Membership Renewals
2006 membership now stands at 54 so thanks to all renewed members and a warm welcome to our new members.  Compared to last year where we finished on 63 we still have a few renewals yet to come in. Having spoken to most people in recent months it is very clear that we are still in difficult times. I am in discussion with the major UK show organisers and am encouraged by the possibilities for members, more later in this newsletter.  Please note that members often enjoy trade discount benefits not normally available to non members and that membership is a requirement for TKM chassis homologations and Comer sealing agents. We are very pleased to note that all Rotax servicing/sealing agents are also now required to have BKIA membership.

Kart Shows
I have had a very positive meeting with the Autosport Show organisers and am waiting for a proposal from them for the 2007 show. One of the ideas is to have a BKIA trade pavilion with a number of stands solely for BKIA members at discretionary rates. I will be copying you with details as soon as these are to hand.

The 2006 London Motorsport Show (& London Kart Show) has offered BKIA a dedicated area housing a number of smaller stands at a much reduced rate for the 2 days show. These BKIA supported stands are aimed at members who have not in the past attended exhibitions and details will be mailed out shortly by the show organisers. If you wish to have some advance information and to provisionally book one of these BKIA stands please let me know.

MSA Items
Wedge style nose fairing will not be permitted in the Cadet classes from 2007.

An error has been made in the Blue Book regarding the height of the rear bumper in Cadets. For all cadet class karts the upper rail and uppermost extension element must be between 20cm and 30cm above the ground in dry configuration and not 16cm and 20cm as stated.

The 1.8mm minimum diameter of brake secondary cables will be made mandatory in all classes from 1.1.2007.

Kart Committee has been asked to endorse Cadet ages being extended to year of 13^th birthday. It is believed that this will help the really small, light kids not being pressured to move into junior karts beyond their physical capabilities. Junior kart weights continue to be reviewed and proposals include a maximum chassis weight for each class and a maximum ballast of 25kg.

Cadet Homologations – 2007. The schedule and requirements for Cadet chassis homologations will be published by the MSA very shortly. These will be distributed to members as soon as received.

UK Case for Karting
In conjunction with the NKA we have been approached by an organisation called GDP Automotive to support the production of a marketing prospectus. The intention is to present a case for UK government investment into the UK kart industry in a similar manner to the significant amount previously allocated to the Motorsport Industry Association.

The purpose of this project is to help win funding consideration for U.K. karting. This aim is to:

1. Produce a high quality "Policy Document" to fully explain the history of U.K. karting and its continued contribution to grassroots motorsport.

2. Set out what funding the industry and sport would need to enhance the quality and competitiveness of U.K. karting.

3. Explain why the sport needs this funding and what the cost benefit returns would be.

4. Argue through this document why U.K. karting should serve as the grassroots gatekeeper for U.K. motorsport.

As this project progresses I will keep you posted.

USA Karting Industry Conference
At around the same time thatwe had a review last year, the USA kart industry held a symposium looking at issues affecting their businesses. We have been kindly provided with a synopsis of their discussions. Most will recognise similar concerns especially regarding the need to attract more newcomers to our sport. Your comments & suggestions will be welcome.

Purpose:
Discuss five of the top problems in karting.
Approach:
The participants were asked to identify the top five problems in karting today. The group then divided into 5 smaller focus groups to have a discussion. The facilitator then presented the results to the larger group for further discussion.

FIVE TOPICS OF DISCUSSION:
PROMOTION
CLASSES AND SERIES
THE COST OF RACING
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
BUSINESS PRACTICES

General Discussion Notes

PROMOTION
It was a consensus of the group that very few members of the general public know about karting, the public is either unaware or have a perception that it is similar to driving karts at a concession track.

Promotions should:
a. Inform the public to generate interest in the sport
b. Increase the number of spectators at events
c. Increase the number of active karters

Methods of promotion
a. Media (TV, Radio)
b. Print (newspaper, magazine, etc.)
c. Internet
1. Getting started websites (startkarting.com, many local clubs & promoters have similar information)
2.Club web pages
3.Sanctioning body web pages
4. Track web pages

d. Image advertising
1. Suggestion of a volunteer, cross functional group to organize and promote a national campaign
2. Suggestion of a national campaign funded by a pool donated from manufacturers, organizations, etc.
3. Leverage relationships with other racing entities (NASCAR, IRL, CART, Local Stock Car Tracks, etc.)

e. Grass roots promotion

1.Local car shows and other public awareness building (show karts, hand out information, talk to local people)
2. Displays at local stock car tracks
3. Publish current press releases with photos
4. Invite the press to events
5. Have free day at the track to let people try out racing
6. Collaborate with local fun center
7. Posters about the events in local bars, stores or restaurants
8. Publicize in "what to do" brochures published by the Chamber of Commerce or newspaper
9. Develop, maintain and use an email list for people interested in knowing more
10. Encourage local racers to bring more people to the race - friends, family, school mates, etc.

CLASSES AND SERIES
Most participants felt there were too many classes. This impacted the racers because all classes were not run at every track, so it is difficult for racers to race at more that one facility or cross over series. It is also hard to explain karting to new racers.

The large number of classes also impacts promoters because having too many small classes extends the time to run the event, thus resulting in participant dissatisfaction.

Suggestions:
a. Develop a common set of specifications among Sanctioning Bodies (this is currently underway and has been the approach of KIC, WKA and IKF for several years)

b. Develop classes that are based on specification rather than brand or manufacturer

c. Develop a small group of classes that are promoted as the premier classes for those racers interested in Regional and National Championships

d. Have classes that require the same equipment but are divided by weight, skill of driver, etc., thus making it easier for equipment to be used longer and drivers to remain in the sport as body shape/size or interests may change

e. The Sanctioning Bodies have significant influence in this area, along with local promoters.

THE COST OF RACING
Many participants indicated that the cost of racing is impacting the number of new people coming to the sport. It was generally agreed that a family would need to spend around $5,000 to get started in a basic package including safety gear, basic parts, etc. The cost depends on the level of racing that is right for the customer.

From a business perspective, there was general agreement that margins are being squeezed at all levels. Few attendees to the conference would be willing to lower their margins to make racing more affordable for the racer. Costs are rising for raw materials like steel, chemicals, transportation and labor costs.

Suggestions:
a. Promote a spec class for entry level racers to eliminate the additional cost of engine work (such as TAG)

Health & Safety Information
I have been asked whether manufacturers should be providing user information and health & safety advice with supplied equipment. For example does anyone supply users guidance notes with a new chassis? It does cross my mind that there is a case for stating that some items are for racing purposes only. Does anyone have thoughts on this matter? 

50th Logo

2006 is the 50^th anniversary since Art Ingels first kart appeared. Please feel free to include the logo in any of your literature with the phrase ‘BKIA – Celebrating 50 years of Karting’. If you need a copy on disc please let me know.

Come Kart Racing DVD

The new starting in karting promotion DVD has been produced by the ABkC with BKIA and ARKS support. A copy was forwarded to each member last year. We hope that members and clubs will show this to customers and local groups, perhaps accompanied by a presentation to help promote our sport. It is suggested that copies might be given to local schools for their libraries or given to prospective newcomers.

Please order further quantities to support this initiative. They can be ordered either direct from the ABkC in boxes of 100 at £100 per box or I will collate orders for smaller quantities.

Formula TKM Kart Homologations 2007

Chassis Homologations:-

Following a well attended meeting of manufacturers organised by Tal-Ko at Buckmore the following were agreed in principle now for agreement with MSA, ABkC, etc.

A revision of regulations to allow use of foreign components and/or allow foreign manufacturers.

Freeing up of homologation to make it easier and quicker. Brakes free subject to one calliper, easy re-homologation for older karts.

Adherence to the current basic regulations to ensure long-term stability and equal performance for current owners, eg axle size 30mm, no caster/camber and no torsion bars.

A freeing up of certain rules that do nothing to affect performance or costs but do cause undue technical checking and problem, eg seat stays, engine rubbers, airbox trumpet etc.

We will look at engine regs to see what areas can be simplified ref refinishing and checking but we do not want to upset what is a successful situation.

Engine price will become fully inclusive of all bits and made even more competitive. Possible revision of the airbox. Possible revision of the exhaust.

We are also reviewing the possibility and practicality of a TAG option and/or change to mandatory clutch for the Juniors.

Structure:-

With reducing numbers TKM see advantage in re-assessing the current situation and possibly merging the current Juniors and Inters under a slightly revised format. Discussions are taking place on this and possible creation of a sister class with higher performance.

Further announcements will be made shortly.

Formula TKM 4-stroke Regulations

The updated rules for 2006 make it clear that only listed spark plugs may be used within the engine. We clarify that these spark plugs must be in unmodified form and must be used with original sealing washer.

Send mail to info@bkia.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
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Last modified: Saturday, 03 March 2007