KIC NEWSLETTER
October – December, 2003

KIC WEBSITE GOES ‘LIVE’
www.kartindustrycouncil.com is the address of the new KIC website, which is finally online. After months of preparation and a complete re-design, the association’s website now offers readers easy access and a boatload of helpful information for the businessperson, racer and those interested in the sport. 

KIC wants to thank Henry Mills for help with securing the rights to the web domain name which proved to be much more a problem than first thought and webmaster Steve Owenby for his tireless work in bringing the website to fruition. KIC also wants to thank Board Member Darrell Sitarz for the basic design and content of the re-design of the now easy-to-navigate site.

“I am sure the members and general public will be happy with the new KIC website,” said Darrell. “Months of work have proven to be worthwhile now that the colorful site is online. Now, all members can keep abreast of what KIC is doing for the industry and for the sport.”

The web site will be periodically updated with meeting minutes, news and other information.�
 

TRACK COMMITTEE
The Karting Industry Council has formed a Track Committee, headed by Tom Johnson of Oakland Valley Race Park and KIC Board Member. The primary goal of the Track Committee is to increase track owner/operator membership in the association. However, to this end, it was decided that there obviously needs to be benefits for the tracks other than the general benefits normally offered to members. It was agreed to:

Develop a pro forma guide for track owners on how to conduct an entry-level program
Develop a program to train track owners on how to promote their tracks.

KIC will immediately begin contacting race track owners to solicit membership.�
 

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS MAILED
Annual membership renewals have been sent to all members. Please be sure to renew as soon as possible to insure that KIC can continue to “Promote Karting Through Leadership”.�
 

THIRD ‘SUMMIT’ MEETING SCHEDULED
KIC has scheduled a third “Summit” meeting of the US sanctioning associations to be held on Sunday, February 23, 2003 from 8:00 AM -10:00 AM at Pheasant Run Resort and Convention Center in St. Charles, Illinois during the 11th Annual Kart Expo International.  The purpose of the meeting is to maintain momentum and to discuss the progress to date. 

The first meeting was held last November in Las Vegas, NV and the second in February in St. Charles, IL. For more information, contact Bob White.�
 

EMBROIDERED PATCHES AVAILABLE SOON
The new KIC logo embroidered patch has been designed and will be available soon on the website. KIC will also offer stylish caps with the logo for sale as well. See the KIC website at www.kartindustrycouncil.com  (then go to the Apparel section).
 

MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING
November 9, 2002
Indianapolis, Indiana

IN ATTENDANCE:
�
Charles Pistorio, President Bob White, Exec. Dir.
Norm DeBoever Darrell Sitarz
Stan Kovalak Angelo Sodano
Tom Patronite Tom Fehring
Dave Larson�
�
The meeting was called to order at 8:45 AM

FINANCIAL REPORT:
Bob White reported the following:
Checking Account Balance  $ 5,829.19
Certificate of Deposit   $21,648.50

Bob stated that during the period January 1-November 8, 2002, KIC operated at a net loss as follows:
Revenues: �
   Membership fees $   9,430.00�
   Donation (Sam Hornish) $   2,500.00�
   Miscellaneous (Tape Sales) $   1,169.45 $   13,099.45
   Total $ 13,099.45     23,025.64
   Operating Expenses $ 23,025.64 $     9,926.19
   Net Loss $   9,926.90�
�
Billings for annual dues will be mailed to 50 members during November.  Income from these billings should exceed anticipated expenses of approximately $4,000.
 

TRANSFER OF CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT:
The certificate of deposit matures in May 2003.  Current plans are to cash it in and transfer the funds to the checking account rather than rolling it over at the current, low interest rates.
 

CREDIT REPORT:
Bob White distributed copies of the last credit report.  As discussed at the prior meeting, many members are reluctant to provide input for the report because of potential legal liability.  Bob has contacted Dun and Bradstreet and some other credit reporting agencies and none are interested in providing the service to KIC.  However, a former KIC member, Mike Neal, who is President of ATC Commercial Collections, contacted Bob.  ATC has proposed to provide collection services to KIC members for a flat 20% fee.  Some board members have used ATC’s services and considered the 20% fee to be reasonable.  The board agreed to provide a copy of the ATC proposal to every KIC member.

Meanwhile, Bob continues to receive inquiries from KIC members about using the KIC report when providing credit information to individuals or businesses that are not KIC members.  There was a discussion about the intended use of the “credit” report.  The board agreed that KIC is not a credit collection agency.  The “credit” report was intended to be a communication, among KIC members only, whose purpose is to provide a “heads-up” of potential problems.  As the result of the discussion, the board agreed that the report should be titled “Confidential Report” and it should be marked “For Members only”.

CREDIT CARD PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS:
The board has been looking for a way that KIC can accept credit cards in payment of membership dues or video sales.  Various board members contacted a few banks.  None of the banks were interested in dealing with a small number of transactions, and all charge a relatively significant transaction fee.  To date, there have been a minimal number of credit card transactions.  They have been processed through credit card facilities at Grand Products.  Charlie Pistorio volunteered to continue the current procedure.  After some discussion, the board agreed on the following procedure: Credit card sales orders or dues payments will go to Bob White.  Bob will forward required information to Grand Products who will use their facilities to process the credit card.
 

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE:
Bob White reported that after the June board meeting, KIC sent a mailing to 627 prospective members.  This mailing resulted in 15 new members and four renewal memberships.  The increase of 19 members represents a 30% increase in membership over the previous 50 members.  In order to avoid prorating the annual dues, renewals for all members will be on their anniversary date.
After Bob’s report, there was an extended discussion of how to recruit additional members.  Suggestions included sending the KIC newsletter to nonmembers, sending a postcard follow-up to the prior mailing to nonmembers, and sending a mailing to track owners. Angelo made a motion, seconded by Darrell, authorizing the executive director to do mailings as follows:

A letter explaining the benefits of KIC membership as the initial contact to track owners.

Postcard follow-up to track owners one and two months after the initial letter and Postcard follow-up to previous mailing to non-members.

The motion was unanimously approved.  The message on the post card will be similar to the KIC magazine ad.  The letter to track owners will be similar to the previous letter to nonmembers.
 

TRACK COMMITTEE:
Tom Johnson, head of the track committee, was unable to attend the board meeting.  However, Bob White provided board members with copies of a letter from Tom summarizing his questions regarding the intended purpose of the track committee.  The letter generated a discussion on what KIC wants the committee to accomplish.  Board members agreed the primary goal was to increase track owner membership.  Suggestions on ways to increase membership included:

? Develop a pro forma guide for track owners on how to conduct an entry-level race program.
? Develop a program to train track owners how to promote their tracks.
? Send a mailing to track owners advising them of the benefits of KIC membership.

As noted above, the board voted to send a mailing to track owners.  The mailing will be sent to the WKA master list of track owners.  It will highlight the benefits of direct website links and monthly newsletters containing tips from successful track owners.  Darrell and Bob volunteered to contact successful track owners to develop a database of successful operating strategies.
 

NATIONAL TECH COMMITTEE:
Bob White, head of the committee, reported that committee members have obtained substantial agreement on tech book rules between WKA, IKF and IRA.  Bob also reported that the committee members have requested a face-to-face meeting to consolidate their progress.  It was suggested that the meeting be held during the KMI show since most of the committee members would be there.  A motion, made by Angelo and seconded by Stan, was unanimously approved to authorize a tech committee meeting from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. on Friday February 21, 2003 in St. Charles, IL.

As authorized at the prior board meeting, Bob has invited Charlie Sox to join the 4-cycle section of the tech committee.  He expressed his interest but stated he would not be available until January 2003.

Dave Larson reported that Mike Lapke is the new IRA tech representative (replacing Scott Evans).
 

WEBSITE:
At the time of the board meeting, the new KIC website was up and running.  Darrell reported that there are a few features still to be completed.  Bob White reported that the cost of establishing the new site was about $1,800, and the monthly maintenance is about $60.
 

SALE OF KIC APPAREL
Available KIC merchandise is shown on the website.  As mentioned previously, customers will be able to pay by credit card.

There was some discussion about the KIC logo patch. KIC has already paid for the digitized logo and Darrell will check on getting copies to make it available to members.  Tom Patronite questioned the popularity of the patches.  Dave suggested that KIC sell caps with the logo attached.  Darrell agreed to offer a small quantity of hats for sale to test their popularity.
SPONSOR ASSOCIATION FORUMS AT KART EXPO
Darrell, as producer of the Kart Expo show, has invited the various karting organizations (WKA, IKF, SKUSA, etc.) to have representatives available for membership forums during the show at St. Charles.  The board members agreed that KIC should sponsor (by paying for the meeting rooms) the forums if the organizations agree to participate.
 

PROMOTIONAL MARKETING PLAN:
Darrell reviewed his proposed plan for a National Kart Week.  Discussion of the plan included the following: presenting the plan at the next “Summit” meeting, developing a better list of shops, tracks and members, inviting concession kart centers to participate, and adding KIC banners to the promotional package.  All board members agreed that KIC should present the        �
proposal at the next “Summit” meeting.
 

BUSINESS PLAN:
Angelo presented a proposed statement of goals for the future.  Many of the items his plan addressed were discussed earlier in the meeting.  His stated primary purpose was to generate discussion of KIC’s goals.
 

NEXT BOARD MEETING DATE:
The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, February 20, 2003 in St. Charles, Illinois.  The meeting is planned for1: 00 PM.
 

NON-AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSED:
Tom Fehring suggested that KIC hold another “Summit” meeting in order to maintain the momentum already established and to consolidate the progress to date.  After some discussion of possible dates, there was a motion by Darrell, seconded by Tom Fehring and unanimously approved, to hold the third “Summit” meeting on Sunday, February 23, 2003 from 8:00to 10:00 A.M.

 About 4:00 PM Tom Patronite made a motion for adjournment.  The motion, seconded by Darrell, was unanimously approved.
 

THE HUMAN SIDE OF TECHNICAL INSPECTION�
by Scott G. Evans 

The Premise of Post-Race Technical Inspection�
The technical inspector must understand and prescribe to the idea that inspection is to confirm conformance to the rules in force, not a means of “catching cheaters”. 

This attitude – or lack thereof - is easily seen by the competitors and if the inspector does not or
cannot prescribe to this premise, the tone of technical inspection will take on a decidedly antagonistic character. 

Once this atmosphere of confirmation is established and accepted, tech inspection takes on a much easier, “laid back” tone, generally characterized by the competitors’ ready cooperation with requests from the inspector.�
The development of this attitude requires constant care from the inspector, especially when faced with delivering a disqualification decision. 

COMPETITORS NEED TO UNDERSTAND
The competitors need to understand that the technical inspector has a job to do, and he is bound by agreement to do that job – even the tough parts. 

It is incumbent on the technical inspector to make the competitors feel “at ease” in tech. This can be accomplished by first making it perfectly clear what is expected of them while under the control of technical impound. 

Competitor’s Responsibilities (Tech Etiquette)�
Control your emotions. The moments after a race are often filled with emotions. Try your best to keep them on an even keel. Overt demonstrations of joy in victory can be as abrasive as confrontation with a competitor who you feel has “done you wrong” during the race. Save your celebrations for the podium or after post-tech is done. Confrontational discussions with your competitors should take place at a later time, not when your adrenaline is so high. 

Keep your crew and friends at a distance while waiting in line for scales. The perception or�
suspicion that weights are being passed or may be passed lends a negative tone to the procedure. 

Do not touch or make adjustments to your kart while waiting in line for scales or at any other time while under post-tech control, unless asked to by the inspector. Even innocent straightening of an element can be construed in a negative light. 

Do not take water or other liquid while waiting in line for scales. Do not pour water over your head or on your body. If you are feeling weak, contact the inspector and let him know. (Inspectors, remember that this is kart racing. If a person appears ready to collapse, allow him to take some refreshment, or bring him to the front of the line. Twelve fluid ounces of water weighs approximately twelve ounces. Let’s not send someone to the hospital for the sake of less than a pound.) 

Stay with your kart and keep the line moving. Be ready to remove your fuel cap for testing when asked by the inspector. Do not remove the cap before prompted. Replaces cap once testing is done. Remember that racing fuel tends to absorb water vapor from the air and may skew the test results.

Sign or initial the “scales” sheet. Many clubs will DQ a driver whose signature or initials don’t show up on the scales sheet. 

DO NOT leave tech unless instructed to do so by an authorized club official! Many clubs will ask that the “top three” or “top five” finishers stay in impound. If you don’t know where you finished, 

STAY IN TECH! The scoring results will be down soon enough and what else have you got to do?  Once you are in impound, it is IMPERATIVE that you remove nothing or start any disassembly unless the tech inspector specifically instructs you to. If you have another race that day, ask the inspector if he will consider marking your engine for later inspection. Be ready, willing and able to perform any and all disassembly as requested. Remember that it is the inspector’s right to verify anything that has a rule written for it. 

WHO WILL BE THE TECH INSPECTOR?
A club’s options can sometimes be limited to engine builders involved in the series.�
1. Most knowledgeable in the rules.�
2. Likely to have the tools and the skills necessary to inspect.�
3. Least desirable with respect to appearance of bias.�
4. Necessary to have an alternate to inspect the engines and karts that originates from the engine builder/inspector’s own shop. Regardless of the engine builder’s integrity, it is improper to have him inspect his own work.�
5. Arrange for several of the club’s engine builders to rotate the responsibility, always with two of them available so one’s own work can be inspected by someone else. 

The best option is for a club to hire an outside, disinterested party.�
1. Least likely to bring any bias into the equation.�
2. Pre-existing measuring and rules interpretation skills are necessary.�
3. Most difficult to find an appropriate candidate. Possible sources: Local machine shops, Engineering or technical schools, Other types of racing series or clubs, or Divine intervention.�
4. Added expense to the club.�
5. Necessary for the club’s administrators to tutor and foster the relationship.�
The Conduct of Technical Inspection 

For the inspector of a series or club, the key is to “keep ‘em guessing”. Consistent inspection of the same elements every race, week after week, causes the minds to wander. Mixing it up keeps some semblance of “fun” for the competitors. Highly competitive or large participation classes require tech every race, to keep it all honest. Sparsely populated classes or races amongst friends can survive tech waivers. It is important to regularly tech even low turnouts or friendly classes just for the peace of mind of the competitors. Without that peace of mind, the slightest doubt can turn a friendly class into an antagonistic one. 

PERFORMING TECHNICAL INSPECTION�
Decide what elements will be inspected for each class. Gather all the competitors in that class and inform them of your decision of what and who will be inspected. Release them as necessary to go back to the pits to gather tools, leaving the kart in the impound area. Competitor should leave one person behind in impound to stay with the kart. 

Many competitors will race in multiple classes in a day. If they ask to be painted or sealed and return for tech after their other races, the inspector needs to evaluate the depth of inspection he/she is planning to perform and make a decision.�
If a full teardown or other complicated, invasive procedure is prescribed, the inspector is well-served to offer the option to paint and return. This fosters good feelings with the competitor and ensures later cooperation. 

If a relatively non-invasive procedure is planned, ask for the competitor’s cooperation in completing tech and offer to get him/her released as soon as possible. This keeps the results release timely and prevents backlogs and tardy departure times for other competitors in the class.�
Be sure to make a notation to ensure that the later performance of tech is completed (name, number, class). 

Separate the competitors in impound to the best of your ability and as space allows, guaranteeing confidentiality. It may be necessary to ask “crowders” and non-involved parties to step away from the performance of tech. Use tact and be polite. 

Involve the competitor by explaining the process and the requirements. This will demystify the process and help with understanding.                                                              

Work methodically, ensuring that all elements of tech to be performed are completed as described.�
Take notes or make a checklist to make sure. Make sure that you are completely familiar with
the rule that you are checking. Refer to the rule book with regularity. 

THE DECISION �
1. Tech completed with no discrepancies.
Inform the competitor that all elements are conforming.�
Thank the racer for his/her cooperation.�
Congratulate him/her on his success.�
Release him/her from impound.�
2. Non-conformance discovered – the DQ decision.�
Make sure that you are right. Check the rule book.�
Inform the competitor that there is a problem.�
Show him/her the rule that is in question in the rule book. Show him/her the discrepancy on his kart. Inform him/her, with tact, that he is being disqualified. Release him/her from impound.�
3. Spirit and intent. 

This “cover clause” in karting only comes into play in tech when something is discovered that is not directly addressed in the rule book. It does
NOT apply for any of the following reasons:�
“I didn’t know!”�
“This isn’t the way that the other guys do it!”�
“What difference does .001 inch make?”�
“My exhaust pipe broke during the race.”�
”I didn’t intend for it to happen.”�
”How can you DQ me for an act of God?” 

The tech inspector must first and foremost determine if the discovery is something that provided a clear and positive competitive advantage. In depth analysis is required. Consult with other uninvolved experts and officials, if necessary, to reach a proper decision. 

Take your time and consider carefully, but keep the consideration to the facts at hand and not the possible consequences should a DQ be handed down. Even a small advantage is still an advantage. The hard part is determining intent. Give the benefit of the doubt to the competitor. Carefully structured questions can reveal the genesis of the idea. 

Personalities and Relationships�
There are a great number of personalities that the tech inspector will encounter in impound. There are just as many ways to deal with each one.�
 

“The Professional”�
Very aware of the rule book’s requirements and is confident of his ability to pass.�
Easiest to work with, easiest to accept decisions when right is demonstrated.�
Most critical of questionable techniques.�
 

“The Cooperator”�
Goes out of his way to cooperate.�
Tendency to be a little over-zealous. Hard to control.�
Can become very difficult at DQ time. Feels personally attacked.�
 

“The Rookie”�
Least likely to understand the procedures and requirements.�
Depends largely on his engine builder/kart shop for information.�
Hardest to DQ, least likely to argue.�
 

“The Finger-pointer”�
Generally thinks that the only way he can be beaten is by someone else cheating.�
Highly critical and verbal about other karts in impound.�
Most likely to have something wrong with his own kart.�
 

“The Whisperer”�
Generally good-natured and honest.�
Distant cousin to “The Finger-pointer”.�
Some classes are full of them.�
 

“The Little League Dad”�
Convinced that his son or daughter is next in line for international fame and glory.�
Most likely to be blatantly cheating, because everyone else “must be”.�
Vociferous and confrontational at DQ time. 

Conclusion�
The competitors and the tech inspector himself must understand the role of the tech inspector. He is not a “witch-hunter”, a spy or a “cheater-finder”. He must be perceived as a “conformance verifier”, without ulterior motives and completely free of bias or impropriety. It is the responsibility of the inspector to consistently act in this manner.�
A successful tech area is characterized by control, early prevention of confrontation, absolute conformity to the rule book with fair and equal judgment for all competitors. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Scott G Evans is the National Technical Director for: United States Rotax Max Challenge, CART Stars of Tomorrow. He is based out of Northern Illinois