[Stewart Willis]

I understand Howie’s frustration.  Supernats is an event that many people spend a big portion of their year’s budget on, like myself.  It is pretty BS to see what the rains were selling for by SOME teams.  However,  part of the value of being with the “Big Tent” teams is that they usually come prepared and supplied.  Some of the “teams” are not retailers though.  Some of them simply provide a tuning or engineering service, not product.   I usually use multiple sources for weather; Accuweather and Weather.com.   There were conflicting reports.   But, I remembered a few years back when it was freezing and pouring and I had to wear a trash bag to watch the races.  So, apparently, I was one of the 35 that preordered my rains, despite having a set of stickers that I bought earlier in the year (for grand junction, i believe) that never got used.

Lesson #1: Be Prepared. (Drivers and Shops)

So, I had 2 sets of sticker rains, 3 sets of sticker practice tires, and 2 sets of sticker race tires.  That is the better part of $1,500 worth of tires.  Not to mention the spare chassis I bought on the way to Vegas.  That is tough for a lot of people to swing for a single race, including myself.  Apparentlty, some big teams came and bought out all of the MG Reds also, (for Tag Cadet).  I had a buddy that was also racing this race on a shoestring budget and did not pre order practice tires.  By the time he registered, Reds were sold out.  So, after realizing that it was going to rain and noticing that he would be screwed without some stickers, I sold him a set, at retail, or slightly less.. I was offered $1,500 for my rains.  …and turned it down.

But, my frustration comes from the fact that a big part of the cost of racing for me is being amply supplied for what I MIGHT need.  Is it frustrating that my competitors often come to me for parts that they dont keep spares of?  Sometimes.  But, I thought about it quite a bit and realized that if I spent my money on races, rather than spares and “maybes” my son would have had much more track time.

But, then came supernats.  I was prepared.  Many were not.  My gamble paid off.   Now, only if my kid could drive in the rain,  on a low grip track with big barriers….

Lesson #2: When it rains, head to the track!!  (off topic, I digress)

I just watched the movie “Chasing Mavericks”.  I saw them use a weather station radio that told them what the weather was like and the direction of swells, so they would know which break to surf.  I did this as a surfing kid from San Diego, so I could relate.  When the southwest swell would be coming in, we would head to Coronado…etc

At our local track, we cancel races when it rains.  I understand that most people don’t like cleaning up the mess of driving a kart in the rain.  But, next time it rains, I will be at the track. Period.

 

 

[Stewart Willis]

So, it seems that all the participating teams are running at full throttle!  I think I just visited TonyKart Heaven at PureKarting in Phoenix.  Those guys are burning the candle at both ends.  I am getting 5-10 calls per day from Tag Cadet and Junior dads from all around the country.   Energy is in the air!  A little over a week away and everyone is fired up.    I would love to here some posts from the teams making the cross-country trek from the Rotax Worlds in New Orleans next week and The SuperNats in Vegas….

[Stewart Willis]

weight transfer

[Stewart Willis]

What about for Non-O-ring?  I have been using RK.  But, I know  people that are very happy with Holeshot as well.   Thoughts?

 

[Stewart Willis]

So, i saw a facebook thread, I believe on the EKN page where there were several pissed off people that were upset that Rogero walked off of the scales,  to help a teammate get a ticket.  Why is this so bad?

[Stewart Willis]

Tim,

I am a man of leisure.  Phoenix sounds better to me.

[Stewart Willis]

I am divided as to whether parking lot races are good for Karting in most situations.  i dont think that it supports the track owners that have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into the infrastructure of their tracks.  However,  SKUSA has done things much differently with their Street races.  These races will draw people into karting that have never seen it before.  The local tracks may benefit more in the long run with this kind of event, as it will draw in fresh drivers into the marketplace.

I am guessing that this will be a tremendous boost to Nor Cal karting.   Hopefully, the shops up north can capture all of the new leads that will inevitably come from this event.

Kudos to The City of Modesto, Tom and SKUSA!!

 

[Stewart Willis]

Sounds AWESOME!!   I think that it is neat to see a group realize the financial impact of these races.

Pro Tour is unbelievable…

Now, where are the Spring Nats going to be??   I Vote for Phoenix!!!  We have one of the greatest facilities in America that can handle any size race that you give us.   Give us a second chance Tom!

[Author]

Posts