the property, any trees removed or any native species that have to be relocated would have to be “mitigated”, God only knows what that would cost. The idea of building new is so scary, I have a friend that’s been trying to open his MX track for nearly two years…he’s by the book, and he’s still trying to get approved and legal so he can open for business….he’s still not open, and it’s a dirt bike track.
</span>[/quote]

 

All true but you might be surprised how acomadating the state of FL and it’s counties have goten since 2008 when the boom ground to a halt. Those power drunk little pin heads were breaking chops like crazy making it almost impossible to build a bird house. Now that they’re tax base is loaded with un finished projects and forclosures they’s all peachy creamy going over old aplications and droping half of the ridiclous requirements they insisted on earlier.

 

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

[quote quote=6996]the cost of getting pavement laid is insane though isn’t it?? I’d imagine you’d have hundreds of thousands into pavement for a track.[/quote]

 

To build something good your easily into millions. Track, buildings, facilitys and on and on it’s no small task and it’s hard to see how it pays off. On the other hand if you built something really big and made it comfortable and accessible you might get enough hard core karters willing to travel and use it.

 

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

[quote quote=6993]I would really love to see Anderson or tricity over better yet both added to this series. Tampa Bay karters need love too.[/quote]

 

The advantage to both of those places is that you could make your own rules and have something unique. I worry about trying to piggy back off an exsiting tracks schedule you might just end up fragmenting and already thin shifter field.

 

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

There is lots of cheap property available in FL. Just get away from the coast and take your pic. A comeptition track can be pretty much anywhere people will travel for a good track. The problem is it would never be profitable for that you need a rental fleet and for that you must be near a population base. I’ve thought of getting a large parcel like 70+ acres and really going big. A super track 2+ miles something that would be worth the trip to run. The land is cheap but developing it into a first class facility is not. It would take a long long time for it to be profitable if ever.

 

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

There is an opourtunity there for someone to build a track on commercial property in the area.

 

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

PM Sent

 

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

Steve don’t mess with the master’s lever at all. Just pull the top cap off and force fluid thru the bleeder untill clean air free fluid is overflowing the master then close the bleeder while it’s still flowing. Set the level in the master and your good to go.

 

Brian

[Author]

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