First I want to make it clear, the following has nothing to do with any organization or club. Like Kelly and his daughter with KART, my Son and I both road race with the WKA and the Woodbridge Kart Club. This is for my knowledge only.
I have a couple observations, questions and concerns with the new 206 rules, more with the timing then the content. This forum seems a good place to get well informed, objective information and thoughts on any number of topics, so here goes.
*We have all known for a reasonable period of time the OLD style seals were going to be illegal in 2020. That change is unlikely to effect very many. And extremely unlikely to effect many road racers.
*The longer fasteners for further sealing the engine is obviously a local rule which Briggs acknowledges. If your club wants to do that, you'll find out from them. Again, no big deal.
*Safety wiring the header bolts is something that has been required for some time in all Animal/206 classes in road racing. And I assume in sprints as well. Again, Briggs is simply cleaning up some wording for the obvious.
The next two items are a little more complex. **I assume MOST 206 racers do NOT follow this forum or routinely go on the Briggs website to check for 206 updates. **I also assume most racers don't read their own organization's rule book word for word. Especially 206 racers due to the fact you buy a SEALED, competitive motor right out of the box, with stable rules year, to year, to year. **Most if not all organizations already have their tech manuals/rule books out for the 2020 season. **I think we all would agree, the 206 classes have brought new people into karting, brought folks back to karting, and has keep many in karting. **CIK LO206 Sprint is currently the largest WKA road race class. **The last thing anyone wants to do in DQ someone with perfectly good intentions, for something they just didn't know about. **These are the reasons I'm concerned about the timing of the implementation.
*The clutch call out will only effect those "messing" with clutches. For the normal competitor, that uses one of the called out clutches, and follows the previous 206 rules as stated, this is not an issue. However, there may be a small number who purchased a "machined/tuned" clutch who just didn't know any better. But also assume they are perfectly legal, and may not know how to check it. This clutch rule takes effect immediately, so it could blind side someone who had no intention of running an illegal part. Would there be any down side for organizations to push the implementation until sometime mid-season or through the entire season? Or a one time warning in tech?
*And of course the spark plug! Not a big deal to change it, as long as the competitor knows to change it! I had no idea folks were "messing" with their plugs, so I understand the change. Also from what I gather on this forum, the new Autolite plugs may be a tick faster then the old Champion Briggs logo'ed plugs. Am I understanding that correctly? I'd guess no one is going to stock the Champion plug any longer, so there is a possibility they might be tough to get in the future. So the question is, what is the down side of allowing both plugs though mid season or even the entire season.
I don't want anyone to be DQ' ed for something they just didn't know about! What would be the problems with a one time warning in post race tech; implement these two rules sometime before June or July; or allow both old and new rules for all of 2020?
Thoughts folks? Thanks...
Clark Gaynor Sr.