Clone Rules Proposal

[markofzero]

Hi All,

I would like to propose a Rule change for the Clone class.

I have been struggling with adding enough lead weight to make my kart legal. I need to add approximately 85 lbs. This can cost over $100 just for the lead.

Also, this makes my kart weigh 235 lbs. (I weigh ~ 125 lbs.) So, my kart with fuel added is almost twice my weight.

A better solution for me (and other "skinnies") would be a lower maximum weight (maybe 320 lbs.) plus a carb. restrictor plate of some TBD size.

What do you all think? Is this a possibility for 2011?
Who would I "officially" propose this to?

I also think that this would make the racing more varied and therefore interesting.

Mark

[Scott Conway Racing]

I would be interested in looking in to this, I would like to have a lite and a heavy class but am afraid splitting the class could hurt the entries and the big class is alot of the attraction to the class. We did this with the Yamaha's last year and it was really close to being perfect, the used a can on the lite kart and a pipe on heavy karts, always close in qualifying, but the pipe raced better, could have used 10 more pounds on heavy maybe, Your proposal would help make the little guys kart safer and the bigger guys more competitive, After the Gold Rush we could start trying to figure out a formula to make this work, and try it at a couple of the tracks

[tommy toro]

If our numbers continue to grow the way they have been I wouldent be suprised to see a few more classes come into the mix for 2011, Jr1 and 2 are in the works and the weight thing has been an issue in the past, theres 50 to 60+ bolted to mine my sons and my brothers clones, yea were skinny too. and yes there a pain to lift on the stand, plus the prospect of a 220lb upside down kart on someones neck dosent thrill me either,

[markofzero]

Well, I see that there is some interest.

Can anyone please tell me how I would go about officially requesting a change to the rules?

Thanks,
Mark

P.s., I would be willing to help in drafting the rule and/or testing restrictor plates vs. weight reductions.

[Scott Conway Racing]

have a couple restrictors comin, plan on testing after gold rush, need to have solid data and and have our ducks in a row before we propose anything

[markofzero]

Sounds good. When you are ready, let me know if I can help in any way.

[Brad Wunder]

Hey Mark,

You bring up some absolutely valid points. We had the same issue several years ago when Billy's daughter was racing with us. In order to make her legal so much weight would have been required that it would have basically become a VERY unsafe situation in the event of a rollover. We let her run light but that presented another set of problems.

The NFRA isn't a rules making organization per se. What we are trying to do is bring the various tracks/clubs together to form a consistent set of rules (based mainly on the AKRA rule set) so that we can go from track to track and know what we will be dealing with in terms of the rules package.

Later on this month we are looking to have a conference call with interested parties from all of the tracks we race at to come up with a plan for the clone rules for 2011. You are welcome and encouraged to take part in that call. Keep an eye on the Members Only section for date, time and call connection info.

[markofzero]

Brad,

Thanks, I would be very interested in doing that. However, I never received an email telling me the password to the Members Only section. I guess I'll pursue that next.

Mark

[karlznet]

A rough draft of the AKRA/WKA/BSP rules for 2011 have been posted by Tom Cole at
karting.4cycle.com/showthread.php?t=344623
Just wanted to let everyone know so we can get feedback on whether we want to continue using these rules in our area. Remember, we can tweek the weights and tires as a local option and we could do the same with the restrictor plates but I think they should be tested first. When I spoke to Bill McCutchen (AKRA) last week he mentioned that IKF had contacted him about permission to use the rules in their 2011 IKF rule book. He told them sure no problem so we could possibly see one set of rules for AKRA/WKA/BPS/IKF Box Stock Clones! ~Karl

[Brad Wunder]

What? One set of unified rules? The HELL you say!? LOL

[karlznet]

The 2011 rough draft has been cleaned up a bit and now refects a rather significant change. "Matting surface finish of block and cylinder head is a non tech item, sufacing of both to correct gasket failure and meet cc check allowed".
karting.4cycle.com/showthread.php?t=344623
I sure didn't see this one coming

[brad42]

I think this is a cave in to those that figured out how to duplicate the factory flycutter while getting the head to spec. So I think what this means is that the average racer can do nothing, but the super competitive racer can cc his/her cylinder head, lap the mating surfaces by hand at home or pay someone to machine it. Hand lapping can be done for about $4.00. But this is part of that "creep" in the rules that will eventually be bad for the class.

[brad42]

Oh and that other nasty rumor about the flywheel.....The last paragraph is crystal clear that in box stock classes the stock flywheel is the only thing allowed, period, end of story.

[Scott Conway Racing]

I don't think that making the head and block surface non tech will hurt anything, if you have a harbor frieght motor with the piston .038 in in the hole your goin to a gunfight with a knife, personly I am goin stick with yellow bsp from here on out. you can get it where you want it with gaskets.This change should take away the advantage that people who can duplicate stock surface have had. Move the claim rule to $200 and we'll be good

[norcalacr]

"duplicate the factory flycutter" I'm not familiar with the term. Do elaborate.