CES 2013 Preseason Discussion Thread

Chad Landers · Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 2:21 pm Post subject:

I have to agree.

The best we can hope for is Badger Kart Club's race day corresponding with the Blackhawk race. Every year I hear on the Badger forum the hesitation to race at Blackhawk. Then right after the race people say that they had a blast and would like to do it again.

Wish we could talk Coats and Route 66 series into joining a race weekend at Blackhawk or something.
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Jeff Salak · Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 3:07 pm Post subject:

I wish we could get some of the Tag Masters to try some road racing from Badger. They have 15-20 karts on grid at Badger. None will come race on the bigger tracks. Ive tried. They dont like the average speeds of 80-90mph.

Great idea Chad, but I dont think 99% of the sprint series will do such a thing. The best road race weekends have been when Badger Kart Club is at Blackhawk the last few years.

Jim McMahon · Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 8:12 pm Post subject:

I agree Keith, especially where 125 shifters are concerned the tracks are damn near perfect for them. Ever see carole in france?

I don't get the road vs sprint mentality myself. Talk about splitting hairs. It's asphalt racing at the end of the day. Safety can be debated until the end of time.
Speed is only one part of the safety puzzle, solid stationary objects are another important one. There's lots of "dangerous" sprint tracks out there based on those criteria, unfortunately most people don't think of the proximity part, only the speed and write off "road racing" for all tracks of that nature.
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Greg Wright · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 8:09 am Post subject:

Glen Luening · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 8:30 am Post subject:

Well guys being that I was a former Badger Tag master racer and now enjoying CES G125. I am going to tell you why they or won't run with CES, Jeff Salek and Scott Behnke you guys know this as well as I do being former TAG Master racers as well.

First of all they run for championship points and their races are to close on a sprint track for them to loose points. Most of them I feel, are not aware or knowledgeable on the draft and don't want to do it. I don't believe it is the speed or safety of the big tracks. I really feel it is the close tight racing they have on their tracks that they enjoy.

We use to get 20 to 25 guys on .6 mile track and it was awesome. Now on the other hand if they would try it, well you know the rest of the story.

But that being said after racing SCCA for a long time and going to race Sprint tracks in a kart. I missed the speed and enjoyment of the big tracks. so I got an awesome shifter from Randy at GPI and have never had so much fun racing. I agree Gratten is an awesome place, Gingerman not so much unless it get repave. Blackhawk is very good as well as was Michigan International speedway last year (those who did go you know what I mean).

Just my two cents worth. Take it for what it is Laughing

Bob Vehring · Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 11:14 am Post subject:

Jeff Salak · Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 1:11 pm Post subject:

Glenn, and Bob,I think its a combination of all 3 of our ideas and different for every guy.
I know a few of them the speeds and karts are not meant to go that fast. Was a quote I have recieved.

As far as time Bob. Nothing like Badger and all that track time. Rolling Eyes

2-5 min practice sessions.
2-8 lap races
1-12-15 lap final (cant remember how long final is)
25 minutes of run time. To sit from 8am to 6pm.

Road racing
45-60 minutes of practice
25-30 minute race
8:30am-4:00pm some are done by 1:00 or 2 in the afternoon. Time with family, friends, cooking out and drinks!

Cant compare it to me!!! 10 hours of screaming kids for 25 minutes of kart racing just isnt right to me.

Keith Bridgeman · Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 1:31 pm Post subject:

The other benefit is that its a two day event. Many other regional events are Fri - Saturday. Racing CES comes down a lot to only having to give up one vacation day.

Also in sprint racing you are up against others that can spend a lot of time at that sprint track. You can't really practice road racing. You just show up and run. Its great.
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Bob Vehring · Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 1:49 pm Post subject:

See Jeff, that's the problem. Even running two classes/day, if the first is at 10 am and the sec. not until 3, by noon I have already gotton into a fight with half the people I talked to, the other half are hiding, I get bored
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Chad Landers · Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2013 4:10 am Post subject:

Question for all the Tag Senior and Masters racers. Looks like Senior and Masters are running in the same race schedule again and then the Tag Heavy race is later in the day.

How many people will run Tag Heavy now that the Senior and Masters are in the same race?

Last year there wasn't very many Tag guys that opted to run a second time in Heavy. But a few years ago we got a good turn out for Heavy.

I for one would like to race again in Heavy for more track time.
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Glen Critchett · Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2013 5:46 pm Post subject:

Chad,

I generally will enter the class that has the most entries (usually Masters).

Not a big fan of two races in one day, but if my equipment is holding up nicely (and my wallet) I would consider it. Much of this depends on the track, weather, competition etc.....really a practical decision more than anything. But usually it's one race per day for me........

Scott Behnke · Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 125

Chad- I'm all for the combining to Tag Master's and Senior's as it gives all of us more competition....yet scored separately....prefect!
Yes I have raced at Badger and Bob is correct...sit around more of the day for a few minutes of racing compared to CES. I've tried repeatedly to convince other Tag Master guys to come and run @Blackhawk...but unfortunately there are a "few" who speak loudly against it for various reasons.(Too fast/not safe/Walls..blah/blah/blah and they won't listen)
Chad..there was maybe one or two guys who ran Heavy last year. Your other option for a second race is: Sprint Open..and usually a bunch of folks to run with and have fun.
See you all at Gateway!!

Chad Landers · Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2013 3:49 am Post subject:

Scott, would you run a second time in Heavy? Or do you only like running one time in Masters?
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Scott Behnke · Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 125

masters and maybe sprint open vs heavy

Jim McMahon · Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 7:11 pm Post subject:

I'd rather have two races over the day than just one. After 15mins there isnt always a lot happening anyway.

You TaG folk need to contact Dave Larson and let him know what you think you'd like to do with masters/senior/heavy etc etc so he can accommodate you.
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