Welcome to Red Line Oil Karting Championship Race #1

Welcome to the 2010 Red Line Oil Karting Championship. It has been a crazy winter of discussions but I am excited with the changes in the Rotax/80 Shifter/TaG program for 2010 and very happy to have Steve Cameron stepping in and taking over the reins and promoting the series for the next few years. Steve is looking forward to meeting with all the racers at the March 21st Drivers Meeting and through out the race day.

Available here are the Race Day Schedule and Registration Form for the March 21st Race #1. Track configuration will be the National Track for Race #1.
　
But due to the very recent changes in the promoter structure, there are a lot of changes that I need to communicate to all of you to help you through some of the changes. The change in the promoter role is much more than just a new change. Steve has been working non-stop on a number of critical issues such as securing event insurance, lining up Red Line Oil to be the series sponsor, working with Rotax on transition issues in the Rotax Administrator role, searching for new awards vendors, writing up specs for the new IAME TaG class and of course learning all that goes into putting on a race event. But Steve's and my commitment is to make the 2010 season not only just as enjoyable and competitive as the past years, but to work to make things even better as we go through the year.
　
But there are going to be some required changes to 2010 and assure that it can stand onto it's own:
　
1. Entry fee will remain at $100, but the transponder rental fee will be set at $10 this coming year since the series will have to rent transponders to make them available to all the racers who do not have them.
　
2. With new insurance coverage in 2010, all non-racers will have to be covered by insurance, thus all non-racers will have to buy a Pit Pass this coming year. Pit Passes will cost $10 for those 12 and over and $5 for those 11 and under.
　
3. Race morning registration will be done different this year. It will be done at the old Russell building that is located to the right side prior to the Main Infineon gate. This means you will pull over into the large area to the right of the Main gate, get out and register with Tina, Jasmine and me, sign everyone in, get your wrist bands, then go through the Main Infineon gate and up to the karting track. You will then be greeted by someone who will help you get into a good pit spot.
　
4. Red Line Oil will be the sponsored oil for the series in 2010, but due to the last minute announcement some flexibility will be allowed for at least the first race. For 80 shifters and IAME TaG classes, Red Line Oil and Burris Hi-Rev Castor will be the only oils used for Race #1. For the Rotax classes, Motul and Red Line Oil will be allowed for first race. The Red Line Oil that is specified for the series is the "Two-Cycle Kart Oil". This will be available at the track on March 20. Expect that by Race #2, Red Line could be the only oil used for the series. For Race #1, the Red Line karting oil will be offered at Race Registration at a discount to allow everyone to try the Red Line oil.

4. The fuel for Race #1 will be VP98 for Rotax and IAME TaG and VP110 for the 80 shifters. The Rotax racers can expect a change to VP93 early on in the 2010 season thus bringing the Norcal Rotax Challenge in line with the other major Rotax series in the country.
　
5. Rotax membership will be required for all drivers in the 6 National Rotax classes. This is a new requirement from Rotax USA, but is in line with most other series such as Prokart and IKF which require membership to participate. A one race grace period for new racers just trying the series will be allowed. The Rotax National membership has been lowered in 2010 to $35, but don't expect a free T-shirt this year. It is easiest to join Rotax by going on-line and signing up. But paper membership forms will also be available at the track. To sign up for a Rotax membership, go to www.rotaxmaxchallenge.com.
　
6. The Weights for the 80 Shifter and IAME classes are as follows:
Formula 80 360#
80 Masters 375#
80 Heavy 400#
IAME TaG 370# Spec Gear/Weight
All the 80 Shifter classes will run in the same race group until the numbers get too large and make for a unsafe race situation.　
　
The Specs for the IAME TaG class are still being written, but all past Norcal "National Cup" spec engines as well as stock spec IKF/TaG USA engines will be allowed to run. The main objective of this class is to have a place for the many Parilla engines to run and be competitive. Stay tuned for more on this new class.　

On Saturday, practice will be available from 2:00 to 6:00 and will be run by Jim Russell. Standard half day track fee will apply. Trailer parking and Pre-Registration will also be available.　

Well that is all for now. The start of the 2010 season is only about a week away. I am looking to seeing many of you again and looking forward to putting on some great races for all the Rotax, 80 Shifter and IAME TaG drivers.
　
Any questions, just email me at director@norcalrotax.com.

Thanks, Ric Shaw
Race Director