[Jim Howe]

As one of the lower-buck teams, I absolutely endorse Mike’s idea that blowdown becomes just another “spec” for engine builders. Though it would add some cost to my engine bill, it would be minimal — $300 to $600 more, according to my engine builder — and at least would put me on equal footing with those big-buck teams.

[Jim Howe]

As a team owner that only runs at the club level, I’m looking for something that is fair, fun, relatively inexpensive, and good for my drivers.

I want rules that are straight-forward and enforced equally on all. I’ve seen too many tracks where selected locals can do whatever they want on and off the track, as well as with their kart. Make a rulebook that is relatively comprehensive, simple-to-read, and then enforce it on everybody. You don’t need three dozen classes: something for kids (kid kart, junior sportsman, and junior supercan plus four-cycle equivalents), a couple two-cycle classes for adults; and a couple four-cycle classes for adult.

Make it fun. Run different track configurations. Award some trophies, especially for the kids. Have some raffles here and there for stuff (two tires, free entry, five gallons of fuel, etc.). Run some special races every now and then — though I hate money races because they bring out the worst in drivers. Run a 30-lapper once in a while, maybe a 20-minute mini enduro. Just something different that makes it interesting. Run a tight program without a lot of dead time so we can get home at a decent hour.

And keep costs decent. A $50 entry fee for a club race makes it difficult whereas a $35-$40 entry fee sounds and feels better (at least to my wallet). I know you have expenses but we racers do too. I understand insurance is ridiculous but keep your pit passes as low as you can. Or have areas where my people don’t need pit passes but can still watch. If your rules are straight-forward and enforced, especially dirty driving, you might find you won’t have as many on- or off-track incidents that cause your insurance rates to go up.

At the club level, I’m not racing for fame, fortune, or ego. I’m there so I can have a good time and enjoy racing for what it is!

[Jim Howe]

Very interesting post where I find myself on both sides of the fence.

I understand the support angle as it is very hard to go-it alone. Some of us, myself included, need the factory information or the availability of local parts and advice to be competitive.

Yet, I too don’t want to be another “red” kart or “blue” kart in the crowd. I was one of the first to run a GP kart in the U.S. and thoroughly enjoyed being a little different. And the GP was/is a great kart.

I now run a Birel, which means I’m one of a few million “red” karts. As a team owner, I have to go where I go, based on the current situation. Should a new kart enter the market, and it has “enough” support, I might go that way. Not that I’m unhappy being one of the million “red” karts; the Birel has been exceptional, easy to tune, and fast. Still, I like being different. Right now, I’m looking at the DR. We’ll see….

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