Interest in a 6 hour enduro?

[Rick]

Would anyone be interested in a 6 hour enduro race? I think TAG and HPV would be a good mix. The track can fit about 30 karts safely. What do you guys think?

[Jeff Stamper]

6 hour Money Race ? Just curious. Thats a lot of wear and tear on a motor and kart for a 6 in Trophy ! Just my opinion. Will a leopard run that long in one shot ?

[JET Karting - Andy Finke]

Leopards will run that long easy if you take care of it. Twist it to 15.5 and knock a little off the egt, and you'll be fine.

Just like cars, quick with no problems will usually win an endurance race over outright speed.

Would be a cool event if there was interest.


Andy

[Jeff Salak]

To me there are already to many events in karting for the amount of racers racing in this economy.

My opinion only. But a very foolish way to put way to many hours on your kart for nothing more a trophy.

You would need 2 sets of tire, at least a top end re-build after race. Plus everything else that could go wrong.

This isnt affordable for many people right now. After the day is over it turns out to be a $1000 race.

Sorry but I would want nothing to do with that!

[Jeff Salak]

Entry fee $100-$300 depends how much they want to charge

Tires $400 or more

Race fuel 15 gallons $150 plus oil $200

Now if you have engine problem $?????????

Come on in one thread we are trying to get racers out there. In this thread we want to break the average Joes pocket book!!!

Great for track as this would put $20,000 in there pocket.


30 racers 2 sets of tires each or more $12,000 plus entry fees and fuel. Great if this would help keep the place open. But not good to most people and the funds they have for one race.

Oh wait!!! I forgot the pit pass!

Sorry for my honest opinion but did you think about any of the true cost on the racer?

[Rick]

Jeff, I was thinking of making it a team race. Think of the 24 Hours of LeMans. You can try to drive all 6 hours by yourself if you want. :bugeye:By adding drivers, the costs would be reduced.

[Jeff Salak]

So you are going to want 2 or 3 other guys drive your kart(where are all these drivers) and when they blow it up. Your SOL and $2000 more in the ass!

[Jeff Stamper]

Right, thats what I was thinking. No one is driving my kart. And here is another question. What type of tires ? I vote for Bridgestones. I have lots of those. What rules ? (WKA,IKF or TaG USA) What classes will run together ? Is there a Masters and Sr or just 1 class ? Spec fuel and oil or open ? Lots of questions to be answered I think. But let me know if you work something out please.

[Jeff Stamper]

Just a thought, if you want to run only one TaG class, make the weight about 400 lbs Then everyone would have to make a bit of a change ! And it wouldnt kill us old fat guys !

[Jeff Salak]

I would rather run a 100 lap race with 1 or 2 guy max. You would have a hard time finding 2,3 or 4 guys to run a 6 hour race. Plus everyone is different in size. Finding 3 guys that fit good in one kart would be a tuff thing to do.

If this does happen, run it towards fall. To hot in summer to try and run all those laps! Try it on a Sunday.

[Jeff Stamper]

Yea, anyone want to try and fit in my Ribtec seat ! LOL

[rystar]

I will pass. I couldn't even do my portion of 50 laps in the 100 lapper last year.

[Rick]

To me there are already to many events in karting for the amount of racers racing in this economy.

My opinion only. But a very foolish way to put way to many hours on your kart for nothing more a trophy.

You would need 2 sets of tire, at least a top end re-build after race. Plus everything else that could go wrong.

This isnt affordable for many people right now. After the day is over it turns out to be a $1000 race.

Sorry but I would want nothing to do with that!

Some would say that racing on a high speed temporary circuit comprised of city streets with no runoff with 30+ other karts on the track at the same time would be foolish. If you have an off at such a place, you will most likely bend an axle, bend tierods, bend steering columns and potentially get injured. Of course, if you win, you get a rock instead of a trophy.

Think about how much seat time you would get in 6 hours. Then divide the costs over the number of laps or by time. I think you will see that it probably isn't as costly as you think.

[Jeff Salak]

Rick, If I want that much seat time I will go practice for that long with no chance of someone else wrecking my kart in an accident or blowing up my engine. that way its my own fault. If someone blows my engine " a Im sorry dude" isnt going to cure the blues when I have to pay for it!!!

You raced Ryans kart in HPV and had to change seats. So where are you going to find other guys to fit in your seat? You have many friends in and around racing. You might be able to find that. The rest of the people most likely dont have that going for them.

Comparing Rock Island street race and doing 20 laps is completely different from letting 3 other guys taking your kart out. After the race how much seat time did one guy get say 2 hours of seat time. I do that when I go practice.
For a hell of alot less money. The only thing getting that much seat time is the wear and tear on the kart itself.

[JET Karting - Andy Finke]

Les and Rick discussed this idea, and it really hasn't gone much further than that yet.

A couple points to remember:

This isn't a 'club' type race, and wouldn't be designed to attract club racers. This would be something of the RoboPong caliber that could be longer to add to the mystique.
If this event wouldn't be for you, it still doesn't make it not worth doing. This is part of the reason we have 30+ tag karts here and not 30 racers.
All competing is more expensive than practicing the same kart/car/bowling ball.
This is pretty late in the season to start planning an event of this magnatude for 2009.
Established events with lots of history are struggling. This may not be the best year to try to start one. I'm not sure on next year either... Maybe we'll see.
If it could be done, Norway is a great track for it, and the lights would make it super cool.
Done right, it would absolutely be worth it. And even the guys that don't want to race it would be here watching and buyin a T-shirt. That's cool.Andy

[Rick]

Well Jeff, I guess it's obvious that this type of event wouldn't be for someone like you then.

[Jeff Salak]

Rick, I would like to try something like this but Im thinking more in reality then you are. We cant get more than 5 tag karts there for a race. Now your talking 30 karts with 3 to 4 drivers in each kart. In are area i dont think we have 90 to a 120 guys to race a Tag kart, right now. Unless we get guys from all over like NewCastle draws.

I think a 200 lap race like Robopong is more than enough laps and time.
Here is a link to last year Robopong results.
http://www.newcastleraceway.com/results.shtml?mylaps=type,run,runid,976822

Out of 85 karts 35 or 40 finished the race. Not sure on that but after 44th place kart, they are 45 laps off the pace. I would have to think they broke down. Now your going to almost double the amount of time compared to Robopong. You would be lucky to have 10 karts out there, maybe 5 that finish the race. :shakehead:

How many guys in this economy really want to do that. Maybe guys that have money and dont care. But this is why karting is on the decline. It has become only a rich mans sport and its GO-KARTING!!!!!

Whats obvious is that this economy hasnt hurt you, but the other 90% of the people it has!

[Jeff Salak]

Andy, what would you guys do to make it worth it?

From what I see not many people think its worth it to go there to race in the first place. People have tried to help and give ideas. But nothing seems to change. Attendance is going down every year there. This isnt just coming from me. There is alot of people that feel the same way but are to affraid to say a damn thing.

Maybe Im stupid to voice my opinion, but someone has to.

[Rick]

I've moved some of the irrelevant posts to the appropriate thread (http://www.chicagoracers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27165).

[Rick]

Rick, I would like to try something like this but Im thinking more in reality then you are. We cant get more than 5 tag karts there for a race. Now your talking 30 karts with 3 to 4 drivers in each kart. In are area i dont think we have 90 to a 120 guys to race a Tag kart, right now.

Jeff, you are assuming that we would only invite locals to race. You are right, there are not enough people (especially only counting those who race at CHMS) to make this race happen. I think the only chance of getting enough people/teams would be to invite people from all over the country. I was only trying to see if anyone here would be interested. It's only an idea. I believe that constructive criticism helps, but continual negative comments aren't really helpful in anyway.

How many guys in this economy really want to do that. Maybe guys that have money and dont care. But this is why karting is on the decline. It has become only a rich mans sport and its GO-KARTING!!!!!

Whats obvious is that this economy hasnt hurt you, but the other 90% of the people it has!The economy has effected everyone, including me. There are a ton of people who live in the inner city who can't even afford to race in a club race. Should we stop all club racing as well? Should you feel bad that you can afford to race karts right now? Should we subsidize their racing costs? If you can't afford to race in a 6 hour enduro race, then that's fine. I just can't think of a good reason to be agitated over the idea of one.

You are also making quite a bit of assumptions:

1. Entry fees
2. Someone might blow up your motor.
3. It will be your kart that is driven
4. You would even enter such a race.
5. We would only invite locals to participate.

There are a lot of unknowns still. This is just an idea. If someone asked me if I wanted to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, my answer would be undoubtedly a "YES". Can I afford to do so? No. Would I be interested if the costs were reasonable? Of course. But I would not shoot the idea down before even having a chance to discuss the circumstances I would be willing and able to do such a thing. I certainly wouldn't be upset if someone else spent their own money to do it; Even if I could not afford to do it myself.

[Jeff Stamper]

I believe that constructive criticism helps, but continual negative comments aren't really helpful in anyway.

I just can't think of a good reason to be agitated over the idea of one.

You are also making quite a bit of assumptions:

1. Entry fees
2. Someone might blow up your motor.
3. It will be your kart that is driven
4. You would even enter such a race.
5. We would only invite locals to participate.



Well, maybe he is looking at it realistically. The economy is tough, we all know that. Its hard to go out and race while I watch guys I work with who cant even pay their bills. But you say he is all negativity. Well, sometimes I think you are way to positive ! Its great to have a great attitude, but reality sucks as they say. The things listed above are all possibilities. They have to be addressed, either in your mind or outwardly as Jeff has done. I would have to consider if I wanted to race in such a race for various reasons. IF my motor breaks, can I fix it and race anymore this season. The entry fee may be substantial enough to make the race worth wild, but if I get no return, would I have been better off to race 3 club races or do the endurance. It would be my kart driven if I race in it, no question there. And last but not least, even Andy said it may not be enough notice for things to get done properly and advertise to get entries. As I said, a positive attitude is great and a must to succed in any racing, but a cool ,calm and calculating attitude and demeanor in my opinion is much better. Since the conclusion of the Rt 66 Series event, I have done nothing but sit and try to figure out what exactly I will need to race the remainder of the series. It takes time and much thought to figure out if I can realistically do it. I figure if I get all the guys in TaG Masters at Norway to give me a new set of tires ,and the Prokups to pay my entry fee and haul my stuff to the track, I am good to Go ! LOL

[Greg Shebert]

I'd be interested.

It'd be great to see it done as a TaG event (or HPV or any other two-stroke)...

My biggest concern would be mechanical issues being far too involved in determining race outcome... 6 hours on track would be 360 minutes of racing... That translates into about 15 race weekends (assuming 24 minutes of racing in a race weekend)...

I know, for sure, that I'd at least burn through a sprocket, gear, and chain twice in that period (unless I can find more durable components).

Another though... say Norway pairs up with someone like endurancekarting.com... Norway hosts the event and endurancekarting provides the marketing, organization, and karts... We know those guys run great events - it'd be fantastic to see them use a great track like Norway (not to mention the convenience for all of us)...

Their karts are slower, for sure, but proven reliable...

[Jeff Stamper]

I still want to know what the weight would be in TaG ? LOL

[Rick]

I think that WKA TAG Masters weight would allow more people to race and be competitive. Also should a kart be required to be legal every time it comes off the track? Or should there be an average weight?

[Jeff Stamper]

I participated in something similar to this years ago. The way they did it was to make everyone make weight with an empty tank. Then they raced. You were not allowed to add or remove weight during the race