Florida master shifter series

[marc-andre hubert]

I have started a series that will piggy back off Racecomplex, OGP, Orlando, PBIR with there existing fall schedule all master shifter driver will have a common place to join and have fun with more entry, based on fun but competitive level, for those looking to gain more experience before moving on to State races.

Our first race is Sept 29 at racecomplex in fort myers, there will be open practice aug 10 and also day before sept 28. cost for practice is 40$ 50$ to race

please join the FB group for updates
https://www.facebook.com/groups/215336011950211/

[Chris Bany]

count me in.

[jim lewis]

Count me in a well.

[marc-andre hubert]

please on on facebook and ask request so I can invite you to page so we can get good entry count thanks

[Farshad Bagheri]

Fantastic. Thanks for taking the initiative and I am definitely in as well as several team mates.

[marc-andre hubert]

great please invite them to confirm, also I posted, that I spoke to track owners and we can run what we want for laps in Pre and FInals, so post it on FB we have plenty of time but sooner the better I tought 16/20 some 18/25 so lets hear it and ill make it happen

[Brian Degulis]

What engines are allowed?

Brian

[Bob Baldwin]

Marc-Andre : can you keep the topic going on EKN ? NOT everybody does the Social Media Thing !

[Kurt Mathewson]

Happy to see FL shifters organizing.  I’m in.

[Tim]

Good luck on the series , hope it goes well.  Why not Homestead?  Its the best track in the state

[Brian Degulis]

I wonder why Marc started it here on a karting forum then moved it over to facebook?

 

 

Brian

[Chris Bany]

delete – can’t figure out how to use this new forum quote function.

[Chris Bany]

Brian Degulis wrote:

@briandegulis – I think all engines are accepted/allowed. The August Race in Ft. Myers will be run under the local club – using their rules.

@briandegulis – I think all engines are accepted/allowed. The August Race in Ft. Myers will be run under the local club – using their rules.

[marc-andre hubert]

Hey Guys sorry just got back from Canada, anyway im not moving it to FB just started a group so if some of you are on FB then we can grow it from there as well.

I have emailed all the tracks to send me there schedule inclusing homestead wich Tony was excited about this and will be included but so far no schedule, wich is why I chose Racecomplex to host race #1 sept 29 since I have there schedule along with the practice, check racecomplex.com to see more, aug 10 there is a few shifters going to the open practice., thanks for the support and will keep on pushing to get out full schedule

 

[Rob Howden]

I always like seeing people step up to organize certain classes and get guys out to the same events. EKN has done that in the past to try to support small niche classes. This develops so much momentum, and we all know that bigger fields attracts more racers.

Marc-Andre, I welcome you to send in a preview heading into the event with the driver roster, and we’ll get it up on the site. Send us a race report after the event as well and we’ll help give the series some exposure.

Rob Howden - eKartingNews.com Publisher / Editor - @RobHowden

[marc-andre hubert]

great thanks I will send it once finalized

[marc-andre hubert]

guys please send confirmation that you attending to marc@vapmotorsports.com I have 6 confirm on Facebook but need everyone to confirm so we can get head count early. thanks

[chad garofalo]

Marc, would you be willing to post numbers for practice and race as they come in?

Thanks

Chad

 

 

 

 

[marc-andre hubert]

post what numbers lap times? or kart numbers. got your email thanks

[chad garofalo]

Number of karts commiting to practice and/or race.

[marc-andre hubert]

so far 10 for race day sept 29 and 4 for practice aug 10

[chad garofalo]

great. thanks

[Bob Baldwin]

Marc : I just got an e-mail from the Raceplex Att: Ken All races at the Raceplex as per the BOD of the Lee County Civic Center have been Cancelled No reason as to WHY . I think I got it because I am on their Mailing list . Anyone else get that e-mail ? Hate to loose any Kart Venue and hope it can be straightened out .

[chad garofalo]

unfortunately it is also on the front page of their website.

[Brian Degulis]

That’s the problem with a track made from a parking lot and operating at the mercy of the civic center. Thay’ve cancelled before because of events at the civic center although never a blanket cancelletion of everything.

 

Anderson in Palmetto would work. Practice could be worked into they’re normall Saturday schedule along with 2 heats then a feature at 5 PM. I would think if they had a 10 kart showing @ $55 per kart they might be interested. If there is interest I can ask.

 

Tri City Kart Club at the Showtime Speedway would be another possibility. They’re always looking for new participation and They’re nice people who are easy to deal with. How about running the big oval configuration?

 

Brian

[marc-andre hubert]

the track officials are working on finding out whats going on we have plenty of time before sept 29 its unfortunate for the aug 10 practice, once I get more info I will forward it, just hard running my shop and keeping up with everything.

[Phil Haddad]

Brian Degulis wrote:

That’s the problem with a track made from a parking lot and operating at the mercy of the civic center. Thay’ve cancelled before because of events at the civic center although never a blanket cancelletion of everything. Anderson in Palmetto would work. Practice could be worked into they’re normall Saturday schedule along with 2 heats then a feature at 5 PM. I would think if they had a 10 kart showing @ $55 per kart they might be interested. If there is interest I can ask. Tri City Kart Club at the Showtime Speedway would be another possibility. They’re always looking for new participation and They’re nice people who are easy to deal with. How about running the big oval configuration? Brian

 

Pretty sure ARP won’t let us run an actual race, something with their deal with the county this year prohibits that (that’s my understanding anyways). I’m pretty sure the Racecomplex guys will have this figured out before the 29th. Otherwise, I vote OGP on the 5th as our first event.

[Brian Degulis]

I was at Anderson today and asked about it. Aperantly Marc already spoke to them They’re able and willing . I guess he’ll see if Race Complex can work it out if not ARP is an option or both?

 

Brian

[marc-andre hubert]

racecomplex will work, spoke a bit about it to ARP but a lot more details needed for sure as far as racing there because of there insurance I think, practice sure, but racing with flag personel.. not sure by end of next week should get all the answers, I did get pbir schedule some races are deff over lapping with other series.. will see

[marc-andre hubert]

Racecomplex is closing down.. got 2  kids fully commited and now need to drive almost 3 hr for nearest series? will look at schedule for shifter series

[Ace Rossi]

Marc, bring it to OGP on Sept 7 for the first fall series race!

would be nice to finally meet you!

[marc-andre hubert]

Sept 21 night race gates open 2pm OGP

Oct 5 homestead

Nov 25 PBIR

waiting on Orlando for there schedule wich will be added for December event hope many of you will show up, sorry for all issues with racecomplex, but its behind us and OGP sept 21 will be a great day for master shifter drivers of Florida!! see you there

[Ace Rossi]

Found this posted on FB

http://www.fox4now.com/news/local/Race-track-closes-without-warning–219483211.html?lc=Smart

[Brian Degulis]

There is an opourtunity there for someone to build a track on commercial property in the area.

 

Brian

[Bob Baldwin]

Brian : Send me 7 LUCKY numbers and I might consider it lol . In all honesty I have wondered if such an INVESTMENT would be economically Viable or NOT . to start a BRAND NEW FACILITY  such as the likes of the ” Go Pro complex in N.C. , Dallas Karting Facility in Texas or the New Castle Track in Ind . You would be looking at SERIOUS $$$ . Something else would have to be there alongside of it to make it SUSTAINABLE . Everybody would LOVE to have a FIRST CLASS FACILITY 20-30 minutes from there house but I don’t see it happening . personally I always thought that the track at Sebring and Facility would have been a good place to have such a project .

[gerard krempasky]

I would really love to see Anderson or tricity over better yet both added to this series.    Tampa Bay karters need love too.

[Brian Degulis]

There is lots of cheap property available in FL. Just get away from the coast and take your pic. A comeptition track can be pretty much anywhere people will travel for a good track. The problem is it would never be profitable for that you need a rental fleet and for that you must be near a population base. I’ve thought of getting a large parcel like 70+ acres and really going big. A super track 2+ miles something that would be worth the trip to run. The land is cheap but developing it into a first class facility is not. It would take a long long time for it to be profitable if ever.

 

Brian

[gerard krempasky]

the cost of getting pavement laid is insane though isn’t it??   I’d imagine you’d have hundreds of thousands into pavement for a track.

[Brian Degulis]

gerard krempasky wrote:

I would really love to see Anderson or tricity over better yet both added to this series. Tampa Bay karters need love too.

 

The advantage to both of those places is that you could make your own rules and have something unique. I worry about trying to piggy back off an exsiting tracks schedule you might just end up fragmenting and already thin shifter field.

 

Brian

[Brian Degulis]

gerard krempasky wrote:

the cost of getting pavement laid is insane though isn’t it?? I’d imagine you’d have hundreds of thousands into pavement for a track.

 

To build something good your easily into millions. Track, buildings, facilitys and on and on it’s no small task and it’s hard to see how it pays off. On the other hand if you built something really big and made it comfortable and accessible you might get enough hard core karters willing to travel and use it.

 

Brian

[Bob Baldwin]

I  Don’t want to change the topic ,but as I recall somewhere in Fla. north of Orlando and between the East coast and the Gulf coast someone had built a track but it was NEVER used for any events is that track still there or available . Personally I always liked the track that was at Gainesville but I don’t think it is used much anymore .Anybody on here remember  “OPA-Locka ” 

[andy graham]

call your local DEP or EPA office and ask about putting down an <span class=”st”>impenetrable surface and see what they tell you….I think you’ll change your mind pretty quick…before you ever think about laying asphalt you’d have to have an engineer design a drainage and retention system for you,  someone to certify that there are no wetlands on the property, any trees removed or any native species that have to be relocated would have to be “mitigated”, God only knows what that would cost.  The idea of building new is so scary, I have a friend that’s been trying to open his MX track for nearly two years…he’s by the book, and he’s still trying to get approved and legal so he can open for business….he’s still not open, and it’s a dirt bike track.
</span>

[Brian Degulis]

andy graham wrote:

call your local DEP or EPA office and ask about putting down an <span class=”st”>impenetrable surface and see what they tell you….I think you’ll change your mind pretty quick…before you ever think about laying asphalt you’d have to have an engineer design a drainage and retention system for you, someone to certify that there are no wetlands on the property, any trees removed or any native species that have to be relocated would have to be “mitigated”, God only knows what that would cost. The idea of building new is so scary, I have a friend that’s been trying to open his MX track for nearly two years…he’s by the book, and he’s still trying to get approved and legal so he can open for business….he’s still not open, and it’s a dirt bike track.
</span>

 

All true but you might be surprised how acomadating the state of FL and it’s counties have goten since 2008 when the boom ground to a halt. Those power drunk little pin heads were breaking chops like crazy making it almost impossible to build a bird house. Now that they’re tax base is loaded with un finished projects and forclosures they’s all peachy creamy going over old aplications and droping half of the ridiclous requirements they insisted on earlier.

 

Brian

[marc-andre hubert]

please stay on topic with series, the only way to grow shifter karts attendance is to piggy back, since it as a structure already in place, starting on own will only have 1000 emails coming in wanting to change everything to suit each driver, its simple you want to race show up, strap up and do the best you can, go home evaluate what was good/bad make changes and start over again, once you start seeing 15 20 kart each event now will be time to think about anything else..

 

[Ace Rossi]

After chatting with Jorge at OGP a while back, he seemed dedicated into bringing shifter karts and stock moto back into the loop. He was going to invest mega bucks from Swedetech and after chatting with Jason at Swedetech during an phone order, he confirmed the story! OGP has a local club series and shifters of all kinds are welcome. They run together and scored seperately which makes it pretty equal!

Im going to start running there as much as work, money and time  permits! They give awesome awards from what I’ve seen in the past series!

[marc-andre hubert]

we racecomplex closed that is the series our family will run. new micromax for my daughter will be in time for sept 7 at ogp

[gerard krempasky]

Lost me on that first sentence

[marc-andre hubert]

yeah me too lol.

since racecomplex as closed the OGP kart series is where me and my 2 kids will attend starting sept 7/

[Chris Bany]

How many master shifter drivers would they need to score masters shifters separate?  Or, do you even care about being scored separately?

If Marc-Andre, Ace, and hopefully other masters will be at the OGP local series races — I will too.

OGP would be great – great track, with multiple configurations, very reasonable race/practice entry fees, and it appears Jorge and his staff offer legit trophies even for local races.

[Brian Degulis]

marc-andre hubert wrote:

please stay on topic with series, the only way to grow shifter karts attendance is to piggy back, since it as a structure already in place, starting on own will only have 1000 emails coming in wanting to change everything to suit each driver, its simple you want to race show up, strap up and do the best you can, go home evaluate what was good/bad make changes and start over again, once you start seeing 15 20 kart each event now will be time to think about anything else..

 

Anyone who wants to run an existing series can. The problem is they aren’t showing up right? So why would offering up the exact same thing in the exact same place adding only an age restriction cause anyone to show up that isn’t showing up now?

 

Brian

[marc-andre hubert]

because when shifter driver have option to race 4 different on many different dates that will have low turnouts.

with specific dates now, if you want to compete with a lot of shifters we can all make those dates. but hey a lot easier to not do any of this and have everyone go to OGP.

 

[Brian Wilson]

Not trying to stir the pot or complicate things, but since most masters (from my experience) do it for fun, why not open the class up to karts other than stock moto? If the attendance gets large enough, then you can start implementing engine rules. I know lot’s of guys that do track days because they are more of a “run what you brung” type of a deal and they are there for fun….not trying to outspend the other guy. Not saying to open it up to every kart engine out there, but if someone wants to run a yamaha or kawasaki 125, a four stroke 250, an ICC or possibly even an aixro….let them. You may find alot more people out there than you would think that would join in. I have an aixro and wouldn’t commit to the series, but I would show up for at least one or two of the races, but may make them all if it worked out with my schedule. Maybe have the true “master stock moto” guys start on the front of the grid and put all others behind them.

By the way, don’t forget there are three other tracks in Florida that would probably welcome you with open arms as well…..Monticello, 103rd St & Homestead. Sure, one of them may be really far for someone to travel so they may not attend, but you would have a better chance of pulling in people from all over the state. If you wanted to have a “series champion” have it where everyone would only be scored on all but one race, that way you could use one race as a “drop race” if you either had a mechanical or chose not to attend the furthest race from you.

Just food for thought…..

 

 

[marc-andre hubert]

I have decided to start trying to make this happen, I have a lot to do on daily basis, this was suppose to be simple, but yet again, more people wanting this, that, do this do that.. so whatever I have no time to try and please everyone own agenda, I tried but clearly won’t happen. good luck to all local series.

[gerard krempasky]

He means he has decided to stop trying

[marc-andre hubert]

exactly, the initial complaint was lack of master shifter drivers to local event, wich was simple solution, pick 1 date per local series and make it official place for all master shifter to join in fun and race against a lot of other similar drivers.. but then as it always did everyone just wants to change everything.. just go out and race..

[Brian Degulis]

I understand the frustration in trying to get a group of people to agree on anything. Marc you have a spec Honda and your OK with the rules and procedures used in local series and thats why you show up that is the reason. There is also a reason why others don’t show up. In my case I can’t show up. I’ve been told by OGP that it’s spec Honda or ICC. I don’t have one. I do have an Aixro, A CRF 250 and a 125 Kawaski. I’d like to show up but that’s the reason I can’t. Others have diffrent reasons for not showing up. If the reasons for poor attendance aren’t addressed then it’s pretty easy to predict the outcome.

 

Brian

[Chris Bany]

@briandegulis – (just playing devils advocate here)  Why do you keep engines/karts that, admittedly, NO local track supports?

 

[marc-andre hubert]

bingo!! you want to lap and have fun the stuff you got is great you want to race well you need to sale and buy right motor, just like any racing series, it is what it is.

[Brian Wilson]

marc-andre hubert wrote:

bingo!! you want to lap and have fun the stuff you got is great you want to race well you need to sale and buy right motor, just like any racing series, it is what it is.

“you need to sale and buy right motor” equals you need to spend more money!!

There are two sides to the coin…….

In the old days of karting, there weren’t all the rules, you had home mechanics building their own karts, going out racing them with a bunch of other guys and having fun. The the kart shops and tire manufacturers got involved and started with all the specs and rules and karting started to decline as it was no longer a guy throwing together a kart and having fun. The spec racing gets expensive and in my opinion, is not always using the best motor. People started getting out of racing because they could no longer have fun without spending more money. Believe it or not, there are alot of people that don’t race to win, they race to have fun. There are guys out there that would have more fun battling for 9th place and enjoying the camaraderie throughout the day than getting some stupid trophy or being punted off the track by someone who wants to win at all cost because they invested so much into their kart.

I may be the minority in my thinking, but I think the masters class should be more about attitude than age.  It should be more about guys that still want to have competitive fun, but don’t want the ultra competitiveness of the other classes. Guys that enjoy turning their own wrenches and going fast, but have a life and responsibilities outside of the track.

maybe I should try and get this idea off the ground instead of a “Masters series” try and have a race that would run at other events that would be a fun class, with strict rules regarding driver etiquette and safety…..but open to various karts. No restrictions on tires, fuel or weights. Engines open to 125 or 250 2 strokes, 250 or 450 4 strokes, aixro, vampires, etc

[gerard krempasky]

hell ya.    I like that idea.    I myself am in it just for fun.     I’m in my thirties and just looking to have some fun, meet new people and just have a riot out there.

[Chris Bany]

@bwilson – I hear ya man — and don’t disagree with you.  And by no means am I telling you what to do with your time & money.  My only point, well two points:

1)  The good ole days have to end at some point — fact of life.

2)  You can accomplish all those described ideas of racing for fun, building your own engine …in a stock honda.

 

[andy graham]

oh well, it was fun talking about it for the past month or so….

[Brian Wilson]

Since Marc-Andre has decided to take a step back…..I’m going to step up. I have made a few phone calls and here is where we’re at. All the tracks would welcome the idea and would allow it to be the dates that Marc-Andre had originally set up (although he had the PBIR date incorrect by a day) and so far these would be the stipulations.

No 450 four strokes….multiple tracks have said they would prefer to exclude them. Fine by me, I don’t know anyone who has one on a sprint kart anyways.

250 four strokes….OGP is talking about that one and will get back to me next week, but they have no issues with any brand 125 two stroke, Aixro, etc. Other tracks have said the 250 four stroke is good with them.

Fuel would be open

Tires would be open

Weight would be open

There will be tech for chassis and driver safety gear….no engine tech.

Proper one piece kart driving suit will be required (no jeans).

There will be strict and I mean strict rules for driving….no contact and no aggressive or defensive driving. This is your warning and you will be black flagged. If you can’t race/drive clean, then race in the other classes offered.

You can drive in multiple classes if you’d like, but the kart you run in this class cannot be run in any other class that day.

I think a 30 and over age limit is fair.

Don’t have the dates/tracks set yet, but you will drop your lowest points for the series, wether it’s due to mechanical, DNS, DNF or just did not attend.

There will be no trophies offered on a per race basis (unless the track offers it), I will spring for a series champion award, haven’t decided if it would be a trophy, gift certificate or whatever yet.

All this is open to discussion and thoughts.

Please fell free to comment and say if you would or would not consider attending something like this. This class is meant to be fun…if you race purely for the competitiveness and have a winning at all cost attitude, there are other classes for you.

This class is not meant to be the latest, greatest see how much you can spend class.

 

 

[gerard krempasky]

sounds good to me

[Ace Rossi]

Personally I think a series is and was a great idea but I thought it started out being for the working class racer. The ones that build and maintain their own equipment. The ones that are not track sponsored! I also thought from the beginning that this class was going to be holding races on their OWN track day where racers show up in the morning, practice, then race a series of races thru out the day and go home the same day. What has happened from what I see is that it has gone from THAT idea to running mega rules at tracks that ALREADY have a race schedule with a shifter class already in place.

What has been gained? Why try to re-invent what is already in place? If what your looking for is to race against racers of your caliper, then my suggestion is to pick ONE centrally located track, dhow up with whatever it is you have and IF enough masters, geezers, whatever you want to call it, show up, then run it! Once the class structure is built, move it around to various tracks! I’m sure A track will welcome a fun bunch of shifters in their own class but it has to formed SOMEPLACE FIRST before scheduling a series of races across the state! I don’t think anyone will travel not knowing what lies ahead!

I plan on racing my first race Sept 7th at OGP whether I win, break, or finish last because I want to have fun and I need to start someplace and that’s as good a place as any!

[Brian Wilson]

Question #1 Homestead always runs a double race weekend. For the weekend of October 5th & 6th, would you prefer to have the race on Saturday the 5th or Sunday the 6th? Tony is open to either and asked me to let him know which we decided on so he can put it on the schedule and start promoting it.

By the way, I’m getting this together solely as a way to have fun and bring guys out. 100% of everything goes to the track, they will provide the insurance and we are running under their guidelines and fee structure….they are just letting us structure the class how we want.

[Brian Wilson]

Ace, there are alot of people like myself who are not the type of person that fit the mold your thinking of. If you have ever noticed, there are always 3-4 times as many similar karts at a track day than there are at races. Why do you think that is? Could it be that someone wanted a shifter and picked up a yz 125 that is just as competitive as a stock Honda for 1/2-1/3 of the price and they would race it if they could? Could it be that someone like myself or Brian Degulis likes the speed/power of a shifter but doesn’t want all the maintenance of one so they bought an Aixro? Maybe someone likes a different brand of tire or doesn’t want to spend the $$ on what the track specifies is the “spec” tire. Maybe someone gets bored of going to the same track time and time again and would enjoy visiting other tracks. There are lots of reasons for the class….and I’m sure you can find lot’s of reasons against it. For those like yourself that find lot’s of reasons against it, you more than welcome to race the other classes offered. You will always be welcome to run with us if you’d like.

 

[Ace Rossi]

Hey I’m not knocking the idea! You guys asked for opinions! That’s mine!

Carry on!

[gerard krempasky]

I vote for working man style at various tracks.  show up early.  practice.  have some races.. call it a day.   open tire rules, open rules on the engine within reason… for example yz125 is fine to run with the Honda.   if a 250 wants to show up here and there have at it.

[Brian Degulis]

Chris Bany wrote:

@briandegulis – (just playing devils advocate here) Why do you keep engines/karts that, admittedly, NO local track supports?

 

That’s a fair question and one I’ve been asked a lot. The answer is simple. I’ve been in manufacturing my entire life I own a company that builds tow boats. pushboats-barges.com a shamless plug I know. I’ve spent my life trying to build a better mouse trap because I know that what’s popular and the norm isn’t always the best. I like coming in with a CRF or an Aixro and being asked “just what the heck was that”? I like letting the local hot shot try out some of my creations it’s a good opourtunity to see what they can really do and it’s fun to see them pull in get out look at me and say “that’s Fxxxking insane” (CRF450) More so I like putting something together tweeking it fine tuning it learning it and seeing whats possible.

 

But thats just me. I meet and run with lots of middle age guys in Honda’s DD2’s Yamaha’s Kawaski’s etc. They don’t participate in organized racing for all the reasons Brian Wilson stated. They don’t want to be teched to death they don’t want to be told what tires fuel etc. They don’t give a fat rats ass about recoginition or points or trophies or jackets. They’re working lives are to structured now they don’t need more stinking rules and they don’t much care for hanging around with egos. They just want to mix it up a little and have some fun.

 

Brian your reading my mind and I suspect a lot of others. If I can help in any way just let me know.

 

Brian

[Brian Wilson]

Ok, let me rephrase it….any one that backs this class and has input as to rules, etc. Please offer your input so we can shape things that are agreeable to all.  If you think the class is a bad idea or won’t participate, that’s fine….but please stay out of the discussion. Only input from those that will or plan to participate (or participated in this type class outside this region) that will contribute is welcome.

If you plan on participating, even if it is only one event, please respond with your intent so we can get an idea on numbers. Not saying you will be held to it, just trying to judge interest.

250 two strokes and 450 four strokes are out, sorry, but no track is really welcoming them.

With the exception of OGP, 250 four strokes have been welcomed, but don’t know if anyone other than Brian Degulis has one…so it may not be an issue anyways.

[Bob Baldwin]

Brian : If ever the term applied it would be the old adage K.I.S.S. I am sure you all know what that means . again I would refer you guys to the North East Shifter Kart Series which basicly started along the same lines of what was proposed . It took them 2 years to build up the numbers and align with different tracks but NOW alot of guys that were originally against it are running with them . Just stay at it .

Now
I am almost embarassed to say and it Probably Won’t qualify for your group But I have decided to move forward with a purchase of a one race old Praga DD2 shifter kart . WHY ? Because I like NEW . with my limited mechanical Skills I DON’t WANT to get involved changing Pistons , Rings every other event , BUT I DO enjoy the SPEED FACTOR and could care LESS if I finished DEAD LAST . To me it is ALL about the FUN . OH did I mention The cost of the New Chassis with a NEW GONE over by the ROTAX Factory Mechanics complete unit $4500 is Hard to beat Price wise .

[Brian Wilson]

For those of you that are interested in this class, I have a few scheduling questions for you.

1) How many of you would go to 103rd Street in Jacksonville?

2) How many of you would travel to Monticello?

3) Orlando Kart Center is hard to deal with, anyone object to not including them?

Would anyone be interested in something in December or January?

 

[Brian Wilson]

I don’t see a problem including the DD2’s. I know there are a few guys out there that would participate and be as fast or faster than some of the shifters or Aixro.

[Ace Rossi]

Not sure whether it matters or not but I disagree about not including the Orlando track. Although the owner is hard to get along with at times it is still a great track and there are some great shifter kart racers there.

As far as going to And out of town Race during the months of December or maybe even January I don’t think I could make those.

Again these are my opinions

[gerard krempasky]

I am for any track that is even remotely near the tampa area.     As I said before tricity or Anderson being included in this would be a blessing for me.

Would love to see these tracks included or even one of them.

[Brian Degulis]

Bob Baldwin wrote:

Brian : If ever the term applied it would be the old adage K.I.S.S. I am sure you all know what that means . again I would refer you guys to the North East Shifter Kart Series which basicly started along the same lines of what was proposed . It took them 2 years to build up the numbers and align with different tracks but NOW alot of guys that were originally against it are running with them . Just stay at it . Now
I am almost embarassed to say and it Probably Won’t qualify for your group But I have decided to move forward with a purchase of a one race old Praga DD2 shifter kart . WHY ? Because I like NEW . with my limited mechanical Skills I DON’t WANT to get involved changing Pistons , Rings every other event , BUT I DO enjoy the SPEED FACTOR and could care LESS if I finished DEAD LAST . To me it is ALL about the FUN . OH did I mention The cost of the New Chassis with a NEW GONE over by the ROTAX Factory Mechanics complete unit $4500 is Hard to beat Price wise .

 

EXCELLENT CHOICE!!!!  I have a CRG DD2. With 5 in my family all running karts plus an ocasional tag along I’m pretty busy keeping everthing running. When the whole gang is out the DD2 is the kart I run because it requires the least attention. They’re fast and will compete with a shifter on a short track and they’re about as trouble free as you can get in a kart. For lots of seat time it’s perfect. I would recomend getting the on board variable main jet. Rotax is sensitive to jetting in diffrent weather conditions and that makes it simple.

 

Brian

[Brian Wilson]

Tricity is not really a kart track, it’s a better than nothing local option. Not knocking it, but with the other tracks in Florida, it would be a last resort type thing in my opinion.

Anderson is difficult due to the zoning ordinances. They cannot have competition karts on Sundays. On Saturdays, the competition karts have to be off the track by 4 or 5. The once or twice a year a race does occur, they are so limited on time, it would be very difficult to be added to the schedule. Due to insurance and such, I think the only viable option would be if during a regular Saturday practice day if they would give you a 10-15 minute block of time here or there to run an “unofficial” practice and race.

[gerard krempasky]

Ya I agree. Tricitykartclub kind of sucks for a track. Oval/figure 8. I am real surprised to see there isn’t better tracks around besides Anderson in Tampa area

[Brian Degulis]

Brian Wilson wrote:

Tricity is not really a kart track, it’s a better than nothing local option. Not knocking it, but with the other tracks in Florida, it would be a last resort type thing in my opinion. Anderson is difficult due to the zoning ordinances. They cannot have competition karts on Sundays. On Saturdays, the competition karts have to be off the track by 4 or 5. The once or twice a year a race does occur, they are so limited on time, it would be very difficult to be added to the schedule. Due to insurance and such, I think the only viable option would be if during a regular Saturday practice day if they would give you a 10-15 minute block of time here or there to run an “unofficial” practice and race.

 

Anderson is considering it. On a Saturday practice with the group and work in 2 heats then run a feature at 5. Marc did talk with them about it I’m not sure if he persued it or ever got an answer from them.

Tri city’s showtime track isn’t the greatest but it’s workable. The people running it are very easy to deal with and I’m sure would welcome it and really acomodate. They run a senior box stock on the big oval why not a shifter? It wouldn’t be very challenging but sometimes easy isn’t so bad.

I’m good with all FL tracks but Jacksonville and Monticello I can’t commit to because of the distance. It would depend on the timing.

 

Brian

[Chris Gannon]

I’m in along with all the shifters from Tampa.

Chris Gannon
Shifter Kart Florida

[gerard krempasky]

Chris how many shifters do you have in Tampa on avg

[Lance Ausec]

I’m new to karting, and Matt S. shared this new group with me last week.  Spoke to Brian briefly yesterday at ARP and the ONLY reason I have any interest in participating is simply for the camaraderie of hanging with others who share a similar interest.   I’ve raced motocross for years and had far more fun meeting up with a dozen friends from other areas of the State, every weekend hanging out, running practice laps.  Looking back I don’t miss the racing it was too much stress, time, money and commitment than I  now have interest in,  but I do miss those fun non-race weekends running laps with my friends.   Glad to hear this group is keeping the sport fun.   One suggestion to consider is breaking groups into two classes based on timing regardless of engines package.  In MX races, you could run anything in either a beginner, novice or expert class.  Whatever you decide count me if for the fun aspect.

Lance Ausec

[marc-andre hubert]

I am not pushing to make this happen, so if someone wants to try and please everyone and make all these changes feel free. good luck

[Brian Wilson]

Marc-Andre, I stepped up and took the lead on organizing this class. I have talked to the tracks and they are all for it and encourage it and said they would do whatever to accommodate it as they get to keep 100% of the proceeds. This class is not meant to take any racers/participation away from their existing classes, they see it as I do, as a way to have more people participate that normally wouldn’t. In a sense, add to the numbers and not fragment what they already have. There will be no splitting the class into two groups, unless the numbers get so outrageous that it’s dangerous or unmanageable to run as one group.

If you want to race in a spec class or are already participating in a spec class, that is great, keep participating in it. But I think alot of people out there underestimate the number of karts that do track days, but don’t support the races because they either don’t want to deal with the money/time issue of the spec class or want a more laid back “fun” atmosphere to participate. If you want to call this class an organized, timed track day rather than a race, I’m fine with that. There are alot of people out there, myself included, that have karts with “non spec moto” engines, mod moto, ICC, Bilands, Vampires, Aixros & DD2’s that would participate, but don’t have a class that will accept them. There are also alot of fathers who have given up their competitive racing because they are now sinking their money/time into providing their children with top notch equipment and would participate in a fun class like this. As I said, this class is not meant to fragment or take away from existing classes, but a means to bring people out and have fun that otherwise would not be doing it.  I think you underestimate the number of track day/casual racer karting enthusiast out there.

I envision this being the type of class where the participants park near each other, help each other out with what they can, make new friends, reconnect with old friends, hang out and talk after the races about what fun they had while grilling together and at the end of the day, tell the others they look forward to seeing them at the next race and figuring out who will bring the grill, burgers, side dishes, etc for the next weekend of fun.

 

[Bob Baldwin]

WELL PUT BRIAN KEEP THE FUN IN IT

[marc-andre hubert]

well that was what I started the problem is not the tracks or intention, it was all the request of changing everything, I know what this was suppose to be since that’s what I wanted to accomplished. but glad its still going since I think its only way to have most karters show up at same place.

[marc-andre hubert]

so what are the dates of the events?

[Brian Wilson]

They will be

1) Ocala GP on September 21st

2)Homestead on October 5th

3) PBIR on November 24th

4) Still working on a date for Jacksonville

I will start a new thread tomorrow with the  rules (which are still open to discussion), details and dates

[marc-andre hubert]

you have more karters that would go to Orlando if they respond vs Jax, just my opinion but Jax is too far for me.

[Brian Wilson]

I understand your point, but let’s look at it from the other side. This class is designed to get people to the track that normally wouldn’t go. There are alot of shifters in N Florida that need some love as well.  If your in the central Florida area, it’s a toss up between the distance to Homestead and Jacksonville. My thought is there will be people that will go to Jacksonville and Ocala and not PBIR or Homestead due to the distance….some like myself will go to them all. There will be people that will go to PBIR and Homestead and not Ocala or Jacksonville due to the distance. Hopefully this will allow the numbers to be consistent across the tracks and give everyone a chance to come out and have fun.

Orlando is not off the table, just on the shelf temporarily, and that could change. Jacksonville is extremely easy to work and besides, if yo have never been, it’s a REALLY fun track.

Unfortunately, and I say unfortunately because it’s the closest track to my house, Anderson is off the table. Due to their zoning and noise requirements, it’s not feasible. I don’t know how long you have been in karting, but  a few years ago, Anderson said moto style shifters couldn’t run at all, only ICC’s due to the noise. A couple people got together with Anderson and they agreed if the moto style shifters could be quieted down to meet noise restrictions, they would be allowed to run. It kind of defeats the purpose of the class if you tell people they have to purchase a new exhaust system to participate and therefore I think the numbers just wouldn’t be there. The track will work with us if the guys who are already legal to run there want to have an unofficial, organized session….and I’m all for it.

 

[Brian Degulis]

Brian have you talked to ARP about it?  I know years ago they where requiring ICC silencers on moto shifters but aperantly they aren’t requiring that anymore. Moto shifters run there every day with the standard silencers you see on all of them. I think the scheduling would be more of an obstacle than the noise? I’m there all the time and can ask about it if you like?

 

No matter which tracks get used the more people I talk to the more I think we might have a lot more participation then we could imagine. It just seams like so many people are looking for a more relaxed racing format.

 

I’m planning on Ocala. If there is open karting the day before I might try to get some practice in. I’ll be taking the bus and depending on how many of my family is going I might have room for one more kart. So if anyone in the Tampa area has a transport issue I might be able to help.

 

Brian

[Brian Wilson]

Brian, that would be great if you could ask. I would still like to include Jacksonville in the rotation just because it’s a fun track and hopefully it will give some of the people that live in northern Florida a chance to enjoy the fun.

[Ace Rossi]

Brian what kind of bus?

[Brian Wilson]

Ocala GP will be open on the Friday, Sept 20th from 10 am – 8 pm. The Saturday race will be an evening/night race as the track opens at 2 pm that day.

[Brian Wilson]

Ace, from the old forums…….

http://eknclassic.com/viewtopic.php?t=123678

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