[Robert Lawson]

We really need a turn key road racing package.

 

That is what attracted the 90’s crowd, walk in the door with CC in hand and purchase a complete set-up….just add gas!

 

I have always wanted to build 8-10 bare bones enduro 4 cycles as rentals. Cheap way to get guys into a laydown. Of course I would have to run one too!!!!

 

The cost, in my oppinion, is not the limiting factor for Road Racing. Its the time, the commitment and motivation to working on them. Lets be honest, Sprint karters are a bit spoiled…..I mean, they come….they turn laps….they go home! Road Racing requires a bigger, more time consuming commitment.

 

Last year was bad, a stinker all around….there, I said it. Let no one fool you, it had nothing to do with clubs or orgs going in different directions although its a popular excuse. Life happened, the debt driven society we are a part of happened, we can throw economy in there too even though gas is/was cheap. For me and my bro’s it was just timing, we made plans to go to events then something popped up.

 

The every day guy just doesn’t know its out there. We need to do something….like a commercial?

 

 

PS: Yeah…I figured them CKS guys HAVE to owe ya something by now!

[Robert Lawson]

Greg,

 

Anything???

 

I’ll sound like a broken record but if more people were willing to do track days like myself and JW it would be a good start. Every time we host one of these another new driver gets introduced. The format is ideal for no pressure, no stress where a new guy or girl can ease there way into it without the pressure of a schedule.

 

Its too bad IRP is in such ill repair. You could get a good group of sprinters out there with Newcastle to draw from. For Putnam to be affordable you would have to do a weekday gig and that would be tough. Get a few of those Indy Car guys involved. Yer a smart cookie, pull out that old phone book and find some help. Tell Dismore he owes ya!!!!! :)

 

Last trip to Putnam we stopped at CKS. I offered all the guys in the shop a free ride in one of the F-125’s and they all turned me down! Maybe there is something in the water down there Greg?

[Robert Lawson]

Greg,

 

Race Monitor has the results for the Speedway (RR), dirt and sprint.

Here is the link:  http://www.race-monitor.com/

 

This is what looks to be the fastest time of the day,  1:55.509 post by John West in his FE. Unfortunately it also looks like he came a few laps short of the finsh.

Regardless, that is flat out moving fellas. Tomorrow the Unltds. will go at it again, go get um JW!!!!!!!

 

RPM

 

[Robert Lawson]

……and the sprocket found its home!

[Robert Lawson]

Hey guys,

 

I went out to Grattan today to pick up my MyCron beacon that was left on the guardrail (again!).  Of course lunch with some of the boys down the hill at the Pub was on order too. The weather was better than 6 weeks ago for the test!

 

The track crew found an intact counter shaft sprocket obviously for a shifter. The spline is tight, lots of little teeth very close together. It is a 17 tooth 428 sprocket, probably was laying on a floor pan and came out once on the track.

 

If you notice your collection is missing a 17 T sprocket let me know and I’ll get it back to you.

 

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

Eric,

 

It has to be a love and passion for our hobby. Even though I just dig driving the kart the organising rides my last nerve! I appreciate you guys, even if I had to threaten calling “Moms” to get a check in the mail!!!! ;)

 

Did you guys get any video? If so post it up here.

 

Curt had smoked a big fat brisket for 8 hours just outside the backdoor of the barn there where we have lunch. I was the last to pull out of the paddock but ran into Larry, Johnboy and Matt at that barn and had to stop. They were drinking and sampling the brisket with the Marshalls and other guests while viewing the MI/MI St. game. Of course I indulged in the brisket too, it was VERY good indeed and Curt has offered to do that for us in April. Its more expensive than Dogs & fixin’s but it sure was good. Told the Marshalls that I was still bringiing Dogs for them though!!!!!!

 

I found Pauls video at YT. I must admit, I like the view his cam got of my kart!!!

 

 

 

[Robert Lawson]

Thanks to Matt and Dan for this, I won’t get tired of watching this anytime soon!!!!!

 

 

PS #3 That title should read “fat guy”!!! I never should have quit smoking…..

[Robert Lawson]

Last run of the day:

 

 

 

PS #2: They also milled and repaved T2 and T3, then covered them with sealer. Grip wasn’t bad in those turns but as you could see T2 was pretty rough. Another milling is in the works for the Spring. T1 was slick from the center off, I couldn’t take my usual line staying on the sealer. T9 (10) was slick as always in the Fall. The rev matching helps keep the rear end from locking/hopping and also helps rotate the car on the slick surface. I was on the Maxxis MH compound which is the softest 5″ tire they offer.

 

Just a bunch of fun. No, 1:24’s are not record breaking laps but they were pretty good times for the 38-40 degrees we had out there.

 

Some of the other guys had cams running, maybe they can post their film here too.

[Robert Lawson]

This is the first upload:

 

 

 

Man that was fun…….

[Robert Lawson]

That was pretty good!!!!

 

I have a few helmet cam blow-ups of my own. A couple years ago at Roebling Road was about as good as it gets. End of the front straight, fastest point on the circuit, middle of turn 1……pow!!! That was an awsome ride. :)

 

No blown tire vids????

 

[Robert Lawson]

I have to bump this one too.

 

As I mentioned in the other ad, we can deliver to Gingerman or MIS……

[Robert Lawson]

I know laydowns are not too popular but were practically giving these kart packages away!

 

We can deliver to Gingerman or MIS…….

[Robert Lawson]

Folks,

Those prices were to let you know what the original purchase price was. I can’t believe no one has a use for any of these parts!!! I have gotten no offers…..not even a ridiculous one!!!!!

My loss is your gain….

C’mon fellas, someone has to have a project out there????

[Robert Lawson]

All my Vintage stuff is gone.

 

1 buyer took everything!!!!

 

Thanks EKN!

[Robert Lawson]

As mentioned in other ad, I have found more stuff.

 

The tote with the K77 also has a K88 in it as well. This may just be a shell (head, cylinder, cases) I will take a look if anyone shows interest.

Also, have a few belts, plastic belt gears, fixed and slippy pipes, vintage Red Eye guage (steering wheel mount), a couple different Digatron gauges of different age as well.

 

I can text or e-mail pics of all this stuff!

 

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

Just an update.

 

As I have been getting requests I have been pulling the parts out of boxes and snaping pics. I found a 40mm Hegar Sprag hub and sprockets and a bunch of 2 piece 40mm axel sprockets all for 428 chain.

 

Make an offer guys, were ready to ship this stuff outta here!!!

 

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

Sean,

 

My brother Kenny was supposed to rent a TAG ride from LAD at M-O last month and was told he would have to adjust the exhaust valve/disc???? He didn’t get to run the kart because it rained but I’m sure someone will be able to shed some light on this for you……err…for Dave!

 

Good Luck,

 

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

Mark,

 

I’ll be in race 4 with Kevin ( ;) )……that is IF I can get this engine together and the kart in order without any issues! It is not  Y-enduro but I don’t mind entering your class so we can race!!!! Hee, hee……

 

Look forward to seeing y’all out there. Safe trip!!!!

 

 

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

Frank,

 

Its pretty safe to say its easily an early 80’s model for sure, if not older. The 1″ tubing dates it back at least that far. Straight front axle and threaded steering shaft make me want to lean more to the mid/late 70’s.

 

Good Luck with it!

[Robert Lawson]

Usually all kart brands have a signature or calling card design of some part or piece. Sometimes its a small item other times it is chassis related.

 

It may be because it is a twin that makes it so strange, the rear headrest mounting/belt guard combo is something I’ve never seen. All that might be due to the location of the rear calipers too. The tanks have a Bug Wasp look to them but it would have a wishbone front axle.

 

I think you have a “custom”, it looks a bit mixed.

[Robert Lawson]

Link?

[Robert Lawson]

Was the race monitor running?????

Was looking for some CIK shifter results….checking on the engine work we did for LAR this winter!!!

 

[Robert Lawson]

Ardy,

It would be a great way for Clubs to offer an alternative experience to a competition weekend or event AND allow for real testing instead of “practice”.

 

Dealing with Grattan, the program must remain small or the cost rises. If it were very well attended (50-75) it would then be viable for a bigger group. I believe those whom attend regularly would agree the small size of the group really makes it the enjoyable time that it is. Just sitting and eating together as a group brings it home, there is a sense of brotherhood or comrodery that transpires.

 

We did not get to run the rolling start Mock Race this time but there were karts running right to the final horn at 5pm. That race is a total riot too and usually has us hanging around talking much longer than most would like before leaving.

 

The swap meet would be nice, we all have “stuff” someone can use and no need for it. Right??

 

God willing, the laydown will have a new crank in it and we’ll be ready for the races in May and June. Really looking forward to M-O this year, I have not run the ICC down there yet and want to see how that circuit suits our set-up.

 

Hope to see you at one of these gigs!!!

 

RPM

[Robert Lawson]

Thank You all for the kind words fellas, it’s always nice to be appreciated!

 

These Test Days do not happen without the support of those wanting the track time. I know many guys just can’t fathom a single day at the track without a piece of wood or some type of points to be gained when its over. That’s cool and all, but these opportunities are rare and can be used for some unusual tests, as Bruce mentioned. I enjoy testing, its a different task than racing. You have to be very consistent with your driving to get accurate usable data. Uncovering that data gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment.

 

I was soooo exhausted that I left the track without my Beacon. It gets better……I just called 10 minutes ago to have Sam fetch it off the guard rail!!!! :)

A few of you mentioned not making it back for the AKRA event but I hope to see most of you back there in May. I’m determined to get back to my pre Holiday weight by then as well!!!

 

RPM

 

 

[Robert Lawson]

I want to thank everyone that participated on Saturday, it was an enjoyable day for most!

 

A few guys arrived late for various reasons. Some just didn’t have much luck, ending their day after a handful of laps. One guy never got his kart to start! There was also all types of problems in between. I did not bring my kart, instead, opting to drive a CIK that I had done a bit of engine work on. The “Winter weight” known as FAT was too much to stuff into the seat and so I did as much as I could to aid the running of the program. This allowed me to visit with literally everyone, which isn’t always the case at these Tests. I noticed a rash of issues with more guys than not having some kind of trouble. Some repaired, others lingering but a few being terminal. This may have happened in the past but it was very evident this time because I had ALOT of time on my hands!!! :)

 

The weather was cold early on, Tony and I went out and swept any puddles from the overnight showers. The start was delayed about 30 minutes to allow the track to dry a bit more. John Brasher agreed to be the Ginny Pig and went out first. When He completed a lap then others joined in. We had a bit of “seeping” in a couple corners but nothing of great concern. They had rain all week in Grand Rapids the week of the Test and the huge “ponds” in the grass off track were proof of that. Getting off the track was not going to be pretty, our tow driver Bob Cole said he brought rubber boots and would have needed them to rescue anyone more than 10ft off the track surface. From 2pm on it was really quite a nice day and everyone got plenty of track time.

 

Lil Johnny from the LAR racing stable drove 3 different karts, one being the CIK with “kid-kart” seat that I could not drive. He put in a ridiculous number of laps. Jerry Revely has his new Reed Jet running well and should give the Sprint Open class guys a run this year. He also turned a good number of laps. Finally got to meet Bruce Peck, we see his posts here all over and was good to put a face to a name. His driver, Kevin Olds was testing some axel clutch set ups. They swapped complete axel assemblies of different clutch types to get the most from the day. We chatted just a bit while I drove him out on course to place the multiple beacons needed to gather data. The “long haul” award goes to Mark Horne and Kevin Thompson, they came from Missouri to test a beautiful new prototype chassis and may very well have done as many laps as Johnny! It looked good to me, and not just the chassis!!

Met a very enthusiastic new guy, Paul. He turned a good number of laps and ran all day. He is from the Metro area here and WAS a sprint only guy, bringing along a young Son in the Kid Kart class. After his first road course experience he is completely hooked on Road Racing now, and, is the result of why we hold these Test Days. I imagine, one day when his Son is older, they will both become full time Road Racers.

 

For me, it was an exhausting day. Awake since Friday 6:30am I just could not sleep before heading to the track at 3am Saturday morning. Any other time I would have been sleeping comfortably in the Heated Tower in the Paddock but I knew Chuck would never be able to deal with those conditions. He REALLY wanted to go and see everyone and to be back smelling the sweet fragrance of 2 stroke exhaust……so I took him for the day. It was worth every agonizing minute of the drive home, fighting off the “tireds” for him to get back out to Grattan. He is improving, but at a very slow rate. Typical racer at heart…..nothing happening fast enough!

 

Again, Thanks to Bob & Kenny for running things, Curt Faasen for cooking and Mrs. Chappell for all the “extras” at lunch!!!!

 

RPM

 

 

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