|
|
|
|
Starting Grid Despite the increased interest in the sport and some good initiatives coming out from the MSA to encourage more people to look at our sport the economic gloom seems to hanging around. This has been reflected in the lower than normal renewals received to date and includes some of the bigger names. We should not have to remind members that BKIA membership is a mandatory feature of their agent agreements in place for TKM chassis homologations, Comer and Rotax engine sealing and maintenance We are at a 2008 total of 51 as of today, so thank you to our renewed members and a warm welcome to those just having joined. In the February issue we asked for your views and input on a couple of items under discussion at the CIK and MSA. Call me a cynic but perhaps we should not have been surprised at the general lack of feedback. To enable us to effectively reflect your views, ideas and suggestions it is important to let us know. Chairman’s Corner I have just a few moments to pen a short introduction to this newsletter. Thanks are due to Paul Gladstone for his hard work on behalf of the industry, keeping us in touch with developments that affect our sport and businesses. I have been very interested in the content of recent meetings that I have attended on behalf of the association. The Kart Technical Working group have a very strong mix of knowledgeable people from across the industry, however our involvement is essential. I was shocked at just how easily some elements of the regulation of the sport can be swayed without enough consideration given to the long-term effects. The ABkC meeting was equally valuable, something I have not experienced before, again essential for the Industry Association to have a presence. I am concerned that Karting as a whole is falling into the trap of being over regulated and the fun element that attracts people in the first place is being forgotten about. I am also concerned that Paul is having more difficulty, than in the past couple of years, in the renewal of memberships. I am concerned that the BKIA actually benefits the whole industry whether member or not. Administratively we are a tiny, efficient organisation. We do command respect from the powers that be and can make our presence felt when appropriate. I believe that Karting is in good health at the moment; we must keep up to date and take advantage of the opportunities open to us. The BKIA must move with the times and be prepared to change for the better. MSA and ABkC Meetings George Robinson has attended MSA Kart Technical and ABkC committee meetings held this year. The ABkC Newsletter is available on www.abkc.org.uk Observers are welcome at MSA committee and working group meetings, preferably with prior notice. Please give John Ryan a call if you would like to take advantage of this offer. Kart Technical Expert Group The group has recommended for 1.1.2009 implementation the following amendments for Kart Committee and Motor Sports Council Approval. 1. Steering Wheels That the minimum diameter for a steering wheel is not less than 300mm across its widest section. Wheels with flat handgrips are acceptable. Flexible steering controls, by cable or chain, are prohibited. All parts of the steering must have a method of attachment offering maximum safety (split pins, self-locking nuts or burred bolts). The fitting of a steering lock is not permitted when the Kart is being driven. The steering column must have a minimum diameter of 18mm and a minimum wall thickness of 1.8mm. It must be a hollow tube. 2. Seat Stays It is mandatory that all seats comprise metal or nylon reinforcement at all the anchorage points between the seat supports, any additional seat stays and the seat. 3. Disc Protectors An efficient rear brake disc protective pad (in Teflon, Nylon, Delrin, carbon fibre, Kevlar or Rilsan) will be mandatory in all categories except Gearbox Classes if the brake disc protrudes below, or is level with, the main chassis tube nearest to the ground. This protection must be placed laterally in relation to the disc in the longitudinal axis of the chassis or under the disc. Comer Cadet Tryton Carburettor A set up and operation guidelines issued by Zip Kart in May 2008 is available. Homologations - Reminder The next CIK homologations - chassis, brakes, bodywork - have been brought forward by 3 months. H1 forms need to be at the CIK by 1st August this year and inspections will take place between 15th September and 30th November. If you need information or help with this please let me know. Kartmania 2008 Martin Capenhurst is working extremely hard on this year’s show and taking on board the suggestions from last year. He is now chasing for those final space commitments, and for more information on the show please take a look at www.kartmania.co.uk. Ebay Shops The AGM’s attention was drawn to members allegedly selling new products through Ebay shops with prices significantly below normal retail and even their own retail advertised prices. The meeting believed that this practice was not in the best interests of the trade and that this should be actively discouraged. MSA Go Motorsport Programme This is about to be launched by the MSA Junior Helmets The new FIA junior kart helmet standard is now released and a number of helmet manufacturers are gearing up production. The standard is Snell – FIA CMR2007 and this is valid at CIK events from 1st January 2008, the MSA has given parallel approval. I understand that the CIK will make this standard mandatory for juniors in 2009. How to… Advertise The latest of our useful guides produced for us by Hazel PR Ltd/MPR Associates is available from BKIA headquarters. It is potentially very helpful.
|
|
Send mail to
info@bkia.co.uk with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
