e-KMI.com Archives

International Karting Industry Buyer's Guide

GO KARTING!
A Guide To The World's Most Popular Motorsport.

Kart Expo International

FYI
06-11-2001

NAKA MEETS IN CALIFORNIA

Ontario, California -- The new North American Karting Association (NAKA) met on May 30 at the Ontario Airport Marriott. The following Advisory Board members were in attendance:

Bruce Barnes – Barnes Marketing

Kelly Boltz – SSC

Bob Bondaurant – Bondurant SuperKart School

Hollis Brown – Las Vegas Karting Center

Lisa Caceres – Race Karts, Inc.

Tom Cates – K & N Engineering

Mike Combs – Norway Speedway

Jeffrey Franz – e-kartingnews

Jean Genibrel – Americkart

Bryan Herta – Las Vegas Karting Center

Colin Iwasa – Yamaha Motor Corporation USA

Bill Kniegge – Affinity Development Group

Jean Marchioni – JM Racing

Rusty Nields – Television Production

Carl Olsen – SFI Foundation

Alan Rudolph – Bondurant SuperKart School

Andy Seesemann – Pitts Performance

Gil Smith – Gil Smith Studio

Kem Ude – Jim Russell Drivers School

Fausto Vitello – TrackMagic Racing Karts

Tom White – SSC

The purpose of the meeting was to identify areas of concern in the karting industry and to give direction to the NAKA Board in addressing these concerns, After introductions of all the participants, each member of the Advisory Board was asked to identify what they thought to be major problems for the karting industry. The following are the concerns presented in no order of importance.

Need “turn-key” products
Not “go” karts
Need to go outside of the industry
We’re not ready for growth
Perception
Politics
Too many programs
No awareness of motorsports opportunity
Confusing
Fragmented
Lack of united focus
Cost of racing
Need entry-level karts
No value-added benefit
Not a life-style
Need female appeal
Too many classes
No retention
Not user friendly
Scattered
Barriers to entry
Lack of professionalism
Safety factors.

After lunch, the Board as split into three focus groups to identify their top 5 recommendations for an action plan for the NAKA Board of Directors. They reported the following:

Team #1
1. Determine what is NAKA
2. Create new customers – take karting out to the people
3. Link with FIA/CIK
4. Implement “Discover Today’s Karting”
5. Be all inclusive

Team #2
1. Develop racing standards
2. Promote pre-entry level karting interest
3. Develop training programs for the industry
4. Generate revenue stream from corporate America

Team #3
1. Determine what is NAKA
2. Increase karting visibility – print and electronic media
3. Develop entry-level classes
4. Develop statistics and demographics
5. Use international rules (CIK/FIA) for top racing series

At the conclusion of the meeting, the attending members were asked for individual comments as to the value, content and results of the day’s session. They included:

Focus on the task at-hand
Move forward with driver’s license program
Need demographics and statistics now
Good first step for industry communication
Standardize racing
Don’t get distracted
No agenda apparent in the room
Move immediately to FIA/CIK relationship
Work with CART program
Look at sanctioning races
Work on public perception
Clarify NAKA mission statement
Stay neutral
More global view

The next Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for sometime on August.

PIT CREW POSITION AUCTIONED ON YAHOO

Monterey, California – The 2001 race season will build to a crescendo with the final event, the Honda Grand Prix of Monterey featuring the Shell 300 on October 12-14, 2001.

On June 22nd at 12:00 Noon, Yahoo will begin hosting a one-in-a-lifetime auction. The winner will spend three days at Leguna Seca Speedway in Monterey, California as part of the working pit crew for the Honda Grand Prix. The winner of this auction will be on the actual pit team. The winner must be available for all three days of the event and will need to make their own travel arrangements to Monterey.

For more info contact: Mitchell Bank at 310-823-7100 or e-mail: lifebydesgn@aol.com.

TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES

Louisville, Kentucky – During the upcoming Expo 2001 (International Lawn, Garden and Power Equipment Expo, July 20-22 in Louisville, Kentucky, three of the world’s leading engine manufacturers, together with the Engine Service Association (ESA), will again offer various testing opportunities for today’s technicians.

Engine Service Association – Saturday, July 21. 8:30 – 10:30 AM
Each of six tests covers a different topic – compact diesel, four-cycle, electrical, driveline/hydraulics/hydrostatics, and generators. The OPE Technician Certification tests are a prerequisite for some of the specific manufacturers’ certification exams. Testing candidates should check with individual manufacturers for their requirements. There will be a $45 charge for each test, and only one can be taken during Expo 2001. For more information: 610-363-3844.

Kohler Company – Saturday, July 21. 8:30 – 10:30 AM
The Kohler Expert Mechanic test is designed to test the following areas: general mechanical four-stroke principles, failure analysis, service procedures, electrical systems, troubleshooting and warranty policy and procedures - all as they pertain to Kohler engines.

The Expert Mechanic re-certification test will also be offered. Re-certification is required every third year. The re-certification test will include subject material introduced and covered in the previous three years’ field update schools. There will be no charge for registration. For info: 920-457-4441 x72370.

Tecumseh Products Co. – Sunday, July 22. 8:30 – 10:30 AM
Tecumseh’s Master Technician Test will challenge technicians’ skills and knowledge regarding 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines and Tecumseh’s Peerless drive units. The test is divided into two main sections: The written portion involves 100 questions and requires an extensive knowledge of the complete technician’s binder. The second portion is hands-on failure analysis and warranty status determination. Tools will be supplied. Successful passing of this test relies in the use of all your skills. The discounted pre-registration fee of $45 must be received by June 22, 2001. One re-test is free at our TSN/CWD’s location after taking a four-day factory-level course. Proof of holding the OPE/ESA 4-cycle certification is required prior to taking the test. For additional information call 262-377-2700.

Briggs & Stratton Corporation – Sunday, July 22. 8:00 – 12:30 PM and 1:00 – 5:30 PM.
Briggs & Stratton has expanded its “Master” programs to include a “Master Parts Pro” exam. Both exams are being offered at the Louisville Expo. The Master Service Technician (MST) exam is a comprehensive test of an air-cooled engine technician’s knowledge of Briggs & Stratton products. The exam covers such subjects as troubleshooting, parts identification, 4-cycle theory, general knowledge, warranty policy and procedures and hands-on measuring.

The Master Parts Pro (MPP) exam is a comprehensive test of your Briggs & Stratton product knowledge. The exam includes such subjects as customer relations, inventory control, merchandising, parts sales and store layout.

The MST exam is open to any technician in the air-cooled gasoline industry for a discount price of $45 (re-tests are free). The MPP exam is also open to any technician and parts sales professionals in the air-cooled engine industry for a discount price of $45 (re-tests are free). For complete info call 800-934-7730

END

View Other Past "FYI" Articles

Kart Marketing Group, Inc.
Post Office Box 101
Wheaton, IL 60189 USA
Telephone: 630-653-7368
Fax: 630-653-2637
Email: karting@msn.com

Back to Home Page

Neatconcept, Inc