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Newsletter 2008-7      June 2008

Compiled by Ian Rushforth

BSA STEERING COMMITTEE MEETS TO LOOK AT FUTURE PLANS

The steering committee met recently for its usual mid term debate. It was a wide ranging discussion that looked at the season so far, what we may or may not need do in 2009 and importantly beyond.  The next meeting of the steering committee is planned for Aug. 17^th when we hope to make final decisions for 2009 and beyond.

Currently the British Superkart Association has a balance at the bank of £8950 of which  £5825 is registration fees for 2008

The discussion topics were as follows :-

• Replacement of the lost F125 ICC race from Oulton in March
• Replacement UK Cup event for F125 ICC as Bishopscourt did not produce a competitive entry (only 1 entry)
• Much discussion on the use of very expensive Carbs now beginning to come into F250 National. Interestingly the CIK are having similar thoughts about the Division 1 Superkart Class. On purely cost grounds is this good for the class and its future support ????
• Cost of competing, particularly the cost of travelling to and from an event and how we might deal with this. i.e spread of events geographically etc.
• Falling grids of gearbox karts on short circuit particularly in F250 National
• How can we revive the F125 Open class and get all of those unused karts out on circuit again either at S/C or L/C
• What can we do to help support short circuit events which has traditionally been our feeder
• How to get new drivers into the sport in general
• A lot of discussion about the rules and how they are created. i.e are there too many restrictions that drive people away from the sport particularly at short circuit club level.
• L/C start procedure especially in the light of recent accidents like the Lausitzring incident.
• Likely response from the CIK after the Lausitzring
• Lack of respect driver to driver and declining driving standards

As you can imagine that lot took up a fair bit of time.

Although not many decisions were made at the meeting the following ones were agreed.

1. The Pre-final at the GP would be used as a replacement race for the one lost at Oulton Park in F125 ICC. This is providing all of the drivers registered for the Championship agree and sign up to it.
2. The UK Cup for F125 ICC will take place at Darley Moor on Aug. 24^th as part of the planned National Championship event
3. It was agreed that expensive Carbs beginning to be seen in F250 National are not in the long run good for the future of the class on a cost basis and that a decision about how to tackle the problem will made in August for possible inclusion into the regulations next season.

If you have any comments or questions about any of the points raised please contact us as we will be pleased to hear from you.

DONINGTON FOR ALL CLASSES

The New Era MCC the organisers of the August Donington has agreed to give us three slots on Saturday as well as the planned slots for the Sunday 250 Championship event.

As Donington is probably the most popular circuit in the UK we have decided to hold a Club Race Day for all of the BSA classes on Saturday Aug. 9th. The Championship registered drivers taking part in the Sunday part of the event will be offered places at a heavily discounted entry fee thus presenting them with a test opportunity.

It is expected that the Sunday 250 Championship event will be filled by registered drivers as there is only 50 places available and we have more than 50 drivers registered for the F250 National, F250 Challenge and Division 1 Superkart classes.

SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RACE AT DONINGTON ON AUGUST 9^th and/or 10^th DON’T HANG ABOUT WHEN THE SR`S AND ENTRY FORM IS ISSUED SHORTLY.

INTERESTING SUPERKART BOUND FOR AMERICA

The pictures below are of a kart being supplied to an American customer by Anderson Karts and features a twin cylinder 450cc Aprillia four stroke engine. The Americans have much more open rules than us so it is possible to see some interesting karts at their events

The engine power output would be in the region of a Honda two stroke single I am told.  Electric starts are common place of course on modern four strokes.

CIK ASK ADVICE OF THE MANUFACTURERS

The CIK recently invited a number of chassis manufacturers to a meeting in Geneva to discuss the multi kart accident at the Lausitzring last month. As a result of that discussion it is likely that we will see some changes to front bumper design and the introduction of side protection bars beneath the side pods in CIK 250 classes. No decision was taken in detail and it was left to the CIK to come up with proposals for a 2009 introduction.

The start procedure was also discussed so expect to see some increased control on future starts at European Championship events. It was thought a major part of the incident was the fact that the back of the grid was travelling too fast causing a concertina effect. Poor driving standards by some however were thought to have contributed and compounded the incident.

EVENTS COMING UP

Darley Moor   -   July 13^th   -   Club Racing for all classes   -   Long Circuit Racing Kart Club

Cadwell Park    -   July 18/19/20^th   -   MSA British Superkart GP   -   British Superkart Racing Club

Donington   -   Aug. 9^th   -   Club Racing for all classes   -   British Superkart Racing Club

Donington   -   Aug. 10^th   -   British & National Championships for 250`s   -   British Superkart Racing Club

Darley Moor   -   Aug. 24^th   -   National Champs for F125 Open and ICC   -   Long Circuit Racing Kart Club

                                                     UK Cup for F125 ICC + Club Racing     

Castle Combe   -  Sept. 13^th   -   British & National Championships for 250`s   -   British Superkart Racing Club

Darley Moor   -   Sept. 14^th   -   Club Racing for all classes   -   Long Circuit Racing Kart Club  

Mallory Park    -   Sept. 21^st   -   Club Racing for all classes   -  British Superkart Racing Club

Bishopscourt   -   Sept. 27^th   -  Irish Gearbox Kart GP   -   Bishopscourt Kart Club 

LONG CIRCUIT KART SCHOOL

We have been trying for some time to get Terry Bateman`s ARKS examiners badge transferred from Chasewater, which is now closed, to Darley Moor. The ARKS organisation has resisted the request until recently. So following a meeting it was agreed that the setting up of a L/C Kart School at Darley would resolve the matter. The Long Circuit Racing Kart Club will now purchase a 125 kart so that drivers without their own equipment can if they wish take their ARKS test under Terry at Darley Moor. Terry will obviously be able to carry out the ARKS test for drivers with their own equipment as well. Well done to Terry and the club for pushing the matter to a conclusion

WADDINGTON AIR SHOW

Many thanks to Team Parker and Team Barker Racing for a fine display put on at the Air Show last weekend.

Keith Parker had organised a good spot within the static display area to show off the selection of karts that included 250 twins, 250 singles, Junior and Cadet karts. As always the Superkarts created a lot of interest and we hope to see several of the people who visited the show at Cadwell for the GP. The show organisers were so pleased with the display they have offered us a prime spot at next years show. Well done to all.

NEWS OF OUR INJURED DRIVERS

All of the guys that have suffered in recent weeks through injury are now on the road to a good recovery thankfully. 

Adam Smith has now had his second and most important operation to ensure his back is fixed long term and should now make a very good and full recovery. Adam is in good spirits (is he ever in anything else) and looking forward to 2009 when he can get back in a kart again.   

Lee Morgan has now had the frame that was holding him together to facilitate a good fix of is broken pelvis`s removed and is now much more comfortable and can move with a lot better ease. Lee is hoping to come to Cadwell to watch the GP`s assuming he is OK.

Lee`s Mum and Adams wife have ask me through this newsletter to thank everyone for their best wishes, cards etc. and contributions to the collection that Angela Parry organised for them. It was very much appreciated and once again demonstrated the great strength of the Superkart fraternity in times of adversity.

Lee Shepherd is now out of hospital and on the road to recovery but it will be a slow process because of his previous injuries which makes it a longer process in Lee`s case. Lee is in good spirits also and may be at Cadwell for some of the GP.

Kevin Busby is on the mend but has some ongoing worries as to how well his ankle will recover. There is a risk that he may have to have it locked and that he will then lose the movement in his ankle. He is in good spirits despite being in some pain still.          

Glad to hear all are on the road to getting fully active and we send our best regards to them all and their families.

AND IF THAT WASN’T ENOUGH INJURIES

Ben Hughes who races in F125 ICC was injured in a head on road traffic accident recently breaking his leg badly. Ben has just come out of hospital and is feeling happier although still in some pain. The recovery period is going to take some months but the good news he is going in the right direction. The family want to thanks everyone very much for all of the best wishes received. Another ICC driver Nik Goodfellow who we see occasionally on L/C was also injured in a multiple accident at Dunkeswell a couple of weeks ago during a practice session for a Super 4 event. To both Ben and Nik we say get well soon and we look forward to seeing you back in action very soon.

   I don’t know if any of you have visited this site yet, it’s a sort of You Tube for karting but it does not as far as I can see have any Superkart footage on it which I am sure you will agree is about time it had. So if any of you have got some footage like on board stuff etc. then why not send it to them. Let us not however have any crashes please as it is not good for the sport.      Visit the site at www.youkart.org.

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Last modified: July 10, 2008