[Colm O’Higgins]

Jim, Austin & Jeff:

The key is consolidation.  KART may be doing fine but IKF and WKA are hurting, no doubt.

Now the question is who will “reign supreme”…because someone always wants to.

Karting here is suffering in comparison to the world stage though US kart racing also has some advantages in it’s diversity.

Most of us do not want an imposed spec. type of racing, devoid of any innovation developed by entities other than the factories.    

Two examples: there are no Chris Hegars or Riley Will’s in Europe or Asia.  

Time to get together or wither and die.  

Our choice.

[Colm O’Higgins]

Weird history, but valid.

[Colm O’Higgins]

During Race 1 and after 30 minutes had passed (we were supposed to be flagged off but as there was no flag most of us kept going) I came down into Turn 1 at very high speed and a kart was against the wall on my left with the driver Mike Roncke inside, struggling.

Barely enough room to get by.  Passed that with a fearful face as no one was on the scene, no Yellows.  Expecting a Red flag soon I raised my arm and slowed.

On the next lap, the 2nd pass, he was STILL THERE   Trying to get untangled from his kart and equipment.

The ambulance was still not moving as I entered the infield and it seemed as they did not even know.  Many of us were waving to them.

On the 3rd pass he was  STILL THERE.   Some people were waving to slow us down. Vintage racer John Copeland went straight on at Turn 1 to a Marshall’s post and along with Don Axe and Keelie Fritz-Mann and others ran to assist the now arriving ambulances and crews.   Drivers are often not qualified to provide medical help.

Finally a Red flag.  After the 3rd pass.

Ron Taylor, President of MKC emailed me last evening to say that he would find out what happened and moreover why it took so long, over 4 minutes, to raise the alarm.

Keelie’s camera has it all.

We await MKC’s report.  Thankfully Mike Roncke is basically okay, but lucky.

[Colm O’Higgins]

Michigan Kart Club is the Race of the Year Award winner if I had a vote!  They were pleasant throughout, fair, and helpful.  Plus they deserved a bigger turnout.

Many factors affected the numbers:  school in in, weather fluctuations, a lot of races during the previous weeks, and the price of practice on Friday.

Glad to attend a 2nd year and pray that a 3rd will occur.

The track surface is uber smooth, except for the transition onto the oval from the infield.  Another  improvement needed is BIG brake markers at Turn 1.  YEAH, BIG.  Apex curbing in the Infield would be great too, along with white sideline marking.

And remember that we Vintage drivers get tired at 31 minutes (Sunday there was no 30 minute flag)  Oh well, more track time!

Let’s talk this up and gain some serious numbers for 2014.

[Colm O’Higgins]

MKC ran a very fine karting event at MIS this past weekend.  Ron Taylor and his crew were on top of things all weekend.

There was only one serious incident and Mike Ronce crashed at Turn ‘2’ while leading in 125 Shifter but will be okay even he is sore and bruised.   Seems to be a freak mechanical failure.  Thanks God.

Entries were down due to a combination of factors but racers are hopeful that there will be a 2014 race.

Michigan International Speedway is truly one of the very best facilities that I have attended either as a spectator or as a racer.

7 Vintage karts raced, even Bob Cole brought his beautiful Quicksilver with 2 Atlas engines ready to go…well almost.  Sounded awesome too!

The entrants were VKA Enduro Honcho Rick Chapman, the colour coordinated Keelie Fritz-Mann (her wines are delicious), class ruler John Copeland (Fox Valley Karts), Mike Novotny (never stopped working), Don Axe (one of the nicest karters ever), Bob Cole (inspirational) and myself.

John Copeland was simply untouchable.  The rest of us enjoyed a close race!

Thanks to Bill & Keelie for the Corsair T80 Open engine I needed to race on Sunday.  Not started in about 20 years it was still fast!  Also a word of appreciation to George “Zoomie” Damanic for his sage advice at the right time.

[Colm O’Higgins]

My cheque is written but no updates as to progress so far.  Like to hear numbers !

[Colm O’Higgins]

Bill Anderson of MKC say to me that they are seriously listening to us and our input.

Especially useful would be braking markers coming into Turn 1 and a little wider too.  MKC are also looking at the driver’s exposure at the re-entry onto the oval where the concrete wall looms ominously.

If you have a specific suggestion email Bill.  Thanks

[Colm O’Higgins]

Glen, I did not have any great issue with the turn you mention.  As far as I know it will be the same.  More worrisome to me is the final turn from the Infield onto the Oval.  It has a bad bump in transition and the concrete wall looms ominously.  MKC is considering either cones, ‘no passing zone’, or soft protection as per my suggestions.  None are promised yet.

I will be assisting in Pre Race Safety and competing in Saturday and Sunday Vintage.

See you there !!

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