From the Seat!

As part of our quest to experience some different experiences in kart racing, Team Rapid Racing recently attended the SKUSA Pro Moto tour event at NCMP.

Well, it was an experience all right! A rather meager overall turnout coupled with having multiple 125cc shifter classes made this writer wonder about the direction SKUSA is taking. There were definitely some quality teams and drivers in attendance, just not very many of them. Much of the racing was truly intense but it's hard to get real excited with less than ten cars in a given class.

What has happened to the once all conquering Pro Moto tour? Probably a number of things including but not limited to the emerging dominance at the National "Pro" level of the Stars of Karting series, the constant state of flux regarding SKUSA rules and class structures, and certainly the goofy expenses involved to run one of these events.

Nonetheless the races were fun and even this old dog may have learned a trick or two. Congratulation to customers Kurt Mathewson and Ben Smith who both were able to hold their heads high at the end of the event having given a good account of themselves.

Meanwhile, summer's over boys and girls. The racing season is growing short and the nights long. This has been a truly interesting season so far, a time of change, a time for looking to the future. There is no question that the sport is changing, more emphasis on local and regional level racing, and clearly a change in the bulk of the equipment is in process. Shifter racing continues to grow from strength to strength at most levels and TAG? Well TAG is a glimpse of where the sport is heading. More of a packaged racing machine and more user friendly to boot. Overall the more traditional classes seem to be dwindling or at least not growing while the more modern divisions continue to show strength. Is the sport of kart racing reinventing itself? I think so. Will the reinvented sport be better or just different? Good question but the current trend is certainly more marketable to the general motorsports public and the more user-friendly aspects are more appealing to the public in general. End result should be continued growth for our chosen segment of motorsports.

Dateline Clermont - This just in! New Castle Motorsports Park has announced a Pro TAG Endurance race for the weekend of October 16/17. The race is scheduled to run for three (Yes 3) hours with three drivers per team. TAG rules are simplified. TaG engines at 380 pounds on Bridgestone YHC tires. Anticipated payouts of over $2000 to win with a $500 drop for each of the first four positions. This could increase depending on sponsorship and field size. There will also be payouts for the leaders at the one hour and two hour markers. Sounds tough, sounds fun, e'nuf said!

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