11-02-2017, 10:47 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-04-2017, 07:51 AM by Al Postiglione.)
Hello Johnny Rocket......
Vintage Karting is many different things to many different people. For however many people you ask you will probably get as many different answers.
For me it is nostalgia, history, and a recreation of a time long gone by. Hence the Name "Vintage Karting". Part of what I and many others do, is try to preserve the History of this great sport. Unfortunately, as we try to reinvent ourselves in the name of growth, particularly by bending guidelines concerning equipment, the farther away we get from these principles.
In the name of growth, in my opinion, we can not and should not open things up to the point where the equipment is actually modern but just disguised to look vintage. Yes it could be fun for many. Yes it could open the door to many more participants, but it would be far from actually displaying or running anything even close to what actually was. Remember the name is "Vintage Karting" not Retro-Mod Karting".
As it is now, we are starting to lose a grip on what is actual history and what is not. The more the rules are bent to accommodate, the more the lines between fact and fiction become blur.
We can make things more attractive to new karters by creating events that will satisfy the different factions involved within the one sport of Vintage Karting. Tier I, Tier II, and a greater focus on the shows can certainly help. In the NE, and I'm sure elsewhere, we are focusing on such events.
Also you mention the 2 and 3 day event as expensive. Well, that is true but the distance that most need to travel to get to these events almost demands it. Actually that is not completely true. Anyone can choose to attend one day only. Have a whole lot of fun and turn around and drive home. The amount of track time at most events per day make this a very viable option. I had to do it once this year and still had a ball.
All of the events that are involved in the NE Promoters Cup Series have been and are still scheduled for only two days. Most, I believe, have over night parking. All have a full day of practice, kart show and picnic on the first day, followed by more practice and a racing schedule on the second. You see, it's up to you, stay as long or as little as you like. Either way, you're going to have a lot of fun.
As far as one day events go, they can be created on the local level. In the N.E. at the Oreville Track in PA., they have a karting program that welcomes Vintage Karts at all their modern events. Out on Long Island where you and I live, we are trying to get something similar going. We aren't there yet but I am hopeful it will happen. Hopefully soon.
Start prepping that kart you just picked up. Get out to the track. Run it and show it. The growing of the sport will happen. Just think..... You're already considering getting another!
-Al
Vintage Karting is many different things to many different people. For however many people you ask you will probably get as many different answers.
For me it is nostalgia, history, and a recreation of a time long gone by. Hence the Name "Vintage Karting". Part of what I and many others do, is try to preserve the History of this great sport. Unfortunately, as we try to reinvent ourselves in the name of growth, particularly by bending guidelines concerning equipment, the farther away we get from these principles.
In the name of growth, in my opinion, we can not and should not open things up to the point where the equipment is actually modern but just disguised to look vintage. Yes it could be fun for many. Yes it could open the door to many more participants, but it would be far from actually displaying or running anything even close to what actually was. Remember the name is "Vintage Karting" not Retro-Mod Karting".
As it is now, we are starting to lose a grip on what is actual history and what is not. The more the rules are bent to accommodate, the more the lines between fact and fiction become blur.
We can make things more attractive to new karters by creating events that will satisfy the different factions involved within the one sport of Vintage Karting. Tier I, Tier II, and a greater focus on the shows can certainly help. In the NE, and I'm sure elsewhere, we are focusing on such events.
Also you mention the 2 and 3 day event as expensive. Well, that is true but the distance that most need to travel to get to these events almost demands it. Actually that is not completely true. Anyone can choose to attend one day only. Have a whole lot of fun and turn around and drive home. The amount of track time at most events per day make this a very viable option. I had to do it once this year and still had a ball.
All of the events that are involved in the NE Promoters Cup Series have been and are still scheduled for only two days. Most, I believe, have over night parking. All have a full day of practice, kart show and picnic on the first day, followed by more practice and a racing schedule on the second. You see, it's up to you, stay as long or as little as you like. Either way, you're going to have a lot of fun.
As far as one day events go, they can be created on the local level. In the N.E. at the Oreville Track in PA., they have a karting program that welcomes Vintage Karts at all their modern events. Out on Long Island where you and I live, we are trying to get something similar going. We aren't there yet but I am hopeful it will happen. Hopefully soon.
Start prepping that kart you just picked up. Get out to the track. Run it and show it. The growing of the sport will happen. Just think..... You're already considering getting another!
-Al