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Post by ken51 on Apr 14, 2009 19:24:49 GMT -5
Check out the latest version of the Easykart rules, all 19 pages. Pay special attention to the section addressing seats, steering wheels and tires. These appear to be predominately European rules and represent quite a few changes over what we are (or were) using. Today I emailed Easykart Florida to determine when the new rules go into effect for the FKCS events and will post their reply when it comes. The rules seem to be directed at the September "Grand National Finals" to be held here in Monticello. To read the rules for yourself, go to: www.easykartflorida.com/pdf/Regulations_april_12_09.pdfIf you have any positive or negative comments concerning the latest rules, this would be the time to express them. Easykart Florida monitors our Forum so anything appearing here will be read by Easykart. Hope to see everyone on Saturday. Ken
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Post by jlgracing on Apr 14, 2009 19:41:26 GMT -5
I just read this, i was curious about the vega tires, that means i've got to buy new tires, i just got a new set of mg's for my son's ek 125, well hopefully this will not take effect until the GN at monticello because i won't go steppin'&fetchin' and making all kinds of changes in the middle of the season
jgrose
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Post by briansdad on Apr 14, 2009 20:19:46 GMT -5
The rules must be effective immediately: there are no other rules.
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Post by jcc on Apr 14, 2009 20:37:06 GMT -5
This must be true in the rules world, but in the real world I would relax and continue what you are doing and not worry too much...................
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Post by Admin on Apr 15, 2009 11:28:44 GMT -5
Anyway we can get an English translation of the Italian-to-English translation? A lot of the rules read as jibberish.
Let see, I need to get rid of all my jets that are not .87 or .88, need to find out what an "anti-stalling kit" is, count the links on my chain, learn to set up the kart on new tires.
Come on folks, at least give us a heads up of what is coming, stop with the sudden rules changes.
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tkovi
New Member
Posts: 12
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Post by tkovi on Apr 15, 2009 19:52:43 GMT -5
Hey ya'll....
I rarely watch this website with all the other work I have going on these days. However with the new rules being posted just thought I'd reach out and let you know that we (FKCS) are reviewing the new rules at this time.
It takes several times through a paragraph before any of the translated info makes any sense and dealing with the inconsistencies in language is difficult (e.g. Freeline gamma ??.....don't know if that is some kind of secret Italian performance part or what!).
I did get clarity today that the jet sizes for the 125 are incorrect (listed as 87 - 88 in the new rules) and will be set to the range we've been using (not official until listed on EKF site).
We will communicate any information via the FKCS website (www.flwkasprintseries.com).
BTW, love the new website design you have...... ;D
Cheers,
Todd Kovi
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Post by racerrich on Apr 16, 2009 5:00:18 GMT -5
Well just when you thought it was safe to go back on the track, the rules have changed yet again. Joffrey has released an "addendum" to that last set of rules for further clarification. It does answer some of the concerns of the Easykart people down in Homestead, but there are still some areas that we feel need adjustment. Joffrey is making an attempt to make an "easy" transition to the International rules, however like with most change, we are all complaining. With this economy, it's not the time to spend extra money on bumpers, seats steering wheels, exhaust, body parts, no seals etc. (Without the seals the motor "enhancements" will go wild. It will become a "who's got the most money" series, not the "we are all equal series." Joffrey has already taken steps to step up the teching, but we will see how thorough and long it continues?! These facts were clearly presented to Easykart and this addendum is the result. It gives us some time to fall in line before the Grand Nationals. With all the complaining down in Homestead, You might be racing yourselves in the Grand National. I smell mutiny in the air!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Joffrey has solicited our comments, so let him know what you think. info@easykartflorida.com.
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Post by jlgracing on Apr 16, 2009 16:32:43 GMT -5
According to what i just read on the EKF site we have to purchase new vega tires for the jax. race, is this correct and what model vega tire?
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Post by ken51 on Apr 16, 2009 19:41:57 GMT -5
Ok, I have read the rules and it looks to me as though Birel is trying to corner the market on all of the parts and accessories we use. The new rules restrict the use of steering wheels, seats and seat struts to those produced by Freeline (Birel). Birel is now producing engines for our classes. The original equipment tires on the Step 1 karts have "manufactured by Vega for Birel" printed on the sidewall, sounds like Birel has a partner in the tire business. The problem I see is parts availability. All of the "legal" parts for Easykart (as per the new rules) come from 2 sources, Birel and Easykart. In the past, when Easykart did not have certain parts, we could go to other sources for most of our needs. That will not be the case when the current rules are in effect and everyone is running BMB motors. We will be dependent on Easykart and Birel, both Italian organizations that we have had parts supply problems with in the past. We who race in Monticello are very interested in the future of Easykart and feel that we have a very good thing going with the "old" rules and see little reason to upset the apple kart by completely changing the rules in mid season. Yes, a few folks will win a trip to Italy but the vast majority of Easykart racers have little interest in the world finals and simply enjoy the local racing scene. Note to Easykart - Those winning trips to Italy represent a very small portion of the Easykart market, don't loose track of the majority that keeps Easykart going. Ken
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Post by jlgracing on Apr 16, 2009 19:51:09 GMT -5
i sent an e-mail to EKF explaining that i didn't like having to change anything in the middle of a season, doing this stuff for 2010 season ok. as far as this goes if they really press this to much, we'll buy a set of Bridgies and go tag racing,,,,,
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Post by racerrich on Apr 17, 2009 6:56:04 GMT -5
Ken Old buddy, you hit the nail on the head! If it aint broke, let's not fix it. While I admire Joffrey for stepping up and even making the effort to speak with you today, I think he's off base trying to align with Italy. The general consensus in Homestead is run the old rules and run the risk of our efforts not making us "eligible" for the Grand National. In reality, I'd never see Italy anyway, but that's not the point. Like many other racers I spend a lot of my hard earned money buying Easykart and Freeline parts, just like all of you guys. Joffrey needs to step back and look at the big picture. All we ever asked for was fair pricing and parts availability. Now look what we got! Perhaps we need to run and "Easykart" series without the Easykart affiliation? So what if we don't "qualify" to go to the Grand National. If nobody qualifies, there won't be a Grand National anyway!
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Post by ken51 on Apr 17, 2009 8:24:05 GMT -5
I have never raced in Italy, and probably never will. I race at an Easykart track in Monticello, Florida, so I really don't care how they do it in Italy. We have a good thing going in Monticello, and I don't see the need to change here. Racing on hard tires at a track that does not have much grip does not sound like fun to me. Italian tracks have 100 times the kart "traffic" that our track has so there is always rubber on the track and good grip, even with hard tires. I remember Brett Thompson telling about going around turns on 2 tires when racing at the world finals in '07. That will never happen here. Do you guys remember how your kart handled with the original tires? As I understand it, the "old" rules have roots that go back to the Pablo Montoya days. Pablo understood that racing in our part of the world was different than in Europe and modified the rules to suite us. We need to be very careful when making rule changes, especially when there are as many changes at one time as the new rules require. In addition, our track was designed by Pablo with Easykarts (on soft tires) in mind, think about going into turn 6 (Fangio) at 75 mph on hard tires. I can't speak for the entire Easykart world, I can only give my opinion; and, in my opinion, part of the success of Easykart in this country is the soft tire. The soft tire allows Easykarts to turn lap times similar to more powerful karts that have better (more adjustable) chassis'. This makes Easykarts a great deal (more performance per $$). Why change a good thing??
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Post by mkmcdriver on Apr 17, 2009 8:47:15 GMT -5
I'll tell you why.. For the control and money! The new owners are supposed to receive a container full of parts (going on 4 months) and karts that the Birel people made them buy. This is how they became the new Easykart importer in the USA. Now they have to sell it, if they ever receive it and they can't, so because they need money in a hurry they are changing the rules and trying to cram them down your throat and up other points. - Nobody wants harder, crappier, more expensive tires.
- Nobody wants to change his/her steering wheel or seat.
- Nobody wants to get his/her engine dismantled at every race by people who have no idea what they are looking for...
If you want to be a greedy pig, at least hide it and wait for the 2010 season to do it. Become a smart greedy pig...
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Post by racerrich on Apr 17, 2009 13:33:33 GMT -5
It's still unofficial, but here is the jist of what we want to do in Homestead. Go back to the EK rules of last years Grand National. Since the Italian tech guys cut our seals off without our permission, we will not have seals and will have to upgrade tech proceedures to keep a lid on "enhancements." We will continue to run our MG yellows. Joffrey can keep his container of Vegas, We have no interest in using them. even if they are "cheaper." We,like the Monticello guys "have a good thing" going and Easykart can be onboard with our wishes or they can scratch Homestead off their "authorized" tracks .Most of us just don't care.
My suggestion to all of you Monticello racers, many of which I consider friends... Stand your ground and solicit opions from Jc, Tim, Karl and all the racers and voice your opinion loud and clear on Saturday. All the new rules are just not worth a trip to Italy, which if you talk to Brett, is anything but, a free trip! PLease keep me informed, Rich
One additional thought. If we both go on to an "outlaw" series without Easykart support and /or sanction, we can still have our own championship. Monticello vs Homestead. (which is really what we had before). We could run a two race format one on each other's home track to take away advatages and the total points winners in each class could be the "Outlaw Champions"
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Post by rstevens1 on Apr 17, 2009 14:36:07 GMT -5
I couldn't contain myself anymore. We have been racing Easykarts for 4 years and Bobby won the 60 Grand National Championship in 2008. Our home track is Homestead. We gave away the trip to Italy since in our opinion it is a folly to think you have a prayer of putting in a good showing given the logistical nightmare. Like it has been said....it may be free but it will still cost you thousands. I agree with most everyones sentiments however I want to make one thing clear. Easykart Fla./Jofree Amaya and Co. are the heirs to a bastardized "Spec." series that by the rest of the worlds EK Rules has been out of control. Efforts by Rudy from RYSA Racing started the process of reeling it back in after Montoya essentially abandoned it in 05. Birel (Easykart) is convinced the series has been unsuccessful because of the lack of "control" over the series. In order for the heir apparent (Jofree Amaya) to seal the deal in the rebirth of Easykart......he had to sell his soul to the devil, the devil being Birel, and step up and shake it up. Yea, he wants to recoup his investment but don't kill the proverbial messenger. Last week I sent an E-Mail to www.info@birel.it requesting clarification on IAME engines thru 2010 and they are legitimate. I cant use 4 letter words here to express how angry I am about chucking my seat, Mychron 4 Wheel, parts that are not laser etched on my new/old 2003 EK100 kart and the spares to boot. Air it out with Jofree Amaya but hammer Birel. Contact Alessandra Nicita/Marketing a.nicita@birel.it and give her a ration of it. If you don't then don't complain. For the time being it looks like we will be running an outlaw series in the North and the South. What we cant forget is somehow we need to compromise and ensure the Series and Product survives, because face it...there is nothing as fast, easy and cheap(relatively speaking) as Easykart. The timing of all of this sucks since alot of us aren't sure whether we will have a job next week or not. Oh, one other thing I was wondering about is whether the grass ever grew back where Rich mowed it on the front straight. Sorry about taking up so much room on your guys forum. Just remember...."This Too Shall Pass" Bob/Bobby EK 100 #35
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