I am thankful for the class. After all the uproar in the beginning, I think it was a great step.
I have just finished racing 125 restricted, have b grade now. If you live in a city area or have a club where there is a few karts it's ok. Here i had no one to race against, spent my time chasing the CSH guys, and traveling 350kms for the chance of racing against someone else.
But it is easier on the budget than clubman....
TaG-R is an awsome way for new guys to get into the sport...
Its cheaper then clubman, but very similar style / speed. Lets the new guys learn to actually race... becasue they are only racing people of similar experience /speed.
And for most people, the 10 meetings needed to get onto B grade, (3xP plate, 1x Flagging, 6xC grade) would take about a year which i rekon is perfect before they are able to drive in open leopard or rotax.
For the mean time i think this class should be treated as a club day / smaller opens (country series, GCPS) class that feeds drivers into open leopard and rotax to go and run the bigger meetings (all stars, CoM) and state titles ect.
However I can also see TaG-R being the clubman of 2015... MG reds, sub 20hp but with much longer engine life and no or atleast much less "gun engines"
That way we have a much simpler class structure... everyone has a clubman... and can then take their restricter out (or what ever parity maybe issued) and race in the engine specific class.
My 2c.
Hi all,
I found that this old body of mine was really hurting after a race day in Leopard and I was running mid pack with no hope of catching the 'younger and (cough cough) fitter blokes'. So late last year I took the step to downgrade to a C licence and go 125 restricted heavy, a couple of other older drivers in my club have also done so, mainly from the Rotax ranks. I have not regretted the decision and am having a ball. No sore ribs (early last year I actually cracked a rib during a race in Leopard), the MG Reds are lasting longer with three meetings so far and at least another one or two before becoming practice tyres and it is pretty close racing although the Rotax seems to have the legs on the longer straights. The only thing I have found frustrating is the Leopard seems to be a lot more finicky with the carby tune that what I was used to.
A couple of times we raced behind the Clubby Heavies and yes caught the rear markers but I believe we didn't interfere with their race, at our last meeting there was enough 125 Restricted's to run our own class with the Heavies behind the Lights
I am finding as well that with the new drivers coming into the sport that a couple of the older blokes who have downgraded are taking the time to give tips on setup and gearing, so within a reasonable amount of time the 'newbies' are are racing with us and not being left behind.
Regards,
Mark
great way of bringing new drivers in, for low costs.
but PLEASE dont combine tag r light with clubman light..... causes havoc on track(just ask the top 6 drivers at oran park last saturday)
Hi Josh and Mark,
Both of you have hit the nail on the head, Josh your comment re Clubbie of 2015 - I also think Mark has brought up one of the most valid points also - the seasoned read "older" driver tends to help the newer guys in this class and this tends to bring the new guys up to speed a bit quicker than otherwise might be the case - this class is also ideal for the more "mature" of us - hahahah - and also brings longer engine life - I also did a rib racing on yellows - 5 months out of the kart - but got back in no probs - my biggest concern on the MGY was having to replace them every meeting to be running towards the pointy end. Costs were up which means I didn't race as much as I would have liked. I also downgraded from B to C to have a run in this class as I believed it was going to be huge!! And it's very much looking like it is!!!
I'd like to see a more of a stepping stone through to the ranks though, TAG-R MG Reds moves to TAG on MG Reds - i'm talking a club level here - this may stop the guys who has been racing for a period of time and has upgraded only to find unless he puts new tyres on each time, he's going to really struggle. The last thing we need is for people to get jack of it once they gone through the races to upgrade their licence and then leave the sport because of the "higher" associated costs of running in those classes.
As you say Josh, my 2c - maybe they'll start to add up??
Cheers
Phil
Phil Curran said:I'd like to see a more of a stepping stone through to the ranks though, TAG-R MG Reds moves to TAG on MG Reds - i'm talking a club level here - this may stop the guys who has been racing for a period of time and has upgraded only to find unless he puts new tyres on each time, he's going to really struggle. The last thing we need is for people to get jack of it once they gone through the races to upgrade their licence and then leave the sport because of the "higher" associated costs of running in those classes.CheersPhil
Phil,
For any chance of TaG on MG Reds you will need to petition Chris Dell at St George, although it is an AKA class he is the defacto promoter of TaG, I know Gladstone trialled TaG on MG Reds just prior to Christmas and from all accounts the competitors had a great time.
One of the reasons as far as I can see as to why TaG hasn't really taken off at a club level in Qld to any great extent is that the Rotax drivers don't really want to purchase MG Yellows and change their kart setup to run TaG and then change eveything back for the Rotax events. If they want to be competive in Tag against the Leopards they virtually need to run the MGY's. Like wise the Leopard drivers don't want to run Mojos's because they lose that edge, so MG Reds is a logical answer as the class tyre for TaG. The times I have seen TaG with all engines in, it has been great to watch with some very close racing between all the engine types, admittedly different tracks do suit different engines but that is racing.
Any way thats my 2c
Regards,
Mark
Hi Mark,
Yes, you're right, the promotor may be the one to ultimately decide whether this could happen, but at "club level" can we not "trial" this kind of this under the "sportman 125" - I know there's a rule - I think it's 19.37??
But I'll give Delly a call and see what he thinks??
I don't know that this is the answer - but with money getting tighter and tighter, it's usually the "sport" that goes first, so it's my belief, if it can be made even a little more affordable than people will stick with it, bums in seats is what we need, I think that TAG-R has breathed new life into "club level" karting and this should be capitlised on by both the promotors and governing body of our sport.
Ben,
Points1 and 2 i've seen happen - but at Newcastle we are lucky and have big fields so we run both light and heavy TAG-R separately - the first round of the TAG Super Series last year at Woollongong had the TAG-R Heavy's in with the Clubbie Light guys on the day, they was no mishaps and good clean racing. "Admittedly the clubbie light field only had around 8 karts in it.
Cheers
on March 16, 2009 at 16:26
i think its great idea for beginners in karting wit their 125cc engines arce against there own level of experience where when its time they move up to rotax or leopard wit engines they already have, should been done years ago i know few my mates got in to it but couldn run wit the quick experienced guys so they got out sport and brought dirt bikes, we need keep new guys in sport otherwise wont have 1
Spot on Wall-E...
I've heard of an idea floating around since Frank at ARC died, and Junior MAX seems to be enjoying a big growth... why can't juniors have a "Junior TAG"? IE, the new TAG Restricted class (for seniors) has restricted the engines to the point where they are actually slightly SLOWER than Junior MAX.
So, we could EASILY offer a junior class using the same restrictors, on senior engines... It would be slightly slower than Junior MAX, and allow juniors to either use an engine their Dad already has laying around, or buy an engine that will become their senior engine by simply removing the restrictor!
Awesome plan I reckon...
Great idea Col,
However I think J-Max needs a few more years to grow into a class with greater numbers.
When tag restricted was brought in early last year, it led to limited numbers in both rotax and leopard throughout the state (Victoria... unsure about other states). On numerous club days and open meets (including all stars round 1 at oakleigh) rotax light didnt form a class. This was due to most of the competitors going into restricted 125.
Maybe in a few years time J-Max will have the numbers to be able to from Junior TAG Restricted. It is a great idea.
Col Fink said:Spot on Wall-E...I've heard of an idea floating around since Frank at ARC died, and Junior MAX seems to be enjoying a big growth... why can't juniors have a "Junior TAG"? IE, the new TAG Restricted class (for seniors) has restricted the engines to the point where they are actually slightly SLOWER than Junior MAX.So, we could EASILY offer a junior class using the same restrictors, on senior engines... It would be slightly slower than Junior MAX, and allow juniors to either use an engine their Dad already has laying around, or buy an engine that will become their senior engine by simply removing the restrictor!Awesome plan I reckon...
Comments11
I am thankful for the class. After all the uproar in the beginning, I think it was a great step.
I have just finished racing 125 restricted, have b grade now. If you live in a city area or have a club where there is a few karts it's ok. Here i had no one to race against, spent my time chasing the CSH guys, and traveling 350kms for the chance of racing against someone else.
But it is easier on the budget than clubman....
TaG-R is an awsome way for new guys to get into the sport...
Its cheaper then clubman, but very similar style / speed. Lets the new guys learn to actually race... becasue they are only racing people of similar experience /speed.
And for most people, the 10 meetings needed to get onto B grade, (3xP plate, 1x Flagging, 6xC grade) would take about a year which i rekon is perfect before they are able to drive in open leopard or rotax.
For the mean time i think this class should be treated as a club day / smaller opens (country series, GCPS) class that feeds drivers into open leopard and rotax to go and run the bigger meetings (all stars, CoM) and state titles ect.
However I can also see TaG-R being the clubman of 2015... MG reds, sub 20hp but with much longer engine life and no or atleast much less "gun engines"
That way we have a much simpler class structure... everyone has a clubman... and can then take their restricter out (or what ever parity maybe issued) and race in the engine specific class.
My 2c.
Hi all,
I found that this old body of mine was really hurting after a race day in Leopard and I was running mid pack with no hope of catching the 'younger and (cough cough) fitter blokes'. So late last year I took the step to downgrade to a C licence and go 125 restricted heavy, a couple of other older drivers in my club have also done so, mainly from the Rotax ranks. I have not regretted the decision and am having a ball. No sore ribs (early last year I actually cracked a rib during a race in Leopard), the MG Reds are lasting longer with three meetings so far and at least another one or two before becoming practice tyres and it is pretty close racing although the Rotax seems to have the legs on the longer straights. The only thing I have found frustrating is the Leopard seems to be a lot more finicky with the carby tune that what I was used to.
A couple of times we raced behind the Clubby Heavies and yes caught the rear markers but I believe we didn't interfere with their race, at our last meeting there was enough 125 Restricted's to run our own class with the Heavies behind the Lights
I am finding as well that with the new drivers coming into the sport that a couple of the older blokes who have downgraded are taking the time to give tips on setup and gearing, so within a reasonable amount of time the 'newbies' are are racing with us and not being left behind.
Regards,
Mark
great way of bringing new drivers in, for low costs.
but PLEASE dont combine tag r light with clubman light..... causes havoc on track(just ask the top 6 drivers at oran park last saturday)
Hi Josh and Mark,
Both of you have hit the nail on the head, Josh your comment re Clubbie of 2015 - I also think Mark has brought up one of the most valid points also - the seasoned read "older" driver tends to help the newer guys in this class and this tends to bring the new guys up to speed a bit quicker than otherwise might be the case - this class is also ideal for the more "mature" of us - hahahah - and also brings longer engine life - I also did a rib racing on yellows - 5 months out of the kart - but got back in no probs - my biggest concern on the MGY was having to replace them every meeting to be running towards the pointy end. Costs were up which means I didn't race as much as I would have liked. I also downgraded from B to C to have a run in this class as I believed it was going to be huge!! And it's very much looking like it is!!!
I'd like to see a more of a stepping stone through to the ranks though, TAG-R MG Reds moves to TAG on MG Reds - i'm talking a club level here - this may stop the guys who has been racing for a period of time and has upgraded only to find unless he puts new tyres on each time, he's going to really struggle. The last thing we need is for people to get jack of it once they gone through the races to upgrade their licence and then leave the sport because of the "higher" associated costs of running in those classes.
As you say Josh, my 2c - maybe they'll start to add up??
Cheers
Phil
Phil Curran said:I'd like to see a more of a stepping stone through to the ranks though, TAG-R MG Reds moves to TAG on MG Reds - i'm talking a club level here - this may stop the guys who has been racing for a period of time and has upgraded only to find unless he puts new tyres on each time, he's going to really struggle. The last thing we need is for people to get jack of it once they gone through the races to upgrade their licence and then leave the sport because of the "higher" associated costs of running in those classes.CheersPhil
Phil,
For any chance of TaG on MG Reds you will need to petition Chris Dell at St George, although it is an AKA class he is the defacto promoter of TaG, I know Gladstone trialled TaG on MG Reds just prior to Christmas and from all accounts the competitors had a great time.
One of the reasons as far as I can see as to why TaG hasn't really taken off at a club level in Qld to any great extent is that the Rotax drivers don't really want to purchase MG Yellows and change their kart setup to run TaG and then change eveything back for the Rotax events. If they want to be competive in Tag against the Leopards they virtually need to run the MGY's. Like wise the Leopard drivers don't want to run Mojos's because they lose that edge, so MG Reds is a logical answer as the class tyre for TaG. The times I have seen TaG with all engines in, it has been great to watch with some very close racing between all the engine types, admittedly different tracks do suit different engines but that is racing.
Any way thats my 2c
Regards,
Mark
Hi Mark,
Yes, you're right, the promotor may be the one to ultimately decide whether this could happen, but at "club level" can we not "trial" this kind of this under the "sportman 125" - I know there's a rule - I think it's 19.37??
But I'll give Delly a call and see what he thinks??
I don't know that this is the answer - but with money getting tighter and tighter, it's usually the "sport" that goes first, so it's my belief, if it can be made even a little more affordable than people will stick with it, bums in seats is what we need, I think that TAG-R has breathed new life into "club level" karting and this should be capitlised on by both the promotors and governing body of our sport.
Ben,
Points1 and 2 i've seen happen - but at Newcastle we are lucky and have big fields so we run both light and heavy TAG-R separately - the first round of the TAG Super Series last year at Woollongong had the TAG-R Heavy's in with the Clubbie Light guys on the day, they was no mishaps and good clean racing. "Admittedly the clubbie light field only had around 8 karts in it.
Cheers
on March 16, 2009 at 16:26
i think its great idea for beginners in karting wit their 125cc engines arce against there own level of experience where when its time they move up to rotax or leopard wit engines they already have, should been done years ago i know few my mates got in to it but couldn run wit the quick experienced guys so they got out sport and brought dirt bikes, we need keep new guys in sport otherwise wont have 1
Spot on Wall-E...
I've heard of an idea floating around since Frank at ARC died, and Junior MAX seems to be enjoying a big growth... why can't juniors have a "Junior TAG"? IE, the new TAG Restricted class (for seniors) has restricted the engines to the point where they are actually slightly SLOWER than Junior MAX.
So, we could EASILY offer a junior class using the same restrictors, on senior engines... It would be slightly slower than Junior MAX, and allow juniors to either use an engine their Dad already has laying around, or buy an engine that will become their senior engine by simply removing the restrictor!
Awesome plan I reckon...
Great idea Col,
However I think J-Max needs a few more years to grow into a class with greater numbers.
When tag restricted was brought in early last year, it led to limited numbers in both rotax and leopard throughout the state (Victoria... unsure about other states). On numerous club days and open meets (including all stars round 1 at oakleigh) rotax light didnt form a class. This was due to most of the competitors going into restricted 125.
Maybe in a few years time J-Max will have the numbers to be able to from Junior TAG Restricted. It is a great idea.
Col Fink said:Spot on Wall-E...I've heard of an idea floating around since Frank at ARC died, and Junior MAX seems to be enjoying a big growth... why can't juniors have a "Junior TAG"? IE, the new TAG Restricted class (for seniors) has restricted the engines to the point where they are actually slightly SLOWER than Junior MAX.So, we could EASILY offer a junior class using the same restrictors, on senior engines... It would be slightly slower than Junior MAX, and allow juniors to either use an engine their Dad already has laying around, or buy an engine that will become their senior engine by simply removing the restrictor!Awesome plan I reckon...