[Kelly Read]

Do I hear someone volunteering to promote this event,  Keith & Jeff???  I would be more then willing to HELP!!!

[Kelly Read]

Have I missed something here with a OCTOBER date??

As for making it a KART/MARRS points race, can’t happen. With the classes people have proposed to date, I see no way the promoter for this event (if happens) can run our format to where our classes and the way we schedule our races can happen.  Plus, pretty sure our racers will not pay $600.00 where the highest they pay is $100.00 per class (nationals). YES, I know it is COTA but!!

[Kelly Read]

I haven’t heard anything and we are working on the 2014 KART/MARRS schedule. I have no Bernie contact information as both my computer where I had his e-mail got hacked and I have no phone number for him.  If he has been trying to reach me, bet it was my old email address which is long gone.

Anyone heard anything??  Time has ran out for us to try and schedule around July 12/13, 2014.  As of now, we have a race scheduled for July 12/13.

Kelly

 

[Kelly Read]

Thanks Gene, I will pass it on.

What are the weights for the laydown Piston Port medium & heavy classes?? Of course we would be running the Comer P-51 and I believe they have to weigh more??

Check your personal e-mail please. We at KART/MARRS is putting together our 2014 schedule and we want to do what we can to help other national races if at possible.

 

[Kelly Read]

Bernie,

Just protecting Pierce!!!  WHAT HALL OF SHAME!!!!!!!  HAHAH.    That was a close call. Brad told me and I can see in the video, he was getting through the corners so good that if he would not been able to, he might have been in trouble hanging up front. We should have put a flex-T in his L.E. so he could have adjusted it to help with the bottom end. Still, a SUPER race by all of them (Brad, Bernie Baldus, Mike Vannoy Sr., Austin Henry, Pierce Baldus, Mike Vannoy Jr. Lindsay).

David,

Brad told me that and when I watched it, I couldn’t believe it. How he noticed that, is beyond THE MAN!!!

[Kelly Read]

Here is video from the Piston Port 1 class from Saturday’s race. About 10 minutes in, you will notice the bottom goes blurry. This is when Austin threw up a rock and it hit the camera lens. Still shows a good video.  That be Bernie Baldus who spun coming onto the front straight. All had a good race. Listen carefully and you can hear how bad Brad’s clutch had fell off (to lean on low end).

[Kelly Read]

Gene,

I have been asked if the full rear bumper is required at Daytona, is it??  If so, can you give me some details of what classes and what constitute a full bumper??

Thanks

THE MAN

[Kelly Read]

How nice it is to read how road racers across the USA are working together to try and help RR survive. I like that everyone is staying positive as this is what we need to do to help RR survive. Don’t know about the rest of you but, there are times that the way I may type something it sounds like I am bashing someone and this is not always the case and especially on this topic. I know several of you and some I don’t but, I believe we are all after the same result (Keep RR alive!!).

It’s kind of weird on how we have actually went from “Can RR survive without the clubs” to “Can the clubs survive without the racers” in what I am reading.  As said before, WE NEED BOTH!!!!

How awesome it would be if there was only one RR series in the USA!!  Can this be done??  My opinion is NO. This is not because I wouldn’t like to see it but, RR is different then Sprint & Speeday as where they have local tracks that are closer to racers in where RR tracks are spread out no matter what part of the country you live in.  What we may gain in Portland, we would loose from the East coast (same as other areas). As for combining series together for events, I can’t speak for the others but KART which is the sanctioning body of MARRS (Mid America Road Race Series) has done this in the past. We have had joint races with SWRA,  Badger kart club, CES and when Cole was involved with that series before Davey took over.  Speaking for our racers (me included), we traveled to Road America, Gateway, and Milwakee along with supporting the other MARRS events. Did it work, YES. What about classes and rules?? No issue!!!  We used the hosts event format they normally used and for classes they didn’t offer that the other organization ran, it was added to some race (very few classes needed to be added) and didn’t effect a thing as far as the schedule.  Rules, outside of maybe weight or MINOR items, we didn’t have to make major changes as we were all close enough anyway. Yes it took a little time but those of us who represented each group, worked well together to make it happen.  I must say that I and believe that the others who hosted these combine events were happy when the event was done. Anytime you can bring in 80+ more entries, is a big +!!!!

As for seeing finances, do I care to see them?? Not really as long as all the bills got paid and NO ONE (promoter, club, organization, etc.) goes into the RED. Must remember, even though I don’t hold a NATIONAL official position in the organization I am heavily involved with, I do keep track of numbers from our series and attend board meetings.  I will say as a promoter of one of the cheapest tracks to hold an event  (Afton), I would rather promote tracks where all I have to do is unlock and lock the gate coming and going!!!!  At Afton, it takes 4 days before and 3 days after to set-up and tear down to put this event on. This doesn’t count the hours it takes to deal with owners, getting workers, etc.  Even with this track, I personally have paid out of pocket (2 solid days of rain didn’t help).  I don’t do this for the money, I do it because I LOVE RRing!!!!

THE MAN

 

[Kelly Read]

To this point, it seems I have some people who knows and understands all or at least the big part of what it takes to put a RR event on.   1oo% agree that most racers don’t care of what it takes as long as they just have a place to race.  I have no problem with this as a promoter, I NEED THEM!!  As long as the racers that just come and race then leave understand it doesn’t happen over night and that there is a whole lot of work that happens before, during and after a event for the promoter.  As racers, we show up and leave as where the promoter still has plenty to do. GOT TO HAVE BOTH!!!

#1) Promoting a RR event(s): I currently do 2 of 7 in our series. A few years back I did 6 of 8 (Nice that people stepped up and gave me a break). I do still “help” at the other events rather it be from being the R.D. to tech. Promoting is where someone does the before/during/after work such as scheduling of event dates, making the event schedule, sanctioning of the track, set track up (barriers, fencing, etc) if track calls for it, buying passes, getting workers, etc., keeping things rolling throughout the weekend and then goes home Sunday night and rest for a minute before taking care of the post race stuff (recap paperwork & fees to send in, tear down track, etc.) This last parts SUCKS!!!! 

On the insurance, YES, #2 & #3 are close to the same. 

For #2, from my experience having a organization such as the main ones mentioned that I can purchase insurance through, makes it easier and cheaper to get insurance for the promoter as they have memberships, rules and insurance carriers already in place.

#3, I was asking if people knew just what/how the insurance company covered the policy holder (didn’t say I could type what I am thinking !!!). From myself,  In general they (insurance carrier I use) cover what we use for rules that we go by and any additional items I may include (L.O. rules as a example) and first but most important is  the track.  Having to send in pictures, fill out a application which has several questions and to be approved first, is the big thing. This is done by February the latest for me.  If it doesn’t get approved first, it doesn’t matter what rules you run by as there will be no race unless you find another carrier if you can. As one who knows, I have had to make changes (mainly more barriers) and re-submit to get approval.

#4) # of events we attend – KART/MARRS had 7 this year and attended all 7. In the past we have attended all there events and 1-2 events over East.

#5) Area – Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas, Missouri. As stated earlier, we are very fortunate to leave where we do!!! 

#6) Was the Kansas director and a national board member for IKF back in the mid 80,s. Now, not really any title but I do a lot for KART and the series. I answer questions or give input when asked by other orgnizations in which both IKF & WKA has asked in the past.

 SO, sounds like we are trying but just need to keep it up and hope things get better in the near future!!!

 

[Kelly Read]

David,

As one who knows you and has been involved with you in joint races (OUCH!!!), you have a pretty good understanding on all the work it takes to put a race on. Just checking to see who else understands. A lot has to happen way before & after a event.  I know for a fact a lot of people don’t/didn’t know until they were told about what it takes to promote an event. A few years back I tried to get someone to take over Afton but once they found out it was more then just showing up to be the race director, they lost interest quickly.

It amazes me when I have people post, PM, e-mail or call me to tell me how we (KART) need to run our events and they have never been here and may not ever. Do we run local option classes, yes. Do we have 500+ entries, NO. Do the bills get paid, have enough classes, simple rules, have great events, top notch drivers,YES YES YES!!!  You add up the entries from the IKF and the KART nationals, you will see that KART had more entries with fewer classes. IKF or KART has never matched up to WKA events. Since being a kid, I always believed that over East there was more racers then anywhere else no matter what form of racing there was. Not sure they don’t have big numbers for turtle racingn!! haha. Big numbers are nice but can be a headache.

As I told Bernie who is working on this COTA thing for 2014 (yet to hear back from him on the status), don’t take what is posted as a SURE THING that they are coming as when you look back from the event he put on @ HPT, there were several who said they were coming and didn’t.  NO ONE needs to take a lost let alone a major loss !!

On #2, I am asking if people know how the insurance companies covers us by. In a nut shell, they cover what is in that organization’s rule book.   This help?? Underwriters just don’t cover my event due to me paying some fee, they have rules also.

As for the politics, even though clubs have a lot on there plate, the national organizations have more to deal with due to that they have to deal with more racers across there entire membership. Just seeing who has been involved with it.

[Kelly Read]

PLEASE don’t take this wrong, just asking a few questions to those posting here. I’m not here to say I agree or disagree with statements posted, just a promoter, supporter, racer with a family of 4 who loves road racing.

1) Who actually here promotes/promoted a RR event?? Not talking about helping at the event. Doing it all.

2) Anyone know how rather it’s a organization, club, etc.  gets insurance ??

3) How does the insurance company determine how they cover your event??

4) How many RR events do you attend a year??

5) What area of the country??

6) Who is/has been in the politics as a board member (IKF, KART, WKA, CES)?? Does CES have a board (not sure).

As someone who has/is heavily involved in the questions above, I’m interested to hear what others have to comment on these questions. I am even willing to tell my answers.

Thanks,

Kelly

 

[Kelly Read]

Being a part of the KART family who helps promote our organization & races, THANK YOU TO ALL who attended!!!!!!!! Even with the economy, we still had a good number of entries (at least we are happy).

Friday was perfect, Sat/Sun was cool in the morning but tolarable but come race time (noon), not bad at all in this man’s opinion. Wind did kind of get old though!!!!

Congrats to all the CHAMPIONS!!  For the rest, don’t feel bad as I didn’t win either. Come to think of it, I didn’t even finish!!!!!   Ran out of fuel on Saturday on the last lap and on Sunday was in the middle of a mad scramble at turn 5 on the first lap and had to pull in due to mechanical problems.  Even with this, I still came home happy as Brad won 2 and Jim won one after a few years from winning last (think he had my motor!!!). POOR Lindsay didn’t have a good weekend at all as she couldn’t get her laydown around the track (thats been fixed with a new kart) and her Tag,  she had to go off track to avoid a spinner in one class and in another class she and Sam Linhardt gave HPT there first 4 legged fatility by both of them hitting a cat as they were going through the s’s at the end of the front straight but at least she was fast both days.  HPT even has pics of this on there web site (http://www.hpt.com). Check out #327, 328, 329.

As for results/pics/mylaps.  Pictures can be found at http://www.hpt.com. Click on “Media”, click on “2013 Road track cycles & karts”, click on “10-5-2013 KART nationals. Results are up above and on the KART web (http://www.kart.org).  Times should have been posted on the KART web by clicking on event results next to HPT over in the red yearly schedule box on the home page but for some reason they don’t show. We have people working on this. Keep checking.

THANKS AGAIN and have a wonderful off season. We look forward in seeing all the racers back on the track in 2014.

THE MAN

 

[Kelly Read]

Let me clarify something as I am taking that people feel I don’t believe that we need clubs. That is not what I meant. I was talking of “CLUBS” that have members who come out and help. Some clubs have that, MKA doesn’t.  I do have people who come and work for me but are not a member of MKA. Rather it be a club or an individual like myself, you have to have funds to promote a event with or without members.

 

[Kelly Read]

Joe,

Last I heard there were 9 Superkarts pre-entered and expected more.

As for Unlimited, This is the KART Unlimited class where a mix of kart/engines run (250 G.B., twins, 125 G.B., Tags).

This will be my last time to get on here before we leave in the morning (Thursday). If you need anything, contact me at 316-218-3645.

C U all soon.

THE MAN

[Kelly Read]

FYI,

After this post, if you need anything please contact me at 316-218-3645 or Jim at 316-305-8361.

Everyone have a safe trip coming to HPT.

THE MAN

[Kelly Read]

To answer the question “Can RR survive without the clubs”??   If we are talking about the “local” club, YES, I do this myself.  I don’t have members like the old days where members came out and volunteered to flag, do scales, tech, etc..   The events I promote these days, I have to pay people to put on the event.  Would I rather have a club who has enough “volunteers”  to help put the race on, HELL YES!!!  In my area, we used to have a local sprint track that our sprint racers came to the RR track and volunteered and our RR’s went to the sprint track and volunteered, that is gone at least where I am at. Now, we have only the RR racers and we need them to race vs help so this is why I have to pay people to flag, kart pick up, etc.. . Yes, some of the racers do still help (pre-tech, post-tech) but want to race also.

As for organizations (IKF,WKA,KART), are they needed?? In my opinion YES. Are any of these perfect, NO!!! Having a organization such as them is important as they are the ones who do a lot of the behind the back work (would have to be there to fully understand). I know this as I have been a past IKF director and today still a big HELPING HAND for any of the organizations when called upon. 

I have said it many times, I don’t really care who the name is at the top of the event, I JUST WANT TO RACE!!! Anytime my family can go somewhere else and race, we will. BUT, we are sure to support our own area races first!!!

As for KART, it is like any organization. It takes the right leaders, racers, etc to make it happen. As I said above, are they perfect NO. BUT, since I have been involved with other organizations rather it be just giving them input when they call or e-mail me on certain things, KART does listen to there racers better. I will say that one of KART’s biggest advantages is having the number of races (7-8) in a local area that racers can attend, is awesome. How many RR racers can say that they can drive to 7-8 events under 5 – hours??  This could be more if our weather was better. KART runs from late April to mid October as where there are other parts of the country could run year round.

As for numbers, yes KART numbers are lower then in the past, but who’s isn’t?? It’s not so much as getting new racers (always could use more) but, it is keeping those who do/have raced in is tough. Economy, jobs, kids, etc is always going to be a issue no matter where we race at with this.

Number of classes is always a discussion no matter where you are. I see no reason some club/organization should base what to run off someone who doesn’t race in there area. If what you have works (pays the bills, racers are happy, had a good event, etc), then be it!!! I believe all clubs/organization have to do what they need to do to be successful and they are the ones that should know not someone who just get’s on forums and talks and doesn’t go to there events.

Chris,

I’m not hear to speak negative against any organization. For the record, KART was formed in 1994 and started racing in 1995 and still is in the green even after many felt (hopped) KART would die within a few years after starting up. KART must be doing something right if other organizations are calling them wanting to have joint NATIONAL races!!!

So, in a nut shell!!!  If a event has you a place(s) to race and you can afford to go, THEN GO!!!  Let’s face it, all the major organization rules are pretty dam close to each other so this should not be a issue of attending.  We have had to make MINOR changes when we got somewhere but, we did it because we want to race!!!!!! LESS TALK AND MORE ACTION (attend races) does more for our FUN HOBBY!!!

Let’s go racn,

THE MAN

[Kelly Read]

Are you ready??

Looking forward in seeing the Superkarts at HPT Oct. 4-6. 

If you would like a garage, see me when you arrive and I will get with the track personell to get them opened.

C U all soon!!!!

THE MAN

 

 

[Kelly Read]

For those who are coming to HPT, if there are parts you will need and don’t have, contact Jamie at RUSSELL KARTING and she would be more then happy to deliver parts to you at HPT.

Quick reminders:

1) Pit pass sales & registration will open at 5:00 Thursday.

2) We will be allowed in the pits starting at 5:00 (NOT BEFORE).

3) When coming into the pits, be sure to get with me before pulling down on the lower level. I only have a few spots (NO electrical) and 1 with electrical left. All other spots on the lower level are taken.

4) MOST IMPORTANT: Look over your karts REAL GOOD to be sure all is A-OK!! We don’t want/need issues @ pre-tech.

SEE U ALL SOON,

THE MAN

[Kelly Read]

Mark,

Do you have something other then a Leopard you plan on running?? If you just have a Leopard, there are 3 races for a Leopard not counting the 40+ class to race. Of course there are other classes but, we must be realistic if you know what I mean.

The kart count over the past 2 years for the SPRINT TAG SR. class had dwindled way down and the input we received from the KART racers are the reasons for not having it (SPRINT TAG SR.)  both days as in the past. The racers who run KART are who we listen to 1st (mean nothing bad towards anyone else) as far as what classes to run.  Biggest thing we hear is that they want to race against a LARGE FIELD!!  I must agree with this as if it is a NATIONAL, I want to run against several and the best and hope to win or finish high.

[Kelly Read]

Chris,

We have no issue with adding LOCAL OPTION classes as long as it doesn’t create to many reaces per day (No 8+ races a day for sure, been there done that – sucks).  YOU give me class names, rules, sponsorship and make sure that there are entries other then our regulars (including yourself)  I AM IN!!!  

As for 80 shifters, we don’t have but a few 80’s here in our area and 2 only wanted to run 1 day and the other went to the Open & A-limited classes so they had people to race against.  

Off the top of my head (ouch), as far as NATIONAL LEVEL classes, I believe probably the only one I can think of is a  SPRINT STOCK HONDA class KART does not have that would be a good class to add. YOU must remember, LAYDOWNS are still a big thing back here in our area. ALSO, with the economy, very few people can afford to race more then once per day.

As for 125 shifters, thinking about a dozen or so. all are quick!!!

As for our Unlimited and the Superkart classes. I had talked to everyone who is/has ran our Unlimited class before putting the schedule together. 1st, we added a L.O. Sat Unlimited due to the B-Stocker group from the East are coming and IF any others who can run this class did show, they had 2 places to race. 2nd, The few Unlimited racers (250 gearbox) we have, want to race with the Superkarts and the Superkarts only want to run with the Superkarts so there is no crossover anyway.

If my kids can run 5 classes EACH with 2 karts, you can!!!!!!

Did I answer questions??

[Kelly Read]

Chris,

YOU GOT TO BE KIDDN!!!!  What do you have that KART doesn’t have a class for??

Question asked:

For the Sprint Yamaha Jrs (8-11), will there be separate practice sessions for them??

YES. Plans are that on Friday, they will get 3 sessions and  2 each day on Sat/Sun. They will not be allowed on the track in practice at the same time as all the other karts. This is why we run them with the Animals (EXPERTS) hahaha.

 

[Kelly Read]

Chris,

YOU GOT TO BE KIDDN!!!!  What do you have that KART doesn’t have a class for??

Question asked:

For the Sprint Yamaha Jrs (8-11), will there be separate practice sessions for them??

YES. Plans are that on Friday, they will get 3 sessions and  2 each day on Sat/Sun. They will not be allowed on the track in practice at the same time as all the other karts. This is why we run them with the Animals.

 

[Kelly Read]

Chris,

2012 was a bit chilly but liveable.  Sure beat 100+!!!!!

As of now, temps are to be in the upper 60’s to low 70’s.

Time for you to grow up and come race with the MEN/WOMEN!!!!

[Kelly Read]

Question,

Didn’t see it on the entry form.

Will there be transponders available to rent??

YES. $10.00 for the weekend.

[Kelly Read]

4 done, 2 to go!!!!!!!!! ( 2 animal karts to finish)

As for the event!!!! 

Sounds as if there are several road racers from other parts of the country coming, SUPER!!!!   They know where the competition is!!!  This should be a GREAT event!!!!

REMINDER,

CREDIT CARDS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Those using C.C., go ahead and pay the 14 MT POCKETS RACING entries while you are at it, they will appreciate it!!  hahahaha

Until later,

THE MAN

[Author]

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