[Kelly Read]

Test for Kelly Read

 

made by David Cole

[Kelly Read]

LET THE WEEKEND BEGIN!!!!!!

Preparation to get the track ready begins tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See everyone at 07:30 saturday at the drivers meeting. DON’T BE LATE!!!!

FYI!!!!!

If you need anything delivered to Afton from RUSSELLS KARTING SPECIALTIES, be sure to get a hold of Jamie before noon on Friday so she can bring it.

THE MAN

[Kelly Read]

FY!,

If you are coming from the north and plan to take the 235 enterchange around to Kellogg (hwy 54/400), the road between zoo blvd. & central will be closed 5/2 & 5/3 as they will be installing a section of overhead bridge where they are making a new interchange. I would recommend at the 235/135 interchange to go south on 135 to Kellogg (54/400) and go west.

Any questions, give me a call at 316-218-3645 (C).

THE MAN

 

[Kelly Read]

Was told today that the repaving is scheduled to be complete today.

[Kelly Read]

Thanks for posting Linda.

Looking forward to run there in August.

What makes HMRC so nice is that it fits everyones karts rather it be a laydown, shifter, tag, etc.. track layout is challenging and fun.

If you have never raced at HMRC, you want to put this date on your calendar. Besides racing at HMRC, you get to see “THE MAN” so what more could you ask for???????????? (No comments!!!!).

[Kelly Read]

3 karts loaded (Brad’s, Lindsay’s 2) in the MT POCKETS trailer!!!! Come on Jim!!!!!!!

2 others loaded in another trailer!!!

Kids are pumped and ready to get on the track!!!

FYI,

Animal racers will be happy that I am not running!! Someone has to be the RD & main flagman!!!  Be ware, I know how to use the BLACK flag!!  LOL  AND, I do have a replacement driver for “THE MAN machine……..

Linda,

Shannon has some GREAT stuff for your APPLE PIE!!! Only problem, you may not get out of bed!!!!!!!

THE MAN

[Kelly Read]

MR. ROBERT LAWSON!!!

Thanks for the compliment. 

Glad everyone had a good, safe time at Grattan. As we all know, it is normally just a few people who are involved with the backside of putting on any event rather it is small or large. It is nice to see people post like they have here THANKING YOU for what you did for these drivers at Grattan. Even though I wasn’t there, THANK YOU racers for supporting Robert!!!!! People like Robert take gambles to make it possible for the racers to run there karts somewhere. I don’t know about the rest of the road racers but, without a place to run my R.R. kart, I don’t want to plan on using them as paper weights!!!!

Now, back to Robert!!  haha

 “THE MAN”

[Kelly Read]

Brad’s ready to go!!!  Took some work to make it as easy as possible to change from the Reed Jet to the Comer considering we only have 1 hour to change over.

Lindsay’s new kart with a K71 on it all ready to go. Adding 60 lbs. to make the 390 weight was a little tough!! I sure hope the testing we will be doing with the K71 in the Piston Port class pays off as I dread adding 20 more pounds if we put the comer on it. Now it’s time to work on her other kart!!!!!!

Got the Animal all ready for Jackie to run!!

[Kelly Read]

Additional classes requested as of today:

Sprint G-125 (Similar to CES) Came from racers in MI.

Sprint stock 125 honda (Checking on rules) Came from Chris & Brad

Sprint Yamaha Jr. ( 8-11, Yamaha/small carb/4-hole can, 230#) Ran this in the past.

2 other possible classes (These would possibly run on Friday at the end of practice):

Yamaha pipe heavy (410#, Yamaha, any fixed pipe) Ran this in the past.

Controlled Spec (Looking into rules. Similar to WKA)

Again, these are just REQUESTS!! Once we see what people request then we will look at a schedule to see if they can be fit in without difficulties. End of June the latest I would like to have the list of classes so I can play with a schedule.

[Kelly Read]

The lake Afton entry form and event schedule is now on the KART web site (http://www.kart.org).

With the new interest of racers going to be running the control motors in our area, the 100cc Open & A-Limited classes should be awesome to watch at Afton.

Hope to all you big time racers May 3/4, 2014.

THE MAN

[Kelly Read]

Mark & Brad,

As for engine rules. I would look at other organizations to determine the engine rules for our event so we don’t have racers making a bunch of changes. You have some suggestions???   I would hope STOCK is STOCK!!!! This includes ignition!!!!

As for the weight, give me some feedback.  I know there are more heavier then light drivers who probably run this class.

Come to some KART/MARRS events and see just how you match up. Afton is just around the corner.

 

[Kelly Read]

Linda,

There will be a small vendor fee!!!   LOL

Brad,

As of now, a 125 stock honda runs in the SPRINT 125 SHIFTER class. This is all 125 sprint shifters. FYI, we currently have a few stock hondas that run in this class and WIN.

As for the KART road race nationals October 3-5, 2014 @ HPT. Being one who puts that schedule together, if there is enough interest in ANY particular class that KART does not offer and someone asks to add it, we normally add them as long as we don’t get into having to add to many races to the daily schedule.  We currently have room in our current schedule that we can add some classes to those races and not cut practice time which we don’t like to do.

As for a SPRINT STOCK HONDA class at HPT. I have had a few people request it (Chris Hegar as 1). The feedback that I have been getting is that adding this class would allow those racers who run a stock honda to be able to run both classes if the schedule allowes to split them into different races which gives them a place to run twice a day, this I can do!!!! I do ask that if we do add classes, that those who ask for a class, to help get class sponsors which is a must for me to add classes. All classes run for the same awards as what the normal KART classes do so this is why sponsors are needed.

Anyone can look at our current schedule we use for our series and get a pretty good idea on how the HPT schedule would be. From it, we work with adding classes to those current races if possible. Also, we normally have 1 -2 races at the end of Friday practice for certain local option classes. Usually are 1 – 30 & 1 –  45 minute race.

Everyone can expect a post here on EKN around June – July asking if there are any classes racers would like to see added at our nationals @ HPT. I would expect at least a minimum of 6 per class and a class sponsor ($200,00) before adding any classes.

KART may not be the largest but, KART does everything possible to give the racer a place to run COMPETITVE. PLUS, KART has some of the toughest competition!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

[Kelly Read]

MT POCKETS loaded!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“THE MAN” wishes everyone a safe, fast, fun weekend!!! Looks like I will miss my first  race in a LONG time.   Sucks being in charge at work!!!!!

You all keep a eye on Brad & Lindsay for me!!  I’m sure they will be fine and quick but, not super fast since I won’t be there to fine tune there karts!!!  Hahahaha I’m sure my phone will be ringing!!!!!

You all be good to John Rawcliffe who has stepped up to be the race director. Nice to have people like him willing to help out.

[Kelly Read]

The entry form and event schedule is in the KART web site (http://www.kart.org). 

FYI,

Race 3 has a JUNIOR class listed. This is for kids 8-11. Mainly Yamaha with small carb and 4-hole can. Do have a few that run the Swift also. This gives the kids an opputunity to race on a road race track. They run for 30 minutes.

Please be sure you have the KART 2014 bumpers and nerf bars installed. Key thing on rear bumper is, have a top rail a minimum length of from frame rail to frame rail and a lower bar from each side no lower then bottom of main frame rail or a loop (U shaped) coming down from the top bar. NOTE: You do not have to have a full bumper (Tire to Tire).

If you are not sure yours is right, be sure to ask Jim Edgington, Ted Hite, David Munden, Austin Henry, Roger Hatcher or myself (I will be there on Sunday hopefully) to look yours over.

Let’s go racn!!!!!!

 

 

[Kelly Read]

I think everyone is ready to go racing, awful quiet here!!!!

MT POCKETS ready to load!!!!!!

 

[Kelly Read]

For those who may have known or would like to just pay your respect to a fallen racer, below is the funeral information. The family has requested in liew of flowers, to make a donation in behalf of Cliff Gahman to the ST. JUDES CHILDREN HOSPITAL.

The family has asked me to thank all the racers for there thoughts and prayers. THANK YOU!!!!

Service wil be held March 2, 2014 at the Oatville Community church located at 3814 S. Hoover, Wichita, Ks., 67215

 

 

[Kelly Read]

Jason,

Before you go and make changes to the kart, you might want to check on the rules in the area you plan to race at. Not all orgs allow the seat to be laid back. If you plan to run a KART/MARRS event, I can help you here.  This series races in Ks., Ok., Ne. Around here we all run a 16 tooth front gear. We have ran both the sprint & R.R. hub and biggest difference we seen was that the R.R. hub lasted longer.

[Kelly Read]

 

If the RACERS we have would just support what we have now would HELP a whole lot!!!   Next thing would be that for us racers, to PROMOTE our ROAD RACING sport onto others.  I don’t see having another type RR (bracket racing) helping (at least in our area).  RR is ENDURANCE not just for speed!!!  Times have changed, that is why we went from 60 to 45 minute races and, brought in 30 minute races for the sprint style chassis.

I’m not going to get into the politics but,  with or without them, there will always be issues.

Myself and friends have done other forms of racing and we all agree that road racing is tough to beat when you take the dollars and track time in consideration.

SUPPORT SUPPORT SUPPORT

 

[Kelly Read]

Morgan,

MAM is just outside of Omaha Nebraska.   KART/MARRS use to race there and CES had an event there once but turnout was real weak for there event. I was told it was to far to travel for a lot of the CES racers. If those from MARRS wouldn’t have showed, it could have been real ugly for Davey.  Track was challenging and fun but some turns were getting REAL bad back then. By what I have been told by someone who lives right there is that the flood they had and normal wear and tear from the big cars, track needs some attention.

As for Kansas Speedway, It’s alot like Gateway’s layout.  I contacted them and the big issue is “DATE AVAILABILTY”. Between other types of racing (both oval & road course), teams renting the track, etc, nothing available for us through 2014.  Another issue was that they say a HANS device is mandatory. After explaining kart racing to them like for a laydown kart for an example, they understand and this could possibly be worked out “IF” a date did come open. Didn’t even talk $$ since no dates available at the time. I am in hopes that someday karts can race there as I have inside contacts  there that I hope can help.

Jeff,

Does CES Unlimited run 45 0r 30?? Dan Davis and a few others who run our 45 minute Unlimited class and have 250 gearboxes have enough fuel to make 45 minutes.  They may have a larger or additional tanks then you possibly??

[Kelly Read]

George

You ask where MARRS was on Saturday?  What event you talking about???? MARRS and CES haven’t had a joint event in several years.

Comments being made about “STAYING” is 100% correct. I don’t care what group you run with but if racers race on Saturday and not stay/enter at least on Sunday, NO WAY any promoter can survive!!!!

[Kelly Read]

Peter,

KART & CES didn’t have a joint race at Iowa. We was suppose to but I’m not going to say on here why it didn’t happen but I can say that it wasn”t due to KART/MARRS. I did take the kids to Iowa for the CES event they had before the joint event that we were going to have to see what the track was like, gearing, etc to bring back to our racers for when we did go back for the joint event.  Brad ran a Tag for Russells and Lindsay ran her Sprint PP kart. Fun track for a sprinter but not for a laydown. As the kids said, kinda harry going into infield off the oval and was spooky when you got close or hit the alligators in the turns in the infield with the direction they ran (clockwise). NOT A GOOD IDEA!!!!

As for joint races. One who was a big part when we had joint races with MKC (when Cole was in charge) then Davey with CES at Gateway and Milwakee and when we went to Road America with BKC for 3 years,  our group had a blast. Can it happen again, SURE!! Issue would be to find the right track (midway if possible), right date (not interfer with other race dates), right people promoting  AND, racers supporting it. When I say support by the racers, I mean being there both days. When racers run only one day and head home on Sunday, that HURTS !!!!

Tracks like Garnett may not be the best but, it does give us an opputunity to race 7-8 times a year in our area. I myself have been there racing since 1972 and I will say, things have changed since back then at that track. We used to not have the chicane at the end of the back straight leading to the spillway along with some areas didn’t have the barriers they do today.  Back then we had no bodywork and all classes were way larger then any of us see today.  Bottom line, all tracks have something that some racers just won’t attend and I truely understand that.

What us road racers do need to do is, SUPPORT any events we can or RR will be gone some day!!!

 

Glen,

Take it you are talking of a G125 class?? FYI, I got a group talking of coming to Hastings and Heartland park Topeka  from MI and if so, we plan to add this class. KART/MARRS is always willing to add classes if the class is supported at any of there events. Just a call, e-mail, etc can make this happen.

We all need some type organization but without the racers, we don’t need them!!!

[Kelly Read]

Jeff,

   I question your satement about the tracks KART/MARRS races on.  You saying that the tracks (2) listed above that CES races at are 100% safe??  NOT

People seem to want to blame the track when something bad happens when a lot of the time it gets down to the DRIVER!!   If the drivers doesn’t RESPECT the track or the racers they are racing with, bad things can happen, correct?? So why blame the track????

Unless you can find a track out in a middle of a field with nothing within 1000′ of the racing surface, there is a potential that someone could hit something. Even with this, you still have the potential for incidents rather it is someone getting on there head from a roll over from sliding out into the grass or contact by another kart.

KART/MARRS has 2 tracks that are called “Temporary” courses that are raced 2 times a year per track (4 races) and 3 others what they call “REAL” tracks. Both the “TEMP” tracks have raced 50+ years for GO-KART racing and have a pretty good safety record.

What it gets down to is, if we all want to road race then there are possibly some tracks that we just can not race as hard on as other tracks and the drivers must respect that particular track. The bright side is KART/MARRS has a 8 race series, how many other groups can say this?? These “TEMP” courses helps KART/MARRS keep the cost down and helps pay for other track costs. I’m happy to be able to race 8 times a year not counting going east 1-2 times a year.

 

[Kelly Read]

Rob,

Check your PM.

[Kelly Read]

Jim,

Check your PM

[Kelly Read]

Dean,

As I posted at the beginning of this discussion, I had talked to Bernie at the beginning a couple of times by phone and e-mails on this event since I am close to where this event was going to happen to discuss us being able to help support the event. Our last conversation was that he was to have a meeting with the COTA officials in August and get back with me but I never heard back.  He knows that we at KART/MARRS would be putting together our 2014 schedule in October and we needed to know before then if this date was happening so we would try and work around it if possible. Since then, I have e-mailed, called and even sent a message on facebook to him and have heard nothing back to this day.

So as far as KART/MARRS, we have put together our 2014 tenitive schedule (waiting on a confirmation date from 1 track). As anyone who does scheduling for any type event knows, you can’t wait until January to request particular dates. To answer your question, I would if you go ahead and get your schedule together.

I would LOVE to see one big event where ALL ROAD RACERS from across the USA and those outside the USA to go and have a super event. Place, time & money are big factors to consider rather you are the promoter or just a racer coming to support it. This is tough!!!!

 

 

[Author]

Posts