Cal Club Autocross Forums

Dane and Cyan (new SCCA members and points-card holders!) had a great time at their first autocross in their Kid Kart! Thanks Team Blew for supporting the second course.

Both my kids started out in the upper 100's and Cyan got down to 98.x and Dane found an 80.x on a pretty large course (how lucky are we that we can operate an extra kiddie course that's as large as some region's main ones?).

But look out for Robert Ekstrand, he was in the 60's - the kid drives like his dad types!

Just added 3 more Kalmans to the PSCC club Actually there is another named "Chris Kalman". Any relation?

Giovanni Jaramillo wrote:Just added 3 more Kalmans to the PSCC club Actually there is another named "Chris Kalman". Any relation?

That's my brother, he ran with us a few times but has since moved to Houston.

I asked Cyan tonight what her favorite part of the kid course was and she said "The gates. I pretended to crash through them like they were real gates and I made the "ktsch!" sound in my helmet each time I went through them". LOL!

The Ekstrand family is totally indebted to PSCC and Team Blew for letting us stage this for the kids at the last two local events.

We had 10 kids total run karts.
Atleast 3 more did some trial fittings and checked things out.

I talked with several parents over the weekend about how to get kids started.

We set the course up intentionally far tighter and more technical than a regular course, but yet, lots of open areas not a road course at all. And no liner. And it was a long course, maybe not distance wise as long as our regular courses, but certainly ambitious for us. I was surprised how well the kids found the course. Robert's only DNF's were true, got late, couldn't make it or he was experimenting which I encourage within certain clear limits. The idea behind making it tighter was driver training. We had such a nice safe area, that I wanted the karts to have to turn hard and get loose. And I wanted to force them to learn about staying ahead, placement, backsiding cones, etc. But you really can't verbally teach that to a Pre-k'r.... Atleast not my pre-k'r. So, the course was hopefully designed to allow them to discover it for themselves. It was really fun to watch some of the kids begin to setup for tight elements and place the kart properly and find huge huge time improvements.

And there was some really fun little rivalries developing. Totally positive. The kids would push each other to go quicker. The best one was probably Kevin Teague and Max Rahn. Kevin asked to let Max run his kart so they could battle directly in the same class of equipment. Both took off amazing time. It was funny too to see the kids realize that they wanted to be as far back from the start line as possible or even Califronia Roll the starts. Not that I want to encourage "cheating", but it was pretty cool to see some very young kids get what makes for better times. Pretty sophisticating reasoning there for 5-9yo's!

Hopefully all the kids learned too that the karts won't accelerate to the last number in the universe and fly off the planet like a spaceship. I think they know that now, all except maybe Maddy.

Steve Ekstrand wrote:The Ekstrand family is totally indebted to PSCC and Team Blew for letting us stage this for the kids at the last two local events.

We had 10 kids total run karts.
Atleast 3 more did some trial fittings and checked things out.

I talked with several parents over the weekend about how to get kids started.

We set the course up intentionally far tighter and more technical than a regular course, but yet, lots of open areas not a road course at all. And no liner. And it was a long course, maybe not distance wise as long as our regular courses, but certainly ambitious for us. I was surprised how well the kids found the course. Robert's only DNF's were true, got late, couldn't make it or he was experimenting which I encourage within certain clear limits. The idea behind making it tighter was driver training. We had such a nice safe area, that I wanted the karts to have to turn hard and get loose. And I wanted to force them to learn about staying ahead, placement, backsiding cones, etc. But you really can't verbally teach that to a Pre-k'r.... Atleast not my pre-k'r. So, the course was hopefully designed to allow them to discover it for themselves. It was really fun to watch some of the kids begin to setup for tight elements and place the kart properly and find huge huge time improvements.

And there was some really fun little rivalries developing. Totally positive. The kids would push each other to go quicker. The best one was probably Kevin Teague and Max Rahn. Kevin asked to let Max run his kart so they could battle directly in the same class of equipment. Both took off amazing time. It was funny too to see the kids realize that they wanted to be as far back from the start line as possible or even Califronia Roll the starts. Not that I want to encourage "cheating", but it was pretty cool to see some very young kids get what makes for better times. Pretty sophisticating reasoning there for 5-9yo's!

Hopefully all the kids learned too that the karts won't accelerate to the last number in the universe and fly off the planet like a spaceship. I think they know that now, all except maybe Maddy.

+1 from Rahn Family Racing! The kids learn so much in such a short period of time when they have the entire weekend to get over their fear of speed, attack the course and figure out what they need to do to improve their times. Max has come light years in the last month, and I attribute it all to the accessibility of the course and the camaraderie of the people (kids and adults) running the karts.

Again big thanks to Eric Clements, who brought his kart and let Max run it, even though Jon wasn't in town. And to the Teagues for letting Max get a taste of something faster. I think I'm screwed now.

And thanks to the Ekstrands for letting Maddie use Robert's kart. I'll never forget helplessly watching her accelerate to top speed right off the runway and into the bushes, coming to a stop with her foot still on the accelerator, wheels still turning full speed on the grass, and her turning to me and saying, "that was FUN!" I think we're going to take a break until she turns eight and can run in a FJB Kart (for my sanity, not hers). At least I know she's not afraid to go fast!

BTW, Dane still has his wrist band on. I think it's his "trophy".

Steve Ekstrand wrote:I talked with several parents over the weekend about how to get kids started.

When I went in for my dental cleaning last week, my periodontist (former BMWCCA track instructor) asked if I was still doing SCCA and told him on/off and that they also have a class for karts (F125) and for kids and he immediately asked me to tell him when the next event was. I think we can really grow this into making Cal Club the premier region for Formula Juniors and hopefully have some of the kid karters that race across the parking lot at Fontana to come check it out as well.

The next club event is GRA and it's at Fontana so perhaps they'll do a kart course too.

hopefully have some of the kid karters that race across the parking lot at Fontana to come check it out as well.

? Why would they do that ?

I don't know how we can keep our kids from wanting to go over to their "real" track.

We had a nice Jr. Kart track set-up together with the main Ca Spdwy course last year. We can keep doing it if we coordinate with the Course Designers ... and make efficient use of the lot/paddock.

Yeah the seat time difference is huge. Really no draw to bring the kid over from the Sprint world. But I think what we're doing is great training for that world at the start of a karters career. We'll probably be headed across the street if Robert keeps progressing. I still think that world is too dangerous for a 5yo though.

Steve Ekstrand wrote:Yeah the seat time difference is huge. Really no draw to bring the kid over from the Sprint world. But I think what we're doing is great training for that world at the start of a karters career. We'll probably be headed across the street if Robert keeps progressing. I still think that world is too dangerous for a 5yo though.

Well more for them to see a different type of racing to keep the "sprinters" driving sharp. Can't help our membership and bottom dollar if they take a hit of the auto-x pipe and like it enough to attend when there isn't a conflict with their race. But yeah I agree....seat time, seat time, seat time, is so key and auto-x will definitely prepare you for racing. And for Robert...way too dangerous for now, but he's doing it the right way. Auto-x first.

And for Robert...way too dangerous for now

... you mean for the other kids!

Mako Koiwai wrote:

hopefully have some of the kid karters that race across the parking lot at Fontana to come check it out as well.

? Why would they do that ?

I don't know how we can keep our kids from wanting to go over to their "real" track.

We had a nice Jr. Kart track set-up together with the main Ca Spdwy course last year. We can keep doing it if we coordinate with the Course Designers ... and make efficient use of the lot/paddock.

Having done several course designs at AAA Speedway, I feel qualified to say it's difficult to fit a Jr. Kart course in with a full size regular course. It can be done, but the courses both have to be cut short.

That said, I'm surprised none of the parents have contacted the "real" kart course organizers to find out what it takes to put their kids on the track. They can run there Saturday while the parents run the practice, we can have *our* Jr. Karters run the practice course at lunch, and everyone walks away happy and ready for Sunday.

Just a thought...

Mike

I thought the one we did with Kestler at CA Spdwy was a bit larger then necessary. We also gave them too much space for their paddock, imo. It would be pretty easy to make a fairly small Jr. course that they could run multiple times. The kids did two laps at a time on Kestler's biggish course. I would think three, four laps on a smaller course would be good practice for them ... just like we allowed three laps at a time on the Figure 8 last Saturday.

Could one do the two course thing on Sat. and then use their space on Sunday for the usual course, ie. design and then add in the extra element or two on Sunday?

I think the course at the PSCC event in '08 at AAA was plenty big enough and the kids course could have been even larger if needed. I really don't think it's that hard to do both on Saturday (pretend it's gonna rain and you can't use that bottom corner). The availability of the kart track varies, as does how busy it is on any given day. For Saturday May 2nd, there is a race there. But it is a practice day there on Sunday. If it's an open practice day, then I think it's $39 for the day and cheaper if it's a half day. A track on a practice day may or may not have separate groups for different types of karts, depends on turnout.

CalSpeed Kart Track calendar: http://www.calspeedkarting.com/page/page/2796211.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I actually almost start to cry when I see these threads (the ones about Jr Karts).

I really feel the 'hammer' needs to come down in San Diego.



nalbar

Warren Leach wrote:I actually almost start to cry when I see these threads (the ones about Jr Karts).

I really feel the 'hammer' needs to come down in San Diego.



nalbar

Yeah, I was considering copying a few of the initial posts and posting on the SD board.

SD has the room to do what we are doing with a separate kids course. Set up, staffed, and torn down by the people that use it. No impact on the big people's event.

Warren Leach wrote:I actually almost start to cry when I see these threads (the ones about Jr Karts).

I really feel the 'hammer' needs to come down in San Diego.

nalbar

I remember reading a post Ekstrand made that SD region has no love for Formula Junior karters (FJA, FJB). Why is this? They're a legal class in SCCA Solo.

Giovanni Jaramillo wrote:

Warren Leach wrote:I actually almost start to cry when I see these threads (the ones about Jr Karts).

I really feel the 'hammer' needs to come down in San Diego.

nalbar

I remember reading a post Ekstrand made that SD region has no love for Formula Junior karters (FJA, FJB). Why is this? They're a legal class in SCCA Solo.

We/they are not required to offer all SCCA classes, plus FJ requires special authorization to offer it. I don't even want to get into the why, let's just say it belongs in the PP forum. Go to the SD board and read it all there.

Giovanni Jaramillo wrote: I remember reading a post Ekstrand made that SD region has no love for Formula Junior karters (FJA, FJB). Why is this? They're a legal class in SCCA Solo.

While the SD tour tech guy (yellow shirt, not Robbie) was teching Jons FjA kart (thinking it was my f125?) he was telling me, very nicely, how much he disliked Fj karts "they are SO slow and hold up the event for SO long"

After I got the sticker I told him that I'd bet THIS Fj kart is faster than his car!

Eric Clements wrote:

Giovanni Jaramillo wrote: I remember reading a post Ekstrand made that SD region has no love for Formula Junior karters (FJA, FJB). Why is this? They're a legal class in SCCA Solo.

While the SD tour tech guy (yellow shirt, not Robbie) was teching Jons FjA kart (thinking it was my f125?) he was telling me, very nicely, how much he disliked Fj karts "they are SO slow and hold up the event for SO long"

After I got the sticker I told him that I'd bet THIS Fj kart is faster than his car!

Eric Clements wrote: THIS Fj kart is faster than his car!

No matter what anyone says is the reason Juniors are opposed,

the above is the REAL reason. I am being serious.



nalbar