[Debbie Kuntze]

No shocks-you really feel the bumps

 

[Debbie Kuntze]

One little item that gets overlooked in these discussions about those that want to win and those that want to have fun-is road racing is basically an endurance race. Endurance for the driver and especially for the equipment (tires, motor, chassis). Down here in So Cal we used to race with the Historic cars at Big Willow-we all-no matter skill, motor or chassis practiced and raced at one time. We would have newbies as well as seasoned and 250’s with sit up cans. some of us were there to race and some to have fun and some to try it for first time. I usually ran my lay-down sportsman during this time and I went to do my best and to win. Never did win (John usually beat me in his reed and he was definitely there to win) but I did beat some pretty fast karts because I endured.

Many worry about the safety factor of having different types of karts on track at same time, but we never had any instances. we staggered the types of karts for the starts (all were rolling) and through enduring we sorted out. Good corner workers and starter helped as well.

Way back in the late 90’s while on the RR committee I with the help of some very seasoned road racers came up with a plan to knock down from 22 national classes to 10! Working with weights and set ups. We compromised at 15. It is doable to have all out there so that you can get the numbers of bodies/karts to afford an event and for all to be competitive.

 

 

[Debbie Kuntze]

It could also mean, stop pushing or use your head.

I see someone doing that in RR I know they usually want a push so I know to black flag both :)

 

 

 

[Debbie Kuntze]

Rest in peace Gus and thanks for the years and your friendship

 

[Debbie Kuntze]

John has his transponder charging he is hoping to make Buttonwillow :)

[Debbie Kuntze]

Brian -I get my helmet’s fitted with the way my hair is put up. Plus, it’s long but not thick.

Linda-in pits my hair is up and under a hat as well-no chances!

In other words I learned my lesson in auto shop many years ago when it got caught in a grinder-quick reflexes saved my scalp-literally!

[Debbie Kuntze]

I agree that NO HAIR should be below the helmet. I have hair down to my waist-it all goes on top of my head before the helmet goes on. I didn’t wear a sock while racing, but had a good way of securing it and it never came down.

Even 6 inches in a sit up-what happens if a seat strut breaks or because of accident head gets thrown too far back. I just wouldn’t take the chance even if a scenario is far fetched. Heck I put it up when playing on indoor karts where I am way above the axels.

[Debbie Kuntze]

Oh it happens! And it also happens in the pits when someone is fooling around in the kart and ends up under a motor home. (Happened at a sprint track across from where we were having a road race.) why would they let someone park there!

[Debbie Kuntze]

Two thumbs up and like for David and Kelly.

I have always supported the option-since the 90’s and butted heads to allow it with organizations. If what the driver has on and it is working and they are comfortable racing that way-then so be it.

And it REALLY irks me when people say Road Racing is more dangerous than other forms of kart racing.  I did over 10 years as a race director and flew the red ONCE, for a flip that the driver got up from and apologized for being an idiot.  No other karts were involved. Now how many times in one race weekend do the majority of the sprint race directors/flagmen have to throw a red? But then I am extremely aggressive with the black flag.

[Debbie Kuntze]

One thing, corner workers get tired of calling in the pushing and shoving when nothing is done about it. If you say you are going to throw the black, throw them out or whatever penalty, step up and do so! You piss someone off, fine, let them take their stuff and leave. You will get 3 or 4 more karters to your venues in place of the pissed off crasher as they know they can come and race safely; that someone is actually watching out for them.

Any caliber of CW can be a great CW if you communicate with them and follow through on their calls. Indy car/professional CW’s can do a karter race if you tell them how and what to watch for.

Now as one of my favorite promoters used to say after a driver’s meeting-piss off. ( now you know why :)  )

[Debbie Kuntze]

What I learned from the few minutes I watched is you can spend a lot of money to:

A have very obnoxious parents that push kids beyond their capabilities and

B you can raise bigger brats with more money. If a 10 year old in my family talked like that he would blow soap bubbles for a week!

C if I didn’t know anything about the sport I sure a heck would not let my kids anywhere near it.

[Debbie Kuntze]

Original proposed dates were the 12th and 13th of July-no clue if that is changing at this point

[Debbie Kuntze]

In RR there is a relief driver rule. You could always do a lap and let someone finish if doing club points ;)

I should know-the rule was written for me when I had a broken collar bone :) (And other things at the time) Did a lap and then put Scott in the kart coz I was in a points battle!

[Debbie Kuntze]

Goal-to bring karters a once I a life time chance to race at COTA, put on by the USKGP.

Other organizations are not “represented” except for what you bring to the table, but Bernie does a wonderful job of blending all the groups rules and finding a middle ground so that all can compete in at least 2 classes if not more.

You can go to the classic forum and check out past USKGP races that were at Miller Motorsports and VIR. ;-)  And drafting on a big track takes some fine finesse as I have seen up close many an epic battle.

 

[Debbie Kuntze]

OK group-we are not dead in the water yet for COTA. Action is being taken one step at a time (and at their time frame). We hope to have more information after this week’s Grand Prix as we were put on hold until it is completed, which is understandable that the focus was on the GP. Lack of info has been do to us having lack of info.

 

Keep your fingers crossed that info will speed up shortly ;)

[Debbie Kuntze]

He had such a wonderful desposition at the track follwed by a great big smile!

George you will be missed greatly! Say hi to Julie for me.

[Debbie Kuntze]

And that wonderful smile of his!

George you will be greatly missed-say hi to Julie for me!

[Debbie Kuntze]

<div class=”d4p-bbp-quote-title”></div>
. 1) Who actually here promotes/promoted a RR event?? Not talking about helping at the event. Doing it all.  Oh God yes-Fontana for SCK (and other events for SCK) and USKGP

2) Anyone know how rather it’s a organization, club, etc. gets insurance ?? Yup-quite a bit as well as clarifying for the insurance co.

3) How does the insurance company determine how they cover your event?? Same asnswer really as 2

4) How many RR events do you attend a year?? Unfortunately with economy it is dwindling. only 2 this year so far but as a mechanic since I retired from racing.

5) What area of the country?? So Cal mostly

6) Who is/has been in the politics as a board member (IKF, KART, WKA, CES)?? Yup- still active on committee for RR

[Debbie Kuntze]

I can honestly say that RR does not survive without the local club.

Here in So Cal- RR tracks got expensive, so much fragmentation (here was almost a sprint track within 30 miles of anyone’s home popping up), busy lives = less volunteers to put on the event.

SCK closed up in 2007 and there is no road racing in So Cal-unless NCK comes down to Buttonwillow or Willow Springs and that is once or twice a year only

[Debbie Kuntze]

In my case-Luge with a steeering And preferrably with no snow or ice. :)

I’m asked about the speeds and then where do I race. and with an enduro I get to rattle off tracks that people have heard of. Then I explain that karting is for the middleclass gearhead-wants the cure for their need for speed but doesn’t have the bucks. Karting can be somewhat  affordable or it can be very, very expensive. And I always direct them to Ekarting to read.

[Debbie Kuntze]

Chris, thank you, thank you and thank you for that post (no wonder I love you- and it just isn’t your boyish charms and dashing looks!)

I hope all take  Chris’ words to heart,this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and we need to take home great memories not bumps and bruises and torn up equipment. ;-)

[Debbie Kuntze]

Well that is cool! Glad to hear it.

[Debbie Kuntze]

Reminder-Yes, the date is set in stone. The race will be set in stone when deposits are receieved per Bernie’s initial post in November.

The date is what was offered for the one and only time karts will be on the track.

I have family/frends that live all over Texas and have lived there myself. The one thing about Texas weather is you can’t predict what it will be, not this far in advance and barely a few days in advance! 8-)

 

[Debbie Kuntze]

Bravo Benn, Bravo

[Debbie Kuntze]

Brian-last I knew about the cameras is from Snell-if not factory mounted at time of rating-it voids the Snell rating-so would not be insurable.

 

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