05-11-05

TAG SANCTIONING ORGANIZATIONS WORK TOWARD COMMON ENGINE RULES

On Tuesday, April 18, representatives of IKF, K.A.R.T., SKUSA, TaG USA, and WKA held an unprecedented meeting to discuss working together on a common set of TaG engine rules. The teleconference meeting was held in a spirit of cooperation among all five of the major organizations that include TaG classes in their racing programs. Much of the meeting was spent in a lively discussion of the issues and opportunities that they all face in supporting karting’s fastest growing class.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants had reached agreement on several points. First, it is clearly in the best interest of the organizations and their members to have common TaG engine specifications and technical inspection procedures across all five sanctioning bodies. Common engine specifications will allow the TaG racers to compete anywhere in the US.

To develop and maintain common engine specifications, the organizations agreed they need a formal approval process. This process would enable them to work together to review proposed rule changes and updated specifications submitted by the manufacturers. They also agreed that there is a need for a cooling off period between the announcement and effective date of rule changes, and that the organizations need to “speak with a common voice” in announcing rule changes.

Although they agree on the need for common engine rules, each sanctioning body may choose to use different kart and driver weights depending on the needs of its racers. Each organization may also choose different ways to achieve parity among the various engines while still maintaining the same basic engine package.

The group also agreed that there are already enough TaG engines, and that no new engines would be approved in the foreseeable future. In addition, there was agreement that the proposed CIK ICA engines would not be included in the TaG class but might have a class of their own when they become available in the US in 2007. This would depend on the needs of the racers of each organization.

At the end of the conference call, the representatives agreed that the meeting had been very useful and they would meet again in the near future to discuss the engine rules in more detail. This new TaG Work Group’s mission will be to work together to support the interests of the TaG racers. Its objectives would be to work toward common, sustainable, and stable TaG engine rules; give each of the organizations a voice in establishing, announcing, and maintaining the rules; and share their experiences with the TaG classes and engines.

Competitors wanting more information may contact their organization’s representative to the TaG Work Group.

IKF - John Motley
john@racekarteng.com - 805-238-7060

K.A.R.T. – Bernie Baldus
bb@landsurvey-co.com - 913-706-1995

SKUSA - Todd Bellew
todd@superkartsusa.com - 317-774-7025

TaG USA - Dave Larson
GEMPRO001@aol.com - 866-489-3283

WKA – Dan Stowell
dan@dmstowell.com - 203-264-4606

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