[Jeremy Baldi]

Had great time even if I smashed my kart at the end of the weekend, but was able to walk away so not to much harm done.  Even through turn 3 was were I crashed I still thought the way it was laid out this year was the best yet.  I kept my speed up better than years past and found it much easier to make the corner smooth.

Heard there are 2 events at MIS again next year and looking forward to going back.

 

[Jeremy Baldi]

I’ll see Dave at Grattan in a few weeks.  I’ll contact him.

[Jeremy Baldi]

Still a bit far out but right now weather looks like it should be good.  At least good temps.  Looking forward to getting out to my favorite track.  Looked back through vids I found this one from last year.  It was one of the few dry practices we got Saturday before it finally dried out and we got the races in.  It was open practice and being in one of the faster classes had some good lapped traffic passing practice.  Between laps 4-5 passed 20 karts which means nothing but was still fun.  Still good vid to watch if you haven’t been to Mid Ohio and are coming for first time.

Hope to see lots of people at the track and look forward to the additional CES folks.  Safe travels to everyone.

https://youtu.be/2uFUU0Pr648

 

 

 

[Jeremy Baldi]

I would agree with Brian that other than transition getting onto banking it is very smooth track.  That transition can be taken pretty smooth with good line but can be horrible if you miss line or are passing kart.  Later in the race I passed 2 karts on outside and hit transition so hard I think 2 wheels were off the ground.  That was rough.

Not sure why vid make it look like my head is bouncing so much because it doesn’t feel like that.

[Jeremy Baldi]

Once again had great time at MIS.  Good to see everyone again and my new parts seemed to work.  Here is vid of second f-125 race.  Had good time racing Brian.

 

https://youtu.be/YlZueUJksSo

[Jeremy Baldi]

Weather looks great.  Hope we have a great turn out and can’t wait to get back on the track.

[Jeremy Baldi]

Now that WKA finalized their schedule I added their races to schedule in 2nd post.

[Jeremy Baldi]

Fixed.  Thanks for correcting.

[Jeremy Baldi]

I edited my post above to try and keep current 2016 schedule on top of page.

[Jeremy Baldi]

Going to try and keep running tab of 2016 schedule here to keep it easier. Let me know if I made any mistakes.

2016 Events

Dec:

*27-30: Daytona (WKA)

March:

*11-13: Roebling (SKC/WKA National)
*28-20: Kershaw (AKRA)

April:

*23-24: Lake Afton (KART/MARRS)

May:

*7-8: Summit Point Shenandoah Circuit (WKC)
*7-8: Gateway (CES)
*14-15: Lake Garnett (KART/MARRS)
*21-22: MIS (MKC/AKRA)

June:

*4-5: Summit Point (WKC)
*4-5: Blackhawk Farms (CES)
*4-5: Hallett (KART/MARRS)
*17-19: Mid Ohio (DKC/CES/AKRA)

July:

*9-10: Grattan (CES/AKRA)
*9-10: Hastings (KART/MARRS)
*22-24: VIR, North Course (WKC/WKA National)

Aug:

*6-7: BlackHawk Farms (CES)
*6-7: Lake Garnet (KART/MARRS)
*27-28: Summit Point (WKC/WKA National)

Sept:

*10-11: Gingerman (CES)
*10-11: Lake Afton (KART/MARRS)
*16-18: Atlanta Motorsports Park (WKA Grand National)
*24-25: : MIS (MKC/AKRA)

Oct:

*1-2: Roebling (SKC)
*7-9: Hallet (KART/MARRS)
*8-9: Summit Point (WKC)

 

Old Message:

I agree it would be nice to know and I have heard what schedules might look like but that is about it, just heard not confirmed.  I do know some of the organizations don’t get there next year races dates until closer to new year so we might not hear anything for awhile.

So far on confirmed ones I have seen are:

AKRA:

Kershaw – March 18-20

MIS – May 20-22

MIS – Sept 23-25

 

WKA:

Daytona – Dec 27-30

Roebling – March 11-13

 

I have heard CES schedule will be close to same as this past year and that AKRA will probably also have Mid Ohio race and WKA will have Summit, VIR and Barber.  No dates or guarantees on those though.

 

[Jeremy Baldi]

No the gopro was not working for the tire blow up.  To bad because it would have been a cool vid.  It happened right at worst time.  115 mph in the middle of the banking corner.  I was able to keep it under control and just pull off with out any spin.  It happened Sunday morning so I raced with the kart looking like this.

 

Notice no more large rear wing and instead a diffuser wing behind the bumper.  Trying to keep downforce but reduce drag.  It seemed to work quite well.

 

[Jeremy Baldi]

Yes you did. It was over 90 degrees with track temp probably close to 120º. Some of the laydown shifter guys with Pavesi engines like their water in the 160-180º range but on my TM it makes best power at 120º and losses power over 140º so I was down on power all weekend. But at 120º track temp unless system is 100% perfect which it can never be I can’t get low enough on hot day.

Looking into redesigning the rad system again for better cooling in the future. Currently have scoop next to my head (trying to pull slightly cooler air higher off ground) and sealed system behind head rest. But looking at putting even bigger rad in that tight area with scoop over my head like F1 car to pull coolest air possible. Unfortunately there is a height restriction of 26″ which doesn’t give us much room above head.

You also notice the exhaust temp was not working because when it got too hot the mychron would stop reading the EGT.

[Jeremy Baldi]

Thanks for the response Bill.  I think the 3 groups you described should work out well.  Juniors, Sprint and Enduros.  If there aren’t that many juniors than maybe they can run in the other groups because it would be nice to have  4 rounds of practice.  Or if no one goes off maybe we can pick up some time to get 4th round of practice.  Ha!  Like that would ever happen.

I am in one of the faster classes (f-125 enduro) and always try to give people room when passing, sometimes waiting for a bit until I can pass easy on the straights, but I also know not everyone does the same.  It is only practice so I have never understood the need to dive bomb by people.

Having said that even waiting to pass on the straights I’m sure I still make people crap themselves at the rate I pass at the end of the straights.  Again I try to give people room so I don’t run over people like you mentioned.  However I will say it is sometimes really surprising how slow some racers go around the track.  I have almost run up on people when they are going so off the pace.  I’m not talking the slow classes I’m saying the guys in 250’s all the way down do yamaha sprint going 30 secs of the pace of the fast guys and slow down for corner way earlier than I would ever except.  Just have to be careful as possible I guess.

Looking forward to the event.

 

 

[Jeremy Baldi]

Depending on entries is there a chance sat practice could be condensed into just 2 groups so we could get even more rounds or even maybe open practice? At the other AKRA races so far we have been doing open practice and it has been working well. If there are lots of entries and we need 4 groups than great but if not more rounds would be very good.

I know sometimes groups are condensed to faster karts and slower karts. But that poses issues because fast sprints and fast laydowns are quick in different areas so it causes constant backups. I would suggest if we can do just 2 groups:

1. all sprints
2. all laydowns and unlimited karts

That way corner speeds are more consistent and passes can be made easily on big straight.

Just a thought. Thanks and looking forward to event.

[Jeremy Baldi]

Once again a great event put on by DKC.  Being a new track there we some teething issues but DKC, AKRA and all the competitors worked together to make a fun event.  The track was very technical and very fun to drive.  We got lots and lots of practice and we burned through all our gas proving that.  Thanks to all the people who make a great event like this possible.

Things at NCM that were a little rough (because it was new track) that will hopefully be improved in the future are:

-Paddock Layout.  NCM had us paddocked at either end very far away from bathrooms and pit lane entrance because an autocross event was being held on Sunday were we should have paddocked behind garages.  Hopefully we can get normal paddock next time and autocross could be held closer to the east track.

-PA system.  Currently there is no PA system but as track continues to get built up these will get installed.

-Spectator Viewing. There is not currently good spectator viewing and the 4′-5′ pit wall and 3 layer tall armco makes viewing the karts difficult.  But new scoring tower with observation deck could fix these issues.

-Pit Lane Entrance and Exit to Track.  Not sure if these can be fixed easily but DKC did a great job of working around track design issues and making it as easy as possible to get on and off track.

 

Number were not great and its disappointing to see such a great event not better attended.  Hopefully racers start coming back out soon or great events like this won’t even be able to happen.  I’ll try and post video soon so people can see what a fun track it was and get out there again.

 

 

[Jeremy Baldi]

Will we be doing the chicane on the front straight or not?

[Jeremy Baldi]

Frist break was when my left front hub bearing failed and fell out and my wheel got all wobbly. The break in the race (end of the vid when I was leading by 20 secs) was the bracket that holds the right front caliper on. It has been on the kart for all 8 plus seasons the kart has raced. Didn’t show any signs of fatigue but I guess it was just it’s time. It allowed the caliper to go under the kart and than bend tie-rods and steering arm on the way around. Chassis is fine and replacement parts are being ordered and designed. Glad it happened than and not at the end of the straight.

[Jeremy Baldi]

Thanks again to DKC and AKRA for putting on a great event. Once again the weather tried to do it’s worst and once again the folks in charge did a great job of getting the racers as much track time as possible and while some were wet all races were run. Thanks to everyone who helps put the event on.

I love running in the rain and while I got lots of wet running in I will say something happened to Mid Ohio that made it quite challenging. Not sure if they put a different sealer on or something but it was like driving on ice even with brand new wets. Still had lots of fun getting soaked though.

I put together a vid of some of my breaks and spins which there were many of because the track was so slick when wet. Hope you get some joy and laughs from the vid.

[Jeremy Baldi]

Very cool stuff happening at DKC. Keep up the good work.

[Jeremy Baldi]

Looks like maplaps are up for the event.

[Jeremy Baldi]

Did anyone every get ahold of Pierre?  Doea that number listed above work. I’ll try it tomorrow just wanted to know if anyone had luck.

[Jeremy Baldi]

Those look nice. I don’t now if those would be a bit stronger than the 6 spoke MCP versions or not. One of our concerns is that I must be getting some flex or different metal expansion in the front carrier system to be having the pads knock back. I think what we are going to try and do is convert the discs to have a slight float like many of the sprints have. That should help have a more consistent knock back so at least the pedal feels the same every time.

If you have Craig’s contact please send it. I used to have it and have talked to him before but don’t know where it is now. He used to have a website, is that still working?

[Jeremy Baldi]

Bruce you are correct I meant the MCP aluminum hub and I already have the slotted 1/4″ cast disc on it. I use the same rear caliper as you posted but I was mistaken I have the black MCP master cylinders with the larger reservoirs. The system can be great and I can stop super fast but they no longer make the front pads so time for at least new front calipers. Plus the system has always had the problem were I have to pump the brakes which is no good.

I have looked at those front calipers and I know they work for Brian who is going even faster than me. But I have also heard they need a lot of adjustment all the time. Like you said Brian will probably chime after he gets home from Grattan.

I have talked to a couple of vendors now too and along with Greg’s recommendation they are saying look into the wilwood. So I will at least explore those as well. Since there isn’t much room up front for big calipers on a laydown most of the superkart options don’t work. Hopefully I can get it all sorted before Mid Ohio.

[Jeremy Baldi]

Back from Grattan and once again DKC put on a great event and the AKRA folks were there doing their part as well. There was some weather to deal with but the DKC/AKRA folks did a great job of getting everyone lots of track time and full races for everyone. They extended practice late on Friday and even opened the track for extra practice on Sat after the races, which was awesome.

Had a good weekend. Set new personal best time and after a disappointing Sat race (mechanical issues) gave Brain a good battle for the lead in Sundays f-125 race. Awesome time.

I’ll let them go into further details but the AKRA team also mentioned they are already working on their 2016 schedule with expanded events. This was a great event and EVERYONE should try everything they can to get to the next series race at Mid Ohio because I know it will be another great event.

[Jeremy Baldi]

Yeah that is my concern.  On my TM K9b my one cylinder seems to like to run really hot.  I have gone up to 1250º even seen 1275º F.  And it seems like I could lean it down even more because spark plug still seems pretty wet.  But I am concerned with going any leaner with the exhaust temps getting that high.  Didn’t know if anyone else ever got their exhaust temps that high.

[Author]

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