[Robert Lawson]

Back from Pitt, got a sweet NEK seat for the CIK 125 and some bits and pieces for the Secret Project. I saw some old friends and met some new ones that never made face-to-face contact before.

A bad habit is developing at these “Mega-Events” as more serious incidents took place Saturday. The last few years Mid-Ohio has had 5 then 6 red flag incidents, with Pitt sending folks to the Hospital via air lift and ambulance. The “Circuits” can’t be blamed for this but the sheer number of drivers AND the lack of respect or patience by these same drivers IS the issue. Its never ok to make contact but just out of the pit for a practice round or 1st lap race wrecks are just uncalled for.

If this isn’t stopped, and soon, the next major incident will cost the Facility’s provider a good deal of $$$ and a door will be opened. Insurance Providers will give the Tracks an ultimatum…. either get rid of the high-risk group (karts) OR get a new Insurance Provider! At minimum we will see the $50 or more Pit Pass I mentioned a couple years ago. I paid $40 for 1 day (Friday) pass. Racetrack Facilities will choose to stop leasing to the high-risk groups simply because they won’t lose the booking, plenty of others will take the dates.

I won’t bring a kart to these events. Call it age or whatever, but I like the comfort and laid-back atmosphere of the CES gigs at G-man & Grattan. 1 fact seems to be emerging though…. the Laydown classes are far safer statically than all the others!

Set a few things up for Rich to weld tomorrow. I’m pretty confident the F-125 will be back in 1 piece with the “no seat – seat” complete and ready to Test in just 4 weeks.

Back Shortly!

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

A week out from Gingerman and we are just bustin it here in Roseville!!!

After 2 practice runs chasing clutch stall/slip and feeling out the set up I decided to pull the S4 pipe and install the Sportsman Can. Off to registration to change classes (same race group) and just enough time to pour all the fuel in we had (not enough to finish 40 min race) and go to the grid.

That pipe WAS the problem, even back at Grattan, it acted the same at Gingerman. The Sporty can was awesome! It ran great, made rev’s and speed, only regret was over adjusting the clutch (not enough slip) as it hurt the off corner get-up-and-go. There was just 2 of us in the class and Big Daddy left that guy in the dust!!! I even ran ALL the laps, pedaling it the last 3 laps as it was running out of fuel in the fast rights. I learned a few things, found some things that need work, and was pleasantly surprised by the handling and super strong brakes.

Re-entry this week was slow as I had a few Dr app’s and labs, which bust up and waste most of the day. End of the week was much better as I have been full time on the SP. Making big gains in getting the body squared up and fitted properly. Very tedious this thing, I won’t do another one anytime soon.

As for the F-125….. it won’t be going to Pitt. I will make a dash-n-go, same day deal to test fit/trial sit in a couple different sized NEK seats. Buy one and bail out.

I’m on a roll and want to keep it going. So much work to do before the Oct test on both the F-125 and the SP. Both karts need to turn laps then so no time to hang out watching karts in Pitt!!! Even if briefly, hope to see you there next week!

PS: We have 5 guys already paid for October!!!

More Soon,

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

Its the last weekend to work on things before Gingerman.

The F-125 “No seat-Seat” is coming along nicely. My plan is to have it ready for Pitt and just use the track time to work out new seating position and final tune on the new carb.

The Secret Project has now picked up speed with the arrival of the “production” bits made from our Mock-ups. The body for this kart has been a real pain in the ass to deal with. It requires a completely different approach than the usual “start at the front and make your way to the rear” way of doing things. But, it will start getting together quickly now.

As I mentioned, we will take the Yamaha Kart to G-man for another shake down. I rebuilt the clutch yesterday, grabbed a gear and dropped it all at Rich’s place for install. Had a bit of brake pad/stub axle shimming to do to get the front brakes rolling free and working correctly. All that is finished. After install I can add oil to the clutch, start it, and set the stall. I’m going to put the same pipe back on it just to be sure the issue WAS the clutch and not a pipe length issue.

Looking forward to a weekend with Che’ & the Kids, and hanging with friends!!!

Hope to see you there!!!!!

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

As time passes, things change!

I’ve been troubleshooting, diagnosing, and working on the 110v/12v system in the trailer. It needed a new Battery before Grattan (hours before leaving!!!) and now I’m working out whats – what with the Converter/Charger. Its confusing as hell, there are unexplained issues and its taking days instead of hours to figure out.

So, I may just order those clutch parts!!! The F-125 seat is out of the form and in process to be mounted but is yet sitting in wait.

The SP is in a hold pattern as we wait for the Nerfs and Bumper to arrive. We have spent a LOT of time just rigging/aligning/mocking things…. when we start popping holes and hard mounting things, they have to be perfect. No going back at that point!!!!

Karts or no, I’m going to G-Man in a few weeks just to get out of here and relax with friends…. Y’all should join us!!!!!!

More soon,

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

Its good to hear the numbers were on the rise in these times of financial uncertainty.

Great Job out there Linda!!!!!

 

[Robert Lawson]

Working on Seat and SP in unison, trying to get things in order for Gingerman.

I have decided to wait on the Clutch rebuild for the Yamaha kart for now. Rich needs parts for his clutch too and it makes sense to order all of it at the same time. So, the Yamaha kart is OUT (which buys time to mount the bodywork on it too!) for G-man, leaving just the F-125 seat to make/get installed. G-man again more of a fact-finding mission than racing. I want to be sure I have got the new Tillotson carb dialed-in, thats all.

Looking to October and the Test Day, I’ll have the Yamaha ready to go and maybe the F-125 with fresh Nikasil to break-in. If not that will go to Daytona all fresh. Of course, the SP should make an appearance at the October test as well, fingers crossed, we have much to do before then!!!

Back Soon!!!!

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

Things are moving full speed now!

I’m making progress on the SP (secret project) AND have purchased an engine for the CIK Shifter, which is now a Project itself!!!! Super relieved that didn’t just stop at a brake repair, and, I really want the back up Vortex ICC for the Emmick Enduro Project. THAT is the kart I really want to be building right now. I have assembled an Awesome collection of parts/components to go on that ride that will make my own kart look like a scrapper!!!!!!

The Pasteiner Project, TAG enduro, IS happening as Steve stopped over to Rich’s place and snapped a few pics of the F-125 radiator/air box/system to get an idea of how to set his up. He told us its just a track day ride, nothing too serious, but he’s already got a look in in his eye you only see when a guy is building things himself! I dig that!!!

We are all set at Rich’s to foam-up the new form for my F-125 seat. Also have 2 black enduro sides to lay up for the 4 banger AND full set of red enduro body bits to do before it gets too cold to do. Hitting the SP on weekdays to give us a day for our own stuff AND trying to “rest” a bit on Sunday as well fills the cup to the top.

Busy is good. Eyes wide open here!

Bless Y’all!!!

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

A week + after Grattan and we are fully into it now!

After running the Yamaha kart we evaluated an issue with the package and have now moved toward getting things back together and ready for the next time out. The F-125 will get a new form fitted seat, this time with a flat bottom so it can be mounted as low as possible. Both these karts will be out for more tuning in September at Gingerman.

I started playing with the Secret Project over the weekend as well. After tying up some loose ends at Rich’s place I can now go full speed ahead on this. The plan is to have this kart ready to run at the Fall Test in October.

I have it on good authority that Steve Pasteiner may be building up a TAG enduro we hope will run with us in F-125. Brandon Schenkel ran very impressive laps in his X-30 enduro running in Unltd at Mid Ohio 2 years ago so its a viable package.

I bought a CIK Sprint kart!!!! I know right??? But, it was actually an investment for a good cause, and should be fun to “polish up” RPM style!!!

So we miss Nelson yet again. We just cant seem to work that gig into our schedule. At this point I hope we make it past Nov. without the SHTF and we’re able to do Daytona one last time.

We’ll see, everything is upside down and backwards out there…..

Hang in there Y’all!!!!

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

Our date for October is Saturday the 22nd.

Sunday the 23rd is booked so its go-no go for this date.

Been working hard on the Yamaha to get it to “shake down” condition before the July CES event in just 2 weeks. I’m confident this will be possible so I called to secure my garage, garage #1, the same garage we have occupied for as long as I can remember. They sold it to someone else…. of course he offered the adjoining garage as a consolation prize. I did accept but dumbfoundedly so….

Now, IF we do go, I may just pit down in the grass like way back when we got started and bring my generator, and do like everyone else. Saving myself the inflated rate for power in a garage.

Or, we may just skip it altogether….

Mark Sat Oct. 22nd on your calendar and start planning now!

Back Soon,

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

I forgot to mention the segments of resurfacing at Grattan will continue this Fall. From T1 resurface (2020) to beginning of T5/6,7,8 resurface (2021).

So next April we will get a new T2, T3 and T4 plus the jump!

My midnight shopping spree box has arrived, been plugging away on the Yamaha project, and will take a trip to the Mid-Ohio “flea market” to pick up more used bits/Karts AND drop off some work of my own to be done.

Its going to get crazy busy round here soon. The Grattan event in a few weeks may be out for us BUT opens the door to Nelson or certainly Gingerman for more op’s to shakedown and run what we’ve been working on.

I have to work on the seat of the f125 as well. Warming it and stretching it to fit my large posterior has made a mess of things. The seat mount failed, torn loose from the composite and I drilled and bolted it together to get a last ride at the Test. I’ve already removed it and the struts in prep for sitting right on the floor tray/additional aluminum pan. I feel like I’m sitting ON the kart instead of IN it, so, we will go as low as we can and build some kind of seat from the floor up. This will take time with the “Secret Project” getting ALL of my attention so I don’t expect to get in it again before Gingerman anyway.

Will have to see where the cost of living is at before making plans. That said, I made my Hotel reservations for Daytona yesterday…. with no cost cancelation before Dec 18th of course!!!!!

I keep saying hang in there Y’all, it’ll get better….

We’ll see!

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

I took an extra day but here we are. The Track Day was awesome, the weather turned for our good and delivered a beautiful day!

The new carb needed to be disassembled and internal adjustments made to get it right but we did get it to function properly…. then it blew up! Well, it wasn’t due to tuning, I stalled the kart and had to exit to refire, I somehow hit the pump switch and when I did get on track it overheated and stuck.

Good news is I caught the clutch, the damage was just aluminum, and, I have the jug fixed up already! After measuring the bore I need a bigger piston than I have on hand but it will be back up and running soon.

We had more pull back/pick-up runs than ever before, probably due to all the new guys that participated. Its all good, everyone got as many laps as they wanted and no EMT runs!!!!

So its on to October for testing but we will get to M-O next week to pick-up some work and off to Grattan or nelson in July to play.

Hope to see you at the track!!

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

So there has been some changes, if you are at the track this AM you will find a ghost town!

Everyone was notified of this last Friday and arrangements were made to move to Tuesday the 7th.

At 8am here (Monday) in Roseville, packed and ready to go, it looks as though we will have a less that 50% chance of lite rain overnight tonight until about 6am. The chance returns to 0% for the duration of the day at 11:30am. So, bring extra socks and be prepared to dry the track!!!!

Hope to get plenty of laps and lots of video & pictures!

Be back Wednesday!

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

The F-125 was test fired and is loaded in the trailer. I will not be taking any other karts with me next Monday.

Will spend the day letting others handle some of the “hands on” stuff while I try to get all the laps I can, or need, to get this new carb figured out.

Everything is in place, early weather forecast looks good, A couple guys have come onboard so my end is far more reasonable now, just going to cruse into the weekend and get in to track mode.

The track WILL have 110 leaded race gas for $10 per Gl. Also, if you intended to come out Sunday to drop off or Camp, PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE BEFORE 5PM! The road course AND MX track will both be running all weekend and there will be little to no room to stage us before entering the paddock after 6pm.

As always I’ll look at the forecast and make the call no later than Friday AM.

Back soon!

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

Hey Y’all,

Plugging along here on the Yamaha project kart, trying to get it ready for a shake down ride at Grattan in a couple weeks. The F-125, short of a throttle cable install, is ready to go.

I am, if nothing else, a Man of my word. The Bible teaches us that we should never say we are going to do something then not do it. “Let your Yes be Yes, and your No be No.”

The additional cost of a “Prime Time” date, albeit a weekday, is causing some problems. But, I have made back the $$$ I’ve lost in the past and recently made bank on the Test days so I won’t complain about my cost this time out. Its excessive, some may say stupid, even foolish, but I have been very fortunate. GOD has been very good to us here in Roseville! And, I cant help but see very troubling times coming for all of us, and figure, as Pops always said, “Smoke Um if you Got Um!”

IF you can get out and do something, DO it. Take a day off, clear the schedule, dont look at next week act for right now, make a minimum payment, use some of that $$$ to do that thing you want, before you cant!

Denzel Washington, yeah, the Actor, once said: “If you don’t read the newspaper you’re uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you’re misinformed….”

Most folks today are both.

Before the times dictate your survival being all you can do, and you regret not doing things that brought you joy……

……..remember to Smoke um if you got um!

I’ll burn the $$$ because driving these things and hangin’ out with Y’all brings me Joy.

Back to work, for now!!!!!

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

Payments are arriving daily!

We obviously have met the minimum number of drivers needed to pull this off. Spring/Summer is here, conditions have turned for the better, and we are enjoying a nice little stretch of perfect racing weather this week!

Really looking forward to getting out again to try all the stuff we’ve been working on.

Hope this weather stays awhile!

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

We are moving forward with the June date.

I posted it on FB, but, didn’t include the fact that the 6th is a Monday! Its getting a bunch of looks and requests for info….. wonder how long it will take for them to figure it out???!!!!!!

I really hope it works out, the Yamaha should be ready for a shake down by then along with the 125 with that new MASSIVE Tillotson carb on it! Can’t wait!

Work to do though, if we hit the number I’ll ask for payments by next week.

More coming!

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

Little Update….

I just sent out a mass email to everyone that responded positively to a weekday test.

The chosen dates from above were May 16th and June 6th.

Check your inbox and let me know what works best. My vote would be for June, but I can be ready for May this weekend!

Let me know guys….

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

I got all open dates for May, June, July & August.

With the “season” getting started in the MI/OH/IN/IL region really beginning with Mid-Ohio, it makes sense to look at either May or August for a weekday gig. Without the serious “racer” being involved, we just can’t do it. Our numbers as enthusiasts alone just do not meet the need, unless we spend more $$$ per man. Myself, I am open to spending $300 for a full day in great weather. At that rate its STILL a better value than spending $300 for Fri/Pract. and a single weekend race Entry for maybe 2 total hours of track time…. when they tell you its Your Turn!

May has 1 open Friday: 6th
and 2 open Mondays: 9th & 16th

June has 1 Friday: 24th
and 2 Mondays: 6th & 27th

July has 2 Mondays: 18th & 25th

August has 3 Mondays: 8th, 15th, 22nd

Of course most Tues-Thurs in those months are open too, just figured Mondays would certainly be best for time off & travel.

shoot an email and let me know what you think: f-125@hotmail.com

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

I sent a text to about 25 guys today, asking if they would consider a “Summer” weekday (M-Th) Test day if they had time to plan for it.

Returns from about 20 came back and I was very surprised that ALL of them said YES, they would be interested!

My next question would be which day (M, T, W,or Th) but its obvious Monday would allow guys to travel on Sunday and camp over without much loss of time for work, Night Shift guys excluded of course!

I called Sam, he will send me a list of M-Th dates in June/July/Aug to consider.

With my new carb coming in Monday (4-18) I’m looking to turn right around and try it out. A nice warm weather night and day sounds good compared to 4 layers of clothes until 2pm!!!

I’ll keep you updated. Have some emails to send out tonight yet to a bunch more guys.

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

The April 2022 version of the Annual Spring Test is now behind us!

I took the lead of Sam Faasen, the Track Manager, who met ME outside the gate on Saturday afternoon when I arrived. I in turn did the same, parked my truck outside the gate at 7AM on Sunday morning so there would be NO chance of a repeat of Oct 21′.

Believe it or not, I DID have to turn someone away!

Once past that point the day went VERY well. It warmed up pretty quick, I had dropped the coat off by noon. The clear sky and Sunshine was welcomed, we all got some sunburned faces!!!

We got a Sit-Up guy to take laps in the Flathead laydown, I learned that parts for the carb would not have helped my Daytona issues, witnessed my first Yamaha enduro Drag Race, played a part in a complete newbie getting his first karting experience, AND survived a 35 degree temp swing from 6AM to 6PM!!!

Thanks to Chuck Alband for pulling karts on the Quad and Bob Cole in his Truck, patients of the guys at the far end of the paddock until we got the PA working, and ALL the guys that offered to sit out at the same time and take over so I could get some laps….. that was very humbling!

Its the people that make it happen, when we get to the track all our bias and opinions get left outside. For an afternoon we all agree, we are all there for the same reason!!!

Thanks Y’all!!!!

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

And that’s how it will go down!

We DID get a bit of a break from the Track. They will allow us to start 1 hour later and run 1 hour later moving the on-track time further into the warmest part of the day.

I’m loaded up now, last minute stuff to pile in before heading out. I intend to arrive at the track Saturday afternoon, around 4pm, and get set up.

Dont let the late start keep you from being out there on time. Gate will open at 7am Sunday, once everyone is inside OR its time to get started I’ll lock it down until Lunch break. Again, no visitors, spectators, or extra bodies will be let inside.

Cold in the Morning, warming quickly early afternoon with Sunshine and 55-57F for a high temp. We’ll do just fine, look forward to seeing everyone there!!!

Safe Trip Y’all!!

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

Keep your eye on the weather, right now it looks like Sunday will be the far better day of the 2.

No change yet, a final decision on the weekend will be made Thursday 4-7 in the AM.

My junk is ready to go, will load it all up over the next couple days.

More to Come…..

[Robert Lawson]

We are ready to go!

Finished up a few days ago but everything is now done and worked out for April 9th.

I really like this approach. Completely stress free on my end, couldn’t be more pleased.

It’s my intention to be at the track Friday 3-4pm. No activity Friday so we will get in right away to set up/drop off. If you are planning on camping or dropping off Friday it would be best to do so before 7-8pm. The gate will close for the night at 9pm.

Saturday morning gate will open at 7, you will have to print & sign the waiver and get a wristband before crossing the track. I have help that will be checking & addressing the track surface getting it ready before our Driver Meeting at 8:30.

ARRIVE EARLY!  Weather and Conditions permitting we will go green at 9am, the gate will close and will not open until Lunch Break.

There will be a “Buddy Ride” session in the late afternoon near the end of the day. Any Driver willing to let a friend go for a ride please let me know at the break, an announcement will be made for these newbies to come for instruction and a wrist band to gain access to the track.

Most of you know but I’ll say it again, I will not be providing group lunch. Bring whatever you need to get through the day, there will be no concessions at the track.

Anything comes up I’ll post here and send out email/text msg’s.

More soon!!!

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

Most of you know by now I have taken a different approach to attracting/accepting Test Day participants this Year.

It’s working so well, maybe for good!

If you only get your info from me here, you are already too late to participate. I sent invitations to long time regulars first, them to some less frequent regulars but no new drivers. I even left out some who may have done 2-3 of these in the past.

I’m moving these things back to a CLOSED, very private, very small group, so a full on “taking all comers” is not necessary. Actually, just taking enough to pay the lease AND only offering a single day.

I didn’t stop there. I will not be allowing anyone inside the track that is not a paid driver or their 1 crew member. No spectating, No Social Visits, No Meeting for pick-up/drop-off OR buy/sell.

At this point I have more than enough YES commitments. Having the majority of the $$$ already delivered via PayPal we will make the minimum even if a few opt out. The new format sure seems far less stressful than the old way, and I’m not complaining!

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

Just a quick update!

2 more weeks and we’re into March!

I have not mentioned April anywhere yet but have started getting some text and other contact about it.

Many have stepped up to offer their time to help out with the running of these things and I’m looking forward to that! Refining what we already do, but also keeping the very laid-back atmosphere that we all LOVE about test/track days.

I’ll be making contact with the “Catering” trailer folks to see what they have to offer and if that is a feasible option for us. Not having to consider everything involved in feeding folks will be a load off my mind. Even when the Track does it for me, I still have the remnants of it to deal with… clean up/left over food & supplies/etc. So, slowly working on things here. Nothing too crazy just yet!

Hope everyone is Well!!!!

Back Soon!

RPM

 

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