[mlange]

Just my 2 cents here, but I think with the proximity of Singapore, a currently robust economy, the strengthening SGD dollar and the F1 style "K1" events being held every few weeks in different neighbourhoods ... you'd think there is actually a decent size pool of enthusiats to tap into for the Malaysian events.

I believe there are a fair number of enthusiats who would be interested in karting. They go to these events. They hear about karting and get their cheap $5 for 5 min rides on the fun-karts, and then they hit a brick wall for the absence of follow-through to continue the momentum to getting these guys into the driving seat.

I also believe that there is a lack of a decent length track in Singapore, (in my opinion only), and even on the existing KartWorld track, an enthusiat would be giving a hard think-through on including in his start-up cost, the SGD 2,500 membership fee for a kart track of that length.

Yes, I agree Permas track in JB is relatively close but it just feels simpler having something based on the island.

The redeeming factor is that a new track(s) is being developed in the East Coast as well as one in Tuas (which has been somewhat overdue for a few months).

Track support should not be a big issue .... at the existing KartWorld track, its possible to get spares for TonyKarts/Kosmics, definitely SwissHutless which is well supported and CRG which has a dealer based in Singapore.

[sprocket]

wow. That's it.

[Mikko Nassi]

So, let's be sensible and not end up with another year like 2006 where none of the races, in any of the various categories, had more than 10 competitors. To get good racing, you need a decent size field, karts that are quick enough (and the Rotax's are) and decent organisation. We had all of that in 2007 and hopefully will again in 2008.

About 20 karts, sometimes more in both Senior and Junior categories is pretty damn good - but until those numbers are above 30 there isn't much point in having more series' or categories.

[Tony Lee]

I am new in the asian scene and names posted are not familiar to me. I have raced in Europe and Australia for over 30 years now and started in international events racing for Zip Karts in England. My fellow competitor then were the likes of Ayrto Da Silva (Senna), Terry Fullerton, Mike Wilson, Stefano Modena, Lars Forsman etc, etc. I would not have done the european circuit if I were not sponsored by Zip and in spite of that a podium finish was few and far between with such a competitive field. When I moved over to Australia I was still racing CIK internationals but the field was dwindling by the week due to the prohibitive cost in racing karts.
With the introduction of the KT100S and J the karting fraternity increased dramatically there. This brought about a much closer racing and a much bigger field. Modifications were limited to light blue printing but port finish to be as cast. I bought both an S and J and did a few events in both classes and found that not only was it more fun, it was definitely alot cheaper. The engines were more reliable and a rebuild once a year was sufficient and still be competitive. Being a 2-stroke specialist I dabbled into making the Yamahas go faster but improvements were marginal as opposed to stock.

Point I am trying to get at is with the new classes of engines now available it sure would put a damper to newcomers into the sport if they have to fork out mega bucks just to be on the starting grid, and even more disponded when he comes in last.

I strongly oppose to the introduction of 'world class' racing classes over here in SEA as I dont think the majority is ready for such high profile events yet. It is worthwhile getting european and overseas drivers to come over and show us how close and exciting such an event is but how many of you guys out there can confidently say they can pack their gear and go over to Europe and race competitively without losing their pants. Those guys over there live and eat karting everyday. I noticed KF2/KF3 being mentioned in the forum but in all honestly how many drivers there can afford to be in these class, and maybe there are a few and they will stay a few.

Lets introduce a basic class of racing with engine, tyres, weight restrictions in place, and the AKA in Australia has even put a price restriction on certain tyres being sold. There are over 5000 licensed drivers in Australia and as many more unlicensed drivers.
At every practice/race meet, kart dealers would be in attendance with spares and advice for people using their brand of equipment/engine.
I was born in Malaysia and I would like to see karting being promoted in a less commercial atmosphere and get Joe Average into the sport without all the class and economical politics involved. I suggest the Yamaha 100J is a good starting point and people leave the grandstand not because of slower karts, they leave when there are no close racing and excitement involved.

[RocK]

SGD 2,500 membership fee for a kart track of that length.

never knew it cost that high..

[Alex Ritchie]

I strongly oppose to the introduction of 'world class' racing classes over here in SEA as I dont think the majority is ready for such high profile events yet. It is worthwhile getting european and overseas drivers to come over and show us how close and exciting such an event is but how many of you guys out there can confidently say they can pack their gear and go over to Europe and race competitively without losing their pants. Those guys over there live and eat karting everyday. I noticed KF2/KF3 being mentioned in the forum but in all honestly how many drivers there can afford to be in these class, and maybe there are a few and they will stay a few.

I believe there is a place for KF2/3 in Malaysia and the region. Some racers have the budget and the ambition to race karts at the highest level and we should help them develop their skills here before they venture to Europe.

As I see it, the main problem is that if you have classes exclusive to KF2 for Seniors and KF3 for Juniors there will be very few entries purely because many racers cannot raise the money to compete.

The solution is to run mixed classes with weight handicaps to give good racing. Each driver would then choose the engine type that suits his or her budget, with some expectation of doing well. That's what they do successfully in Thailand and many other countries.

[Gary80]

I agree with you Alex we should run the mixed class and do the weight penalty, and the perfect opportunity would be the open 125 class in the KKS club meeting, they are struggling for numbers and I have purchased 3 KF2 engines and I know of quite afew others who have them and we would be all happy to race in the club series if our engines werent banded.

[Tony Lee]

This has worked all over the world with junior racing on the increase in beginers classes. Definitely engine type and weight restrictions imposed here. In Australia and England ther would be at least 4-5 classes racing on the same day which would consist of field of approximately 80-90 karters on a club day. This has to start at club level where it has to cater for ALL class of kart racing. I could go on all day on this subject but I wont. I am sure there are factors which would prevent this from happening, I cant be certain, perhaps kart dealers can answer that question.

[Mikko Nassi]

I also find an open 125 category with the same weight for all engines pointless. It should be quite heavily controlled (on engine mods), and with different weights, as they do in Thailand (top finishers engines always opened and checked) and other countries.

That being said I personally much prefer one-make categories for close racing.

[Jules]

Interesting thead this is...considering what the 1st question was.

Anyhow, my 2 cents worth ....

1) Yes, like Mikko - i would love to see a controlled racing class re-introduced, i.e. production racing where no engines are allowed and we all race on tyres that dun burn hole in your wallet to practise and race. Would it not make sense that a beginner needs "practise" to improve?

I graduated with Mikko from the Piston Port class, together with the likes of James Verrapen, David Ong, William Woo - all very fine drivers and competitors. Hence the word "RE-Introduce" something similar.

Why this class was abandoned deserves another new thread...so I wun start here.

2) The story of someone crashing out and sitting is also unknown to me. So perhaps a name would help jot our failing memories....

3) My-Kart was featured in Engine Block last Monday and yes, it is doing a lot to promote karting to the grass roots. For any beginners reading this - this is the best platform to start your competitive karting....

4) Rotax expensive? Well, YES and NO. Remember, when you buy the ROTAX engine, you are buying into a system and help finance it. All the profit from the engine, spares contribute to the WORLD FINALS Event.

So its YES, its expensive if you dun compete, and NO if you compete and make it into the World Finals. ( if you dun make it, well.....)

Again, I dun drive a Rotax now and I have no association with anyone here, nor sell anything. Just a hobbist & independent point of view.

[Mikko Nassi]

Interesting thead this is...considering what the 1st question was.

Yup I was considering splitting the topic at some point but just got too confused where to split it.

3) My-Kart was featured in Engine Block last Monday and yes, it is doing a lot to promote karting to the grass roots. For any beginners reading this - this is the best platform to start your competitive karting....

And it works because it is simple and cheap - just arrive and drive and everything works. Which is how a beginner-level karting category should be as well (not the arrive-drive part but he simple and cheap part).

So its YES, its expensive if you dun compete, and NO if you compete and make it into the World Finals. ( if you dun make it, well.....)

Expensive if you don't race compared to what though? If you don't race you don't have to use Mojo tyres, and engine-maintenance doesn't really cost more. Also the engine costs aren't really much different from other similar TaG engines.

Compared to Yamaha-type piston port engines the main cost difference is in the initial price of the engine - which is a very big factor for new karters looking at buying a kart.

[Alex Ritchie]

[quote="Mikko Nassi"]
Yup I was considering splitting the topic at some point but just got too confused where to split it.
[quote]

Perhaps a new thread in the Malaysia section? No need to split, we can refer here if needed...

[Tony Lee]

Interesting thead this is...considering what the 1st question was.

Yup I was considering splitting the topic at some point but just got too confused where to split it.

3) My-Kart was featured in Engine Block last Monday and yes, it is doing a lot to promote karting to the grass roots. For any beginners reading this - this is the best platform to start your competitive karting....

And it works because it is simple and cheap - just arrive and drive and everything works. Which is how a beginner-level karting category should be as well (not the arrive-drive part but he simple and cheap part).

So its YES, its expensive if you dun compete, and NO if you compete and make it into the World Finals. ( if you dun make it, well.....)

Expensive if you don't race compared to what though? If you don't race you don't have to use Mojo tyres, and engine-maintenance doesn't really cost more. Also the engine costs aren't really much different from other similar TaG engines.

Compared to Yamaha-type piston port engines the main cost difference is in the initial price of the engine - which is a very big factor for new karters looking at buying a kart.

Mikko - you have a valid point here as there should be an entry level equipment for any kind of motor sports.