M.I.S. Fall Classic Road Race Sept. 19 & 20

[Bill Anderson]

Don’t miss Michigan Kart Club’s Fall Classic at Michigan International Speedway.  This is our 4th year following the total repave of the track in late 2011.  The combined oval and infield 2 mile road course gives you a chance to test your drafting skills on the oval while challenging you on the infield road course.

Amenities include:  Camping with electrical hook-ups, Garage rentals, elevated viewing areas, and great layout in Pit and Paddock.

Online registration at http://michkartclub.com/2015-mkc-races/ allows you early bird discounts and ability to pay by check, credit card, or PayPal.

 

[Jeremy Baldi]

Depending on entries is there a chance sat practice could be condensed into just 2 groups so we could get even more rounds or even maybe open practice? At the other AKRA races so far we have been doing open practice and it has been working well. If there are lots of entries and we need 4 groups than great but if not more rounds would be very good.

I know sometimes groups are condensed to faster karts and slower karts. But that poses issues because fast sprints and fast laydowns are quick in different areas so it causes constant backups. I would suggest if we can do just 2 groups:

1. all sprints
2. all laydowns and unlimited karts

That way corner speeds are more consistent and passes can be made easily on big straight.

Just a thought. Thanks and looking forward to event.

Jeremy Baldi

[Bill Anderson]

Thanks for the suggestion.  Naturally when we publish a schedule it is done in the winter after reviewing last years’ participation.  Quite a bit of research went into setting up the schedule and it was anticipated that the number of karts would be greater at MIS in 2015 than in years past.  We needed to publish something for you to look at.  That being said, we always have the opportunity to modify the schedule, especially for practice.  What we have is a 20 minute cycle time per group:  Track time + track pick-up. That makes for 3 groups per hour.  Why three groups?  In the past, folks complained that the type of kart on the track made for awkward practice laps with some folks creeping in the turns then blasting down the straightaway.  The enduros didn’t want to play on the same track with others. The kids/juniors need to be protected from the adults.  We had an irate father chew us out 2 years ago because his kid got run off the track by a competitor.  I have photos of a karter being run over from behind because  faster karter could wait just one moment in an infield corner.

Bottom line.  We’ll adapt.  We have the option of doing 2 groups.  Either longer cycle time like 30 minutes or the normal short cycle, but more of them.  If everyone would pre-enter we could have these issues settled before race day.

So, hang on, we’ll make the best of the situations as they present themselves.

Bill Anderson

[Johnny West]

Can you please allow driving in the pits? I understand there are saftey concerns. I thinks it’s pretty simple. I there is a driver abusing it. penlize him not everyone.

I have been to many events where driving in the pits is not an issue.

West Racing
Johnny West

[Bill Anderson]

I appreciate the desire to drive your kart from your pit spot to the grid and vice versa.  As a karter, I like it.  As an event manager, it keeps me up at night due to safety concerns.  So lets talk about safety for a minute.  I was at Grattan this summer and witnessed the CES racers driving through the pits.  As a pedestrian, I was afraid I would miss the guy who was coasting while watching the guy with the noisy engine coming from another direction.  MKC limits the use of bicycles, skate boards, ATVs in the pits as we have had insurance claims from people that have been hurt by these vehicles.  Now, let me share a tid-bit from ISC, the track owner.  Other than licensed automobiles & trucks, they don’t allow ATV’s golf karts, or other motorized to be operating in the pit/paddock area unless you want to rent a golf kart from them for $400/weekend.

Let’s talk about another issue:  The pass thru from pit to grid past the Michigan Room where registration is conducted.  That is a congested pinch point area as karts are coming and going as well as foot traffic.  In addition, we want to inspect karts passing to the grid for presence of tech stickers, driver wrist bands, numbers, and scoring transponders.

We can’t produce you the results you expect without some of these check-outs.

So, bottom line is that safety, and attention to detail, is what we are all about.

We are always looking for experienced volunteers looking to help make a good event, outstanding.

Thanks

Bill

[Jeremy Baldi]

Thanks for the response Bill.  I think the 3 groups you described should work out well.  Juniors, Sprint and Enduros.  If there aren’t that many juniors than maybe they can run in the other groups because it would be nice to have  4 rounds of practice.  Or if no one goes off maybe we can pick up some time to get 4th round of practice.  Ha!  Like that would ever happen.

I am in one of the faster classes (f-125 enduro) and always try to give people room when passing, sometimes waiting for a bit until I can pass easy on the straights, but I also know not everyone does the same.  It is only practice so I have never understood the need to dive bomb by people.

Having said that even waiting to pass on the straights I’m sure I still make people crap themselves at the rate I pass at the end of the straights.  Again I try to give people room so I don’t run over people like you mentioned.  However I will say it is sometimes really surprising how slow some racers go around the track.  I have almost run up on people when they are going so off the pace.  I’m not talking the slow classes I’m saying the guys in 250’s all the way down do yamaha sprint going 30 secs of the pace of the fast guys and slow down for corner way earlier than I would ever except.  Just have to be careful as possible I guess.

Looking forward to the event.

 

 

Jeremy Baldi

[Author]

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