[Keith Bridgeman]

David, thanks for asking.  What did I like best.   I thought the racing was very good.  Saw some great racing.  Aggressive?  – A bit much but there was some great close races.   I like watching rain racing but after a half a day I was over it.   Super Sunday went by to fast.

The split days are a must.   Having raced in 2010 both my brother and I where on different half of the days which was the only way would could have done it because he helped me in the morning and I helped him in the afternoon.   I also use to think that to many classes where a bad thing but I’ve kind of changed my mind on that.   I like seeing the variety of classes and engines.  You get a little of every series in one weekend which is what the race is. 

I don’t think this would work but I would like to see two main events for the main classes.  S1, KZ, TAG senior and maybe one or two more.   1 race on Saturday and and another on Sunday.

It would be bad $ss if for the headline classes they could do some type knock out qualifing like F1.  This would be fun to watch and would give the top guys a bit more time on track.

Or do a dash for cash type race at the end of one of the nights for the t0p 10 in Qualifiers in the main classes and let them have at it. 

I know, I know there is no time but any race can change things up a bit now and then and keep it fresh.

Maybe move the Race to early November,   I think Global cooling is taking place in Vegas over the last 5 years  What was 70 degree days seem like 55-60 now.

[Keith Bridgeman]

I have to agree.  I suppose just as you suggest Facebook and other Social media might be taking some of that from these forums.  Also since the change to this forum I wonder how many users where lost.  Threads in general seem slower then before. 

Also during the Supernats week everyone that is part of karting is there and not posting here.

I will agree that the wramp up and post supernats where more quiet then usual but as stated above maybe its just harder to gauge.

I went to watch and I know as a spectator the rain sucked and I’m sure the racers and Teams where worn down by three days of it.   Its one of those races that you will remember because you just got through it.

[Keith Bridgeman]

Food for thought after looking at the entries.   

Out of 600 entires not one american made kart.  No Margay, Ikart or whatever.   Thats got to be concerning on some levels.

[Keith Bridgeman]

Ok then 1.8 to 2 miles.    3.5 is much different racing

[Keith Bridgeman]

So whats the goal of this race if it where to happen? 

Is it just to race there or to make it a National Super race like it should be?  How is it being presented to COTA and are all the main roadrace orgs represented?

Also after watching the F1 race it would be very cool to race on this track.  But honestly drafting 15 times per lap doesn’t really do much for me.    These really large tracks like RA are a whole different type of roadracing then the normal +- 1.5 mile tracks.

[Keith Bridgeman]

It would by nice to see CES and KART have a joint race or two.  The KART tracks are actually closer to MN for me then going to MI.

[Keith Bridgeman]

I don’t plan on repainting it.  I want the bare metal look.  Its a Trackmagic frame and its just going on the wall.

[Keith Bridgeman]

This should be treated like the Supernats of Roadracing.   No points.   Just a big one off event.

[Keith Bridgeman]

Also the Trackmagic FTR was made from 05 -07.  I can’t tell from the pics what year this one was.

[Keith Bridgeman]

So a few things.  Its a buyers market now in the fall winter so the price will be a bit down compared to spring.   Also hard to tell from the pictures the condition,  it looks clean.   I sold my Trackmagic FTR in 2009 when Trackmagic was still in business for $1400.   So I would say its worth really $1000 – $1200.   The K9B kind of also depends on how much time is on the engine.  If it needs to be rebuilt then its worth $1500,  if its fresh its worth maybe $2000 or a little more.     $2800 – $3200 is your range.   Also are there any extras, wheels etc?

[Keith Bridgeman]

[Keith Bridgeman]

I think it might be debatable if TAG is cheaper then shifters, maybe a little.  If your just running practice laps it might be.   You can get screaming deals on 80cc karts and yes you can bang out laps pretty cheap.   You don’t pay much and your not going to get much for it when your done.   If you want to shift then TAG isn’t an option.  If thats not a big deal then TAG would be fine.

[Keith Bridgeman]

The TAG version of the KZ engines have never really took off and have no world or national series.  The IAME KZ engine non TAG has had good showings this year on an international level.

[Keith Bridgeman]

Holly crap I didn’t see that they scheduled the same weekend is RIGP.  Bush league move.   And these orgs wonder why no one comes

[Keith Bridgeman]

TAG and shifter counts are an interesting thing.  I feel bad for not supporting the event this year but I’ve been to the Rock many times.   Back in 2000-02 this was our big event of the year.  Everything ramped up to the RIGP.   Shifter classes where big and very much national level.    Last 5-6 years its been mainly to go because it was one of the few places to run a masters shifter.     

James might be onto something.   Honestly there is a bit of a been there done that affect for me and I’m kind of getting done with sprinting and more moving towards roadracing where the grids are big.   I think maybe some changes are in order but then is it really Rock Island?  maybe not.   Maybe its just a phase of Briggs and Yamaha’s again for awhile.

I can see TAG numbers going down.   USPKS, WKA, SKUSA,   there is a lot of competition now for TAG entries.    King of the Steets stock moto at 10 entries?   Thats not good at all.   The midwest shifter kart scene is a bit of a head scratcher though.

[Keith Bridgeman]

Really it comes down to this.  If your new to shifters in the last 5-6 years you’ve been told stock honda is the cheapest and greatest.  So thats what you know.

If you where in karting mid 2000’s you knew ICC.   Late nineties it was built moto.   Ive had all three and can make an educated decision based on this.

We are simply in a spec world of karting right now.   People now just like spec and stock moto is a bit cheaper.   Unless you need to have that $1000  2001 cylinder but that cost is ok…..

I will spend that bit more on the KZ experience myself.

[Keith Bridgeman]

[Keith Bridgeman]

[Keith Bridgeman]

[Keith Bridgeman]

[Keith Bridgeman]

Maybe a national kart show should be put before or right after the Supernationals.

[Keith Bridgeman]

Tim, can you please stop using real historical facts and common sense in your responses.   What a drag, no one wants to hear that crap.

[Keith Bridgeman]

They will never stop making CR125 parts mainly due to all they money they make from shifter Kart kits in the US.   I mean, its like thoasands of dollars and Honda really needs that money. 

The trustly 99 CR125 will make it to its 20 year anniversary for sure.

 

[Keith Bridgeman]

O my, this was a good laugh

Is this tournament going to take place back in the sticks where the movie Deliverance was made?

We go by Bean bag toss in MN also.   Cornhole puts a unique twist on the game I will admit.  I would pass but go for it!!

[Keith Bridgeman]

Tim, it would have been true if they would have left the engines stock.  They are perfectly fine out of the box.  I know because I bought by first CRS in 02 to race the SKUSA protour.  It was great that way.  Its not the engines fault that we must send them to an engine builder to work it up and add $3000 to the price tag.   But thats they way  it worked out, just like built moto and now even stock moto.    The engine builders will always have there chance to make the engine better and good for them, they need work to.

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