2007 Opener!!!!!!

[Martin Lenick]

Well, boys and girls, the day after tomorrow is the first race of the season at CHMS!!! Are you ready?

At this time, it looks like rain, but, I couldn't care less. Racing in the rain (even if we have to do it informally) is a hoot!

I've heard that 2 or 3 Sr. Supercans have switched to TaG, and I look forward to racing with them. Some guy named Roberto plans on beating us, but, he's old, tired, and senile. His fast-lap during the last 300-lap endurance race must have been a timing error.

Les is building a new kart for me.... you guys/gals are toast!:evil_lol:

[Rick]

I was going to let Dave race in my kart but I haven't had a chance to go to Norway and prep it. Unfortunately, I won't be able to do this until next week. Sorry Dave!

[David Mickelson]

That's okay Rick the weather doesn't look good for this weekend and I won't feel comfortable racing your kart in those conditions. Thanks for the offer.

[rct25]

Martin,

What did you get? M or R? a Leopard?
Congratulations on the new kart!

Roberto

[peterjank]

My RM-1 is ready to race, but I'm planning on staying home due to the weather.

[MPIGP - Phillip Gordon]

My RM-1 is ready to race, but I'm planning on staying home due to the weather.

Peter

That turned out to be a wise choice. All the RM1 and DD2 guys are sitting this one out. I'm planning on being there but just to work on my karts.

[Rick]

Good luck on your races today everyone!

[MPIGP - Phillip Gordon]

Good luck on your races today everyone!

Same to you....Keep it on the track and the rubber side down.

[Rick]

Race report? Who raced, who got punted, who won?

[rct25]

Martin,

How was it????
Race Report????? :)

Roberto

[Rick]

Roberto: You didn't race?!

[rct25]

No, I didn't....but I will be there for the 3rd race of the year.

Roberto

[Rick]

Why doesn't JET Karting update the results page?

http://concepthaulersmotorspeedway.com/season_points.htm

They still have the last season's points up.

[rct25]

Rick,

You can go to MyLaps and get the results.

http://www.mylaps.com/results/showevent.jsp?id=195390

Roberto

[Rick]

Thanks Roberto!

[CIR-Reed]

Last years champion finished in the middle of the pack? Whats up with this Marty?

[peterjank]

Cool. I'm glad Concept Haulers finally got hooked up with My Laps. I'll be able to check my lap times now.

[Rick]

Cool. I'm glad Concept Haulers finally got hooked up with My Laps. I'll be able to check my lap times now.

The times on MyLaps don't match the times on my MyChron. The MyChron was reporting faster times. :confused:

[JET Karting - Andy Finke]

Hey Rick-

Are the times off by a lot? Most of the time the MyChron and the AMB timing are off a bit from lap to lap. It all has to do with the way they trigger the lap at the start/finish line.

MyChron's use a beam of InfraRed light, just like your tv remote. Like any light, the beam gets wider as you get further from the source. This opens up some inaccuracy for the trigger spot in the times. If you trigger the lap after the line one lap, and before it the next, your lap could be a couple feet short. This affects your times...

AMB registers off of an antenna in the track, that doesn't move. It is more accurate.

In the end, the transponders are the 'official' time. We are used to seeing some difference, but the totals should be very close if you add ALL of the times for the session together.



Does this make sense? Is is consistant with what you are seeing?


Andy

[Rick]

That's probably what it is Andy. I only see a small difference in lap times. Would the magnetic strip sensor be more precise than the infrared sensor?

[JET Karting - Andy Finke]

I'm not sure. I would guess that AIM has posted the accuracy numbers on the net somewhere, but I haven't really looked.

The biggest issue is finding tracks with the magnetic strips in them. We pulled out the two "splits" in the back part of the track for sure. I don't know if there is still one at the line, but I'd bet against it. The problem is cutting the track to put them in. Long term the asphalt seperates there, and creates a bump. We spent a TON of money and effort fixing the racing surface last season, and can't let these issues send it back to the way is was...

IR beacons are the standard in karting and most of the SCCA / NASA cars I think. I know that you'll not ave much trouble, and most of the time you don't even need your own beacon!

For myself, the difference is typically measure in hundreths, not tenths, so not a big deal.

After the seminar that Peter and I went to, I've been using the data more than laptimes alone anyway. There is lots of info you can get with the E-Box. Just got a GPS unit for the MyChron 4, so we'll see how cool that is. Now if I just had some of the cool equipment to put around the MyChron like Peter....

Andy


SHAMELESS PLUG - We are taking the Tent program to GingerMan on the 11 -13th of May. If any of you want to come try Road Racing with the kart, let me know. We can provide transportation, coaching, wrenching, etc... I've run a 1:29 in a TAG, and shifters will turn in the 1:24's, so it's a heck of a good time. Call me in Iowa at 641.485.5544.

[peterjank]

Hi Andy,

There still is a magnetic timing strip at Concept Haulers. I was using a magnetic sensor and receiving lap times on my kart last Saturday.

[JET Karting - Andy Finke]

Good to know. We used to have one between 3 and 4, and one either right before or just after 8. I was there to help take those out.

Andy

[MPIGP - Phillip Gordon]

Good to know. We used to have one between 3 and 4, and one either right before or just after 8. I was there to help take those out.

Andy

Having split times is very helpful in tuning. It's a shame you had to remove those strips.

[JET Karting - Andy Finke]

No doubt. I use splits quite a bit, but have grown used to doing it with track maps, although it is a little more complicated than just putting a magnetic reciever on.

As for the magnets, it's better to have them out in the long run. You have to cut the track to put them in. There are actually dozens of roughly one inch rectangular magnets all in a line. Once the track is cut though, it lets water in and continues to seperate more each year. Left alone like this long enough, and water washes down in the crack and carries away the gravel base beneath the track. As this is washed away, a bump develops.

This was actually one of several issues with the track when we purchased last year. We fixed the problem areas, and then crack fill all cracks with a polymer product that is vaguely similar to the tar they use for crack fill on streets.

In the few years since the magnets had been put in, that small saw cut had expanded to an inch and the magnets were coming out of the crack. Roughly a third of them had been lost to karts and mowers already.

Long term, using Race Studio do your splits is far more customizable. You'll be able to look at corners, or groups of corners, that you choose rather than whatever is given to you.

Are there magnetic strips at many other tracks? I haven't seen them, but haven't really been looking every time I'm at another track...


Andy

[MPIGP - Phillip Gordon]

No doubt. I use splits quite a bit, but have grown used to doing it with track maps, although it is a little more complicated than just putting a magnetic reciever on.

As for the magnets, it's better to have them out in the long run. You have to cut the track to put them in. There are actually dozens of roughly one inch rectangular magnets all in a line. Once the track is cut though, it lets water in and continues to seperate more each year. Left alone like this long enough, and water washes down in the crack and carries away the gravel base beneath the track. As this is washed away, a bump develops.

This was actually one of several issues with the track when we purchased last year. We fixed the problem areas, and then crack fill all cracks with a polymer product that is vaguely similar to the tar they use for crack fill on streets.

In the few years since the magnets had been put in, that small saw cut had expanded to an inch and the magnets were coming out of the crack. Roughly a third of them had been lost to karts and mowers already.

Long term, using Race Studio do your splits is far more customizable. You'll be able to look at corners, or groups of corners, that you choose rather than whatever is given to you.

Are there magnetic strips at many other tracks? I haven't seen them, but haven't really been looking every time I'm at another track...


Andy

Thanks for the detailed response. I wonder if some of the problems you're having isn't because the strips were not installed properly or if the quality of asphalt has anything to do with it. The AMB transponder loop is installed in a similar manner and just about every track has those.

[peterjank]

I drove at an out door track in Santa Maria, California last Christmas that had magnetic strips. Of course, the weather there does not beat up the track surface there like it does here in the Midwest.

[JET Karting - Andy Finke]

Actually, we've been told by the asphalt people that you can't get asphalt that good anymore. Apparently the EPA has changed the tar production regs to make it less suited for racing since we paved the first time. I really don't know much about the details, but it would make sense with the "progress" in the the law dept...

AMB loops are cut into the track just deep enough to bury the wire. Usually 1/4 inch deep or less. The magnets are around an inch deep, making them most of the way through the top layer of asphalt. Mother Nature is strong enough to pull apart the rest of the layer.


Andy

[peterjank]

Forgot the government as a factor. Its amazing the stuff you need to take into account to run a track. You and Les really do it right. Thanks again for keeping Concept Haulers going.

[Mark Hirt]

Actually, we've been told by the asphalt people that you can't get asphalt that good anymore. Apparently the EPA has changed the tar production regs to make it less suited for racing since we paved the first time. I really don't know much about the details, but it would make sense with the "progress" in the the law dept...

Andy, I'll be going up to Road America in a couple weeks and will ask Greg if he can still get the mix they like to use.

Locally you could check what Route 66 and Chicagoland use, if I remember correctly they tried to copy RA's mix.

[MPIGP - Phillip Gordon]

Andy, I'll be going up to Road America in a couple weeks and will ask Greg if he can still get the mix they like to use.

Locally you could check what Route 66 and Chicagoland use, if I remember correctly they tried to copy RA's mix.

Andy, while you're at it, you may want to check with USAIR. That is some really good asphalt. I heard it's not cheap but if it holds up, it may be worth it in the long run. I do know it's the best track I've driven in the rain...very nice grip.