[Colm O’Higgins]

Well, Kart Life is the most commented Forum topic on ekartingnews.

And so far it is the ONLY kart racing show EVER on National television.  Despite some good magazines from time to time.  This is not the ‘old days’  or the about the average karter.  I have watched every episode that I can.  (It is on the Action channel here in Canada).  It bares, to the annoyance of many writers, the essence of kart racing.  Kart racing is expensive, competitive, fun, potentially life threatening, well policed, controlled classes, available to all, and nationwide.

Compare this to what happens in Europe or Asia.  Full sponsorship for only a few.  But the crowds at big events.  Wow.

Two things I learned about racing:  cubic inches and cubic dollars matter.  Every driver cannot be the winner but the rest can always have dreams or simply enjoy what they do.  Kart racing has been a huge secret since the mid 1960’s.  Finally it appears on National TV…and some of you guys complain !!

These days there are many forms of extreme activities (sponsored by Red Bull or Monster Energy, etc.); back in the day kart racing stood alone as a pursuit, almost.  Very seldom track owners (such as Gus Trader in Quincy) promoted our sport to the local businesses and town.  “Race in the Park” anyone?  Look at the street races in Rock Island.  They have been around for decades.

“Kart Life” is great.  Can be even better, but it has garnered a 2nd season and in Prime Time too.  Geez, Malukas in a NYC subway.  Who else has done that?  Junior Neal has been on Fox News;  that made Vintage headlines.

George, my friend, you do not see NCP owner and Indycar great Mark Dismore or any reference to the legends of the past at all.  This show is a true glimpse of modern day kart racing at the highest Junior level and the need for resources, both time and money. And the warts abound !

And done in a competitive spirit.

Thanks for reading between the lines…

[Colm O’Higgins]

Well said, Jeff !!

[Colm O’Higgins]

Austin, admirable suggestions.

I have attempted to piggy-back on motorcycle and vintage car events at Mosport (CTMP now).  But they do not have the track time available, now anyway.   Plus they do not appreciate big track racekarts as we do, either.

But keep knocking on those doors.

 

[Colm O’Higgins]

Hey, Mr.  Wright…not so fast (pun)…I agree with you…old school here too.

This is a detail of Bracket Racing: every racer should pick a bracket slot that is slower than his/her quickest lap possible, but not so slow that they will end up in last place either.

It becomes an educated guess, not ideal, but competition on the track is the objective.

If you want ‘pure’ racing then pick an Established Class in the other section of classes.   There the quickest kart/driver wins.

Voila!

[Colm O’Higgins]

Axcel is my sponsor and manufacturer of Custom racesuits for karting.  The fit is perfect!.  The Customer Service is exceptional.  And they are located in New Jersey.

General Manager Brian Burley pays personal attention to every detail.  Wore mine the 1st time at the 2013 LS500 race in Denton, Texas and got a few nice comments.  Race Director/Promoter Rob Miller said “I like that suit”

My friend Donna Vitan in Toronto did the custom graphics layout…thanks to her!

Axcel is on Facebook too.  See their products there.

[Colm O’Higgins]

Is Flatrock Michigan still racing karts?  They are one of the oldest tracks and have an enviable safety record.  My buddy Bob Stevenson raced there for decades.    Leamington in Ontario and just an hour’s drive east of Detroit is another vibrant racekart scene.

[Colm O’Higgins]

Dakota…he will be back racing!

[Colm O’Higgins]

What about Reds?

[Colm O’Higgins]

This has become an excellent thread.   Follows from an earlier ekartingnews generated thread.

Some truths are being made evident.  And the fact that this evidence is being gleaned from (vocal) kartracers is a fantastic motivation to improve, no change, the way we all do things.

First, roadracing karters are working together…evidenced by this thread.

Second, clubs  need to work together, as Gene Davis put it.

Third, insurance, tracks, Series, and (barely) enough roadracers are available.

So I conclude that the cost(s) of racing is the main culprit.  Rule differences are a distinct problem.  Date overlapping or being too close to one another is a minor issue overall.

The main issue is COSTS.  In my opinion the are prioritized by most as 1 Travel & Accommodation costs   2 Differences in Rules Series to series (read brakes) and 3   The proportion of monies that sanctioning bodies retain.

The cost of tracks and insurance coverage remains pretty constant, as far as I am aware.

To address this, Travel and Accommodation and other costs:

1  requires a grouping together of racers when travelling to a specific event.  The Sanctioning Body(s) can do this or even ekartingnews could do it (David?).  And storage locally or at the track (New Castle has storage garages) would be a saving too.

2  Rules need to be nearly identical Series to Series.  A “Summit’ of Series leaders should ensue.

3  Sanctioning bodies be it WKA, IKF, CES, or KART must be totally transparent in publishing online their costs and what % they retain to cover their expenses.  Insurance coverage must be a part of this plan.

Secondary matters such as Technical Rules and dates can be settled…political will being present.  That is one of the most difficult parts, political will.

OR, the roadracer will be compelled to form their own single Sanctioning body.  Not MY choice.  But if it comes to that I am in.

Or…I don’t even want to think of it.

[Colm O’Higgins]

George, your input is a breath of fresh air.

Points taken.

Especially liked are your Commuter Information Boards maybe operated by Sanctioning bodies.

How about ‘ekartingnews’ doing it as a new Section, Dave?

If the equipment were not already in Denton Texas, I would not even be thinking of participating at their LSGP 500, so Local Storage for roadracers could definitely be a bonus compared to trailering (etc.).

However, RR needs a re-birth for 2014, so no time to waste.

[Colm O’Higgins]

To answer the posed question:  

Clubs first, then Sanctioning entities.

[Colm O’Higgins]

Yep, SKF ConCenta bearings solve this issue and are available in various seal types.  Also see the installation video on u Tube.

[Colm O’Higgins]

Bo, you are correct.

But the ability to buy Insurance rules.

[Colm O’Higgins]

Well said TJ !!

“You need to be able to win or challenging for the win…”

Plus you must have a huge amount of RUTHLESSNESS on the track too.  Every driver that succeeded has had that quality.   The willingness to beat everyone else, within the rules approximately.

Nate…you can be successful if you want…but now is the time to begin.

[Colm O’Higgins]

Nate, the 1st thing you need is to realize that you are 1 in about 10,000 drivers who have the same ‘wants’.  You need to start now to bring your dreams to realization.

Many karters and drivers from other disciplines have not made or have almost made it to the ‘big time’.  Some have died trying  Others have become severely injured…Shane Hmiel and Mark Dismore to name a couple.  Many kart racers have toiled for decades with paltry results.

So it is NOT EASY.

But it can be done.   It IS possible.  These days it is both easier and harder.  You are just 14 years old so you have some time on your hands.

First evaluate your physical skill set as well as your mindset.  Do you or will you have the driving skills to be able to rise higher?  Is your goal a fantasy or a realistic possibility?  Are you able to surround yourself with the proper people to take you forward?

In the past decades I have been fortunate to race with Scott Pruett, Mark Dismore, Ron Fellows, Paul Tracy, Scott Goodyear and others who made it to the top levels of auto racing.  They ALL started in kart racing. Many other international drivers did too…Senna and Schumacher included.   Their talent was obvious and they had goals.  Become the next Jamie McDonald and never forget kart racing.  Ayrton Senna said that karting “is the purest form of motorsport”.

If I were to name the first need that you must have it is to set goals for yourself.   A timeline of progression.   Many facets should be included…personal ability, events to attend, top flight equipment is a must,  a succession of racing levels, and winning.

You state that in your Class you finished 2nd overall.  Championships mean something but individual race wins mean the most.  (Schumacher’s words).  Be scouted.   Decide that you have the finances through Sponsorship or personal means or racing industry connections to achieve your dream.

Finances and connections are the most important issues to attend to in the modern world of auto racing.

Then it will happen !!

David Cole’s words above are be read over and over…hard work both on and off the track and determination will be an enabling quality.

 

[Colm O’Higgins]

Benn, Kelly, Jeff, Chris and so many others have great ideas on this topic.

Do we see Sanctioning entities or Clubs becoming engaged?   Seems not, sadly.

Action needs to happen !!

Otherwise it won’t matter.  This Forum will become just memories of the past.

A SUMMIT (cyber will reduce costs) of the people who control Road Racing is needed.

Soon.  Race schedules have been announced for 2014 already.   Mostly the same stuff.

Get together, recognize each other.  Market, plan, rationalize, co-operate as one.

Start now !

[Colm O’Higgins]

Wow, the last 3 posts by Chris Hegar, Jeff Collier, and Jim McMahon bring this topic to a head.   I empathize with their cogent suggestions.

We need only 12 Class divisions, not 61 like in WKA.

First, continue with those classes that are established.  Say, minimum 15 entries.

Second, create “bracket/time” classes to bring on track competition into the equation.  At least 10 entries per Group.

Third,  recognize any Sanction/ Club Membership in exchange for participation.

On my First suggestion this will require that there be only 12 (TWELVE), I’d say, classes maximum.  6 Currently Recognized ones and 6 Bracket ones.  Reduces trophy expenses.

On the second one it will bring alive Jeff”s memories of great racing on the track.  And encourage any kart owner to compete.   Even “Vintage” owners…an inexpensive way to race on the big tracks.

Third, this will need to happen to avoid any racer needing multiple Memberships.  WKA, KART/MARRS, Woodbridge, VKA, IKF and TAG all sanction races…let them recognize one another.

How about it…an initial step to road racings survival !

[Colm O’Higgins]

We need a date stated again, firmly.

How about Series points for ALL the Sanctioning entities out there that you run.  

For the moment please, Sanctioning bodies should work around the proposed day in July.

This would give hope for a repeat event…but we need to have a first one!

But no double points…not fair given the cost and location.

Let us know.

[Colm O’Higgins]

Ron Taylor, President of Michigan Kart Club,  emailed me yesterday to provide follow up to the Mike Roncke incident at Turn 3 during Race 1 on Sunday.

He reported that a thorough interview was undertaken by the Race Officials with the marshals that were at that location.  From a racers perspective someone was misplaced or was watching the wrong direction for way too long.  It happened and Mike is fortunate this time.

It should never happen again, and I am speaking about the delay in reacting to a kart that was into the wall at the entrance to Turn 3 for over 2 complete laps.

Ron said that MKC will…

…”re-position the Marshal’s Station much closer to the racing line near the entrance to the chicane area and including a safety barrier for the Flagman.  Second, there will be another Marshal’s Station very near the Turn 3 apex to avoid any delay in removing disabled karts from the racing line and to provide a second track status indicator to inform racers of track onditions”.

Good work Ron & MKC.  All of us are thankful for the work you do in the preparation of this prestigious event.

Looking forward to 2014 !!

[Colm O’Higgins]

Jeff Mott started this thread:

” Can RR survive without the Clubs?”

The USPKS has entry Fees of $300 and up!  They are beholding to NO Sanctioning body.

Their engine spec rules are fairly open with just a specific ‘blowdown’ rule and specified parts such as headers and carbs.  They are run by Promotors who know where the break even point is, and keep their heads above water.

Yes, they are different.  They are far from KART.  They are high end racing that attracts attention.   Professionals.  Clubs tend to have those who are willing to work and then sort out their abilities.  Cart before the horse?

Maybe Clubs do not need to go to those extremes but they have to watch the ‘bottom line’ and charge accordingly.  Kart racers are by design thrifty, kinda.  They have to be!

But it takes a lot of money to rent these big tracks, no spectators and no major sponsorship.  Without those latter two items the karter must pay the freight.

If roadracing is to survive, let alone thrive, across the nation (and the West Coast is pretty much gone already)  then the Clubs and their Members need a course in financial reality.  

Whatever it costs we must pay.

[Colm O’Higgins]

Re: CES / TAG Technical Manual

Yeah, Peter, I read it online!  Saves print costs enormously.  

Are the other SB’s still in the mode of old technology, print wise?

As for a “dual braking system”  for TAG class racekarts I wonder what that would entail?

Also, reading the Penske article in Autosport on running at Inianapolis, that magazine has NO mention of karts.

Halls of Fame for elevated racecar drivers do not include karting either.  That needs to be fixed.  

Earlier this year I was lucky to meet Ron Fellows in Brampton after he had been inducted into this city’s Sports Hall of Fame.   Ron has done much here for kart racing.

Possibly a racer such as Scott Pruett could help us make the needed connections.

Colm

[Colm O’Higgins]

Everyone, Gene is correct.

WKA does NOT require front brakes on TAG chassis.

But a “dual braking system” IS required.

Rules 362.9 & 362.10 on Page 72 of the 2013 WKA Technical Manual.

Now would it not be EASIER if there was jute ONE Technical Manual for the entire continent….cheaper too.  Definitely better for the competitors…oh them.  

All the Sanctioning entities WKA, IKF, KART & CES should get together for the 2014 / 2015 issue, with each displaying their Logo on the Cover.  

Why?  Because we do not have the dollars to spend on several manuals.

[Colm O’Higgins]

Seems we have a plethora of reasons why RR is not currently booming.  We have several good suggestions to remedy this reality.  To-day’s youth has many activities to choose from, that’s new to those of us from past years.  

Act!

MUST HAPPEN SOON or race dates will be far less evident and farther away than at present.  

That’s okay if the numbers support the costs.  IF.

First, the sanctioning bodies need to work together.  KART and WKA and IKF.  Wow, seems improbable.

Second, Gene may be correct, but a hydrid system of National classes and Local Option classes should work.  Far fewer in number, please.   And must include a Junior class.

Third, karting needs a National sponsor…Mazda is the only one so far.  What do they see?  Mazda’s input, if they are reading this Forum…

Fourth, a travel “tow-money” fund should be explored as a doable concept.

Fifth, partnering with ‘higher’  forms of motorsport will be a road to increase karting’s RR numbers by drawing from racers with more disposable income.

Colm

[Colm O’Higgins]

Bo, I like your idea of partnering with Indycar.  If they want us.

Sanctioning bodies (yeah, BODIES)…are you listening?

 And George. well said on the Junior Classes.

My father said that the best form of government was “a benevolent dictatorship”. 

But which weekend?  

Have you read A.J. Foyt’s comments on May yet?

Indianapolis is a sure bet to increase our numbers.

Colm

[Colm O’Higgins]

Here is my viewpoint, but something, actually more than a few things, needs to, must happen:

KART certainly has a dedicated model that works for Hallett, Lake Afton and Garnett, etc.  Can it be applied across the expanse of North America?

Dart Kart Club runs Mid Ohio but it costs I am told, nearly $40k to rent the facility for 3 1/2 days for a closed (no spectators) event.  And they barely break even.

At M.I.S. Michigan Kart Club runs a high quality race event and added by requests practice on Friday.  But they only got 50 participants and lost $7000 approx.  This will change.  Also they lost money on the food concessions…kart racers mostly bring their own stuff.

Local “Late Model” circle tracks have spectators and sponsors.  Kart clubs have few.  And they usually involve the local business community.

There are several factors that affect Roadracing today:

1      Years ago clubs (of ‘higher’ series) paid ‘tow money’ to racers depending on how far  we traveled to reach the track.  A Travel Fund paid into by every racer and then distributed?  Can we do that?

2     Schedules and Race Personnel need to, must be, active at each others events.  More populated race events and spread across timetables, Regions respected.  Memberships likewise need to become interchangeable, or amalgamated eventually.  To become reciprocal on Memberships and Licences would be a good starting point.

3    10 Classes maximum!  I counted 61 class divisions in WKA!  Have a participation level requirement, respond quickly.  Do not turn any racer away but put all stragglers in a ‘Left Over’ class of sorts.  Right now Bracket racing would fit.

4    Top tier tracks, as Lyle wrote, can choose from other more wealthy forms of racing to make their profits.  V.I.R. is a prime example.

5    I feel safe, kinda.  But other racers from other types say we at the very least look unsafe!  So kart racing has to become proactive on that issue.

6    Finally, no (other) type of race series exists without a major sponsor. In WKA Mazda has been great…but is the local dealer even aware or involved?  Never saw one yet. Therefore karting has to identify what it can offer a sponsor or piggyback on a higher series activities.  Kart racers bring in significant dollars to local businesses…with little return other than price.

Maybe leave the price at list and get the motel, gas station, or restaurant to provide a set of trophies with their name on it.

To allow the above to happen will take political will, a humbling of egos, and a willingness to compromise.  Time is of the essence.

Colm

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