Sprint Racing in IKF's Region 7

[Bernie Lacotta]

<h2 class=”title icon”>print Kart Reacing in The Southwest</h2>

This is my first salvo in the battle to save karting in IKF’s Region 7 ( So-Cal, Az., Southern Nevada). In the past decade, especially the last 5 years the kart tracks and clubs have been devastated by ” BIG Karting”. It seems that the majority of TAG and Shifter racers have given up on local club racing and have joined the crowd at SKUSA affiliated events. There is nothing wrong with that except for the fact that the numbers at club events are now insufficient to keep the gates open at many tracks. Many kart shops in the region have also felt the sting of the loss of local racing.
I am the IKF Az. Governor and a principle at Phoenix Kart Racing Association. In 2010 I introduced modern 4 cycle racing to the track via the World Formula engine, and thru time the LO206 engine. 4 Cycle racing now makes up about 80% of our entries with token TAG and shifter entries. For the most part 2 Cycle entries are dependent on visiting traveling series utilizing our track.
It is imperative that tracks and clubs search out people who want to race and pursue the benefits of the LO206 program. I can go on forever touting the benefits but the first thing that has to happen is that shops that are used to paying the bills will have to assess their business plan to operate on a higher volume less margin on their product. Clubs must encourage the LO206 concept. This has been a very successful program for PKRA and I fully believe it will grow karting in the Southwest and throughout the country.

[Bernie Lacotta]

I am available to anyone, any club, any interested party to help promote this concept. I put together an interesting plan to get a Regional championship going in the region, sent it out to whatever contacts I could find and only had one response…..which was positive. Let’s get this sport healthy again !!!

[Brian Patterson]

Bernie

I too would like to see IKF come back. We race 2 cycle engines but would like to see growth no matter what the class.

That being said, we won’t be attending this years IKF nationals in Santa Maria. Due to their obscure age limits we are not allowed to participate. My son just turned 15 and has been racing in senior classes for the last year. Due to his size there is no way that he can race in the Jr classes. He holds SKUSA TaG Sr and shifter licenses and races in Sr classes in 3 clubs yet he is not allowed to race IKF. I believe that if their rules catch up with the times, so will their membership.

[Bernie Lacotta]

I need contact info for kart clubs and tracks in IKF Region 7 ( So-Cal and Nevada), I have Az. info. I would really appreciate help on this. Particularly looking for individuals in charge.

[Jim Derrig]

This might give you a start:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1rk9g2gTZVx2iTwF9vHsJlZQr5kQ&hl=en_US

BTW, the fact that IKF doesn’t have this info at its finger tips, and why you have to resort to pleading to helpful strangers on the internet, might be one clue as to why IKF is in the shape it is in.

[Bernie Lacotta]

I did not go through IKF. I used info that was available generally to the public. My issue is not with IKF, they have offered their resources and of course I will certainly utilize them but I’m just trying to get a general feeling of the karting community in the region beyond the scope of those associated with sanctioning bodies. I do not want this to be a “us vs. them” situation. It is time that karters take a little responsibility in looking after the health of the sport.

[Jim Derrig]

I shot my mouth off too soon and apologize to the IKF.

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