[Stewart Willis]

Here is a link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td_wmMAel8Q

[Stewart Willis]

TJ,

I’ve told this story a million times.  But, I will tell it again.

It was christmas of 1987 or so..  I was 13 or 14.  All that I wanted for Christmas was a go kart, nothing else.  I wanted one for years.   After we opened all of the gifts underneath the tree my father said to me, “Sorry we could not get the go kart this year.  Maybe for your birthday.  Money is really tight right now.”  My eyes teared up.  But, I knew that my dad worked his butt off so that we always dressed well despite the crappy old beat up orange Toyota Corolla  that he drove.  He always made sure that we came first.  Well, about 10 minutes passed after we opened presents and I hear what appears to sound like a couple of motorcycles racing up and down our normally quiet street.  We run outside and it is my dad’s employees.  One is on a CR 125 motorcyle and the other is on a black proline go kart with a KT100 flying up and down the streets.   It was the best moment of my life up to that point.  We ended up racing at Jamul Kart track in California.  We showed up in my dad’s clunker truck to the track and had a great time.  I never won a race, thanks to my competition being Robbie Mott, who was amazing.  But, it was something that I loved to do.  It was simple, super inexpensive (relative to today), and was great family time.  Eventually I quit, ran out of time money etc…  But, 6 years ago I was on a flight in First Class (Free upgrade)  from Indianapolis to AZ and met PJ Jones.  We started chatting and he encouraged me to get my kids out to the kart track.   To my surprise, karting was no longer the sport that I left.  Everyone had trailers and kart stands and fancy plastic sidepods.. and the cost was through the roof.  My son eventually got a kid kart and we won a few races, picked up a duffy and some screaming eagles…  and have continued to race.   Does my son want to be a race car driver? Nope.   So, why do we spend so much money racing?  Honestly, its about pursuing excellence.  Pushing the limits of our physical capacity at whatever we do.   It is me doing everything that I can do to help him if he does his part.  He has his limits and I have definitely reached mine (financially).  But,  the countless hours  that we spend together and the amazing memories that we make together make it all worth it.

[Stewart Willis]

Charles Skowron
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“Well of course a lot of us on the forum are armchair experts. If it costs $225,000/yr to race a go-kart how many can afford to race? ”

 

The true answer is, “Not many of us.”  But, most dont run a full throttle National level schedule.  They pepper in a few big races here and there.  I can expect to spend in the $100k-$150k range if we hold to our planned schedule.  It is tough because we are in AZ where we only have one big race this year that isnt Rotax.    I have been told that bandoleros are less expensive as well as some full size cars. However, my kid has no ambitions to be a race car driver.  He likes hanging out with his buddies racing go karts…  So, what is a guy to do?

 

 

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[Stewart Willis]

TJ,

You do not NEED a $225k/yr budget to race.  But, think through this math.  Some people ONLY race “National” level events or those that are perceived to be national level events. This is not an unreasonable number based on how many races they race. We have friends that will be racing both weekends of Florida Winter Tour, Pro Tour, USPKS, and some California PKC race…..  and they live in Texas.

You mention that people need to learn how to tune on their own chassis.  I agree.  But, who would you learn this from?  I would argue that you hire a great tuner/engineer and learn from them.

I was given two  arrive and drive quotes for USPKS races.  One of them was around $5,500 per race plus expenses, no mechanic, no engine.  The other quote was around $3,000.  This does not include our travel there nor the cost of renting engines nor the cost of mechanics.

 

Here is what our schedule looks like for the upcoming year and some of the expenses that I have time to calculate:

My planned race schedule is as follows: (remember, I live in AZ)

Phoenix Kart Racing Association (Local Club race) PKRA

-As many as we can squeeze in.

SKUSA! California ProKart Challenge

1.)Buttonwillow, CA  (9 Hour drive or $600 round trip flights for my son and I not including testing dates)$450 entry fee, tires fuel.  $600 for engineering and mechanic

2.) Willow Springs CA (7 hour drive)

3.) Riverside, CA (6 hour drive)

4.)Buttonwillow, CA  (9 Hour drive or $600 round trip flights for my son and I Plus $300 transportation fee)

5.)Sonoma, CA  (12 hour drive with trailer or $500 air fare plus $300 transportation fee)

 SKUSA! ProTour

1.)Phoenix,   My home track, no transport fees ($700 Entry, Tires, Fuel) $1,000 mechanic and engineering

2.)Newcastle, (at least $600 in round trip air fare if we do no testing and leave the wife and other kid at home) ($700 Entry, Tires, Fuel) $2,500 mechanic, engineering, hotels, rental car

3.) Supernationals (5 hour drive , Hotel  me plus tuner $1,400, engineering and mechanic $3,000)

 

USPKS

1.)Go Pro Motorplex, North Carolina

2.) Shawano, WI

3.)Michiana  North Liberty, IN

4.) New Castle, IN

[Stewart Willis]

I dont know that TruTv had an intention to promote the sport.  My thoughts on the show are as follows:

The show captured the quintessence 0f cadet and junior karting.  Kart life uses several competitors and follows them throughout a race weekend.

In the first episode we are introduced to several characters.  On one hand, we see the Tavellas, who are presented as a family that prides themselves in conducting themselves well on and off the track.  The father, Phil, is a bundle of emotions while his kid is on the track.  But, is able to reign it in when talking and counseling his kid.   Despite being the victim of several bad driving incidents that lead to his son being crashed out to the back of the field, he insists on his kid driving the right way, the clean way.  At one point in the show Phil tells Dylan “Keep driving clean.  That is why you are respected and others are not.”  (Paraphrased)    We have competed against this family and can say that this is a pretty accurate representation of them.

Then, we meet the Bromantes, who are a presented as a much more boisterous and braggadocious bunch that are consumed with their personal wealth and the “win at every cost” mentality.   I am not sure if this is simply a douchey caracature of the real family or if this is an accurate portrayal.  But, it felt like Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino was cast in this role.

Then we are briefly introduced to the Malukas family, who are only briefly discussed.   While it is clear that he is an immigrant and a successful man that has achieved the “American Dream” financially, and enjoys his stuff, it doesn’t seem to define him (thus far.)  My initial impression is that I like this guy.  He seems to demand the best out of his son.  What struck me the most was a glimpse into the second episode that shows the Mr. Malukas reach his boiling point and blowing up at his tuner/mechanic because of the way he is talking to or about young david.  This was particularly poignant to  me.  Much like myself who is self admittedly too hard on my kid, it is difficult to see someone else be the same way with him.  I have had the same feelings where I can not handle someone talking to my kid in such a way.  Often, the mechanics and tuners are also emotionally invested and want what is best for the kid and sometimes treat them as their own.  They dont realize at times when they cross the line.

Finally, we are introduced to Sasha, a 15 year old female driver that is a typical 15 year old girl placed in a racing environment.  Not only does she want to race and win,  she is shown to have the same real-world distractions that other boys and girls her age have.

At this point I am fully entertained.  Anyone who is upset that this show focuses on money and the cost of the sport is simply ignoring the realities of what it really costs to race.  Perhaps to get the simpler, less money oriented side of karting  the film crew will introduce some 4 cycle  or dirt circle track racing.  But, it is my opinion that the show has given an accurate glimpse into our world, like it or not.

[Stewart Willis]

I heard that a few of the shops mentioned in the press release were upset that their names were used in the press release to back the series without their permission and the mischaracterization of their level of support for the new series.    Things like this can usually be fixed with conversations and voicing your concerns.  Maybe this was done…  I dont know.

The glaring weakness  in this new series is that the Tag classes revolve around the Rotax engine.  With such huge manufacturing variances in the component and parts  tolerances and the ridiculous performance differences from engine to engine (specifically in Micro and Mini) I think that this program (in the warmer months of the year when Canadians will not NEED a place to race) is destined to fail.   A ROK-based series would at least have a fighting chance because of the pressure that OTK could put on their dealers…… And somebody clearly has some cash that they dont mind burning  to fund this battle.

But, I think that it was a nice shot over the bow of SKUSA.    Presumably, those shops that  are essentially declaring war on SKUSA will no longer be supporting  SKUSA races or they will be prepared with their hiking boots for the long walks to the grid.

 

[Stewart Willis]

I am 6’3.5″ and I am currently 234 lbs.  In college I rowed on the crew team at 174 lbs.  Could I get there now?  Maybe.  But, I refuse to wear those questionable sausage shorts and ride a bike….

[Stewart Willis]

Decalzone has done great stuff for me.  Very solid!

[Stewart Willis]

S2 predictions

Rob Howden – EKN Editor-in-Chief
1. Kyle Kirkwood
2. Austin Garrison
3. Kolton Griffin
4. Jarred Campbell
5. Chris Jennings

 

David Cole – EKN Managing Editor

1. Kolton Griffin
2. Austin Garrison
3. Jarred Campbell
4. Jonathan Kotyk
5. Morgan Healey

Stewart Willis- President, Managing Partner Extreme Motorsports Marketing LLc:

1. Kolton Griffin
2. Austin Garrison
3. Jarred Campbell
4. Kyle Kirkwood
5. Jim Mckinney

 

[Stewart Willis]

Tag Junior Predictions:

Rob Howden – EKN Editor-in-Chief

1. Anthony Gangi Jr.
2. Logan Sargeant
3. Juan Manuel Correa
4. Nick Brueckner
5. Antonio Serravalle

David Cole – EKN Managing Editor

1. Logan Sargeant
2. Luiz Branquinho
3. Juan Manuel Correa
4. Anthony Gangi Jr.
5. Nick Brueckner

Stewart Willis- President, Managing Partner Extreme Motorsports Marketing LLc:

1.  Christian Brooks
2. Logan Sargeant
3. Colton Herta
4. Anthony Gangi Jr.
5. Juan Manuel Correa
6. Justice Lepe
7. Devlin Defrancesco
8. Patricio O’Ward.
9.  Jake Drew

 

[Stewart Willis]

Tag Cadet Predictions:

Rob Howden – EKN Editor-in-Chief
1. Jagger Jones
2. Jack Doohan
3. Leonardo Marseglia
4. Michael d’Orlando
5. Lance Fenderson

 

David Cole – EKN Managing Editor
1. Leonardo Marseglia
2. Michael d’Orlando
3. Gianluca Petecof
4. Dylan Tavella
5. Jack Doohan

 

Stewart Willis- President, Managing Partner Extreme Motorsports Marketing LLc:

1.) Anthony Willis

2.) Jagger Jones

3. ) Leonardo Marseglia

4.) Jack Doohan

5.) Lance Fenderson

6.) Lachlan Defrancesco

7.) Jak Crawford

8.) Oliver Calvo

9) Trey Brown

10.) Myles Farhan

 

[Stewart Willis]

Doesn’t the mylaps/Orbitz software allow the zone timing like we see at the worlds?  That would be nice to have at supernats..

I am a little confused by the live timing/video schedule..  It looks like it is 5:30 am in Sarno now..  8:30 pm in Arizona.  The video feed says live in 12 hours….  So, video is not live until 5 pm Sarno time?  Doesnt make sense…  Can someone post up a schedule of the event?  Thanks

 

[Stewart Willis]

Keith Bridgeman wrote “Hey Stewart,  you might want to look at a RIGP race newer then 2010.  Haybales are no longer used.”

OK.. How about the safety cones and exposed curbs in 2013 at RIGP???  There was none of that exposure in Modesto.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mffQPHAUIHA

I am not here to bash RIGP.  I am simply saying that in Modesto  there was so many plastic barriers there for the safety of the drivers. You cant even compare  the coverage to RIGP.   To say that they were not concerned about safety is ludicrous.  I think that at the end of the day the Modesto track was just too fast and the drivers were too aggressive and tired from the long hot days.

 

 

[Stewart Willis]

The hilarity of some of the posts by these Monday  morning quarterbacks is insane.   For those of you that did not attend Modesto, you could have no idea of the enormity of this event and the infrastructural planning that went into this event.   And with all due respect, to compare the track to RIGP is a joke.    If Tom used hay bails every 10-15 feet like RIGP, there would be people asking for his head on a platter because of the injuries that WOULD have happened.  I dare someone to find a single fence that is exposed to the drivers on the Modesto course.   Compare this video of RIGP to one of Modesto’s track:   http://www.rockislandgrandprix.com/video_helmet.html ..  It would be like comparing a club race to the Supernats.  So, asking Tom to take advice from that track design is a F@#$%  joke.  With those haybales in Modesto, there would have been way more injuries.

Did Tom bite off more than he could chew by making the first race at Modesto a Pro Tour event?  Maybe.   Was the track too fast?  Yes.  But, everyone who comes on these forums and suggests how we can make karting mainstream and get more public involvement should try to grasp what was attempted.

Dont get me wrong, I am not pleased with the damage done to my karts or the dive bombing kids that knocked us out of Sunday’s main in turn one after qualifying 6th.  But, the public lynching of SKUSA here will insure that no other promoter thinks outside of the box and tries to blaze new trails.

 

 

 

[Stewart Willis]

 

I give Tom kudos for having the ambition to bring karting to the public like this and to shoot for the stars.  Sometimes you hit the target.  Sometimes you miss.     I can tell you that the SKUSA! crew worked their asses off to put on this race.  It would have been much easier on them  to have it at an established track.  But that would be settling and mediocre.  Tom is anything but mediocre.

“Most people fail in life not because they aim too high and miss, but because they aim too low and hit.”

-Les Brown

 

 

[Stewart Willis]

So, there are two competing schools of thought on the matter.  1.) limit the driver’s motion in case of a flip in order to limit the damage.  2.) Allow the driver a freer and fuller range of motion so that they have a better view of their periphery so that they can avoid crashes.

My feeling is that most accident from kids in that age range are caused  by being unaware of what is happening around them because of all of these devices that constrain their range of motion and view.    So, I like the smaller neck collars.

Thoughts?

[Stewart Willis]

It is my understanding that The Doubletree Modesto sold out of its 160 room block in about an hour after being released to the public.    CRAZY!

[Stewart Willis]

First of all, The SKUSA SpringNationals was an AMAZING spectacle!  I spent a year managing a much smaller regional series and I have the utmost respect for the crew that SKUSA has assembled to put on the race.  The variables that Tom K. and Terry B. have to deal with just blow my mind.  I could not imagine dealing with such a monster.  …and the SKUSA team does it extremely well.

Everyone should realize that ProTour is not a regional race series.  It is truly a “Nationals” or “international” level event.  Were there people that attended that probably should have worked on their development a bit more before taking on such a monster?  Absolutely.

I am torn over the lap traffic issue.   What happened in S4 is different than some of the other situations.  S4 drivers should have the wherewithal to obey any CLEAR signs from the corner workers, including black/blue flags.    My son races tag cadet.  I went there with the intention of winning the whole thing.  But, quickly I realized that we just did not have the speed or luck to make that happen.  There was a clear advantage to the older kids because of their physical strength, allowing them to manage the nasty rubber a bit more easily.   I am sure other parents or teams had the same hopes and dreams as I did as they made plans to attend the race.  But, truly, this was the deepest Tag Cadet field that I have ever seen.  I am sure that some of the back markers were local class champions at their respective clubs.  But, the ProTour is really  where the competition is as deep as you will find anywhere.  I am sure that as the demand to attend the race continues to grow, there will have to be some qualifying standards to attend.

All in all I am very happy that I went to the event.   Modesto Summernats is going to be OFF THE HOOK!!!

 

[Stewart Willis]

They are all the same.

[Stewart Willis]

My kid hated the OTK brakes on his cadet.  The CRG Braking system worked much better.

 

[Stewart Willis]

2009 called and what its bootcamp back.  I run race studio on my Macbook Pro using VmWare.  Runs perfectly.  The only downside is that you cant format or update DataKeys using virtualization software..  At least I havent figured it out

 

[Stewart Willis]

My Hero Cadet came with a zero pill at the bottom.  For the rain, we added an eccentric.

[Stewart Willis]

Looks like they only have a full size kart.  Their adjustability  looks awesome.  Cadet??

[Stewart Willis]

Howie’s kid has a bad a$$ suit. It is very well fitted.   I believe it is sublimated.     I truly think that a lot of the sublimated suits look bad and poorly fit, as do some of the cheap “Custom” suits.

Freem produced my son’s suit.  It was designed by Cliff at Pure Karting.   It fits beautifully and (I know I am biased) it is the best looking suit I have seen..  But, it was pretty pricy for all  of the embroidery.  You can buy 3-4 K1 suits for the same price.

[Stewart Willis]

The good news: Next year nobody can complain about their MG Rains being old and dried out.  We had a great example of inventory turn.   So turn that frown upside down.

[Author]

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