From the Seat!

I know, I know, it's only January, so why am I getting excited. Look at it this way as this is being written the CES opener at Gateway is only eleven weeks away.

Hmmmmmmm, just might be time to start getting ready. There are only two kinds of racers in this world, those that are ready to race when the season begins and those that are not. Me? I'm getting ready. Team Rapid Racing has decided to stay loyal to "Lucille" our Tony/Honda that stood up for us so well during 2003. Trust me, there are more than a few refinements in the works. Why give up on a good thing?

At this time we have not settled on a schedule from the Jambalaya of races already on the schedule for 2004 but you can count on seeing us at the major races and most if not all of the CES races. My dream of a consolidated Midwestern Roadracing schedule appears to be nothing more than a hazy mirage on the horizon. I am going to quickly step down from my soapbox on this subject with one word. WHY?

On a much brighter note there are a lot of good things happening. The outstanding coverage of the Stars of Tomorrow races on the Speed Channel has been awesome and is generating a lot of interest. The SKUSA Supernationals from the Rio at Las Vegas are supposed to be televised on Speed in late January. This increased exposure for our sport can be nothing but good.

On the local scene is the completion of the New Castle Motorsports Complex featuring a one mile (plus or minus) road course. A full schedule is already in place for 2004 including several national level events including a SKUSA Pro race, (Is it still called Pro Moto?)

TAG. You're it!

Another exciting development is the explosive growth of TAG 125 racing. This high performance, user friendly class may well define a large part of the future of kart racing. After the tragic loss of TAG USA founder Tom Argy in an auto accident this past fall the multi faceted Dave Larson has stepped up to assume the leadership role. Dave has appointed yours truly to an advisory role in the reformed TAG organization proving his wisdom or gullibility depending on your take on the situation.

This has been the third year in a row that we have not traveled to Daytona for Kart Week after attending 27 years in a row. Evidently the weather was good and the racing was safe, but the total lack of news and hoopla emanating from the Sunshine State is bewildering. As always Daytona is one of the largest kart racing events in the world and the sparse publicity even in our own racing community makes me wonder! The same thing can often be said about the Road America Supernationals, which receives minimal coverage in the kart racing media despite pulling 1000 plus entries year after year. I don't know, maybe no one other than me cares. Perplexing!

Well! I am beginning to ramble. I think that I will get back to work getting ready for this coming season. After all it starts in just a few weeks.

Till next time, Race Hard, Race Safe, and God Bless America!