Why karting can't do this??????????? :(

George Sunderland · Joined: 26 Jul 2001 Posts: 2006

Ever heard of Jerry McCart? Best kart driver I've ever seen IMHO. Motorsports are unique in that individual skill is only a part (50%) of the equation to success. $$$ iand backing is at least as critical. Get to the NASCAR level and looks comes into play. Odds are the best karting driver ever skillwise is some local schmo none of us has ever hear of..............

Renzo Gasch · Joined: 10 Aug 2009 Posts: 136

That`s a little bit like the question who would win the fight - Bruce Lee or Muhammed Ali... May be there are some good local guys, but finally there is no reason not to know the world champion...

David Cole · Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 2:41 pm Post subject:

Bob Vehring · Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 2:49 pm Post subject:

I again agree with George, I've been here since 1983, I don't know any of those names. I do know Lake Speed, but only because we pitted next to him at Putnam two years ago. At Daytona, I went to both other race tracks (sprint and Dirt) sorry but I just don't remember who won any of those races, or who won anything on the big track other then the classes we are involved in. There all good classes, just to many of them.
In Sleds, there's many classes, classes for 5 and up, but whoever wins Pro Open is a hero. He signs autographs for hours has his own clothing line to sell, gets on TV, endorses products. Its a focused series, and when all the good guys qualify to be in the Pro race, when you win, you are the hero.

Now, we skipped this part of the kart world, but let me see if I have this right. 10 or so years ago, Rotax came out with a 125 liquid single speed engine. They got classes put in for it. Soon others (engines) wanted to be in that class. Soon everybody wanted to be in that class. So the engine battles began driven by their manufacturers and supporters. Now Rotax is back running their series for their engine Now besides Rotax you have Tag, Tag USA, SPEC 125, Parilla and I don't know what else for classes or series. Of the given number of racers wanting to run a Spec 125 engine, we don't have a Hero, we have 10 heros. Where have we gotton in 10 years?
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David Cole · Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 3:18 pm Post subject:

Bob, I'm sure it took you some time to type that, but, we can discuss further over a few drinks at the KMI show. I'll explain everything to you then Wink

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Bob Vehring · Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 3:53 pm Post subject:

IDK, I heard about the Ocean Deck
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Michael Franck · Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 5:06 pm Post subject:

Senna and Prost indoor racing.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8933869810642490334#

Here's an Idea KMI show in Chicago at the Allstate or Sears Center 3 nights of racing and kart show. Public can watch the racing then go look at karts.
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Ray Verhelst

If you believe that an arena race is a potential spectator draw then you need to be in Las Vegas on Superbowl Weekend (February 5-7). The PKE2010 event presented by the VW Jetta TDI Cup will be the largest performance karting exposition to actually hold live indoor and outdoor racing.

We will host the first ever arena based mini-enduro competition inside the beautiful South Point Event Center. This 80,000 square foot facility has a 31,000 square foot surface that we will set a competitive course for 12 3-person teams to compete on Friday evening in front of 4400 “perfect view” seats.

The 48 registered teams represent indoor karting facilities from all over the country, many of which have created their own internal competitions to pick the best of the best to represent them. Preliminary heats all day Friday will reduce the group to the final 12 teams that will run 180 laps with driver changes every 60 laps. The top three teams will split the $5000.00 prize and the rest will earn prizes from other supporting sponsors like www.iracing.com.

As for the pomp and circumstance, we will have RaceFanRadio calling the event live and multiple TV cameras streaming the event live through their website. We have large overhead diamond vision screens that will display the current team standings and live action for the spectators. We have a beautiful VIP lounge that hangs over the track with a full bar and hospitality. Surrounding the arena will be more than 30,000 square feet of exhibitors with hundreds of the leading karting products on display.

This is going to be a BIG Friday night event on Las Vegas Blvd as we will crown the top teams on a podium with checks and prizes presented by some of Las Vegas’ finest…

If that’s not enough, we will have a 24,000 square foot indoor kart swap for the benefit of the Las Vegas Kart Club along with an outdoor sprint course for product testing and demos. Also, don’t forget that we will have the final driver selection challenge for the VW Jetta TDI Cup take place right outside with karts and VW GTI’s.

Want to drive a Bandolero? there will be 50 VIP test drives on the outdoor track. Want to see karts fly through the air? The Lucas Oil Off-road Race Series will have a full outdoor dirt track complete with jumps for the half-scale pickup truck style karts that have 30" of suspension travel doing demonstrations all weekend long.

Also don't forget the weather right now we are averaging mid 60's and sunny.

Do you think this will help elevate karting to become more of a spectator sport?

Look at what we are doing at www.pke2010.com

You’re all invited!
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Chad Stapleton · Joined: 19 Jul 2001 Posts: 4403

Ray,
firstly, i admire your enthusiasm and commitment in producing & promoting this event' and wish you every success.
However... reading between the lines, i figure this as an event for "indoor" karts ( 4 stroke industrial spec motors ?), and as such watching 180 laps ( 2+hrs) of those would try the enthusiasm of the most dedicated kart spectator !!
Generally any "enduro" event is not good spectator fodder, added to relatively unspectacular "rental" karts, i doubt you will cause much of a riot.

I am sure you will draw an audience an hopefully cover the costs, but i dont think it is the kind of event you could run regularly ( weekly ?) and expect repeat audiences.

Good luck anyway. Wink

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Joe Sica · Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 11:51 pm Post subject:

This is what karting really needs.

The next step would be to put Harley Davidson motors on them with open drag pipes, cause people love noise. Let the motor builders loose with an open rule book. Then the most important part, change the name from go-kart to something more exciting like super-mods so that nobody knows what they really are cause the general public doesn't respect a gokart. Big wide tires. No homologation rules. Open it up to let the homebuilders get involved. Just no rules other than safety rules. Throw away the black flag and have the ambulance on standby. That would draw a crowd
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Bob Vehring · Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 2:15 am Post subject:

A big draw in the south a east is the Unlimited Allstars, all types of engines on a Power/wt handicap system Twin 125 Sudams are popular. They throw dirt over a 8ft fence There the 410 sprint cars of karting
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Chad Stapleton · Joined: 19 Jul 2001 Posts: 4403

Bob Vehring · Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 6:47 am Post subject:

Those are cool. I haven't talked to my friends that were doing this in a while, but I hear the engine to have is those new little Wankel Rotaries. I guess their out powering everything
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