IKF-What classes do you run on a weekend?

[Debbie Kuntze]

OK, I started one can of worms with my last question about heats, let's see what debates we get here

For IKF members mainly, but I don't mind hearing from other organizations what they are doing. Please, just let me know with which club you are affliated. It is a good idea to get an overall perspective.

On your regular race weekend (either if it's a one day, two day or even a three day event for practice)what classes do you run and why? Would you run more if there wasn't a schedule conflict (if there is one)? Did the homologation of new engines kill a class in your area?

Me, I have always run at least two classes for the past 9 years. I started out in the sit-up piston port class, that went bye-bye and our local novice enduro. Moved to Piston Port and Spec Sprint when it started. Couldn't afford new engines at the time of homologation so gravitated to Yamaha Hvy and Sportsman when it started. Have raced Sportsman since its beginning, enjoy the "spec" aspects of it, because if I have a good set up (chasis and tires, get clutch slipping just right) I can run up front (boy I have been fighting my chassis and brakes though lately-another story)with some of the really fast guys (my hubby. I feel the class leaves alot to the driving ability as to how well you will do on any given day/track.

So, that's my story, what's yours?

Debbie Kuntze

[Terry Tilton]

Debbie-
I run with the SWRA series based here in Texas. I run in the 125 heavy class on saturday and on sunday. We usually have at least 25 heavy karts entered and super clean racing.

[deborah d-harpur]

before last season, I ran the full series with SCK.

last year I was super busy and raced with several clubs.

I drive in Super Stock and Yamaha Sit-up

My teammate runs a combination of the following classes : Spec Sprint, Super Stock, Yam. Sit up, One of the Controlled classes or one of the Yamaha Laydown classes.

He used to run Sportsman until he got too many Duffies to be eligible for that class

I like running with all the different clubs. SWRA puts on a great race day schedule. NCK has some of the funnest people around, and I enjoy both Sears Point and The THUNDEROUS hill. PKA is has such pretty facilities, complete with members who bring pet raccoons in the pits!
And of course, my hometown crowd SCK has a great variety of tracks, and gives me alot of track time.

Since I personally drive a bodywork sprinter, I run in all the classes offered to me. And yes, if more were offered, I would likely run them.

My teammate runs whichever kart we are working on at the time. If we need to dial in the enduro, he does the controlled classes, the other bodywork sprinter, he runs that and finally if all else fails, he runs his spec sprinter. He runs tons of classes, so I can't tell you if he would run anymore or not.
Next year our team is planning on doing several WKA races, including Daytona and Road America. there is one other race too, but I can't remember where that is.

[Tim Doll]

Deb

I've run two classes at every race (one or two day) for the last couple years. Since I have the luxury of two complete karts, the classes are not obviously related . This year I've been running 100cc Controlled Heavy and 125/150cc Open. I typically run my 125 laydown shifter in 125/150cc Open, but one reason I like the class is, in a pinch, I can legally run my 100cc Controlled kart (it's even the same weight as 100cc Controlled Heavy).

If circumstances dictated that I run only one kart, I'd still run twice per weekend on the two day races (not so sure about the one day races) - either 100cc Controlled light and heavy, or 125 Gearbox and 125/150 Open.

A big reason I keep running both karts is that I can't decide which I like better. They are both a blast in their own way. Then again, I test drove a 80 sit-up at Spokane, that was a blast too .

Tim

[Roy Harris]

Debbie,

Having started out karting as a sprinter and having resources for only one kart I run Yamaha KT 100 limited heavy. My intentions at the beginning of the season was to run heavy and light but the reality of running the full sprint series and PKA road races at PIR on my budget limited me to just one class per race. Next year I hope to run the full road race series in the Northwest but it depends on me getting a vehicle that can make it to the other tracks . I was planning to get a laydown ( probably a Yamaha class ) when I can scrape up enough money.

[Charles Pou]

I also run SWRA.

I run a sprint set-up with piston port TKM BT-82 with engine clutch. I run IKF Spec Sprint on Sat's and Piston Port Ltd sit-up (SWRA local option class) on Sun. My objective is not to win races, but to have a good time.

I am not sure what I will do if IKF eliminates the Spec Sprint class. Looks like Piston Port Ltd sit-up will be around another year or so. If I have too, I will probably go with a KT-100.

It will be interesting to see what happens if we have a serious recession. I mean it is amazing to me what some people have been spending on kart racing.

[John Bosanek]

I run Yamaha Limited Light with NCK. Have plans to run an 80 shifter next year. Would run SCK AND NCK, so that I could get some more races in, but from what I hear I would be racing myself (or one or two other guys). Too bad because Willow Springs is half the drive that Thunderhill is (but I do have the "Mom and Dad" hotel about a mile away from Thunderhill)!

[David Bauder]

Debbie,
I run with Puget Sound Road Race Association (PSRRA), up here in the great pacific northwest. My main class is Yamaha heavy laydown. I run that at most events, have missed two so far this year. Don't worry Tim I will not miss anymore Some weekends like the two day events at Spokane I will run the light class just for fun (That track is so fun to drive) Next year depending on the budget and class structure, I am hoping to run both classes at all events.

[Larry Dobbs]

I run Northern California Karters and Southern California Karters in the Formula Moto 125 and the International Moto 125 classes. I like to run two or three races/heats a day because that is all I can prepare for and still have fun in a given day (I have no pit crew). Otherwise I would like to be on the track all day. I really enjoy racing alot!

[Jeff Edwards]

Deb,

I run at NCK (most of the time) and always want at least two races. Currently this has to be satisfied by the two heats of the NCK Rotax Max.

The few opportunities (6 events per year), the overhead cost and time to get to a road racing event all dictate that I maximize my day.

If the FKE II (125/150 Open) Class were not scheduled back to back with my Max class, I'd be entering that as well. I'd have to add a bunch of weight, refuel and pop-on my side fuel tank, but that could be done in the time of a race with a little help from friends.

Before this year, I ran KT-100 Limited classes, a mix of Light and Heavy, Classic and Bodywork. Always ran at least two classes, sometimes three.

Before Classic was available, I ran the situp bodywork class as my 'other' class, making three entries son some days, always two minimum.

However, this does make it difficult to volunteer for other track duties.

Jeff

[Ken Johnson]

I run three classes. All laydown.
Yamaha Heavy and Sportsman 1 and 2 (same class but SWRA option to run again on Sunday.)
I used to run Controlled and still like the class. But, there was really no competition for us so all that equipment went on the shelf.