[Craig Butt]

UPDATE: Motor had new fuel & coolant lines installed and it is now a runner. Motor seems to run well, carb float bowls will need replaced (plastic – cracked & leaking)

Local Columbus OH craigslist ad with photos here:
http://columbus.craigslist.org/sno/4410353214.html

[Craig Butt]

Paul,
As my friends in Texas say “the truth as it was told to me” is yes. As a kart steward when the MG’s became the “spec” tire, I inquired about grandfathering the Bridgestones for a year and was told no. I have heard of some regions not enforcing this – you might ask your local kart steward, but I was told it could affect insurance for the event….

Two suggestions. If you have to buy new, just buy the cadet tire – taller and thinner, but they will last forever – out local kid kart has been running on a set for many years. Option 2 – MG’s are the tire of choice for our local kart track – good used takeoffs are usually available for a song. In FJC it’s more about learning to drive, the tires aren’t a huge issue starting out.

[Craig Butt]

[quote quote=22967]Being one of the heavier guys at Nats (215lbs before helmet), I think this engine proposal is an excellent idea. Maybe we can get 52 hp. out of this tune? Lets do it!!!!!!![/quote]

Please write to the SEB (Solo Events Board) to let them know of your support. Use the link below:
http://www.scca.com/solo/content.cfm?cid=44517
And scroll to the bottom of the page and you will find the link:
Want to make a rules change proposal? Write to the Solo® Events Board (SEB)
Reference Letter #13615 and/or “Mod ICC” proposal

While you are there, you can also voice your support for the 6″ wheel allowance – I think this is another great idea to ad more choices/diversity to the class.

[Craig Butt]

Paul,
It looks like FJC is the class of choice (5-7 year olds)- that makes it pretty simple:
1) Be sure your region is approved to run FJC (just because they have FJA & FJB does not mean they are approved for FJC – probably are, but check)
2) Your engine choice is a Comer 50/51 – basically a big weed eater motor, no mods, simple clutch with no adjustments. Keep fresh fuel in it mixed with good 2 cycle oil and maybe once a year take off the muffler and clean out any buildup.
3) Maintenance – karts are basically trying to “disassemble themselves” whenever they are running – check all the nuts and bolts regularly
4) Read the FJ rules. Be sure you have the legal tires (Cadet or MG Red). Be sure you have the safety cable on the brake linkage. Safety wire/safety clip critical hardware.

Based on the way the rules are written today – look for a Briggs World Formula when the kid(s) are ready to move up to FJB. You’ll want a new “full size” chassis then anyway. Talk to karters in the Solo community, these karts get handed down as kids grow out of them. We have a FJC kart in the region that’s on its 3rd or 4th local owner and it has had at least 6 kids grow through it into other classes. Good luck.

[Craig Butt]

[quote quote=22876]Having had an ICC for several years, Once I learned how to 1. drive it, 2 maintain it and ultimately learned that I can’t keep up to it. I traded my Vortex RVS for a Rotax Max.

Put that on the shifter chassis with front brakes and 365 pounds. Not fast off the line but once going I can probably keep up in the cones. Will I ever trophy @ NATS? Heck no that ship has sailed for me 20 years ago. Can I still have fun on big courses heck yea.

Craig if you are looking to include your Hopped up ICC because it is cheap and you have one puts you in a class of one. Just as I am with my rotax cone smasher. Don’t believe the top of the KM field is running old obsolete karts or only getting only 4 minutes of seat time per month.

As much as I despise Honda products I have to admit the rule set for KM Honda motors is a great package and makes more power than stock SKUSA Honda.
[/quote]

Joe,
Thanks for the input. I have no illusions about some of the national level stuff. I worked the program pretty hard locally for three years, upgraded chassis, engines, etc. I read all the information on set ups, tried different tires and got the package better. I too have never been a Honda fan, nor wanted the “spec package” that everyone else ran. I LIKE the 6″ wheel rule. I just think the idea of the Mod ICC (which is not legal by today’s rules) would be a lot of fun and MAY open up some more interest to others in the class. Sorry, but I’m not a National’s guy – for the money, I would rather invest in track time for the car – but I still like running the kart at the local track when I can!

[Craig Butt]

[quote quote=22798]

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Craig Butt wrote:</div>
1) There are many of us who will NEVER make minimum weight in KM

2) This engine family is not growing, homologations are expiring, parts are getting more expensive and rare (for some older motors)

3) ICC motors are not winning anywhere

Hahahahaha,

1) Karting is not for big people, just a fact. I was 215lbs before this season, I am down to 185lbs now, just by eating right. So it is possible depending on how serious you are.

2) What?? KZ2&KZ2 is very popular across the pond. You have many new engines to chose from TM KZ10b, Maxter, Vortex, IAME, and more.<br>
How is this different than using a Mod Moto which was popular in the sprint world how many years ago?

3) I am shaking my head at this… Last year at nationals was my first nationals and I just got into karting. The first time I drove one was in April. Now the first day of nationals I was sitting in 11th place, which was the “lower HP” friendly course. The second day was a complete disaster for me due to a clutch failure. Basically I had a FM car, not to mention how hung over I was, which is my fault. I guarantee you if you put Paul Russell in a KZ kart he would still win. To say they are not winning because they have KZ engine is moronic.

Curious to see what a modified KZ can make power wise. Not sure if any more power than what a legal KZ can make is worth it in an autocross. The power band of the KZ engines are already narrow and peaky. Modding with out adding PI would make it even more narrow of a power band. Which is not what you want in an autocross.

I say NO to this.
[/quote]

WOW!
1) Congratulations on your weight loss. Now lets alienate anyone who cannot do that for whatever reason from the class…..
2) Older ICC motors are now out of homologation and have much less support. Many of these can be purchased at a reasonable cost and Solo II could be a great home for them. There has not been a great deal of growth if any in the US. From a cost effective standpoint, running out and buying the “latest & greatest” is not the best option for many folks. Solo II is supposed to be an “entry level” activity into SCCA.
3) I’m sure there are very talented people that can win with ICC – but why do you think they choose not to? Perhaps they realize they don’t need the handicap of running a less competitive package?

I too am curious – if it won’t help without PI – then we could add that into the rules package for Mod ICC. I think that letting these motors breathe and adding compression will be enough to let them mix it up in the class with some heavier drivers – without adding too much expense.

Speaking of moronic… it’s the attitude that giving folks an option to run something different to make a bigger fields and more competition is bad. After 35 years in this club it just amazes me how many folks want to keep competition out of their class (probably why we continue to have SO many classes). If I were “typical” of some of the rules making I would have asked for a “KM-Heavy” class and a “KM-Light” class, but I just want a bigger more inclusive class (it’s more fun)

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