Chairmans Notes

The Telford and London Kart Shows are now behind us. Telford was a bigger and better show than ever; London was well set up and attracted a variety of exhibitors. We met many members at the shows and it will be interesting to see the attendance figures for exhibitors and visitors to see if there is room for both. First impressions are that they both have a niche. 2004 looks likely to be a quite challenging time if what we hear about the state of the Italian kart industry is to be believed.

We wish all members a pleasant Christmas and a prosperous 2004.

BKIA Committee Meeting

A meeting of the committee took place on 13^th November and minutes of the meeting are attached. The Annual General Meeting will be held early in the new year, date to be finalised.

ABkC AGM

At the AGM held during the Telford Show the Steering Group was re-elected without changes. Two items were discussed outside of the formal meeting. The first was a proposal to withdraw karting from MSA control and which was not supported. It was however agreed that the ABkC, BKIA and other associations should work with the MSA to formulate a structure for karting in the UK more reflective of the wishes of clubs, competitors and the trade. The second related to the introduction of the TKM Extreme and clubs complaint of lack of discussion. While clubs made their unfavourable comments it was recognised that commercial considerations could not be ignored. The ABkC Chairman Russell Anderson met with Alan Turney and Grahame Butterworth after the AGM and it was confirmed that the revised class will go ahead as publicised. No doubt both of these items will be discussed further at the next ABkC Committee meeting 

MSA News

Inspections are now complete for Cadet and TKM chassis 2004 homologations.

We await the completed homologation forms from the MSA.

Bodywork. It is permitted to shorten and add mounting holes to the new CIK homologated side bars to make sure bodywork is within the permitted area of a kart.

The 2004 MSA Competitors Yearbook and Kart Race Yearbook are also available. Please note that we do have a discounted rate of £12.50 for both including post. If you require copies please indicate this on the membership renewal form.

World Formula UK/Mondiale

A recent meeting has presented draft class regulations for discussion and these are attached. Please let me know if you have any comments on these.

Comer W60 Cadet Engine

Zip Kart has confirmed the initial list of approved sealing agents and these are:

Zip Kart

Force Motorsport

Grice Racing Services

Kart Parts

RS100

Shark Motorsport

Soixante Racing

Tabor Racing

Zip North

The list will be reopened early in the new year for additional agents.

The homologation fiche should be  now available from the MSA together with a technical manual to be issued shortly which includes the measurements procedures to be followed on and away from track, and other information.

TKM Go Extreme

Tal-Ko are well advanced in their introduction of the new beefed up Formula TKM Extreme class from Feb 1 2004.

Extensive dyno and track testing has showed up no problems on the bored out 115cc engine which shows a big chunk of increased power, especially in the lower and middle ranges, reaching up to 18.5BHP on the dyno figures.

The first production batch of pistons will arrive in the second week of January and will be sent straight out to all those traders who have pre-ordered. Further supplies of pistons will follow through in February so there should be no shortages. First pistons available will be the first bore size, though in February the remainder of sizes will also be in stock.

Tal-Ko will also be issuing a technical sheet with the details on the head modifications required which are minimal. The only running change permitted will be a recommendation to use a richer low jet setting (low 2.2 out and high 0.25 out), lengthen exhaust flex by about 15mm to 80mm and remove probably three teeth from the rear sprocket to make best use of the power band.

Traders who want their barrels bored or cylinder heads machined should contact Tal-Ko urgently to book them in.

Tal-Ko  has received full support from drivers on the change with many drivers ordering new engines for the uprated class. It is hoped doubts expressed by some clubs have now been reassured.

Autosport International 2004

We have received the following release from the show organisers. There might be a small

number of stands remaining and if of interest please contact the Autosport International office on 020 8267 8356.

‘British karting champions from both the Elf Hill House Hammond Super One and BRDC Stars of Tomorrow Championships will be rubbing shoulders with their racing heroes in the expanded National Motorsport area at Autosport International 2004, 8-11 January, NEC Birmingham. Sir Jackie Stewart OBE and Martin Brundle are just some of the celebrities headlining and Justin Wilson will open the Show to the public on Saturday.

No doubt our karting champions will show off their skills on the bigger, better and faster kart track. The Raceway, based in Kings Cross, has been confirmed as the exciting new indoor kart circuit contractor. London’s premier corporate indoor karting venue will be recreated in Hall 12 of the NEC Birmingham, bringing with it all the razzmatazz and

atmosphere that sets The Raceway apart from its competitors. Filling a massive 6,000 square metres, The Raceway track promises to be the best yet.

Top British karting manufacturers are lining up to showcase in the karting section of the Show. Just some of the leading European karting companies exhibiting will be The David Charles Group, Delta Karts, Dino, KKC Kart Components, Page Motorsport, Protrain Racing Products, Exploit Karting Technology and Zip Kart. Experts will be on hand from each of the manufacturers to answer questions and arrange test drives for serious buyers.

The National Motorsport area will again welcome some of the best UK karting graduates. F3000 ace Sam Hancock, BTCC Production Champion Luke Hines, BTCC driver Gareth Howell, Ginetta sportscar Champion Gavin Mitchell and DTM star Gary Paffett will be talking about how they started in the sport. Top female singe-seater racer Susie Stoddart will be putting a point over for the fairer sex and speaking about being the first female driver ever to be nominated for the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of The Year Award.

Ferrari, the world's most reputed name in motorsport, is set to unveil arguably its most significant display outside of Italy presented by Galleria Ferrari. The stunning selection of 18 Ferraris, which will include the F2000, F2001, F2002 which helped Michael Schumacher seal three of his six world championship titles will be on display.

 Other Show highlights include a Formula One racing grid, a recreation of just how it looks and feels, minutes before the ‘off’. Autocar will also present a world class Supercar Paddock, featuring a fantastic selection of cars, some of which have never been seen before in the UK.

Autosport International has sliced its ticket prices for MSA Kart National A & B licence holders from £20.00 to just £6.00 on Saturday and Sunday. To purchase advance tickets call the Autosport International ticket hotline: 0870 902 0444.

Trade visitors can register on-line at www.autosport-international.com for advance tickets to the dedicated two trade days (Thursday 8 and Friday 9) at a reduced rate. Trade tickets are £21.00 per day but included for the first time will be the official showguide, with comprehensive product directory, which retails at £5.00.

Tickets for the public days cost only: Adults £14 and Children £7. Entry to the Show and the British Eurosport Live Action Arena combined: Adults £24 and Children £17.’

CDWrite

You may remember Colin Wilson from the MSA. Since leaving Colin has set up business in media communications and has passed us the following for publication.

RAISE YOUR MEDIA PROFILE

Kart clubs and traders wishing to attract entries, spectators and customers could do worse than contact Colin Wilson, ex-press officer for the Motor Sports Association, who now runs his own media consultancy. Clubs can have race meetings promoted on BBC Ceefax (six million users), on Colin's own website, www.Racedates.net (22,000 visitors per month), and distributed by monthly email to over 4,000 people - all for no charge at all. Just send the information to Colin.

To promote more commercial activities (new products, track days, etc), the same email list is available for as little as £99 a time. The list includes over 2000 media in 27 countries; over 1500 motor sport businesses; and over 750 motor clubs and event organisers. Every aspect of motor sport is covered: cars, karts, motorcycles, trucks, stock cars & bangers, etc...

This is not a bulk email system likely to trigger spam filters: each person receives an individually-addressed email.

Existing clients who use this service can be viewed at www.CDWrite.co.uk. If £99 is too rich for you, there are opportunities to advertise on the website for as little as £45, or on the monthly motor sports diary for only £20.

For further information, please contact Colin Wilson (tel 0175 368 2894 or email cdwrite@compuserve.com).

BKIA Membership Renewals

Please see attached a renewal form for 2004 for return to Paul as soon as possible for those who have not already done so. We have produced a recruitment pamphlet attached – please pass on a copy if you know someone who should join us.

You will probably note on the form questions relating to the type of business and annual turnover. It will be most helpful for these to be completed so that a fuller picture can be drawn of the overall UK kart business. I am not asking for audited turnover but just a round number. Thanks for your help in this.

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