New Clone Rules

[guest]

I would like to see the rules strictly going by WKA rules so if you wanted to run VC one week and then Eldora or Wheelerburg the following week you could and be competitive if VC had standard WKA rules like the other tracks do.

For example we went to Eldora with the same motor we ran at VC and we're blown clear off the track as we we're running according to VC'S rules and they need to be changed to co-inside with all the other tracks.

Its supposed to be a low cost class but to be able to compete at other tracks and VC I have to tear down my motor and build according to WKA rules to be competitive at other tracks.

Come-on people lets hear some slack back on this issue and maybe we can get things changed !!

[classic57]

The reason I got into clone racing at VC is because it is affordable. IF YOU ARE LEGAl, the only thing allowed for Box Stock is governor and oil switch removal. Buy an engine from Harbor Freight when they are on sale, take out the forementioned parts and set the valve lash. Cheap fun. If you want to play with trying to go faster try the E-Mod specs for a little more money.

I know what you mean about others being faster. I have always been 100% legal and have been competitive when up against other stock engines. When the guys come in with their "cheater" engines it's a different story. I hope they feel good about putting extra money into their engines to beat me for $20-$30 dollars. VC made the announcement at the awards banquet they will be teching this season...hope that takes care of the cheating. I think they should also lower the claim cost to $125-$130. I'll take some money with me and start an engine collection (if need be). The cheater could either loose money on the deal or be DQ'd if they refuse to give up their engine.

If you want to run WKA do it. Build what's allowed and run at those tracks. As far as "tear down my motor and build according" to run at Wheelersburg after VC...I thought they required sealed engines there.

I race for the true fun of the sport. I can't put thousands of dollars into karts and run all over the country to try to make money at it. Most of the time it's a blast. Then there are the times when someone comes in and tries to lap the field to feel good, or want to cuss and fight over the "big purse". I'm still going to be there this season and hope everyone has fun and good luck!

Good luck to you and hope you're happy with whatever direction you decide to go.

[Dirt Racer]

Classic 57 in some parts I agree with your opinion but.........as far as a $125.00 to $130.00 claimer your way off on this one.

I know if your motor is claimed you can go right over to the vendor at the track and buy a brand new one but before season started last year I made that mistake and went to a shop in the Portsmouth area and bought 2 new motors, took them home put em on the karts and broke them in and when I dumped the oil it was a orangish black color. All we could figure is where they had sat in his shop and drew moisture and the cylinder wall were full of rust. So I then went to Harbour Freight and bought 2 more and dumped the other motors at Springfield.

Let me explain now why I am posting on your comment. Since I won't buy a local motor and if mine was to be claimed I would have to drive from my house 92 miles one way to the closest Harbour Freight so now I have the cost of the motor $129.00 plus $50.00 in gas plus having to shut down my shop for at least 5 hrs. while I make the trip plus more money if I decide to stop and eat and then after getting home I then have to drive another 38 miles one way to a kart shop and buy a new jet, spark plug and break in oil so now I have spent another $25.00 on gas, closed the shop down for another 2 hrs. and the cost of the supplies I went after $17.00.

So the final tally for that $175.00 claimer on my motor I have spent $221.00 not to mention the 7 hrs. that my shop was closed @ $55.00 per hr. labor and all the customers that are ticked because I didn't get there car done.

And you want to buy my motor for 125 to 130.......I think the claimer should be raised to at least $250.00 to $300.00 because that is what it would cost me to replace a bone stock clone motor !!!

Thanks,
Dirt Racer

[classic57]

I agree with you on the point that the base price for an engine is just the "tip of the iceburg". I would imagine we all have the gas and time investment, though not everyone would have a business. As you pointed out, it's not cheap. Now just think how you would feel if you had put a couple hundred more dollars in an illegal engine and had to face giving it up or being DQ'd if someone challenged you on a claimer. It just might help keep those guys honest or in a class their engine would be allowed.

If we all have our "bone stock" clones, we will probably not be starting on the tail and be close to lapping karts in an 8 lap heat race. (This has happened to our Box Stock group more than once this past season.)

I don't win every race. Some nights I've been happy with next to last. As long as the field of karts are all reasonably competitive, I don't think anyone (myself included) would be looking to claim anything.

My main thought behind the low claimer is to be a self-policing measure to save time and money on our part when it comes to the tech process. It depends on how far the tech goes. I'm no mechanic and don't have a "shop". If they give me an engine back in pieces, it won't be pretty for future racing. I'll have to get someone to put Humpty Dumpty back together again. I also found out when I had the governor and oil switch removed that if the gasket had been torn, nobody had any in stock. The suppliers were literally waiting for months on a boat from China.

I doubt if there is any one answer. Like everything...you can't please everyone. I guess you either put up with a few bad seeds or sell your stuff.

[localracer]

I think the rules are fine the way they are. If they are followed from the engine to the age to the weight limits.I think the $175 claim rule is fair. Not everyone is going to be happy with all the rules . ANYWHERE Just human nature i guess.
Myself i couldn't afford to change all my engine and i got another boy wanting to race this year. So it's either race stock or not let someone race. I thought it was about everyone having fun.If we stay stock with minor mods. we all can stay competitive.
Lets all have fun

[OHIO VALLEY RACEWAY]

To the mystery guest, If you have the time and money to race at Eldora and then go to Wheelersburg ( which run only sealed STOCK engines) you can buy another engine on top of the two you all ready have. VC and OHIO VALLEY have the same rules and the people in this area want to keep it that way. Also, if you need an extra engine get it from DOLES AUTOMOTIVE. He services both tracks and does not store his engines under water.
BRIAN HAMMOND

[Mike]

I agree with Brian! Here is an idea about not loosing money with your buisness! Go on your day off! The claim prices are fine. You can also have them shiped to your home or buisness. Also don't the burg cost 15$ for a pit pass plus racing fees! For a dollar or two more you are in and racing at VC or Welston!

Thanks, Mike May #72m

[brian loar 9]

so can you run headers and filter in box stock this year 2011 looking on the rules says you can but just making sure

[classic57]

I haven't heard or read anything about a rule change for Box Stock.

The information on the rules page deals with the E-Mod class. This is different from the strictly stock Box Stock engine.

One thing I had noticed was Ohio Valley changed some of the specs in their E-Mod this season. VC used to us the same rules as OV so I called to see if they were changing to match. At that time they were not aware of the changes and was going to talk to Brian and get back to me. Haven't heard anything back.

[ohio valley raceway park]

I talked to vc's tech man saturday night at our race and he's on the same page as us. no suprises, just weeding out the hot fuels and /or alky and aftermarket cams.

[longhair11e]

I was wondering what the weight rules are for e mod classes and for the box stock class. I have atleast 2 karts that want to come down this weekend. Going to try to get more karts to make the trip but weights and ages per class would be very helpful.... thanks for any help I can get....

[derbyman1031]

box stock is weight is 350 and the Age is 15&up e mod is 350 and the age is 15&up

[classic57]

The E-Mod has several classes: Medium is 350#, Heavy is 375# and Super Heavy is 400#.

[jd38]

longhair they also hav two kids classes if they cant make ages for emods or stocks