TAGUSA Vs. STOCKHOLM CHALLENGE

[glen]

It looks like they are running two separate classes, what are the differences? Optional FWB in Stockholm Challenge? Looks like my easykart motor isn't legal for Stockholm Challenge. Is there really enough people in this class to split it up?

Glen

[Mark Enderlein]

Glen
The Stockholm Challenge was a local class allowing front brakes and an open tire rule.
Between the Engine Room and Riverlake there have been approx 12 drivers already committed to the TAG class as per the TAGUSA rules. I am sure more will be switching in the Senior class. Not too sure about the Masters as some in that class wanted to keep the brakes. Give me a call at the shop if you have any questions.

[glen]

OK, but it looks like the stockholm challenge will follow TAGUSA tire rules this year. So in stockholm challenge you will get the option to run front brakes, the engines are limited to the ones listed and they can set the weights differently. Correct?

I'm well over 200# and I have an easykart, which limits me to the TAGUSA masters class (I suppose I could run TAGUSA senior and be way overweight). It sure would suck for me if the only other masters guys that show up on race day all had FWB and ran the Stockholm Challenge class. Surely nobody would be afraid to let an easykart motor run at the same weight as the leopard? I can see keeping out the Sonik, Motori, etc. but it basically looks like they wrote in the engines of all the people that raced last year and left the rest off. Unfortunately I never made it to a race, since I didn't feel well engouh prepared, but I probably ran half a dozen practice days.

I really don't care much about season points, because I don't think I can commit to enough of the races and I doubt I'll be that competetive anyway, so I would prefer to run in the class that will be the most fun on any given day, which means not running in a 2 or 3 person class. Who do I have to beg to get the easykart (essentially air cooled leopard) motor added to the list for stockholm challenge?

It still seems to me that as far as masters anyway the guys who want to run FWB will obviously be in the stockhol challenge class, that will push people who prefer racing in a full field (and who wouldn't) and have an eligible engine will follow them since they still get the choice to run front brakes or not. This will leave only the people with ineligible engines, people who hate FWB's and people who want to be in a class by themselves to run the TAGUSA class. That's how I see it playing out anyway.

I guess the bottom line is it doesn't seem like there are 4 classes worth of TAG karts out there on a consistent basis, but I'm certantly not "I'm the know" about those things.

Glen

[Mark Enderlein]

Glen,
Do not despair. There are at least 5 guys I know running Tag Masters and we would love to have another big guy with an Easykart join us. As this is a transition year on the move to eleminate the Stockholm Challenge and go strictly TAG there are bound to be some growing pains as the changes are made. Stick with it. It will be worth it. Mark

[glen]

Thanks Mark, 5 guys still sounds a little skimpy unless they all show up to every race, but it will be a learning year for me anyway.

If anyone else who is planning to run these classes reads this please post your comments.

Glen

[AdamLecy00]

I think the easykart was legal in Stockholm Challenge last year so I dont know why it wouldn't be this year. I would call the track, they probably just forgot to list it because no one ran it last year.

[hughes46]

Mark, to run in the Tag Masters class, am I correct that all I need to do to my Rocket/Leopard combo is disable the front brakes and run the correct tires?? I know I don't run a full schedule (or even close) anymore, but I wouldn't mind trying something new.
- Mike Hughes

[Mark Enderlein]

Yep. Just so the engine is to TagUSA rules and you are good to go. I look forward to seeing you on the track. Mark