AUSTRALIAN KARTING ASSOCIATION

Membership Survey

December 2011 - January 2012 1.0 MEMBER PROFILE 1.1 What age group are you in? 1.2 Are you male or female?

7 to 11 6.80% Male 94.85%

12 to 16 17.01% Female 5.15%

17 to 24 16.60%

25 to 34 16.76%

35 to 44 20.33%

45 to 54 16.10%

55 plus 6.39%

karting.net.au 1.0 MEMBER PROFILE 1.3 What part of Australia do you live 1.5 Are you of Aboriginal or Torres in? Strait Islander origin? No 98.92% NSW -­‐ Reg 18.34% Yes, Aboriginal 1.08% NSW -­‐ Metro 13.20% NT 1.16% QLD -­‐ Reg 9.88% QLD -­‐ Metro 9.13% SA -­‐ Reg 2.24% SA -­‐ Metro 5.81% Tasmania 3.98% Vic -­‐ Reg 9.29% Vic -­‐ Metro 12.45% WA -­‐ Reg 5.98% WA -­‐ Metro 8.55%

1.4 In which country were you born?

Australia 91.04%

England 2.49%

New Zealand 3.32%

Italy 0.08%

Vietnam 0.08%

India 0.00%

Scotland 0.33%

Other 2.65%

karting.net.au 2.0 MEMBERSHIP 2.1 How did you get involved in the 2.3 How many AKA Clubs are you a sport of kar9ng? member of?

Friend or Family were involved 42.54% None 1.41% A;ended a Come and Try Day 6.47% One 84.33% Received informaBon at a promoBonal 0.58% Two 11.77% stand Wanted to try an affordable form of 24.63% Three 2.40% motorsport Previously involved on another form of More than Three 0.08% 13.02% motorsport Other 12.77%

2.2 What best represents your posi2on 2.4 How o(en do you a/end your Club in within the Associa2on? Mee5ngs?

Compe2tor 92.87% Every Month 50.91%

Race Day Official 1.16% 1-­‐2 6mes per year 14.34% 3-­‐6 6mes per year 21.39% Club Office bearer 1.74% Never 13.35% Industry member 1.33%

Social member 2.90%

karting.net.au 3.0 LICENCES AND CHAMPIONSHIPS 3.1 When did you first become involved 3.3 How long have you currently held in the sport of kar;ng? your AKA licence for?

2010 or later 24.46% Less than 12 months 17.99% Between 2005 and 2009 35.57% 1-­‐3 years 32.50% Between 2000 and 2004 14.34% 3-­‐5 years 20.23% Between 1995 and 1999 8.62% Between 1990 and 1994 7.13% 5-­‐10 years 18.16% Prior to 1990 9.87% More than 10 years 11.11%

3.2 Of the *me since you first became 3.4 What is the current grading of your involved, have you taken a break from 2.8 What racing is the licence? current grading of your the sport? racing licence? A Grade 7.21% Yes 34.83% A B Grade 7.21% 47.68% No 65.17% B C Grade 31.43% 47.68%

D C Grade 9.45% 31.43% D Grade 9.45% Social 2.74% Social 2.74% None 1.49% None 1.49%

karting.net.au 3.0 LICENCES AND CHAMPIONSHIPS...ctd 3.5 How many kar.ng categories do you 3.6 What kar+ng categories do you regularly compete in? regularly compete in?

None 4.15% Cadets 2.77% One 69.57% Rookies 4.46% Junior Na=onal Light 5.17% Two 21.72% Junior Na=onal Heavy 4.19% Three 2.74% Junior Clubman 1.31% Junior Max 1.52% Four or More 1.82% Pro Junior (KF3) 0.27% Senior Na=onal Light 4.02% Senior Na=onal Heavy 3.81% Clubman Light 6.42% Clubman Heavy 9.35% Clubman Super Heavy 4.02% Clubman Over 40s 3.70% Leopard Light 1.79% Leopard Heavy 2.66% Open Performance (KZ2) 1.47% Rotax Light 3.05% Rotax Heavy 4.62% Rotax DD2 0.87% Sportsman 2.8 125 What Light is the 2.83% current grading of your Sportsman 125 Heavy racing licence? 4.46% Sportsman SA 0.44% TaG 100 0.87% A Grade 7.21% TaG 125 Light 2.28% B Grade TaG 125 Heavy 2.99% 47.68% TaG Restricted Light 5.55% C Grade 31.43% TaG Restricted Heavy 6.53% D Grade Pro Gearbox 9.45% (KZ2) 0.65% Social Pro Light 2.74% (KF1) 0.44% Endurance 0.76% None 1.49% Speedway 0.87% Vintage 0.65% Other 5.22%

karting.net.au 3.0 LICENCES AND CHAMPIONSHIPS...ctd 3.7. How many kar.ng events have you 3.9 How many State or Na1onal competed in over the past 12 months? Championships have you competed at in

Zero 8.79% the past three years?

1 -­‐ 5 24.71% None 55.06% 6 -­‐ 10 24.88% 1 -­‐ 3 29.68% 11 -­‐ 15 23.88% 3 -­‐ 8 11.19% 15 -­‐ 20 10.45% 8 -­‐ 15 3.48% More than 20 7.30% More than 15 0.58%

3.8 Which of the following best represents your level of compe99on?

Prac0ce only 5.06% Club Level 52.74% State Level 26.29% Interstate Level 7.46% Na0onal Level 8.46%

karting.net.au 3.0 LICENCES AND CHAMPIONSHIPS...ctd 3.10 What do you think of the amount 3.12 Which of the following events do of prac7ce at State and Na7onal you believe offer the best value for your Championships? entry fee?

Not enough track 8me 21.48% Club Mee3ng 53.90% State Series event 19.24% Just the right amount of track 8me 25.62% Local Title 6.05% Too much track 8me 7.21% State Championships 3.15% Na3onal Championships 1.00% Don't compete at that level 45.69% Rotax Pro Tour 6.79% CIK Stars of Kar3ng Series 5.57% Hide Answers (Other:) 4.31%

3.11 Do you believe the dura3on of the total 3me spent at State and Na3onal Championships is:

I don't compete at that level 44.53%

Two days too many 8.37%

One day too many 14.26%

Just the right number of days 30.02%

Not long enough 2.82%

karting.net.au 4.0 COMMUNICATION Kar$ng.net.au website Weekly AKA Newsle,er State Associa+on website

Always 20.90% Always 23.47% Always 11.61% Some3mes 64.93% Some3mes 52.90% Some2mes 54.39% Never 14.18% Never 23.63% Never 34.00%

Club website Club Newsle*er Kartsportnews.com

Always 28.11% Always 23.80% Always 31.59% Some1mes 58.71% Some2mes 47.84% Some2mes 38.56% Never 13.18% Never 28.36% Never 29.85%

Kartbook.net Kart X Online Magazine Kart Oz Magazine

Always 24.30% Always 16.09% Always 23.13% Some2mes 41.46% Some2mes 33.08% Some2mes 40.13% Never 34.25% Never 50.83% Never 36.73%

Facebook/Twi,er Motorsport News Auto Ac5on Magazine

Always 10.61% Always 4.06% Always 7.04% Some3mes 29.68% Some3mes 34.25% Some5mes 29.15% Never 59.70% Never 61.69% Never 63.82%

Are you happy with the frequency and content of the weekly AKA Newsle8er?

Yes 84.00% No 16.00%

karting.net.au 5.0 IMPORTANT ISSUES Long-­‐term consistent rules Recruitment and con.nual training of officials 1 (highly important) 61.44%

2 24.38% 1 (highly important) 53.23% 3 11.11% 2 28.86% 3 13.76% 4 1.91% 4 3.07% 5 (least important) 1.16% 5 (least important) 1.08%

Reten%on of exis%ng members and Further introduc-on of technology a2rac%on of new members (online entry payment, licences etc)

1 (highly important) 75.12% 1 (highly important) 36.90% 2 18.08% 2 27.03% 3 5.39% 3 23.80% 4 1.33% 4 6.22% 5 (least important) 0.08% 5 (least important) 6.05%

Promo%on and media coverage

1 (highly important) 53.65%

2 24.21%

3 15.34%

4 4.15%

5 (least important) 2.65%

karting.net.au 6.0 PARTICIPATION 6.1 Do you plan to remain involved in 6.4 Which of the following are your kar5ng for the foreseeable future? biggest concerns regarding your

Yes 97.76% con8nued involvement in kar8ng? No 2.24% Cost of Engines and maintenance 15.95% Chassis cost 5.86% Cost of Tyres 12.73% Cost of Club Membership 5.13% Cost of Racing Licence 12.53% 6.2 Do you encourage friends and family Entry Costs 9.17% to become involved in kar9ng? Travel and AccommodaIon Costs 11.02% Time restraints 10.34% Yes 88.89% Rule Changes and interpretaIons by officials 11.69% No 6.55% Other 5.58%

Other 4.56%

6.5 Which of the following do you 6.3 Which of the following do you believe would improve your kar;ng believe would assist in a8rac:ng your frequency? friends and family to become involved Reduced entry costs 26.45% in kar:ng? More track

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK What are some of the positive aspects of the AKA? • teaches the younger members self reliance and respect for fellow competitors • I like the fact that the AKA are implementing modern technologies like online • Keep members informed, run evens well. licence, online entries for every meeting would be brilliant as well. • The AKA allows us to know the rules enforces the rules and keeps us updated on • Self scutineering is a great idea as long as the officials can keep an eye on things where the future of karting is moving too. and do spot checks on the out grid etc. • More promotion has helped - needs to be imporved. • National coverage and consistent rules. • Good strong rule book when enforced by clubs. Safe for motorsport. • Someone needs to control the sport at a national, level so that all state are • CMS system, safety rules, costing reasonable for top level but need to reduce for predominantly consistant. The introduction of the CMS system is a great help to club level racing clubs with race days. A clear plan of what was to be achieved would have saved a • Not enough time back in the sport to adequately judge. lot of dramas with things thou. • I think the weekly newsletter is good - the videos on the website were a real help • Sometimes friendly atmosphere! when I was getting started as well - some more detailed ones on some of the finer • Newsletter / Quick response to enquires (particularly NSWAKA) points would be good • The CMS is finally working for pre entries and has brought alot more helpers in • People might not like this or that but in the end everyone has to adhere to the the cotrol tower same regulations • A lot of support for young karters racing overseas • Fairly well organised compared to other comps • Controled racing • Affordability to begin driving • At a club level I believe there is a nice family friendly environment. Generally club • The staff at the AKANSW are always very helpful and try to get matters sorted. meetings are well run. I have had to deal with them a number of times and they have been able to • Good clear rules and regulations. obtain a positive outcome every time for me. The boys I race with at NSWSKC • Support they provide at a club level and CCSKC in clubman heavy have always made me feel welcome and have • junior development provided encouragement • There seems to be a good foundation in place to work on future growth and • That they are trying to improve the sport but there is always additional costs being improvements. borne by the competitor and the fees are unfare as they hurt the smaller clubs • Always great people and great social atmosphere and family friendly. more than the larger ones even the entry component. • That they listen to what the karters would like and need • Karting it’s self is a fantastic sport, racing, competitiveness an friendships that • Professionalism and informative are built! • It is a relatively cheap form of motorsport. • An obvious effort is been made to improxve the numbers in karting • At big meets such as state and national titles it is very orgainised, • One governing body to controll rules ang regs • Some positive aspects to the AKA is that they enable participation in a great sport • Always trying to ipmrove the sport. Come and try days. Race for Jase. nation wide. Without the efforts of the AKA the sport just would not run so smooth. • Without them none of us can race. Promotion seems to be on the increase. The AKA support beginners through to experts, which enable everyone to give the Asking the people with a survey like this is also very positive. sport a chance. • I like the cms system its nearly there. I like the new tag classes • That the AKA are moving forward towards a more professional footing removing • Right now wanting our feedback is good. They have expanded well recently with association for Karting Australia. The creation of a reglatory board to stabilise the the new series. sport instead of large businesses promoting their goods for their own growth. • Funding track upgrades to club, National Insurance cover , • Media coverage, • It educates in car control and understanding of road conditions • It’s pretty obvious that the AKA have an impossible task trying to keep everyone • The CIK series, a clear and rather successful attempt to provide a marketable happy. The sport is fantastic for teaching kids about following rules and is face to the sport obviously going to set them up for life after school and more importantly for when • High regard for safety- ie. track condition and drivers they hit the road, we hope it can help prevent them from having a major accident. • Family orientated • Well run, mostly consistent rules. good communication between the AKA and it’s • Like it or not you need a governing body members. Approachable, helpful and friendly but still professional • Strong governing body

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are some of the positive aspects of the AKA?...ctd • Introduction to motorsport, learning displine & control in certain enviornments. • The tag classes lets driver not worry about finding a pusher, it’s safer on the grid Provides fun & most times enjoyable social experiences • Continued hard work dispite constant attacks on officials, and complaints, well • Locally, it has a great community atmosphere. Most of my close friends are done guys people I have met while racing. • The fact that people are still willing to volunteer there time free of charge as • Consistant rules and good organisation of events. Accurate timing/ lapscoring officials systems. • When the transponders became compulsory the AKA foot the bill for clubs to have • Trying to make competition more even across the board ie, good and bad engines the equipment to use them. Without this help it would have sent our small club to the Yamaha J the wall, thanks. • Giving good guidelines to follow & good communication. • Children and their driver training and awareness in preparation for driving cars. • They create a good flow in karting and keep karting in line The driving experience I gained at 16years old prevented myself from having a • The way the central queensland karting community came together to support us car accident. With three boys, two have raced for 4-5 years but lost interest but during a difficult time gained valuable driving knowledge. • CIK and media coverage • The Technology implimented in the cms and news letters by far make life easier • Good with communication • the people and the comradery. • I do believe the AKA are trying there best to improve the sport • Organisation, approachability, promotion and recognition of the sport as a whole. • Provides a safe and lowewr cost form of motor sport • Having the strength of one association and the even competition provided across • Organisation on race day! Very good! the board in the controlled classes • i like the fact that at events like the Country Series and club days everyone is • They seem to try hard willing to help someone that needs. • Giving kids something to channel there energy into and meeting some life long • The timing system. Licence renewal on internet. pay for Race entry on internet. friends The CIK event is very professional and great way way to promote our sport. • Up to date news and correspondence. • I personally thank you all for being there as without rules/regulations and • Everyone is treated equally, it is a sport for everyone (boy’s and girls) someone to make (hopefully) correct decisions we would have nothing.Thanks • All in all the AKA does a great job even though it cops a lot of undue negativity, again.” the CMS System is fantastic and im sure it will get better as clubs come to grips • Driving skills prior to being able to hold license with it • The Senior National Light and Heavy classes were poor. Making this one single • The club communiy is great, the people that run the events in most cases are class will; fantastic. • 1) reduce the number of classes on racedays. • Information feedback on results. • 2) Have 25 karts in race competing for a single 1st place trophy, not 9 and 12 • Fairly cheap form of motorsport that the whole family can take part in. karts in two separate races. • The new CM:S timing system & Online race entries. • 3) Actually make it a class worth wondering over to the fence and watching. • It is the pinnicle of karting in Australia. To race the best katers you need to be race • This will prove to be a very positive move and the AKA are to be commended for AKA. They have kept the sport ticking for many years. this. • I believe on a whole the AKA tries to do the best for its members • Additionally, political arguments aside, Junior Clubman becoming Junior ‘Yamaha’ • Improved promotions again will probably prove an excellent decision. Junior Clubman used to be a • Return of CIK brilliant, fast, low-cost class without being divided into unneccessary weight • Having a governing body and a rule setter..the boss divisions(!). The AKA can expect to see a resurgence once again in 2012 and • One national body for karting to be run under beyond in JC! • Strong governing body setting the rules and regs • That they are starting to get the word out to the community about karting • Good bunch of people, great atmoshphere. • Potential unifying body for rules, tech specs, calendar. Brand name. Media & • Its a great sport for individuals and also team like parent and child. Its great to see publicity source. so many mums participating as well. • Actively trying to understand what participants want.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are some of the positive aspects of the AKA?...ctd is all I care about! are people losing sight of this? • Slowly moving in to the digital age. More surveys like this would be good. An • moving with the times eg. online entries online pole on the CMS site for things that are happening would be good too • Appears to now have a basic plan for the sport, which involves moving it forward • Karting can be a great family sport that enhances driving skills and give young in line with International standards. people the opportunity to learn about vehicle maintenance. • Since my return i think safety is a little better, and control airboxes and pipes are • Friendly and encouraging officials a good thing. • Being able to test myself against the best in Australia • More open communication of late • Teaches teenagers safe driving practices and social aspects • That it’s fair, that everyone is on an even playing field • Good range of events, classes, and its fun • I think most AKA members try there best to make the race meetings run as fair as • The AKA does a great job of putting meetings together especailly the nationals etc possible • Weekly magazine • Good Comunications and trying to keep a lid on the costs eg: Tyre contracts. • They have great basics set up, they have some great promoters and officials that • Keep drivers well informed of changes are dedicated to making the sport great. • Central organisation for 99% of karters • Consistentcy in rules & regulations. • Major Events such as Pro Tour and CIK, which have gained people’s attention • I think they are slowly trying to address the sports decline , and they are begining through the large amount of time invested in promoting and advertising these in to get it right , media, especially tv. • The AKA is a very well organised organisation every thing is simple from attaining • I don’t know very much about the AKA. The officials at some Club events a licence to the website information it gives you a good run down to how you can represent the AKA very well wearing shirts and identifying themselves. The recent get involved in the sport! activities for youngsters meeting V8 drivers sounded like a great idea. The TV • Record keeping has improved. show items on RPM and Today were good. • The time the officals put in so that i can race. • Proffessional management, by people who want to see the sport grow and not • Providing a fairly even playing field for all karters and having as many events as satifie there ego’s there currently are in the calendar. • Fun, friendly, competitive. • Trying to please the karters,and listening. • Great family sport • There are a lot of honest people that do a great job and keep the karters best • Strict rules of the abuse towards officials. safety regulations. interest as a priority • Keeping me up to date with a regular newsletter and emails • During my 4 years karting I have seen many improvements in communication • Professional form of racing from the AKA. The live twitter feeds are great. The info on the website is good. • The increased media coverage will do wonders for the sport • There is appears to be a genuine and passionate attempt by those involved to • The CMS timimng system is a great innervation and it’s acessability on the net improve and promote the sport of karting. • The direction we are taking with advertising karting these days is a good start to • Ease of access to AKA information including on-line licencing etc. bring new karters in. • There is never any shortage of events to participate in month to month. Events • Well organized are generally well organised. • professionalism,presentation,support of clubs, proactive • Providing rules and regulations is important to any sport • Current promotion is good • Good entry level form of motor sport • Introduction of sportsman class at club days has created some great racing at • Great grass roots sport club level. • Junior development weekends • Lots of race meets available, quite reasonable parity in the classes • Cordinating all of the volunteers. Of late, stewards are more informative, and are • Socialisation at race meetings. I love meeting new people at the tracks. more about driver education , rather than punishment / penalty. • Its is perceived to being active in promotion again! it is a good sport but needs to • The track conditions and safety have greatly improved over the last 5 years. evolve with the rest of the world • National body for the sport • Great social atmosphere at race days. • I like the CIK series however concerned about the cost. • The AKA facilitates Kart Racing! and at the end of the day getting out and racing

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are some of the positive aspects of the AKA?...ctd • The volenteers work really hard for the sport. • The current media coverage of KARTING is fantastic with small amounts tv • Bigger events like CIK, Pro Tour, and State Titles are run well and there is a lot of coverage and magazine coverage is great (there can always be more of.... haha) prestige in competing. Below this level the value for money and professionalism is • This survey I find great for the sport and it shows us karters the aka is thinking to so low that it makes it hard to justify spending the money. the future of the sport not only karting but the future of Australian motor sport. • clubs all under the same banner, races all over the counrty • The potential to maintain a regulated but fair sport for competitor’s not just the • Flexibility in supporting new initiatives that encourage new drivers. elite • Good administration at a national level. • There are a few good people trying to take the sport forward but there are more • A new board is a step in the right direction, fresh ideas to go forward. The CMS holding it back system. • The continued movement to extended the reach of the sport to new areas • High quality events • AKA looks good as far as web site goes • Young driver training • Karting is getting alot of exposure lately on both tv and internet. • Good organisation and getting better at promoting in main stream media • Online payment options & aka website • This depends on the club....but lack of on track agression that spills over to the • Increased media coverage of major events such as CIK in grid....and this is built by the attitudes of the individual club members and • National body that is interested in growing the sport, national rules, contract tyre executive. It can be a fun sport if attitudes are right....some clubs have forgotten pricing for fixed terms. this. • The professionalism of AKA is great. Feels like genuine motorsport, not bogan’s • I think the AKA does a pretty good job, we have a diverse range of members that racing (speedway). want different things from the sport. So management is not a one size fits all • Everything the AKA does is for the benefit of the sport. And good on you I say. • Positive aspects family sport/fun • That you are seeking input to improve things • Teacher kids safe driving” • Good, consistent management of the sport of karting. • AKA is professional and safety and rules are in general well applied. • Overall consistent approach to the sport for all classes • They promote Austrailian karting very well • AKA are easy to deal with • Promoting the top line of go karting, CIK, State and National titles, Rotax Pro Tour • Striving to be professional, to enforce rules comprehensively to enforce the level • Their promotion of junior training camps/days playing field • Major events are run to schedule • Great family sport. • Very informative and helpful with queries • There are rules that are good and consistent....the friendship... • Improving Promotion recently • Transponder/CMS has been a great move now it has been in operation for a • The new cms system is a great tool for the association while -easier for the officials to run the meeting, not a big issue for small country • Its really great that there is a class for everyone. State and National titles are club days but brilliant for the larger events. Also it is great to see lap times of professinally run and advertised. And the online aspect now is very very useful ourselves (even though we have dataloggers) and our competitors. • THIS SURVEY! Its great to see the AKA attempting to listen to the karter, its only • Great members and initative to try and move forward with the sport. a first step, but a big one, well done! • Seem to be getting a plan together for future • Great fun very and provides disipline at a very competative level. The parity • In clubman you have keeped the rules the same for along time between karts is very good and this results in driver ability • Up to date news • CIK is great and much needed • Want the sport to move forward in a positive direction • Good variety of classe & levels to compete in • Alot cheaper than Quad racing. Able to use track anyday of the week to practice. • The employment of full time media personal has been a step forward. • With experienced,qualified and intelligent management, the AKA has a lot of • Most club days are very well organized. potential to produce positive decisions for the sport of karting. • They keep everyone honest to try and keep an even playing field for all • Well run meetings. Friendly atmosphere competitors which keeps people interested in the sport if all are treated the same • It can promote a strong family unity and teach kids better driving skills for later • Stars of Karting is a great initiative, however its very expensive. years • Priority on safety

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are some of the positive aspects of the AKA?...ctd look at it that it can be far more expensive and stressful having your child involved • That the competiton is great, and if you want to can give you a stepping stone into in drugs and alcohol a motorsport career. • Junior Development • I am happy that the AKA is continually trying to improve the sport generaly by • Great opportunities for karters to move into other forms of motorsport, communicating with its members. It will only be together that consultation that the • Creating a 1 engine make series like the Rotax pro tour. It gives newcomers to sport can be continually improved. the sport a clear indication of what they should be looking for when searching for • That they are finally seeking input from the people who make the sport what it is - equipment, not just buying anything and then looking for a class to compete in. the karters. This idea also keeps the quality of equipment up which presents to the public the • I think the AKA is impressive. I work in the motorsport industry and am new to the sport of karting is quite prestigious and not some back yard organisation. sport. The AKA communication is good and reasonably frequent by way of the • The idea of sportsman on reds was a great idea. newsletters. • This is the first time in 3 years of membership I have received any • Communication correspondance asking what I as a member think. That’s an improvement • CMS seems to be workin well - despite what the critics say. • Great officials and volunteers. • The amount of young drivers coming up and the quality. • Good affordable sport, great for family involvement. We have kids and grandkids • That more and more young kids are getting into racing. all involved and actively racing and learning valuable driving skills in the • The AKA have been improving the communication to members about events and competitive environment promoting the sport better. • friendship • Consistent quality management of the sport with good updates on changes. • Introduction of CMS • CIK events and promotion • The last few years has seen it’s level of professionalism increase i.e. media • Great family activity coverage etc. It’s now taking a more active approach to addressing the issues • have made lots of friends. raised by competitors. • Encouragement of Development! • They are doing a good job at keeping karting affordable & family sport. • Contrlled Body with good governance as a whole • Looking forward trying to improve. listening to people involved at all levels. • Good communication • It remains for the most to be a fun sport. Meeting people from all walks of life • Cost and parity of classes • When I get a drivers license .. I’ll be safe on the roads • Driving skills • Everything is fair. We do some prokart racing and wow what a circus that is, hope • Clubs are inviting and friendly it does not happen but someone will hurt one day. • AKA site and it’s functionality • Professional - is respected • NSW are trying to get the number of classes at club level reduced. • The use of technology in the sport which is starting to be used by other • Great organisation that governs events well motorsport organisations such as Speedway Australia • The licence and entry to events is starting to get better and easier • We all need engaged volunteers to run any event and this is very much • It caters to people of all ages and backgrounds appreciated • They produce good meetings and are always trying to improve. • It is good to have everything run under a consistent set of rules, makes racing all • The on-line entry system and logging of laps is fantastic. over australia simpler. • The development of driving skills especially in the juniors whether it is for a • The rules that are in place with the different classes..keeps it fair! continued career in motorsport or simply to make them a better driver on the • Friendly atmosphere, helpful people road when they get a licence. It is far too easy to get a drivers licence in Australia • This survey, please use it wisely. Signs of wanting progress starting to show, currently. My daughter is currently a third generation karter. She has just turned where there’s smoke there’s fire.... 15 and it is very special that we can go racing of a weekend and spend time • Online renewals & pre-entry to meetings together. Karting keeps her dedicated to something she is very passionate about • Great environment for young compeditors and keeps her away from some of the “bad” kids that they can easily be lead by • Disciplinary action is distributed very well, and makes sure that drivers do not into drugs and alcohol etc. Some people look at motorsport as expensive but I drive recklessly

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are some of the positive aspects of the AKA?...ctd • The AKA takes the time to make major decisions. Thus giving ample time for • Great sporting atmosphere - kids learn SO much. It is an outdoor activity and it competitors to adjust accordingly can involve a wide range of skillsets like mechanics, electronics etc • They do try offer the greatest experience for the karter and offer a great choice of • Driver training for the young .Great people with common goals . classes for racers to compete in • The new licencing and scrutineering is great, saves alot of time ! • It can be a good family day with kids learning the fundamentals of driver safety • Communication is great and driver experience. • The involvement of Lee Hanatschek. • Improved use of technology such as transponders, bar coding, internet results. • The provision of a motor sport platform to learn the craft of Motor Racing at Keeps motorsport under the one governing body. and helps with rules. relatively low cost. • The social aspect off the track is great. The Rotax Pro Tour may be a promoters • A long heritage of providing stable karting in Australia. class thing but is the best thing to happen for a long time (value for time and • Continual development to make karting more “Professional” money). I believe CIK drivers say the same thing about CIK - although i couldn’t • Governing body to enforce rules and improve safety. really afford to race that as well. • There has been good marketing over the last few years, but it needs to be • State and National titles are ussually run very good in a good enviroment focused at club level and getting people started into karting • Everyone’s pretty friendly.. there’s racing on everyweekend! • They have taken steps in the promotion of the sport through the media with CIK. • A great sport to market to entry level motorsport people • It offer members access to years of karting experience within the officials. • Good meetings, fun sport although sometimes stressful • Know what they doing due to wealth of experience although might need to listen • It is hard to say, I have nothing to compare it to, having interstate stewards andv to the younger generation. official at state championships is great for consistancy even if some of there • All in all think aka does a satisfactory job. rulings leave you wondering at least its consistant • being more involved • People running the AKA have been involved and know what is like to race or have • Well run in the racing curriculum on a weekend. had faimly involved. • The promotion and encouragement of drivers at all levels doing well in • I have found it to be very Family orientated and basically Karters are a great motorsport. bunch of people to associate with • AKA has basically been the organization that holds the history of karting in its • They appear to be promoting the sport better of late. hands. Along with that a lot of good will has been generated. AKA is in the best • CIK SOK is as a good an event as I have whitnessed for some time position to provide for the ongoing development and growth of the sport. • I like the weekly news updates • Comraderie at the Club level. • Relatively cheap racing compared to other catagories. • Good family environment. Seeing mothers and fathers jumping up and down and • The reintroduction of CIK having so much enjoyment for what their daughter or son is acheiving is great • Restriced class has made great inroads for new members and keeping more to watch and I remember sharing those feelings with my family and its a great older people longer in the sport feeling. • Family aspect and promotion of it being a family sport • The family atmosphere and emphasis on the kids. Officials who are approachable • Clean, fair ,pure racing policed at a great level. to the kids, generally they are really great with the kids, better than some of the • The people who are involed parents. The following comments are my Mothers and not necessarily those of • Very professional in all aspects of the running of the sport. myself. • Focus on future development and refinement of our sport. • Training young drivers to be safe on our roads. • Great environment, some good people • I believe it is a very professionally run sport and the facilities in SA are very good. • Consistency with their professional approach to rules and regulations. • There is good potential due to existing knowledge and membership database • The administration at NSW is fantastic • The online news and licence features make it really easy to keep up to date on • It has done a great job in promotion the sport what’s going on • The professionalism of the officials • That there are many different levels of karting and you do not have to be at a high • It helps with fruture driver training,frienhship,family can all go racing level of competition • Professional officials

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are some of the positive aspects of the AKA?...ctd • Drivers and or drivers parents can voice an opinion if they wish through clubs or • Willing to listen. email about the way the sport is run • New management and heading towards a corporate structure • The aka provides the possibility for thousands of people to race any where in the • CIK Stars of Karting ... I’m just a fan of the format and the ability for me to onsell country in a consistent format. Ultimately the only reason we do this is to race and it to our partners. It’s professional and not too taxing on workhours. Supercheap without the aka Auto Kart Series, as it to is marketable at a State level. Harrington Doyle • Karting has a great atmosphere,everyone helps each other. Gladiator Series as it promoted regional series across 5 tracks until stupid State • There are a number of quite good events that have good incentives to win and politics intervened because we included a NSW track/facility. Qld didn’t want compete. Eg: Rotax series, CIK series and Brian Farley Memorial has to be one Lismore included. Stupid beauracy interfering with selling to the local customers of the best events around.. Well done North Shore between Coffs and Gympie regions. Can’t comment on Rotax Pro Tours, as I • that the sport is starting to gain more recognition through the AKA organisation haven’t been to any, but I hear that they succeed off a similar schedule, reliable and the help to those up and coming karters format and solid marketing. • Strong financial position • Good to see AKA building online assets to encourage connectivity, transparency • There is no posltive aspects & access. • Continuously improving • Good to see there is positive marketing activity and efforts. V8 Supercar • Great officials Breakfast was a brilliant initiative. • Keeping karters up to date, sponsors and media coverage at events. • This survey is a long over due and much appreicated initiative. Do more of this. • Well Run. Profesional organisation. Yes, you will get the haters & pessimists, but there is a HUGE silent majority of us • The AKA has good officials, clubs, tracks, revenue source, communication (who are probably the greater investors of cash) out here that appreciate AKA is methods to its membership, rule book a business and needs to be professionally run as one if the sport is to grow and • The fact that a national structure exists is a great starting point, and I assume that prosper, without personal self interests getting in the way.” the people running the AKA and state associations are real racing enthusiasts. • The AKA is generally well organised association to manage karting throughout • We love our racing, meeting of new drivers and going to different tracks, which I Australia. guess if not for the AKA , wouldn’t happen. • Well organized events and admin staff • Only new member and do not know yet, looks like it is well run • Keeping karting under some control that most people can and do understand • Ruling on engines,online entry,licence renewal on line, • Trying to keep the costs down for the average club karter • Rules are reasonably stable • Egaly involved new members • Events are well organised • The constant information avaliable for everyone. Always updated. • No big complaints • Good Website • Provides an avenue to teach kids how to drive and develop vehicle handling skills • The excellent social atmosphere that surrounds karting.Great way to meet people • good website and info with similar interests • It has a workable model that should function well if the people (Admin/Officials/ • The help I have got from other karters for my self a beginner has been great and volunteers/competitors) are committed. the information/knowledge I have taken on board from officials has been grate • Its not easy to deal with the size and diversity of sport, it needs rationalising. The help AKA have the foundation in place, promotion of the sport has improved. • The aka does its best to represent small/ remote clubs through the use of their • Fun Social side. The laugh at the end of the day! commentary section providing news clippings from all over the country and • Email communications providing details for events held by these clubs • One governing body that defines rules and regulations that maintain good safety • Continuing electronic updates of licences flag lights for the sport. • The positive aspects are that the cost of karting has been recognised as an issue • Karting is a great sport that should attract people of all ages. and steps are being taken to improve this and we should see an increase in new • It provides an opportunity for families to go racing together (both my son and karters and retention of karters on a tight budget. We need all levels of karter to myself race together).” be a strong Association. • CM:S. Greatest thing to happen to karting in 20 years.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are some of the positive aspects of the AKA?...ctd • Great for Driving skills and learing race craft, very social • Solid organization, seems to be on improve. Organizational structure a bit • This survey is a great idea. amatuerish at present. Comittee looking at Executive positions went beyond their • Offers close competitive racing for minimum outlay compared to other forms of mark motorsport • Cheap bitumen motorsport at reasonable cast • that whole family can get involved and great way to make friends • Good Communications • AKA web site is fantastic for everybody • It is progressing with the times as far as IT are concerned. We must continue to • Provides good officals at meetings assist volunteers with incentives, a timebook, that can be stamped or something • Represents the sport of the same that once it gets to a level gives them a 50% discount off an AKA • The weekly newsletter with all the latest info is very good . License for the following season, you could alter this trategy per club to suit • Good quality events individual needs of the club, but it would generate incentives for more people • Events such as the Brian Farley Memorial. This event has almost become as big to get involved , ensuring the meeting runs at less of a cost,saving money to as the Nationals for the Clubman drivers of Australia. you have all the top drivers subsidise the possible 50% discount for the hard workers. from around the country from Clubman light and heavy bolting lead on, or taking • Great family sport where everyone can get involved.. some off to race in tribute to a fraternity member. This shows the competitive • Promotions seem to be improving. nature the AKA thrive on by its competitors. the racing gets better each year. • I get great advice, newsletters are very informative • The introduction to the CYBERBULLYING policy that has been introduced and • Driver education of younger drivers explained by our Chaplin Howard Whitehouse. this is a key role in the expansion • Social aspects of meeting new people of the sport as a friendly and family oriented sport.” • The aka going online is a major improvement and the tv broadcasting deals get • Supporting young karters racing overseas. the sport out there a lot better • As a club level karter i believe that the AKA is doing a fine job of administering • Development of the sport, every rule change is shared with drivers asap our sport with recent programmes to encourage new racers / officials etc and also • Better thought put into the running of series events, discounts on accommodation, their support of the smaller country clubs by giving them access to bigger status entry costs are consistent throughout all clubs. meetings to encourage people within our sport to travel and compete at new • Meeting long time friends tracks. • Come and try trailer,good help with smaller clubs • Having a national series, which is a must for the credibility of the sport in the • I like that everyone is familiar with rules regulated by AKA and that we are mainstream. But should be formed of excisting classes for anybody already regularly informed. And that there is one central place that we can look to find out racing them to particapate, the connection between the club racer and the local everything that is going on in the kart world. racer with the national series is lost if they are racing some class that isn’t raced • Weekly newsletter for updated info anywhere else in the country. • It’s a great family Sport • A recognised national body with consistent national rules, linked through officially • Looking at member feedback and hopefully trim some dead wood recognised bodies (CAMS, FIA, etc). • The karting website providing online entry’s, event results and lap times is good. • I like the fact one license allows me to drive and race on many tracks. The state office is easy to contact. • To have control on the sport rules. • The AKA are very professional from my view point. It’s well structured and clear. • Nil • Bringing in new technology such as online results & transponders. • I believe the AKA are truely doing a great job, although it concerns me that alot • Keeps it’s members well informed on a weekly basis. The officials are generally of people within Karting let politics get invovled in Karting. Its a fun and family good and approachable environment, and we need to promote this alot more. • all forms of racing need good thinkig personal to steer the ship i believe the aka • Getting young members involved in motorsport has this very professional • Allowing the fantasic sport of Karting to operate at a professional yet fun level • We need a governing body to set realistic and viable rules using common sense. nationwide Generally done adequately. • Things like this survey where you can have your say and be involved • Social and driver Discapline • I think the practice licence is a great idea for new members

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are some of the positive aspects of the AKA?...ctd • One governing body @ a national level. We all know were we stand, & everyone • AKA have clear and consistant rules which cover all classes,and great information has the same rule book. on web for beginners like us • Largest number of karters and associated kart tracks in Australia makes racing • I think member involvement/information transfer between AKA and its members easier to enter into with larger class sizes has improved. • Ability to compete at a modest cost level in the base classes. • Affordable fun gave me my life back, just 1 day a month in the kart helps me get • It is a safe environment to race through the stress of work. • Continued focus on trying to reduce equipment costs of karting. • Great venues for karting, plenty of stewards and well organized • At all levels there is a passion for the sport to succeed. • excellent base on which to improve on in the future.... and great understanding of • Consistently trying to promote the sport.” the core fan base • Friendly and welcoming people • Communication with members,refining class restrictions,safety revisions, AKA is • From my own personal experience, the AKA has evolved over time and doing a great job. as technology has improved. I have never had any negative comments to • Techincal restrictions in an attempt to achieve partiy is good but the association make about the AKA for whom I have been a member for some time. As an should not be blind to the introduction of new engines or technology organisation, I see the AKA making positive improvements in the sport including • They are doing their best. But everyone complains. combining classes at meetings, and restrictions on tyres/engines etc to make it • Stuck to your guns with the CM;S despite severe critisism ( some of it deserved fair for all. ) but overall a really good system , that will serve us well,especially when the • Being involved in speedway aswell, i think the aka have a better structured in stewards function is sorted out!!! With all the turmoil this year there does seem to running meetings and efficiating. have been a shift in the management to be more pro active & listen to the grass • Development in technology. roots ( hence this survey) • I think karting is fantastic for teenagers before there let loose on our roads to get • Great fun for the younger (midget/rookie/juniors) ones to help with driver skills a much better idea in how to drive. But saying that responsible driving on our develpoment for later when its time to start driving a car, roads. It helps in reading the traffic and car control its a major plus. It should be • Every one that I have had anything to do with in the Karting world both at club and addressed at a national level. state level is more than happy to help me with what ever I need. • Race meets are run professionally, the officials are friendly but also strict • Great family sport and introduction to motorsport. • Great communication as of late via emails and newsletters. • governance • Adopting new technology like timing and use of CMS. • Individual state competitions under same rules allowing transfer between states. • I don’t have that many issues I’m more of a weekend warrior and just like to rock • Structured so that the whole family can be involved, friendly environment, media up have a few races and head home communications, professionalism. • Always changing, trying too improve • friendships,social aspects • Safe racing environment, encouraging respect for rules and officials. opportunity • Rules, officials, for competitors to develop both racing and personally. • Centralised organisation. Can provide credibility to titles. • The training and assessing of all officials in the sport. This has improved • Officials training dramatically over the years. Ability to implement change when mistakes in the • The opportunity to experience motorsport in a safe environment system are aknowlegeded. • Provides multiple levels of competition • Competition racing helps to improve driver skills for real life on road situations. • The high level of competition, and the professionalism. • It gives me an adrenaline rush when driving at high speeds knowing that its all • That it usually is a great day out racing and is lots of fun to get in behind the legal wheel and drive like there is no tomorrow • The weekly karting news emails pass on information well. The new online • Most people mean well for the sport. registration and results system works well. • Improvement in creating public awareness of the sport of karting • I believe as a whole it is a good organisation. The state titles I have been to are • The huge effort that volunteers put into the karting fraternity well run and have been fun to be involved with. • Great info and advertising of major events and well known drivers • The introduction of world class engines.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are some of the positive aspects of the AKA?...ctd to worry. • There is a wealth of knowledge about karting from the officals and events are well • Efforts to make entries, timing systems etc all online run. • Trying to make things equal • Overall want the sport to improve moving forward. • Rules and results are easily accessable by the web site • The move to a better management structure • Always kept up-to-date with information and dates of all the rounds for the season. • Fees and memberships are reasonable. When I started I received lots of advice on how to enter and compete at meetings. • It is a great social community for kids. • Some very committed officials at local meetings. Improving technology to make it easier to compete • Williness to listen to karters to improve the sports appeal to potential members. • The AKA has currently got some very knowledgable and approachable members eager to share the wealth of knowledge with those still coming up to speed. • I think CIK has been sucessful • The cost of a licence is quite good, much lower than it was previously. The organisation appears to be run very professionally which is evident through the appearance of officials and the way in which events are conducted especially major events. The AKA is doing its best to accomodate all classes of racing.. • The sport of Karting under the AKA banner is extremely competitive and the competitiveness is what makes this sport great. • The aka are very involved in promoting and advertising major meeting for everyone to see, with notebooks and reports which is good. • Come and try day trailer and karts (VKA?). Good way to try and bring people into the sport. • Becoming more technological in race entry and timing was a massive step • The aka’s introduction of the cms system is awesome its a great system and does not deserve the criticism its received,media promotion of the sport that is starting to occur is great • CMS, when it works, clubs need training, from the 4-5 club days I competed in last year, only once did CMS work properly. • I’m sure all AKA members do their best with the resources available (ie; volunteer work). i appreciate this as this allows me to do what i love, RACE • CIK promotion, how to go karting DVD, AKA web site • Always searching for new ways to improve sport • I think surveys like this are great to get everybody’s opinions to try to keep the sport moving forwards. • seems like the AKA is at least showing some concern on what is happening to the sport, we would travel more but between costs & time of work for Mum & Dad it is very hard. • I am learning to drive at a young age it great so when go on the road will not have

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are the major aspects that you believe need improvement? • Too many engines need to just have basics yamaha j clubman rotax tag dd2 and • I would like to see a clear path for the next 5 years and beyond depicting when 125 gearbox for those who have large budget the AKA is going to phase out the J” and introduce new long term technology • The consistency between big and small events EG- at a club day it is much less where a youngster can buy an engine and use it and upgrade it from junior or organized whereas at a national or state title it is very organised even midgets/rookies all the way to seniors. • Their lack of support for the Rotax Pro Tour and Rotax in general. • every club inforce same rules • The AKA needs to get onto the clubs that are just time wasters on club days. • Easier to obtain transponder, should sell at a kart shop when you submit your Some clubs require you to be at the track before 8am and the first bit of track time license perhaps. doesn’t start until 12pm. Its a joke, and this needs to be fixed up. • Proper communication with rule changes, for example the x30 weight was just • keep control dont get pushed around by other karting competers increased by 5kg. Very frustrating and doesn’t make sense to me and all my • Way too many stupid decisions eg. Tag Restricted. Poor promotion. Officials often karting friends focusing in trivial issues etc... • There could be so many positives but unfortunantly It appears that it has lost its • Regulators of the sport that are not financially conected through a club should be way and has no clear direction or plan for the karters or having the majority of banned as these people are not in the sport for for any other reason than their karters best interests as the highest priority. own gain. • Open up to scrutiny all the workings of the aka. If there is nothing to hide, hide • Employment of officials that truly are in it for the sport and not their own self nothing. have a clear and tranparent system for everything so that no one can promotion. accuse the coverning body of coruption and mismanagment. • Some people in the sport take it way to serious, so it would be good to work on • Sports profile and link to other forms of motorsport. Consider reduced race entry the education of parents so they are kept under control a little better. Maybe we to other motorsport events fro AKA members could have a ethics code of practice that they must abide by or suffer a severe • Issue licence cards every year free of charge transponders need to be cheaper, penalty. drivers represenative on race days to be consulted so that track saftey can be • Cost of Karting and moving through the sport into other forms of racing. improved when a concerned has been raised • Need to put a massive emphasis on recruiting people into the sport. More media • Promotion of the sport coverage and positive PR. Most karters have been involved for years or are • Country wide unity! TAG125(VIC) on MG Reds is ridiculus. Get rid of some of the returning. Need new members. older classes. ie F100. I know it is a big ask but I believe the KT100s needs to go • The over costs can be seen as very high its like paying rego for a car every year. soon too. I think that by need to have a AKA license is acceptable and been part of club is • Simplfied rules well and truly fine but the additional cost of club days adds up and if your not a • The governance of the sport as a whole needs a major shake up! Too many member you could still attend is frustrating as your a member and still pay the people involved at a governance level with vested interests. Has been a history of same. decisions made hurting the sport, ie clubman clutch fiasco. • Consistency of the rulebook - and more training of officials. • More support to clubs with their developments. • Simplify license renewals as they are to complicated, you should only have to • Ruling consistancy and rule changes swipe your card and renew it or some thing quite easy, current system is a joke • Support social karters more lots of us have been in motorsport a long time and as I am 36 and struggle with it, how are young kids going to go and they are out should be used to mentor young talent backbone of the sport!!! • Rules that are set need to be applied by officals, we do not want the “We did not • Strategic plan published for the next 5-10 years, rolled down to clubs. AKA see it approach” should import the tyres and the engines and the money made form this process • More transparency from people at the top. should be used for grants for clubs based on membership size. This will • Officals training to be changed from every year two once every 3 years encourage clubs to drive up their membership numbers • They need to be more pro active media wise when promoting the sport. ie there is • Less confusion about classes and tyres. More consistent application of rules and little or kartsport on TV penalties • The number of classes and parity. Introducing CNC engines across the board can • Number of classes. In the roughly fourteen years since I have been out of the only improve the sport. sport, to come back there is just too many classes which in turn effect numbers.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are the major aspects that you believe need improvement?...ctd • Less conferences, which cost the karter money; more phone hook-ups instead. • Cost of licenses could be reduced. It was also annoying that when I was starting • AKA reps need to visit the states-and talk to the karters at grass roots level- not out I had to pay more for my license just at champioships!” • Long term goal for classes and chassis/engine regulations • New track for Sydney Metro area. • Promotion of the sport • You need to take a good look at Motorcyling Australia their entry fees for club • Possible discount for initial joining days and state titles are a lot more affordable • Club politics, especially between the to NSW Speedway Kart Clubs. • Addressing costs and catering to as many parties as possible • The need for all clubs to have addequate club officials to run their own club days • Get rid of the comer engine as you can only use it for one class or put the weight plus extras to cover for others. The AKA need to assist the smaller country clubs up to the same as the J to make it fair. as most are doing it very hard. • Tyres in open 125 should stay as yellows If competiors are complaining the price • The rule for come try days might be ok for the city where you get a number arrive go to Restricted. but in the country we need to get them when we can so they don’t go and go • More publicity for regional events. Get back to the grass roots classes. surfing etc so we need to be able to give them a drive and they mostly come one • The aka needs to start looking at the larger percentage of its membership and at a time. start catering to them, if it fails to lisin to its customers they will go elsewhere. Not • Simplifying the rules an regulations for new people an every body example engine everyone in karting is going to invest the larger amounts of cash to run these new changes at tracks, having to lug engine an kart to tech shed, should just have to tag classes. The humble old Yamaha 100 classes have been keeping the clubs a give an engine number an get a tag! “ float for twenty years because of there affordably. • planning for the future,more consistancy with rulings and abolish monetary fines • Stability. Take for instance the introduction of compulsory clutches as apposed • There are no alot of classes however the number of competitors in each class to direct drive. This was an on again off again issue and was finally dropped. appears to have decreased. Perhaps getting rid of classes that are similar to As a strict budget karter there was alot of dollars spend that I could have spent reduce the classes, increase competitors in each class and as a result, have elsewhere. Also in the clubman class there has been numerous rule changes more track time per class that have seemed to just line the pockets of... someone... countless exhaust pipe • There are to many people with roles of power who have a vested interest in changes, con rods that are legal & then not, clutches, airboxes... all things that karting i.e: Kart shop owners who are delegates haven’t done alot for the development of the sport, just cost the grass roots kart a • Cost of licenses and general entry cost swag of cash. • Consistancy in enforcing rules/ official training. anything to assist clubs to run • What happened with the ARC project? I’d loved to be corrected if I’m wrong special meetings but according to ARC you commissioned them to make an engine that would • Time at events. Make it easier for West Austalian participants to participate in be electric start & with an interchangeable barrel that you could change classes national and state events easily. It seemed the way of the future, backed by the AKA. They did a mighty • Better understanding on how the AKA works job but unfortunately had some teething problem that were sorted, but by that • The AKA needs to be more transparent and allow all members to see time the AKA dropped it like a hot potato, and now they are shafted all together. correspondence. The more we know, the better decisions can be made to further Sad an Australian made product that was not supported by those who asked for improve the sport. it. I will miss my ARC A1. Now I have to cut a great hole in my sidepod, yuck, • Accountability of people in charge who let that idea get homologated? • A need to move with the times and dispense with outdated systems and karts • Moratorium on rule changes - this years agenda to be incorporated in next years • A lot of meeting are just overlooked and sometimes cancelled because of poor rules, at the earliest! By then they might have had time to think about some of the advertising or poor support and that can ruin weekends when you have paid crap they try and introduce. money already to get ready. example is the horsepower heaven. • Professionals running the sport • Better education and clarification of the rules and their administration. A motor • Overseeing clubs and their interpretations of the rules that can be used in more than one class. • Greater communication between AKA and clubs concerning decisions and • Get some professionalism into management. Stop the protracted bouts of petty reasons for decisions this will stop the us vs them attitude bickering. • Less classes and more in line with international rules

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are the major aspects that you believe need improvement?...ctd • Stop trying to bow down to pressure of adding extra classes. We need to leave • The compentance of the race day officicals. Reduce the number of motor & the classes as is for a least 10 years so numbers can have a chance to grow. technical alteration. ie if it isn’t broken don’t try and fix it. eg why outlaw the arc in • More club days/come and try days to bring new members in junior clubman? • Only coming back into karting so no comments on this yet, everything seems ok. • More consistent engine rules regarding modification and performance. More • Acceptance of Prokart as a legitimate equal form of karting. powers regarding poor sportsmanship. • Promotion of ALL karting events. Less classes (do we need a national title for • From our clubs point of view I believe we need more oppurtunity for have a go SNL and SNH??? It has only survived because it is a cheap clubday class. Put it days so I guess as a whole there needs to be more awareness to the general back there) and continued support of the CIK. It is great for the media attention of public that it is an affordable sport which provides a perfect family enviroment our star karters. Just spread some love to the little clubs too. and in our case one which is enjoyed by three generations . Another problem • Less infighting , more consistant rulings across the board. Less stupid rules that commonly plays a big part in our race meeetings is sometimes the lack of particularly for club events which some clubs enforce to the letter of the law while volunteers / Officials and without their generosity we can’t go racing . others are more relaxed and should be considering most people compete at a • To many officials are in it for themselves and not for the benefit of karting costs of club level for fun. karting in australia are to expensive in australia eg a heat sensor in australia for • Being able to communicate directly with a mutual person in the AKA without my Jmax cost $195 in usa it cost me $75 WHY? having to rely on our club to voice our concern when it may involve a club issue • Eaiser said than done. but long days at the track for such few laps is a drag • Less cost in running aka stable rules for karting in general. Rules should stay the and its been like that for 10-15 years but of late has got a little worst with more same for min 3 years same as tyre tender classes being added states are worst than nationals. eg no rotax,leop midgets • Probably more personal contact..this survey is a great start. • More online procesessing and payments. • Maybe the prices of the overall karting. And also try and fix up the internet page a • There are to many classes and different engines. My father builds go kart engines bit more. for a job and said the Vortex engines should be used for midget and rookies. • Even though I have just spent a small fortune on engine purchase I feel the $ • I belive there are to many classes. New members have to many options(which is factor in Rookie level especially is crazy. I felt that without a top engine i was not always a bad thing), but they will spend there money and a class and in a few wasting our time. months realise thay have picked the wrong class and then need to spend even • Consistant uniformatity. The money hungry sharks that rip off the karters & further money and getting in to the right class. Also I believe Midgets/Rookies inexperienced. A seperate unbias officials body. “ and Juniors should all be using the same engine. I belive we need to look at what • Race time at events. We give up a whole weekend, and often weekdays, for is being done overseas in regards to the junior classes. In most cases they just sometimes only 25 racing laps. use the one motor and as they move up a class(age class) they just change the • Motor parity in the junior ranks, theree is a lot of money spent getting a J motor header pipe, exhaust and carbie, not a whole engine as is the case here. While that goes well and can compete with the sponsored drivers. Dad is worried that bringing in transponders has on a whole been a good thing for the sport and the J will be worth nothing at some stage when changes are made after spending makes it easier for the club to run a meeting it just adds to the cost of new karts to a lot to get me a good motor. the sport. I believe every club should be given a certain amount of transponders • Costs, live within your means and dont go straight for the rise prices on licences, that they can rent(at a low cost) to new karters when they first join), that money live within your means can first be used to pay for the transponders and then once they are paid for the • Too many class’s. Costs of engines. Changing your minds in regards to complied club can make some money. motors (eg.ARC W/C) • Value for money, currently to many classes supported reducing the amount of • Consistency of engines. If you want to run at the front of the pack in junior or racing available per class, clubman, you have to pay big money for good” or “exceptional” engines. In • Country wide rules. leopard it is chassis setup and driver skill that win. The rotax cnc barrel needs to • We need to reduce the amount of classes to the reduce the time between races be enforced as there are a few unexplainably fast rotax’s out there. and get more laps. If this was done we might get spectators to the sport. I don’t • More control from the officals, of what happens in races on the track. karts just invite people to watch me race as it can be 1 1/2 hours between races and I am pushed off the curcuit in competetion. only on the track for maybe 10 min. • Driver training for young drivers

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are the major aspects that you believe need improvement?...ctd • Employ people with knowledge and experience in assisting clubs in designing • Attraction of new karters and retention on existing ones by having a consistent enjoyable race meetings. No guidance is given (and most of those in a position rule set. of power now are not qualified to give it) on how to run a race meeting well. The • Must be more forthcoming with financials. same systems are in place that have been there since karting has been run • 2012 rule book sent at start of year as i have recently renewed my membership since the 1960’s. Give encouragement to privately run events like QLD Super and only just recieved my 2011 rule book Cheap Series, Kalgoorlie Race, Rotax Pro Tour, Coffs Harbour Yamaha race • More track time,lower race entry fee,lower licence fees. and guide and encourage them. Someone in the AKA give Kim White a call and • Less classes shorter title weekends need to move to tag engines to reduce oh&s ask him how he ran the Wollongong Pro Kart Masters in the 1990’s so well that issuses as if problem arises it falls back onto the karters money 2000 spectators were paying $5 at the gate to come and watch 1 Senior(yes 1) • Indepedance, and professional Goverance by professional experinced people, professional race over 40 laps!” not want a be’s that failed to get a sit at there local council. • Too many vested interests, not necessarily aligned to the Club karter. • To many classes. We need to keep things simple, and affordable. • Licence cost vs. Visible return to karter. Percieved lack of real decision making / • Reduce classes at both State and National titles. Both State and National titles promotion. “ should be run in the same format as the CIK. • Number of classes and different types of engines • CIK pay their own way.Less classes and engines.More laps.More money for • Number of classes needs to be reduced. Training Officials and Drivers.Less jaunts-TV hookups for meetings.Quicker • More direction in providing policies and procedures for the clubs.” decisions.Governance-Professionals on the board with experience. • Less classes.Adopt the engine mods proposed by Strike Industries for the • Consistency of rules across the entire country Yamaha J engine • Current management needs to be removed and replaced by people who put other • Rule book classes need to be reduced i.e. tag125 should be for state and national peoples intrests first and not their own comp. And classes shouldn’t be run if there are not enough racers to make a • Less adult classes class. • Looking after club-level racers - what class(es) are they being directed towards? • The tag restricted licence is a debacle How is their value for money and enjoyment being looked at by the AKA? • Alot of money goes into CIK more money and encouragement should go into • Officials need to be consistent in their penalties. junior categories and development we are the lifeline of the sport. • Straight forward rules that are enforced for everyone.” • Cost reduction • Class Structure and race meeting structure. Look at the classes listed above in • Politics your own survey - 33!!!!! Just ridiculous. NOT EVERY CLASS NEEDS MULTIPLE • The rules need to be a bit more stable and be the same across australia WEIGHT DIVISIONS!!! Just watch how successful Senior National will be in 2012 • The AKA does not inform the general public about karting.All media is directed to and copy that with TaG, perhaps Junior National, even Senior Clubman does not people already in karting. really need a ‘Super heavy’ class if the Light and Heavy weights are correct.TaG • Consistant rules between states eg sportsman 125. Restricted; they’re just new to the sport and have 100 other things to learn before • Get rid of at least half the classes! in the 90’s karting was huge because there worrying about being uncompetitive from being 2kgs overweight - TaG R should was only a handful of classes now days its absird how many there are so you sit never have been put in Light and Heavy divisions, put 30 guys in a race give them at the track all day for only about 30 to 40 laps 20 lap finals and watch them 1) learn 2) improve 3) have fun! • Keep a close eye on the quality of some not all officials.AKA must promote the • If they bring in a rule they need to stick to it eg. compulsory clutches for sport through media. Suport the clubs. clubmans fell through • Rules to stay the same, be stable, and be simple. Class structure to stay the • It is not particularly so user friendly for people who just want to drive socially, same over time. occasionally or for people to try without a significant investment. • More involvment at club level. • Not having too many changes from year to year, having a direction, so karters can • Advertising to the general public buy gear that will last aperiod of time • Engine parity so the man with the best engine doesnt have such an advantage • Stop the politics and infighting. Concentrate on advancing the sport, not self • Some officials need to use their power when needed and not just say dont do it interest. again or not see the incident at all

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are the major aspects that you believe need improvement?...ctd • Engine parity across the board • The AKA needs to promote all forms of Go Karting all around Australia not just • Alignment with other countries classes, on the East Coast. There is a perception over here that the West dosent matter • Tighter control on components in rookies like wheel type etc because we are so far away. • Reduced fees, for drivers and clubs. and im against the change to only one senior • There are too many classes. Pick one or two engines for some time in the future national class, as a heavy i’m now selling my national kart cause i basically don’t so people have the chance to get one etc. It will be hard because of all the have any chance to be competitive against guys much lighter. manufactures but its what has to happen to make karting great again in australia. • Reduce the number of classes, • Give the country clubs back there second meeting we don’t all have endless • Ensure competitors are racing within the rules, support junior racing to attract new money Wimmera kart club held two great meetings a year now we are expected families to survive on 1 this is a huge joke and an insult to the average karters • Broaden the opportunity for peopleto get involved • Advertising and major sponsorship to get karters to the track • AKA need a business plan (5 - 10 years) distributed to all karters detailing their • Fees are too high on things like license and transponders plans for the future ie classes, engines, tyres etc to give karters proper direction • A Push to improve the rule implementation at State series events. They are more for the future lax, but total a lot more competitors and should teach better racing, not let so • Officals to keep a close eye on racing incidents to keep the peace in the pits many things slip by. • Helping reduce the coste of the sport to karters most importantly. • More assistance / mentoring for new drivers. It’s not enough to just buy a kart you • Value at race meets - state bodies when approving supp regs not only need to have help new drivers and build their knowledge - instead of flag days people look at the technicalities but also need to apply a set of value guidelines before should help new drivers! approving. Some events are short term profiteering at the expense of the sport • More junior development for regional kids and we, as a karting community, need to take more steps to control that. • The cost of racing is difficult for people in, and trying to get into karting. Initial • A rule book that is simple classes that are simple ( less choice ) costs are sky high with licences, membership, transponder, then along with your • more open and friendly to us involve drivers more apparel, kart, engine, and tyres; by here costs are easily over $5000. • Clear rules to help the competitor understand, and officials like Rod Clee and tech • Also, Advertising of Come’n’Try days, events ranging from club days to CIK level, tech steward Les Allen who are willing to help and explain rules. needs to be more evident and frequent to the public to engage their interest; this • Become more professional, get professionals and pay them would get more people enquiring about the sport. • Consistency in rules and inability to seperate classes dispite having the numbers. • My next class is Rookies and all i hear about is ‘J’ engines and how different they • Media Coverage of all states not just Eastern states, and reducing the cost of can be in performance. So to overcome that problem we hear that some people competition spend a lot of money on the engines to obtain very good ones. It seems like a • Track time.. Seriously - In an entire year I have managed to get friends to very unhealthy situation for what is an introductory level for a young competitor meetings 3 times, its hard to say to someone come watch me i’ll be on 3 times who is new to the sport. I know that a committee is reviewing this and I hope that randomly selected between 6am and 7pm. maybe seniors only days juniors only the outcome is a positive one for users of this engine. I really wish that this wasn’t days ( I know the officials would need to do more work ).. Less Classes! Shorter such an issue because at such a young age and with so much to learn and deal Days! I know CMS is being developed but it needs to look a lot nicer (why not put with, it’s an unwanted concern that talent can be overshadowed, even if its just a nice skin over it?) online payment should be real time for credit cards / paypal; the perception. It would be nice to have more competitions for members to enter think online store style.. direct deposits to bank accounts are not ideal. I haven’t to get a ticket (or two) to a race or event somewhere. owned a chequebook in my life - and money orders cost $4. processing a credit • Better marketing of the sport as family fun. And promote the sport to schools as a card shouldn’t cost $3 either technology incentive encourage school projects in design. • consistancy with rule interperation • The sport of karting is becoming to expensive for the average Joe, Licence, club • Rule stability, there are constant changes to the rules which are extremely membership, Maintance ect ect the list goes on and yet the rules keep changing frustrating and expensive. which eventually makes it more expensive. • Make CMS mandatory for all clubs and races. Enhance a online payment • Open and trueful conduct from the aka and officals from the top down possibility to CMS • Class reduction at state level at least • Better comunication of rule/class changes

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are the major aspects that you believe need improvement?...ctd • Some officials attitude • Less Classes at club level and more track time. • Professional management. • Consistency in officials judgements and interpretation of the rules • Transperancy of operation • Better and more flexible funding arrangements made available to clubs and their • Properly researched decisions members for things such as Track lights, electronic Flag points, transponders, • Using overseas experience” trach extensions and club facilities • Less classes. • Affordability (less cost involved rule changes, Membership fees, Etc) • Keep it simple. There are far more sophisticated levels of motor sports if people • Driver training want to have tight control. Keep karting simple and easy. • Reduce classes to a maximum of 6, min 30 lap heats and 35 lap finals. Better • For too long there has been a monopoly with licences, tyres and spare parts. This training officials who enforce the rules and are consitent has driven up the price of Karting and made a select few rich. Stop dancing to the • People involved with signing up new members must be more available and more rich. friendly. growth of the sport is all about new members and if its so hard to join • All sportsmen need proactive leadership, not reactive. A willingness to succeed, then people will put it in the too hard basket and take up another sport evolve and adapt. Thats what we do at a race meet. • Transperancy of management • Reducing classes • Promotion. I attended a Fast Track racing event, where most of the drivers where • Eliminating high cost classes and promoting low cost classes Ex=karters, Prefect place for promotion! • Immediately move toward implementation of governance without delay • Bring down cost why are kart parts and motors so expencive • Greater enforcement of rules concerning unacceptable behaviour by participants • Way too many classes , its crazy , some of the older classes such as clubman and parents. Provide greater encouragement and participation at the lower levels. should be removed , move with the times and newer engines. • Rule changes that occasionally seem to be contradictory, something legal • Only can compete at State titles in the state that you are licened in then pick the becomes illegal, then legal again competitors for the nationals to avoid over subscibed classes • Less rule changes. Better quality of tyres. Less financial outlay to competitors (eg • The aka could maybe look at promoting the sport a tad more in certain states to transponders being compulsory) increase numbers! im not sure how things are going in qld,vic,nsw but there is def • Some of the conditions of ameities. Some of the small clubs dont have toilet door to many people in south australia that got no idea about what the sport of karting locks, or enough toilets to cater for large attendances (Ballarat, GKCV,Eastern is! when they do see it there baffled! Lions). Also, on multiple day events, get them cleaned overnight. • Timing of events. • Rule consistency, conflicts of interest all over the place • To actually set some rules and limit the number of classes in Australia. This • The TAG Class is full of beginers and no other classes get many beginers. Also would send a clear message to suppliers.Conferences are not required in this class should not be offered at State Title Level eg Tas State Titles. ideallic holiday destinations.Use the facilities that Clubs have built up to show a • Better knowledge to new comers of the way meetings are run etc maybe make connection between the executive and the clubs.need more focus on Karting in new senior licence holders do the flag day before they enter their first race the media. meeting. I did and I found it to give me better knowledge of Karting up close and • On track incident review. Being part of a few on track bingles that haven’t been listening to what is being said and what is going on. “ adressed appropriately is very frustrating and can lead to karters leaving the • We can go to some tracks and use common sense and other events you will be sport. If every club were to have 1 or even two cameras recording the race. penalised for it Incidents can be reviewed correctly without any doubt in what actually happened. • AKA NSW need to get a club owned track in Sydney. Make CIK more accessible • Technical Officers at a State or National Level should not have kart blanche on to non-A graders. who what and when they decide to check a kart. ALL top 5 finishers should be • Professional Executive Management. checked for the same issues. • The main reason people walk away from the sport is the lack of discipline for • Wet weather racing....Red battery operated flashing lights on rear of seats known smash & bash drivers - having to put money up front to have a hearing mandatory for all classes. “ when it should be sighted by officials in race. Nothing gets done unless you spit • Not easily being able to get live race timing is bewildering with all the other sports the dummy. who manage it. This should be addressed. • Too many two day meetings

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are the major aspects that you believe need improvement?...ctd • Review of the need for such adiversity of classes, and more oppenness to the • Think of cost efficentcy for multiple family drivers possibility of an entry level 4 stroke class for beginners (mostly Junior beginners) • Write a rule book and stick to the classes in that book. Get rid of made up classes • Classes - Less or more combined like TAG. • More consistent rules. For example, you changed the rules in relation to rotax • Track grading to suit country areas engine eligibility this year. I had to sell two engines and buy another one, however • Testing technology before implementing it. I only race at club level. The administration of the AKA need to understand that • To cocentrate on cost effective racing we are not rich racing drivers and silly rules like that will drive people out of the • More focus on the Karters being the customer. Especially at club level officials sport. can loose sight off why the event is running. We all are thankful for the volunteer • More consistent approach to officials during race meeting and the removal of dirty roles etc race craft out of the sport. • Employ a qualified management structure, not ex-karters who want to relive their • Long term plan -either plan (5-10 yrs)for future changes eg new engines etc, or glory ensure stability in current classes. As a Rotax competitor this hasn’t been an • Change to the governance model as outlined around 2005 so that clubs are given issue for me (except for the new barrel but I am buying a new kart anyway so not the vote. More votes greater consensus. Use the electronic media to reduced a big issue) but can see that people in other (Yamaha) classes could have issues costs of administering more voters. Call for agenda items, Email agenda, invite and need some direction either way. comment from clubs, review comments, vote with further comments from negative • Controling costs and limiting the amount of new classes simply to many classes voters as to reasons. All this without face to face meetings. Clubs should also be • The race day format. With the 3 heat method, it’s designed to encourage racing, able to send out there response to the agenda for members comments/vote prior however you have tracks in Australia that are small and tight that dont encourage to submitting. racing. So this caused kart collisions, fights, money etc. Make the day run as • No fines. Penalty time or exclusions. I race on a budget so a fine could sideline practise, quali, and 25-30 lap final. Better for the flow of karts, and the racing is me. done by lack of fitness, tyre deg, missing the setup as you’re not on track every • Standard engines no blue printing. Introduce engines that provide a level playing half an hour, etc. Also, run open performance at club days field. • Homologation of parts is a joke in favour of karting industry stake holders. As an • CIK to have 1 stand alone race, such as an oceania championship for KF1, KZ2 example I have run a red clutch which failed within 2 meetings killing an engine, and KF3, with open engines to increase NZ and possibly european competitors. strike clutch destroyed itself within 6 meetings and I have had 2 tomar clutches This could help with licensing for more aus drivers to do international karting within a year even though the Tomar is the most reliable of the lot. All clutches competititons were fitted by my engine builder upon rebuilds and all are within my Engine • Officials need to charge drivers who always smash their way through the field. Builder opinion and mine as a Mechanical Engineer to be of poor design, build • Transparency, less ability for state bodies to deviate from national class rules, quality and reliability. I’m certain there must be something on the market that is reduced cost of racing and more laps at meets. Easy to understand and reduced reliable and reasonably economical. I know of a few karters who have left the class structure, less rule changes. sport over the clutch fiasco inconjunction with other similar experiences. • As mentioned earlier; the average (biggest percentage) karter needs to feel like • Some common sense when enforcing rules and less personal decisions. they/we are a priority in the AKA’s future business plan. Also, if SPEED on Foxtel • Stewardings care factor can have repeats of speedway solo’s etc, I can’t understand why at least CIK • Let more individuals into market to sell products. can’t get a slot to boost our sport’s coverage. • Class restructure • There are way too many classes. theres 29 classes!! you dnt need rotax light • Experienced, qualified and intelligent management. rotax heavy leapoard light leopard heavy etc if you have tag. cut back on the • Track time. Limited classes equals bigger fields and more track time classes so you get bigger fields in the classes that you are left with, and the • More consistant officials racing becomes more exciting for everyone involded. no one wants to pay entry • Listen to the matters and do more stuff like this survey fees tyres etc to go and race against 2 or 3 other people! • Better value for karting in regards to time verses laps. More future planning. • Loose the out dated yamaha engines and have an engine that can be used from • There are too many classes, TAG 125 classes are a mess, and there are too few cadets to seniors with power increase as you get older competitors.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are the major aspects that you believe need improvement?...ctd they want. Get rid of all the classes in the AKA book and put on 8-10 classes in • Licencing for outsiders with a motorport back ground. no d and c grade if you covering all areas. Do not get rid of gearbox as this is about the only class people have more than 2 years racing experiance are excited about at the moment. It’s consistnt at every event and gives people • Reduction of classes, more track time at meeting without having to run until something new and structured. 10pm!! • Continued growth both in competitors, profile & on technical aspects - from sign in • To make more social type events to karts & engines • More visible at club level all we hear about are the big national events. • More open/easier communication for the competitor to be involved to the rule Remember that new competitor at national level come from state level clubs. I changing process. have never seen an AKA person at our club. • Why do we race rotax at club level and not at a national level you can only race • Attitude from the National Body down. Your attitude is dictorial and one lives in the rotax series if you have a lot of money for travel etc. stop changing rules outside Victoria and NSW...well the perception is....well forget it mate. and regs every year which in turn ends up costing the competitor a lot of money. • Organise the class structure at race meetings better. All of the classes we have eg rotax barrels (cnc) electric starters for clubman (which some people bought do have merit, but running to many on one day is impossible to create value for and then rule change again) remember this is a sport where you can be a serious the karter. racer or a racer who goes racing for the enjoyment and friendship of racing • Coming from Europe, I can tell you there are far too many classes and too many • Focusing a little more on juniors & club level racing. weight classes. It reduces the track time on a race day and make it for a very long • Official training as I beleieve they lack consistency when it comes to certain day...Also it means all classes are about 10 -15 people while reducing the classes drivers allowing know drivers to get away with more then unknown driver new to number will make it bigger classes, 20-30 drivers, so more exciting racing...It will that track also encourage people to race more because they will always find some people • The reduction of Classes, some need to be removed all together. to race against... • Starts appear to always be an issue, so there needs to be concise rules with clear • Focus on new technology and we will move forward. consequences which need to be strictly and consistently adhered to by officials. • Better communication between karters and the aka • Getting more officials, and less classes and more tracktime. • Renewal of tendered contracts ie tyres exhauasts air boxs • To look moore into diffrent types of engines that are been use around the world, • More information about getting in to Karting. and get karting up todate with that, insted of using old inconsistant engines. • Monitoring of officials eg: consistent decisions • Uniform knowledge and coordination of officials and staff at events so that • Promotional activities need to be increased issues at one meeting are not mirrored at others. this would involve each club • I believe we need to improve tracks, build new tracks and streamline the direction highlighting and publishing their issues and the way in which they fixed them in of karting in Australia order that clubs can learn from oneanother. • Promotion and Costs, its all about the dollars. • Improved transparency at an organisational level and improved consistency and • Need to spend more money and time promoting the sport to people who are not profesionalism of stewarding, too many stories of stewards making too many involved or don’t even know about the AKA to get more into the sport inconsitent decisions. • The cost of karting is really what hits my karting experience. Paying entry, • Perhaps the use of technology could be better. At present (and perhaps its my especially state titles, tyres, engine rebuilds on top of what I expect to pay for lack of understanding) there is no practise logs of times on mylaps with the use travel and accom is hard for me sometimes. of the transponder. Perhaps the AKA could look into this? More communication • I Would like the AKA to become more directly involved with the promotion / with glossy newsletters with lots of pictures would be good. Perhaps all clubs can running of race meetings, demand a minimum standard that MUST be met contrubute to one national newsletter which may be viewed on an online e reader. • The management of dates it seems that there is aalways a clash of dates for • Improved retention of members, more focus on bringing new members into the some of the larger meets sport • To many race classes. • They need to find a more cost effective way of charging for licenses. There is no • The difference in classes between states is the load of shit. less than ten years value for money in them. ago every club would have the same classes everyweekend as to what another • Requirment to have 3 months left on club membership in order to renew licence. club would have halfway across the counrtry. Problem is AKA lets clubs do what Needs to be reduced as not all licence dates coincide with m’ship renewal dates.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are the major aspects that you believe need improvement?...ctd karting to the people which inturn created more members. there needs to be • Unified approach to control of the sport.ie State v National people that can promote karting to the people and somehow convince the • Better promotion of the sport, better information for new or interested members Government that karting needs to be in schools to develop road users skills on about the correct path into the sport. Who to contact or a single contact they can the road. which would then grow our sport hugely. talk to and feel free to ask questions to. • Inconsistency of officials interpertation of rules. • Board of management to review and run Karting in Australia as was initially • Removing 125 restrictor classes from competition.The people are entering proposed. Too many with vested interests to protect and not enough emphassis the gates in a 300+ horsepower ute,yet are restricted on the track on a 28 on the karter/member and the long tem sustainable future of our sport. horsepower kart engine. 3 meetings on P plates is sufficient without further • Communications being clear concise and without interpretation restricting the competitor for a further 6 meets on a restrictor plate. • Sorting out this new sportsman class think its great for club & and interclub race • Getting people to take the step up after restricted. meets such as golden power series but for all stars, state closed title meets • Return the emphasis of the sport back onto the majority membership (club level should be rotax/ and realy need to police driving standards instead of worring members) - Stop spending outrageous amounts promoting events that represent about little things(ect) red pine stripes on numbers a minority and use it to support and promote events that benefit the majority • Trying to keep basic costs down (ie licences, entry fees) to keep the sport • I know it’s been said, but fewer classes would be nice. It would allow everyone to affordable and morepeople involved. Also more media to attract more competitors focus on getting each class. to the sport. • Engines you would only need 1 to 2 engines if water cooled engines like the • Introductory costs for new starters into the sport. minimax and micromax not the 7 comers I have just to run midgets with 2 kids. • Class weights. Society is getting bigger and the class weights haven’t changed in Also the three or so major karting (suppliers) influences need to be addressed. a long time specially Junior levels of the sport Not every one needs to make money for a beginner sport • Eliminate the people who have their own agenda rather than have an interest for • The aka is introducing too many class variations which just reduces the numbers the sport itself and for the karter who it’s meant to be all about. in each class. • Get the classes sorted out and make them Australia wide with the same rules and • To spend less on CIK events where 3% of karters race and more on entry level stick with them for at least 5 years. Also get rid of the licence restrictions in the drivers and state classes 125 classes. • More club meetings and more local promotions in each club region • Advertising and promoting karting. Getting people to come out and watch by • More events needed for regional karters. getting advertising and radio. Its great racing but no ones knows anything about it. • Lack of communication about up coming rule changes to competitors and • Too many individuals look after themselves and family. club commities are too members, lack of transparency regarding financial and business position, lack of involved with politics. a set vision for australian karting. • Rules interpretation and implementation of new rules • More promotions, media, track time, prizes, recognition. • Go back to the older classes none of these multiple tag classes thus forgetting • Return investment at a local club level to assist the financial viability of local clubs about the traditional classes and ranks. and assistance in promoting the sport • Improvement of rules and regulations and enforcing them. • The overall marketing and communication strategy appears to target those • Make it easier for me possible new karters to try the sport without upfront costs. already involved in the sport. Although exhibit stands are in the public eye; their • reduced startup costs and a consistent method of administration from national to reach in comparison to more traditional forms of advertising i.e. TV is somewhat club level limited. Advertising during selected events i.e. AGP, and Bathurst would extend • Engine builder sealing the reach. Consider even advertising on AGP TV to patrons of the GP. • To lower costs for race meetings because some people who are good enough to • Public promotion of the sport. race in big meetings just can’t afford it. • Reduce cost • Being able to pay event entry fees online when you are registering would be • I belive they need to work harder on promoting the sport to make it more great. I also feel that there needs to be more track time per meeting. accessable to more people that don’t know about it. • Karting needs promotoing big time. the numbers have dropped from when I was • Transperency of how the AKA run, in regards to their meetings and the way rule heavily involved in racing in the late 90s. There was street races that brought changes are decided. As well as introducing governance.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are the major aspects that you believe need improvement?...ctd • Junior Development and a guided transition to encourage social practice • Consistency by clubs and officials participants to step up to competition. • Enforcement of the rules especially dangerous driving • A reduction in the amount of classes with to many different engine types being • All clubs to use the online entry system, and of course the use of the timing imported. I feel the combination of all various engines into the Sportsman Class is system. My club continues to provide excuses as to why results are not placed the way to reducing classes and increasing grids. I also feel that the need to own online in a reasonable timeframe.” a “SPECIAL” clubman or J engine is not a good thing. • Cutting down the number of classes so that remaining classes can have more • Return focus back to cheap racing with plenty of laps and no waiting around. track time. Having to get to a race track at 6.30 in the morning and not leave until dark is • Maybe local government involvement for yonger drivers rebaits etc. The sport in boring and a waste of time. AKA is becoming more a rich mans sport. • Accountability, transparency • Rule book is not read enough - suggest regular short email on most important info • Focus on rules that develop skills of drivers rather than the latest technolgy, if e.g, This weeks Rule; Yellow flag = Danger reduce speed necessary have a specific race class for those technically minded people with • Focusing on keeping some of the current liscence holders happy so they continue money to burn. karting • Importance placed more towards families not just the racers. • Having been in the sport during the 1990’ I strongly feel that the AKA has never • Younger officials truly gone after its target audience via mainstream advertising Also dictate to • Maybe more focus on competitor behaviour on track. But would need more sets the industry what the competitors want not what the industry wish’s to flog the of eyes(ie more officals) competitor • National body with national rules...currently too much variation state to state... • Clubs need to be able to better communicate with the AKA about issues, rather Also needs to get rid of the Sportsman/taG idea and let run wulebook classes...if that it have to go through state level first, where it can take months to get an Leopard can not survive on it’s own let it die answer about an issue, and sometimes never get a response at all. • Promotion at ground/club level. • Track safety • Reduction of classes. Merging clubman and restricted 125 classes. Merging • Cost of licences, especially for those who can’t utilize them every race ( work Leopard and Rotax. commitments ) • Get fair and workable insurance coverage that covers all concerned in the • Professionalism. Have a PAID group of Race Organisers and Stewards that are process of racing. subjected to ongoing training in each state to run all non club based meetings. • Interstate promotion of upcoming events so if you are in SA you are made aware • Karting needs to be more affordable, as many people like myself find it very of interstate meets without having to refer to each clubs individual calanders. difficult at times to continue racing. As alot of drivers are also interested in other types of motorsports such as V8 • All officials to have the same interpritation of the rules. Supercars, it would be good if major calander events did not clash with things like • Implementation of better software for race entries and live timing, as well as Bathurst. introducing classes with greater parity and phasing out air-cooled engines. • Governance as voted years ago to be introduced must be introduced. • Officials are not trained, there is still too much personality involved and this • Emphasis put into long term consistent rules (including TRUE governance by should be removed. Ideal is to have all Geelong officials only at Todd road for business oriented people who are qualified for the position) and promotion of the instance, then they are strangers, or at least not associated so closely with the sport. competitors on the day and will look at their job rather than worry about family/ • Classes need to be cut down. Stop all these promotor classes. Find good friends. engines, classes, weights and tyres and stick by your decision. People will • More money from AKA filtered back to the Clubs. complain always about everything in life. Can’t keep everyone happy but if • Officials !! The way they conduct and handle themselves are most times you stop changing things people will learn to adapt and we will get big fields, unacceptable towards competitors and pitcrew. enjoyable, close racing and with Australia’s environment I think looking to • Grass roots of karting, development of younger cleaner drivers to keep the sport overseas and what they do is a waste of time. How you will get people involved or safe. stay involved is simple in Australia. Keep costs down and fun up. • Officials Taking control over race incidents, instead of conpetitors • licence renewal

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are the major aspects that you believe need improvement?...ctd • Penalize the idiots that think shunting is a good driving skill and promote good • Make the Sport Less Expensive sportmanship. Among other minor improvements • Promotion of the sport through the media to give the kids who want a career in • The online entry part of the AKA website is very unfriendly and confusing motorsport some exposure to other avenues. I would like to see a motorsport • Money grants or help for less wealthy clubs show dedicated to the junior racers of motorsport • Media media media!! get tv / radio coverage is a must! • Reduce classes spread state titles over multiple rounds • Stop changing the rules every year & stop letting importers control the class rules • Governence. Do what the AKA agreed to do some time ago and appoint a board. ie: rotax classes on mojo & leopard on MG, Let it be the drivers choice. It’s a big business now and needs to be run that way. • get rid of rotax & leopard classes and just run TAG” • Removing all the separate engine classes at club days and leave engine classes • Stewards need to actually ‘umpire’ the racing and not do something only after a for Title meets. Need a way to find parity between classes and race together on driver has paid to put in a complaint. nominated tyres - this happens partialy already with clubman and 125 in Qld, • There are WAY too many classes at race meetings, this needs to be reduced. I participate and believe parity is very close. This will make larger fields and • Officials consistency, lower class weights shorter days at the track. In saying that clubs should be allowed to run the classes • Transparency in running of organisation that are supported by the local members - why run TAG 125 in no Rotax and all • Eliminate percivied castle building” leopard engines?? • More generic engine types at state/national level(Championships)i.e. sportsman • This is a class issue more than a sport issue, It seems that to get a comptetive J class not engine class engine you need to spend $3000ish, not sure how you solve that, but, it is what • Listen to what the racers want. I’m struggling with at the moment. A standard CNC machined barrel phased in • Stewards at State and National titles need to be watching the racing more so that over a few years? if there is a problem in racing they see it, engine measuring should not be able to • Better direction through the hierachy of the AKA. At the moment it seems like the be done by someone who has a family member that builds engines in the sport. AKA is lost a little and the loss of members across the board is not a good sign. • Keeping up with technology, being open with the Competitors about what the The members are the ones paying the bills, but at times is does not feel like we sport is doing, and creating an easy, cheap and straight-forward way to try out/ are getting looked after. start karting • Reduce the amount of classes. • The durability of tyres. Lasting only 3 events is just not good enough for a entry • Restructure on how the sport is governed (abolish states?); those elected into level motorsport category. 10 years ago you’d easily get 10 meetings out of tyres positions must possess relevant skills, and also demonstrate knowledge of • Track conditions at some clubs correct & constitutional processes etc; transparency of decisions/outcomes • It is hard as officials are volunteers but a bit more consistency and officials acting • Continual rule changes, too many classes, perceived parity problems, lack of on odious things as some competitors seem to keep getting away with things. support for new drivers/competitors. • Comercial interest should not influence our sport, Atlas Engine, ARC engine, the • Restructure classes , part rotax from state and national events cast cylinder yamahas should have been fazed out years ago and should never • Media promotion at state & club level be allowed in championships events • The main issue at club days we have is there are incidents that happen during • Less restrictive licensing, less promoter based classes at club days. racing that the competitor should be pulled up on however when a complaint is • Less classes per meeting. Would rather have less meetings offered and more raise none of the officials of the day were watching the racing, this disheartens time per meetings (ie Senior meeting only and Junior meeting only). competitors and leaves some wondering what the officials are there for. • How seriously some officials take themselves. • No consistancy at all. I race every weekend at all diferent tracks and every week • Tyre technology consistent rules to many classes the rules are different, Not one rule for one and another rule for another. • Consistency of Officialdom • Reduce costs of entries and practise • Better flow of information - we learn more from the web than we do our • There are obvious cheating in the sport. More rigid rules and consistent Association” scrutineering to make it a even playing field • Reduce costs, classes and minimize rule changes • Track time and official training. Too many incidents are occurring without official • Less so called improvements and get back to grass roots karting. intervention which is leading to poor racing and too much contact • Upholding rules consistenly.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are the major aspects that you believe need improvement?...ctd consistently and fairly managed by race officials, as often these types of incidents • A engine that be used from midgets to senior eg rotax or x30 by restricting engine are ignored. • Better management/more media coverage/utilising encouragement from V8 and • Lowering age for training drivers.. F1 drivers • Recruitmnet of officials. • Officials and their ability to lay down the rules. This is a hard one as people give • Licence costs reduced and not increased. up their time to officiate and who at the end of the day likes to be abused. • Some changes seem to be driven by vested interests rather than for the good of • Get rid of TAG restricted. make it leopard light/heavy. rotax light and heavy. the the sport. only way to race these classes is at pro tour • Licence restrictions creating another class (tag restricted) we are aldults and • A program to help newcommers to the sport. A mentoring program to show things should be able to move up to unrestricted sooner and possibly a points cap so like kart setup instead of just having to figure it out for ourselves people are made to move up to rotax tag ect and keep restricted a novice class • Initial costs, excessive license & entry fees. More junior dev camps in our area. • I believe the aka needs to do more to stamp out bad sportsmanship between • Technical rule changes have cost us dearly since we started karting eg. clutches, competitors at events. whether it be between drivers, drivers and officals, airbox, transponders i think there are to many classes in small clubs i think if you parents, parents and officals ect. What people need to realise is that people we cut classes you would increase the number in other competing classes have pity disagreements for eg officals are there donating their own time and • The A.K.A needs to urgently address the problem of Sydney drivers not having effort to help give everyone a good time and to promote the growth of karting in a track that is solely for A.K.A members to both practice and race on.Even when australia. These disagreements are also witnessed by spectators and members the Eastern Creek track was operational often we were denied access because of the public and it is important for people to realise the this does have a negative of the commercial hire of karts.And to take my son who is just starting in karts impact on the growth of karting. costs sixty dollars each time .If we both practice its double.The A.K.A.needs to • Red tape in licence upgrades,its all electronic so results ect should be noted so secure funds to build a track and facilities before promoting the sport in Sydney that upgrades are done automatically as people will leave the sport quicker than they joined as is the evidence being • Less classes showed to date. • Reduced costs • Fair ruling to all people karters not just the elite karters • Engines are my gripe, in 5 years dad has bought 6 engines as I have gone from • More competitor involvement of decision making, consistency in rules state to Juniors to Seniors. The biggest waste was the 3 water cooled ARC’s we used for state, club to club 2 years. • I think entry level costs , getting started • Have a 3 or 4 year plan for changes and stick to it • Listen to the karters • Common rules for tag 125 / sportsman 125 across the country. Then once this is • Class stability sorted replace Leopard with this at the nationals. • More officalls and more consistent rules • The AKA need to change the rule to stop clubs refusing entry to drivers competing • Engines in classes has now become too confusing. and not giving a valid reason. Every meeting weather it be club,state or national, • Parity in performance needs looking at especially ‘J’ engines should record all minutes and make them public so their is no cover ups. All clubs • Less rule changes regarding classes espeacially rotax should be held accountable for their actions. • Governance and transparency. You have to engage those that race and pay the • The polotics. Support more series and events, not just CIK. bills (your customers). This isn’t always the driver. AKA needs to assist drivers to • Cheaper entry costs and licencing costs. grow personal sponsorships by providing attendance data, demographics, sport’s • Definatley the cost of licenses and the cost of tyres. strategic & marketing plans, so competitors can take these to potential sponsors. • Better training opportunities and support for newcomers,particularly in regional • Continued awareness to technology changes/improvements and comunication of areas changes • more structure at events and more training for officials and helpers,it would • Technical focus on engines, removing the old expensive yamaha engines, reduce some of the conflict that i have seen at some events as a helper reduction in the number of classes racing at events • Transparency of the leadership group • Marketing and Communication • Forward planning in relation to the future of different classes • The punishment to karters who deliberately make contact with others needs to be • Rear plastic crash bars should be compulsory

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are the major aspects that you believe need improvement?...ctd • Sort out the officials and have one set of rules for everyone • As a longtime competitor I haven’t seen the sport of karting progress as much as I • More help for new comers and made easier would have hoped.. Mostly due to a quite an increasing number of officials getting • Stewarding is too inconsistent and not strict enough it wrong and being extremely rude to myself,my son and Ive seen to my other • Minimise classes to create bigger fields karting competitors.. We just want to race and have a great day without being • The rules being changed all the time, to many things to complain about and get treated like a 5 year old at school.. I see again and again.. Fortunately for me I’m away with things by different rules. Too much restrictors and P plates is rediculous going be around alot longer than most of the offenders.. So in a nutshell, Cheer especially for people who have raced motorsport before, if Sebatian Vettle hadn’t up all officials and do your job that u are supposed to do and give us the respect raced karts for 6 years and wanted to start again he could go anywhere in the that we deserve and you may get it back in return world race the same classes as anyone come to Australia and be told, here’s your • Needs to take control of the sport too encourage up and coming karters for the P plate and restrictor, just silly. future of the sport.Not too be run by the kart manufactures, too make the rules • Sport promotion, rewards for volunteers/officials and the cost of the sport to minimum. • Need to look at reducing classes at major events and overall club meets • Better reporting and advertising at club level • Official Training, TAG classes are a mess and no consistency between states. • Longer suspensions for repeat offenders of cheating and delibrate contact of kart Parity between tag engines is shocking. Need more promoter classes ie leopard. • Class regulations, existing members bending rules to suit them. Now that a firm ruling has been made on tyre choice for 2012. Some don’t want to • Lack of transparancy from our leaders, lack of strong leadership. Too many run open leopard / tag on incorrect tyres. classes, too much unnecasary time at events for example at NSW Southern State • There is an excessive number of classes. Reducing the number is good for new Rounds need to be there 7.00am Sat to finish at say 4.00pm and back again participants, would keep costs down and reduce waitint time at race meets. Sunday 7.00am and finish at 12.00 midday when could run event on Sunday only. • Safety. Why doesn’t Australia make rear bars complusory like Europe? Make Saturday all day practice for those who have the time. • AKA should assist with developing more tracks. The Gold Coast doesn’t have • The senior AKA level needs to be run by a governance board made up of a track nearby and Brisbane residents need to drive to Ipswich. This does representative and expert directors. The board should be chaired by a encourage participation. recognised motorsport identity. • Officials decisions needs to be consistent and by the book. • officals to be tuffer an contact of karts and i dont meen bump drafting as i have • Improved direction of sport to create stable and consistent seen at home i meen being taken out they stand in the right places put thay never • Less wastage (ie look at cost cutting)and a review of the promoter classes to see anythink if u cracked down on it you would keep more members i now a lot combine to minimize classes (as done in WA) of members who have stop karting because of officials not doing anythink come • More practical Training sessions for new Stewards - start with a handful of basic down on it they will stop doing it and it will be safer for all information then progress in stages with mini-exams before progressing to the • Class Stability, and too many classes overall which reduce classes to 3 and 4 next level. I left my introductory session bored and with no concept of what people at each meeting function I was meant to be performing. • For rules to remain the same and not to change and since we only run speedway • Don’t make changes on karts that makes it to expensive for karters , one the rotax wish there was more tracks and for rules between aka and skaa to be more tyres are a killer they are just to expensive you can only get 2 race meeting in the simaliar if this was the case i think it would atracked more competitors country with the one set of tyres you can’t go to many race meetings • Training of on track officals, Relying on too many inexperienced volunteers. • More thorough scruitineering at events because there are a lot of people out there • More backing from aka to smaller county clubs to run major events to help build trying different cheating techniques that they know they will get away with - which them up and put them on the map makes it extremely frustrating and unfair for those doing the right thing.. Too • Information regarding kart set ups, engine tuning and competative tips for karters much money involved to be competing against cheats - and not being able to do who do not have the opportunity for major track time and practice. anything about it. • Maybe cut out some of the ‘dead wood’ in the management and administration of • Recruitment and training of officials. the AKA. Too many in the organisation that haven’t moved with the times. • Consistency in implementing rules during race meetings • Rationalising the sport fron an unbiased position, needs a commission in charge • Bring parity in the classes especially rotax with jetting should be the same rules like the AFL etc as overseas

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are the major aspects that you believe need improvement?...ctd one want to compete so a cheaper non comp licence would be good • Enforcing contact of kart rules, Need to have officials who watch all areas of the • Better awareness in the local community and a drive to get involved in club level track and are responsible for handing out penalties to the offending drivers, The racing. When i first got involved i didn’t where to start even though i had previous currect system of the driver having to take another driver to the stewarts is totaly exposure as my dad used to race when i was younger. Once I got on the track it a waste of time and money was hard to get info out of many people (even at club level) on basic kart setup, • Looking at the overall running costs of AKA to clubs equipment maintenance etc. • The cost of racing state and national titles • Maybe AKA could create quick reference sheets that could be distributed with • Needing to make the racing a more level playing field. The “little guys” have licence or filtered down through the club as well. trouble competeing with the larger factory/large sponsored racers as they do not • Not to run club events against other clubs in their state have the same budget. • Driver behaviour on track. • Stewards; they need to follow through with penalties, and keep constancy • Tighten up on infringements and be more diligent during race observations and • Listen to the members, they are the bread and butter not the committee. address issue directly • Introduce jnmax engine into clubman classes /no j engine in Caddets sw80 only • CMS needs a major overhaul considering it has cost millions to setup and • More support to the regional clubs. nearly every event I have been to have had trouble. We also need to take • Transparency, bang for buck,testing of fuel, tyres and parc ferme. away the monopoly that a couple of dealers here in australia have. ie cheaper • Need to phase out yamaha J and S motors tyres,engines etc. • Firstly make the parity issue work. Get rid of the Comer, J and Clubby motors. • Too many changes in rotax e g barrels.to many classes in rotax and tag 125.since Lets get with the rest of the world. Stop promoting the sport so much to the most people race for the world championship,why not use a restrictor in rotax light already converted, we need new competitors. and tag125 to bring the performance equal to the heavy class and use harder • Recruiting and retaining officials tyres that last several meetings and are more fun to drive on • Politics in the AKA drag the sport down • In the country the stupid rule that b and c grade can not go up and down.. of • Transparency is the main issue. All AKA members need to see all the course keep a grade and d but the rest should be one grade.you still prove ability correspondence that affects their racing. before you can drive open 125 of course. • Help with smaller clubs out west with organisation • Professional conducted engine scruitineering of engines at major meetings • Promotion of the sport is very poor at the moment. When I tell people I race • Grading of licences - B and A grade too easy to obtain, especially B Grade, has karts many of them ask if it has an engine. They think of home made billy no value, competitors need to prove their ability before being upgraded karts etc. Costs are blowing out due to everything from entry fees, travel and • State Championships - not enough racing laps accommodation costs and equipment costs. Accommodation is the biggest waste • National Championships - should be by invitation based on results, not every man of money. I believe if tracks were assisted to install good shower blocks more and his dog, ie Rotax Nationals - some competitors had only just recieved their people would travel to attend meets as it would allow free camping. Look at upgraded licence that week and basically never driven competitively in that class, how successful combined districts club is with providing good showers and free which was proven by the number of accidents. camping. • More communication with new members • Get involved in co-ordinating the racing program so that regionally the clubs are • More testing on engines, fuel and much better tyres for junior national classes not clashing weekends or days. • Costs as that is the hardest part for the average person or family • Too many classes, officials ignoring rules for friends. • Better comunication eg i have been a member now fora month or so buthave not • Needs to be run as a professional body with future plans. received my licence yet (still have Temp) • Officals and better motors ie micro max • Ease of new members from other raceing types learning the procedures and • Must be run with International CIK rules for SoK culture of the karting scene • Better education for beginners in the sport. Improvement in effeciency at race • Training, eas of use and participation meetings. More track time at championship rounds but less days. ie split classes • Continually putting people through courses to become officals . or reduce classes • Consistency in decisions regarding club support • I will always pay for a licence because I love to drive my kart how ever no every • Rule changes being ammended to many times causing extra cost in the sport!

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are the major aspects that you believe need improvement?...ctd • Visibility and accessibility of karting for those interested in motorsport, but do not • Interpretation of rules by different officials. There is MAJOR inconsistency in know about karting. the way different officials see the rules at events across the bored. Also, the re • Improve family friendliness - for competitors and spectators. introduction of MANDATORY scrutineering by TRAINED officials is a must. We • Continual research exiting karters to find out why they are leaving and act on all want the best and fairest to win. but we want it to be safe. lets be honest. findings (needs to be quarterly public reporting).” NO ONE! checks their karts before they hand in their form to race secretary. • Run it as a Business Marshall’s such as Bob Blackman, has systematic ways of checking over your • Spend some serious money on TV kart and would point out anything that was not in compliance with the rules that • Rules and regulations for classes especially tag seem to be changing all the time your kart may have. with this out, many people may be cheating without knowing. • Engine scutineering not just the top three places at random competitor told when this will decrease the number of participants at race meetings and in our sport as in dummy grid prior to race start that there kart will be checked straight after the it shows a sense of lack of care by the AKA towards clean and respectful racinf conclution of the race. • The consistency between big and small meets. At big meets it is very organised, • Better qualified and experienced officials. wheras at small meets it is very disorganised. • There shouldn’t be an excuse that officials are volunteers and should be • Maybe more fun day for family & friends respected because of this fact. Officials will be respected if they do their job • Overheads & licence fees professionally regardless if they are volunteers or not. • The waste of funds. Money needs to be put back into the sport, to get more • Additional training in people skills and public addressing must be given to officials. people into karting. And advertise our sport. Karters should not be treated like kids in a school ground. I have seen to much of • Testing of parity between engines for combined classes (ie) when running TAG this nonsense at club level racing. restricted with Clubman. • Surely there is a better way to sign in for a race meeting where you don’t have to • Keep rules the same as long as possible line up for 30 minutes. Maybe online. • Better implementing of current and new rules and regulations eg Yamaha 100s • Price of entry fees. clutches. Cut out some classes and make them club day only, eg senior nationl • Basically have only one engine make for the majority of classes classes!!! • MORE COMUNICATION BETWEEN ALL CLUBS • More officials, less classes • I believe we need to Move away from the J, and more in a European direction. • Keeping a lid on consistency and cost control Atleast towards a NZ direction. The J is a valuable engine however should be left • AKA need an easy to use beginners engine. When I started a bought a Rotax at a club level. Our Rookies and Juniors should move directly into a Restricted (open on d grade licence). As a beginner it was easy to use, it started and i drove Clubman, and then Clubman / Rotax class. This will improve our competitiveness it, restarted when i spun out. I switched to clubman after 7 years because at on an International Stage, which thanks to people like D. Sera, P. Lehane, J. club was now all clubman. I have spent many frustrating hours since to make it Mawson etc is really starting to put us on the map in the past 18mths. perform, carby problems, had lots of advice, spin and out of race. It is not as nice • AKA officials with vested interests open or hidden eg unfair restrictions on midget as tag kart. For a beginner in the sport, trying to make a J or S run for the first j engine forcing comer use. time must turn them off the sport Tag restricted is an option but there needs to be • Stricter Control of the meetings by the AKA appointed officials. an easy to run beginner hassle free engine. It could be Tag air cooled 100/125cc • Consistency! if one person is to be fined/penalised for one thing then others low reving about 12hp with a long period between rebuilds, arrive and drive. A cnc should be for the same thing too. major lack of consistency. Also some race machined J cylinder is not the answer. There must be a good beginners engine meetings run too slow, and late. somewhere in the world. • Reduce amount of classes and gentile transition to all TAG (support from kart • Clarification of classes eg tag and sportsman unity across Australia shops to encourage all new people away from the yamaha classes) • track officials should be watching the races and penalising infringments like “punt • No rule changes middle of the season Offs” and not placing the onus on the driver to complain before anything is done. • More events for novice karters eg;c grade cup • Karting is way too many classes, to complex. Needs to be simple so we can just • More info and support for the regional people and clubs that love racing and come and have fun getting together to have a good time and not just the big races which have all the • We will need to foresee moving forward with technology big guys with money that just take it too seriously

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are the major aspects that you believe need improvement?...ctd • Too many rules and spec changes • More promotion and training sessions (Driver) • Promotion of Karting itself in TV media and picture theatres • More advertising for those who have no idea that karting exists, because • Why don’t we use more modern technology. My father does not want me to go to not every random out there subscribes to the AKA newsletter or gets kartoz Rookies because of the J engine he says magazines • Be more transparent about rules and do tell every one a certain rule will be • Media involvement, but it was much better this year. implemented the retract the rule at the last minute after competitors have spent • For TaG 1 engine for all classes to many weights (etc)can’t get 4-5 engines to be thousands of dollars preparing for rule changes and example of this is the clutch on the same playing field 1 engine for 1 class fiasco • Need to realise that rule changes cost competitors money and therefore drive • Continue to talk to & listen to the karters ( you,ll never make those *(&*^% holes some of them out of the sport. happy that small % that continually critises but never does anything ) there is a • Cut the costs some officals need to learn to talk to kides and get off there high lot of excellent people in karting with good intentions & great ideas , their only horse !!! agenda is to make it better. TALK to these people. The AKA cannot have all the • Gene pool of top karters, that may not have the money to enter formula ford or answers or know everything. an opptunity at least, because this sport is the breading ground for the future of • Reintroduce practice only liscence for those who want to have a go before four-wheeled motor sport in general because true talent may not have the money commiting to the competition side of it. to buy a ride, but they one day might have an opportunity to be looked at, with the • standardising throughout the country AKA being a mandatory stepping stone into mainstream motorsport. • Attitude to the people that make the sport (racers) and their families should be • One thing that the AKA should be controling is parents have to much to say, the adjusted and more like a business would treat a customer. For this the AKA sport is about the kids. people shoiuld be paid for the efforts they put in • More awareness on self funding drivers..... some sort of privateers award.... to • Definite future directions without the influence of the wants of the industry. Parity keep the self made driver, and not factory supported, intrested in motors espesially entry level. Comer / J parity is a total joke. Junior clubman • Supporting WA events more motor to be water cooled and consistent with senior motors ie leopard X30 so that • Need to listen to the Club Day Racers, as these guys are the ones you need to it can progress to senior ranks at no cost. keep racing, not always the elite racers. • Training officials to be more consistant with rulings and penalty’s and less biast • In my brief experiance this organisation needs to be more business like, stick to over competitors agreed criteria / rules ie introduction of the new rule for aluminium alloy rim size • To make a decision and stick to that decision all year instead of changing rules restrictions is poorly done as there was no consultation. the emphasis by the (in relation to classes / tyres etc) every couple of months, or the night before a organisation to push karters into TAG125 rather that engine based classes but meeting!!! still removing the only 4stroke option (biland) and not looking to introduce other • Promotion, Discounts for officials who both race and officiate 4stroke options into TAG125 ie the swissauto. major changes like engines rims, • Just getting back involved with my son. too soon to comment. ignitions need a longer phase in period, the technical details sheet for rotax is • listen to the members. Stop making it harder for budget racers. somewhat along that path, but the phased in period for club racers needs to be • Reduction/accumulation of classes longer. • Improved safety - fit rear bumpers to all karts so that they are less likely to flip • Continue to promote the sport as much as possible... The more people involve over. the better. • Training and overseeing that officials are consistently enforcing the rules of • They need to listen to how competitors like a meeting to run , one day meeting driving at any event. are great • More scrutiny of engines at club level to ensure that the competitors racing at club • Make sure the officals “see” on track incidents level are racing within the rules specified for that class. • Cheaper parts eg I can buy a non genuine drive cog for $35 but I need to buy • More come&try,more flexable regs especially after club days for interested genuine for $70! So if the part is not going to effect performance then perhaps we patrons that want to try out a drive. can save some money to make it easier to compete • Policing of unsportsmanlike driving needs to improve so everyone can enjoy a • Media coverage at regional/city series days racing without the fear of being “taken out” every race.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are the major aspects that you believe need improvement?...ctd to make every possible combination have parity. Just specify the capacity, weight, • Their greediness is a main turn off for karters. The lack of publicity in the sport of permissible mods (in general - not for every possible combination), tyres for a karting, and the level of cheating that occurs. class and let the racers race. All we have is rule-book racing. Who cares if brand • Less classes - let the market (the karters) decide what motors get run in x”” with mod “”y”” is 0.1 seconds faster - if it is then everyone will eventually get each classes. Have a look at MX you will have 4 manufacturers in the 250cc a brand “”x”” so what? The reality is that someone will figure out a mod for brand class. For example have a 125 cc class and if leopards or whatever are not “”z”” and make it just as good.””” competitive then they will not be run. Stop making new classes to accommodate • Get rid of J-engines and introduce a modern engine that is even and affordable uncompetative equipment and breaking down classes to ridiculous levels ie for all. lepard pre 2009 with flux capacitor. If it is horsepower you are worried about set • The 125cc categories are my major concern as they are the future of world a max HP limit and seal the engines at the begining of the season - make people karting and if Australia does not get it right the bad taste left in the mouths of tune for drivability using carb at the track. many will ruin 125cc racing. Classes need to be bought back in line with there • Class weights for Under 16 yo. As a 14yo I am way over weight for all Junior own category rules and for there initial purpose and im sorry but you can’t group classes. This is because I have grown (181cm). I know many 14 to 15yo in the it all together and call it sportsman or tagr. I have recently replaced all my 125 same position. There is no point racing just to make up numbers when you are gear with clubman equipment because I can race a stable format that is less 20kg over weight and therefore not competitive. Some leave the sport, I race just dependant on which brand engine you have, as it completely ruins the racing. clubdays. To go up early I need 6 endorsements after I turn 15 to go to a 100cc Even at club level the disorganisation of clubs leads them to running a pro weight class - this is a reduction in power to my JMax. Also this would be after July and for a heavy guy like me it is not worth turning up when I cant race my weight. clubday, and with only 4 more clubdays till end of year, would not be worth buying So in the first 12 months back in the sport Ive already spent 5k on engines with another motor. purchasing and rebuilds for no real gain to me at all. • Too many classes. • More technology requiring less people to run meetings • The implemtations of rules and officals need to be more consistant in their • Thinking the problem and issues out completely before trying to implement a decision making, and if the cost of everything wasnt so high. if things where more solution, eg. clubman compulsory clutch case. affordable then it would get me and alot more people competing in more race • Moving the industry with the times, i.e. moving to reliable and consistent four events. stroke engines just like every other form of motorsport. • Long term direction of the sport. ie a road map for the next 10 years • Too political • Consistency of rule interpretation and reduction in class numbers • Lack of direction in terms of engines for the future • AKA should supplie tyers at a low cost to karters while getting some income ie mg • Out of touch in a lot of areas reds @$150.00 /set • More base level support in reference to track upgrades etc etc. • Support and following of drivers at there local clubs, developing new drivers and • Ensuring that classes which use the J engines are retained and that karting is not advertising to bring new people into the sport completely taken over by higher powered engines. • Promotion and attracting new members, as well as the cost of racing. The number • Try to reduce costs for all karters (eg entry fees/tyres etc), especially those who of classes also needs to be addressed, because there aren’t enough people to fill are new to the sport or those wish to race at club meetings and not State/National all the classes and then nobody gets a good race level. Many karters have families who race also, so the need to keep costs • Advertising.getting our sport out there for all to see & increasing numbers down is a major issue, and one that could ultimately be the difference between participating. especially in reagonal areas like darwin. someone staying in the sport and not. • More up to date use of technologies with media, timing systems and member • Promoting the sport to its full potential, such as media (tv commercials) communication • Communication with clubs. More fairness. • The unhealthy influence kart importers/distributors/manufacturers/etc have in • Definatley the P plate system. This is the 3rd time I`ve had to do my P plates. decision making. I won at Collie starting from the back,2nd meet back. Karters who have held a • ALL karts MUST be self starting (TAG) as soon as possible. Push starting should licence and are coming back into it should only have to do 1 P plate meet and only be an option for Vintage/Veteran karts. a flag day and then at the officials descretion to take there rightful spot in to the • There is far too many rules and classes. You don’t HAVE to make enough rules field. Its stopping a lot of older karters returning to the sport. Seriously.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are the major aspects that you believe need improvement?...ctd left for this reason.Even when they havnt been involved in the dispute. Bad and • Over complicated rules. The vast majority are just weekend hacks that are inconsistant application of rules damages the officials and the sports creditability. the ones thatkeep the sport going. Not everyone is going to F1. Fines for joe • To not introduce new classes. average at club or regional level for minor offences drive people avay in droves. • Could supply rent or lease transponders to new racers.” • JNL series - engine new $900.00 full blue print/winning engine - $3000.00 total • Change there attitude at events and get rid of the old boy mentality.Come up with $4000.00 WHY?? WE NEED A CHEAPER UNIVERSAL BARREL / PISTON to new ideas on running of events(safety karts to start events, shoot outs for the get everyone on an equal footing. IE: cheeper racing = more entries = less cost = top ten positions.) Stop biaise towards members of there clubs when officiating closer racing. The cream will always rise, but at an affordable price. events. • More consistancy and less rule changes in short space of time. • Engines for classes need to be reduced • Rules and regulations need to be more consistent and stop changing. Attitude • Stewarding - consistancy , more exposure towards karting, more thorough engine of some officials - it feels like a ‘them and us’ mentality .. and the power gets to measuring. some officials • Reduce the number of different 125 classes available to only one, except for • I think that the tyre cost is a major issue also I work away on the mines so only single engine series eg rotax pro tour etc. make about 6 to 8 events a year so the licence renewal andmeberships are a little • Consistency of rules.. too may changes. weights engines classes. club level rules high for the amount of race time alot of us fly in out workers get are made up to suit the chosen few • The way new class’s are implemented. eg - I competed in TAG restricted before • Decisions need to be made to benefit smaller clubs etc. funding, amount of the reg changes forced the need for the new green leopard CDI, then beadlock, stewards needed after that I gave up. If you are making changes please do so with consultation of • Support for regional clubs similar to the AFL. Consistent rules, put a monitorium the karters, after all they are the people spending the money and time each week on rule changes for 12 months. to remain within the framework • Advertising regional events • Lower costing • The ongoing politics at NKC level and also at SKC level. New people need to be • Less classes put in charge at that end of the sport and these people need to have come from • Bring in low cost entry level karting competing. • Promotion and media coverage. • Perhaps recognise the achievers who do not compete in all the series, but are • More even coverage accross Australia through print and social media by not making small milestones at their club days. focusing on one state more than another. • To concentrate more on the average racer instead of the few so called richer elite • Long term strategy for introduction of new classes and retirement of old classes drivers. • It’s a hard thing but the attitudes between city members and country members, • More consultation with competitors before changing rules for classes. ie weight and this is at all levels, its really obivious at SKC meetings. NSW does not stand change for x30 engine in sportsman this year. for newcastle, sydney and wollingong. • More consistant rules and implement them • Less classes. running old technology with new, just isn’t close enough and never • A more professional executive who have the knowledge and commitment of will be exact. running the sport on a national basis, for all karters. • Better camping facilities at the grounds • Quicker meeting makes it good for traveling and less time for all the volenteers • Costs of racing at state and national level • Incompetant officials. • Making sure all engines are running equal power without the high costs of • Need to reduce cost of participation. blueprinting and still ending up with a rubbish engine • The continual changing of rules (e.g. the standard airbox) • Money taken in licenses etc. does not seem to be getting passed down to the • Promotional material to the general public is awful, I’ve never seen a brochure, clubs who need it. Too much money goes into the CIK meets in which only a very leaflet, TV ad etc. telling people to start racing. small percentage of people race. The money needs to go to making the sport • Must have penaltys for dangerous drivers (not fines) but lose points or start at more affordable for the low budget karters, not into subsidising the top drivers back of grid. Teach the Juniors thats its not ok to deliberatly run into to someone (who generally have much more money) and their exclusive championships. else. • Cosistent application of rules. Many karters I have seen leave the sport have • Number of classes

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are the major aspects that you believe need improvement?...ctd • Lowering the cost of the sport which i know is difficult but truth is many people • Classes need to be reduced. Way too many . Too much time waisted. The licence cannot afford the cost of running up the front in the sport and if they are not fees are expensive and the timing systems . Expensive for new beginer. towards the front they seem to get discouraged. • Interpretation of rules by officials • CMS, communication from the AKA/VKA through Kartbook, 3 tier licence system • Reduction of classes at meetings. To allow more track time. to make it cheaper for club level competitors. • Get rid of all the politics about a couple of kart distributors run the AKA basically. • I dont believe in these Sportsman classes. clubman light has lost competitors to They are the only ones who ever get anything approved. Look into doing what this in SA Europe do cut down on classes and stay with the times get rid of clubman and j • Reduce costs (fees) for yearly membership, work closer with state level clubs to and comer they laugh at us about this and i know it for a fact they belong out on promote the sport more at grass roots rice patty fields. • AKA licence and membership cost is too expensive. AIDKA licence and • Think about the consequences to your bread and butter karter when making membership is only $260! changes...ie engines barrels / tyres etc. Financial pressure could see us leave the • Stability in leadership and governance sport • More development days for the young on track lessons • Less money spending,ie aka functions. penalties handed to drivers that they can • Standardised rules not protest against and more often. • Transparency of governance • Rules need to be more clearly defined, Advertising of the sport needs to be more • I would like to see a set time allowed in restricted classes to increase numbers in ‘in your face’ (e.g. A demo race at a V8 Supercars meet) and the AKA committee open classes which in turn increases the level of racing. needs to be seen in a better light by it’s members. • Consistency with officials decisions • Reduction of costs buy having less dealer marketed items ie more controled on • Reducing the number of clases,to allow you to race a good size field not turn up hubs rims etc. to race 4 karts in 6 classes • Introduction of newcomers to the sport • Get up to date with the rules & their interpretation some competitors break the • More consistency in the rules and less changes to the classes, Fewer classes at rules but get off on technicalities as the rules are not clear enough, I think it is state and national championshiops and more laps high time for a good look at the weights in the junior classes as like myself I am • Some of the classes need to be removed. This is going to anger many people nearly 6 foot tall & I am not fat but I have to go to Seniors as I am way to heavy to however the amount of track time at club race days is becoming less with the be competitive in Juniors, this is wrong as I have just turned 15. I know I am not introduction of more classes. This may mean the collapse of clubman which i the only kid with these issues. believe is along with j’s still the closest and best racing however something needs • State bodies are not necessary to be done. • Track time for competitors,1/2 hour track time for a 12 hour day sucks. • Way too many classes. Some common sense needs to be brought back when • Cost control with stable rules officials are ruling instead of everything being black and white such as a kart • We need a professional board of directors who are responsible for the showing up and not allowed to race as the kart numbers don’t comply. Surely management and future direction of our sport. These people need to be held things like this can be let slip for one meeting. accountable for the decisions they make as you would expect in any multi million • The AKA need to listen to what the drivers need and want and discuss these dollar industry. issues with the drivers. Ie- an open forum. It seems the AKA do not take into • Decisions need to be more thought about, they need to be better for the future of account what drivers want and just do what they think is best. karting. • I believe more involvement with clubs and club day racers need to be considered. • My mum said we should get government and insurance Compary’s in to the sport I also think the aka need to find a better way of trying to bring new people into the to help with the money needed to stop the road toll. Mum thinks if you get the sport and get more competitiors in classes government to help get the child at young age to do one day a week go karting • As above. As i get older I will take more notice of what the AKA actually does. in there schools it will get rid of road toll and give jods to Officails. The sport will • Advertising-recruitment of more participants. At our club we have lots of senior grow and Officials should stick to rule book not use to when they want to. drivers but very minimal juniors! • Officials, at the moment they dont police the scummy driving I havent seen a • Lower race fees, lower license fees. Listen to the karters black flag issued for years

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd What are the major aspects that you believe need improvement?...ctd • Promotion advertise karting more • It would be useful if they held sponsorship nights and also help educate serious karters on how to solicit sponsorship successfully • Cost reduction and parity • Less classes and more laps at events • Karting has alot of potential in this country.It is only running about half pace at the moment.We need fresh ideas,We need to follow what europe and other countries are doing as we seem to be so far behind them how can we beat them if we dont have same rules instead of the cowboys rules we have,We need to change our old ways and move forward.Does the AKA want to help our drivers kick butt overseas or what?Most kids are using Karting as a stepping stone to bigger things in motorsport.The AKA should be helping them acheive that. • Stricter stewarding on driver behaviour. It’s like anarchy out there sometimes where nothing gets done about dirty driving unless you protest otherwise the only way to even the score is on the track by pay back. I don’t want to have to take matters into my own hands when bad driving should be addressed and penalised by the stewards without the need of a protest. • More guidence to beginers- training, tips, and rules.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting? perhaps some can be scrapped or combined? I would look at ways to get • Put more rules in Restricted so that once you have completed 10 races, you exposure of the elite level of karting, eg CIK and pro-tour and also look at ways MUST leave the class. There seams to be too many trophy hunters which makes in which that level of karting can be aspired to at club events eg, run a series it scary for the new guys to start. Its meant to be learning class, not stay there. in each state where the winners get a test day in in CIK kart or 1 round partially • Encourage more handicap racing to give all competitors a chance of winning. It’s funded as a wildcard type entry. I guess you need to look at how to get people very elitist at the moment.... involved in the sport and then how to retain them. Constantly adding classes or • Rules need to be decided on by those that are enforcing them. Sometimes the changing regulations doesn’t help retain people. Giving them consistency and rules are made with no clear way of policeing them or even enterpriting them. something to work towards does. I guess i might also look at implementing driving Qualified people need to be doing the jobs they are qualified for or involved at standards, currently you can be 1 gram under weight (very little gained) and be the end the rules will effect, eg, karters and officials should be involved in rule excluded yet you can crash into someone to pass them (a fairly large gain) and changes and wordings. This needs to be done with out bias and to steer karting in be lucky to be spoken to! the direction predetermined in a strategic plan. • Increase media profile more. Access to commercial television. • Provide more coverage and marketing. Try to jump onto the V8 Supercars • Cost effective day license for bring a friend day, i was competing in dirt karting for bandwagon as thats the ultimate target market. years and friends genuinly want to come and try out bitumen karting but its all to • Invest in more come & try karts and distribute to clubs. hard to do,please help? • I do have concerns about the on track officials at most events. Not with AKA • More affordable at entry level. Club owned transponders for first year drivers. or volunteers, but the paid flag marshalls who really aren’t that interested and Driver training for seniors, not just juniors. one that actually fell asleep during a race last year. They miss a lot of things • Try to bring back street racing always a big crowd puller. drop the prices of some especially midfield, which make the racing not as clean as it should be. In the of the bigger meets so not just the richer people in the sport have all the fun junior categories I believe that if more penalties were imposed for incidents then • More come and try days for individual clubs and promoted by those clubs. the quality of racing and cost of repairs would drop. I would definately look at • Ensure that all states play by the same rules. Current example the sportsman developing another track just North of Sydney to encourage participation from the class in Vic is slightly different to that in SA. North Shore and Northern Beaches. • The AKA should purchase and run the track in conjunction with clubs • I have also heard of some more advanced junior development programs at • I would have more tv coverage and have better stewards and officials CDKC, which include driver training plus kart setup and mechanical workshops. • Reduction in classes and makes of engines. Reliable engine class for new • This information is very important to getting monthly club karters more involved starters. and helping them keep in touch with the every weekend karters. I think this will • A way that the sport could be improved is by having more tracks, I know that encourage further participation in the sport within south east Queensland there simply is not enough tracks around. I believe • Longer carby warm up for larger clubs split seniors and juniors to diferent days bringing back a Gold Coast track would improve the sport as it would allow easier longer races access for more people without having to travel great distances just for a piece of • Have all same parts for example, engines, wheels, tyres etc track time. • Possibly more of a two tier system, catering for the hobby karter and the aspiring • Much fewer classes. Pro with endless budget. • Reduce classes within the sport to maximise track numbers. 22 different classes • Less Classes so to make the class feilds bigger and some sort of help to get the not to mention weight splits is rediculious. What about those kids and adults that good(not Rich) karters into CIK Level and out of Clubman (club level stuff). Have do not have a weight problem and are having to put 20kg on just to reach the light rule freezes for 3-5 years so the karter gets a chance to learn them before they class? are we going to make another class for them like feather weight. are changed again. • Reduce the number of classes and a review of the weight categories. ie the • Remove fines & replaced with time pentalies amount of lead i have to strap on my kart makes me a lead missile! • I would restructure the governance of the sport putting in place people who are • Like they do overseas so every competitor has the same go-kart including setup further removed from the sport itself and more focussed on improving the sport and the same engine and it only comes down to the driver, Not who has spent the as a business, eg attracting and retaining members. I would look at the class most money.Ddriver tuition especially for the younger members structure, there are far too many classes being run, particularly at club events, • Controlled kart setups and engines.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd 2 speedway kart clubs. the equivilent of the ‘bambino’ class for dirt/speedway/tar • I would form an alliance with a major government body like the TAC and sell would be great as i know a number of young kids that have karts ready to go and karting as the best way to keep your kid’s allive, do a survey on how many kids they are ready to race but just arent old enough. who have held an AKA licence and hopefully they have a lower rate of accident or • I would like the rules about heavys and super heavys changed - if you have to put death between the age of 18 and 25 than other sports like footy and cricket.We weight on in either of these divisions then you shouldnt be allowed to run in them then could get funding so The AKA can market this to parents on TV and watch - they are called heavy and super heavy for a reason the grids fill up. We could have a Auskick, or kids allive type program to get them • Since the intro of nose cones and side pods there is a an attitude of push and in and the funding would allow for a cheap first licence for juniors and maybe a shove which is taking away from fast and a no contact sport so the rules need to cheap helmet suit package. reflect this. • I would try to improve the karting footprint. Positive PR in schools and local • Advertisement is vital for the sport to grow!! community. Use karting as an educational driving tool for young kids and get them • Listen to the majority, make it more about fun and less engines to choose from all involved. • Lower costs and reduce classes • More education and education to the public that karting is a stong sport in • More club participation and mentor new members. Australia and that its not hard to get into. It has its high costs at time but at the • More advertismet while motor sports are being watch end we need more publicity . • Go-karting is the cheapest form of motorsport and I feel it needs to be promoted • Less costs and more track time. more at large sporting events such as the V8’s. This will engage the people • Many more come try days, two seaters karts like f1 to take 4 to year olds around that are already interested in motor sport and make a cheaper form of the sport slowly but enough for them to get the buzz! available to them • More television on channel 31, or speedweek, or even the big channels with v8s • Get more girls involved to race with. or something!!! • Get rid of outdated classes and struggling classes - CSH, Senior J’s, Leopard • Far to many catagories and need a national standard of rules and regs!” • Make a day pass system for potential new comers so they can have a go,so more • Have the grants to help the clubs and have the AKA help every club go after other people get involved. grants (local state and federal grants). This will improve the quality of current • Have more Chris Robinsons. AKA to be importer/distributor of tyres. Clubs to sell facilities which will further encourage more people to join tyres. Profits to help get officials. • Less classes,more inclusive classes,less technical rules especially for club level • Get rid of engines that need blueprinting. competition, reduced costs. • By making the sport easy for the (every day mom and dad) to get involved. • Tell the drivee it is not a contact sport . • Attempt over time to reduce and stabilize the costs in the sport and create some • Less categories so you have larger fields in categories. The discounts for first long term consistent rules. year license and club membership sound good also • More consistant rulings • try to minimise the increase of costs, It might be a small thing but if it was just • Get rid of the politics licensing and entry fees remained the same and less rules got changed year in • Reducing the costs for travellers and offer discounts for interstate drivers. year out, it would make a big difference ti peoples back pockets that are in it just • Give more control back to the clubs so they can run meetings when and how it for the fun and their the ones that bring the numbers in for the clubs. suits them and their patrons • make it easier for new people to start up. • Affordability would come into play and also offering ways for people to either gain • its been ok to date, just a bit hectic having two karts involved in one meet. one x more experience or move up in motor sport would be nice. cadet, 1 x TAG. not enough time in between to help son get organised • New track for Sydney Metro area. • Less emphasis on winning, and more on participation. • A Long term plan for the sport , including the future class • Reward competitors for fair racing.” • Change the race format now and then..not just 2 heat pf and final... • I would love to see another speedway kart club - maybe around Newcastle • Offer training as as both a part and a condition of membership. (the kurri bike club or even Singleton would be a great place) there are enough • Less classes ( as long as you don’t axe MY class ;-) members of other clubs and people that will travel to warrant a club in this area. It • Build a public perception that karting offers more value to the community than may also help break up the infighting and garbage that goes on between the other simply a bunch of hobbyists going for a hoon on a dinky little track.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd between competitors and officals. • Review the rule book- there’s still confusion & ambiguity; add state info back in- • TaG, ROK and KF/KZ classes should be main focus J and clubmans are out calendar, contacts etc. Have a selection process for C grade licence holders who dated and too costly to be competitive want to compete at State & Nat. Ch’ships. These are prestige events and should • Lean towards the europeam model of karting. more modern engines, do away not be open to just anyone who pays an entry fee! with old engines with alot of discrepancies between motors, electric start, do away • Reduce classes- too many. Alternate some classes on offer at race meetings. with so many classes • Have people with commonsense that dont let computers rule there life that can • More often, smaller, less time intensive events ie. Seniors only race days/juniors make logical decisions only race days. More emphasis as well on the volunteer aspect of karting. • I know many getting out of it because to be competitive in most classes you • Less of the set-up “black magic” Too many people are trying the sport once and need blue printing lots of overhauls, new tyres each meet, etc. a class with no fouling a plug or not even being close to having a set-up they atleast can turn a tampering of engines and harder tyres for those wanting to club day only would complete lap with and then not showing up again. Which is a shame because with be very popular. And by only doing 11 meets per year max a cheaper license only a little bit of help and guidance we could almost ensure their return. • Driver Training • Encourage youngsters with recognition and get large corporations involved • Keep costs to a minimum with more effort to get younger members - cadets and • Less classes an engine that you can use through all junior classes that is equal retain them thru to senior levels. • More promotion to the public as the sport is still not well known. • Have an over 30s class. It not fair 30 somethings competeing against the 16+ • Senior engines need restricting so they can be implemented in jnr ranks therefore • Reducing some of classes reducing one cost when goin to snr that where we loose a lot of kids • Far less classes, there area about 8 classes that have stood the test of time. • Over 40s at National Level! • Make it more affordable; keep costs down if its two expensive people will not want • The Dunlop SL1 tyres are no good after one race meeting, to be fast you have to to join us. Stop stuffing around with the Yamaha classes and engine rules it’s not have brand new ones on every time we race. If we didnt have to spend so much broken and it does not require fixing .This alone I see as our biggest threat to money on tyres we might be able to afford to race at other tracks more often. finish off karting as we know it now, how will the clubs survive when you kill off • Having a separate class, not competitively, to encourage younger drivers to have the Yamaha classes j. And by the same argument being badgered around the a go! A special license or fee to just get them on the track. Yamaha S should follow soon after. I would guess a 60% plus loss of customers • Less Classes, how many 125cc classes do we really need??? There should still would see the end of many small clubs during these hard times. Someone needs be the same weight classes but just less engines to choose from to realise that in times of economic downturn people spend less money not more. • Drop the J engine and introduce an engine such as a Vortex that can be used The people in power simply believe the majority will simply upgrade or spend from Midgets, Juniors, it’s to costly to source a completive J motor due the more money on whatever they purpose as a fix for all the banterer problems we variation in performance, have with the Yamaha classes. The other major problem is in assistance for the • Same rules in every state. Costs the same in every state. new people starting in our sport. • More casual approach. • More R&D & thought “why are we doing this?” before the release of blanket • Cheaper introductory package that allow people to get involved at minimal cost to compulsory components. get them hooked on the sport. Get the sport on TV, create a program for channel • Get professionals to run the organisation - governance - which is what I thought 31 focusing on the big events on the karting calendar. had been agreed to? • Have free come and try days to get people interested • Officials need to be paid by the clubs to work at the tracks on the days, therefore • Make club race days and presentation finish by 4pm. Sometimes need to travel becoming answerable to clerk of the course and actually caring about what they 2hours to get home. e.g Lithgow/Newcastle are doing. Too many times people get stuck” with having to Marshall for the day • AKA needs a more professional and realistic approach to all forms of karting. It • There needs to be poicies which will boost club meeting participation and less seems to me that the AKA has way too many rules and regulations which stop the empathises on promoter meetings sport expanding. • Ensure all state and national officials are more user friendly. consistantly at state • Reduce costs, but when rules like clutches were brought out, they should have level people are dis-qualified for minor infringments in finals etc when driver been enforced and only 1-2 clutches allowed for each category to reduce costs. reminders or technical check in the heats would prevent a great deal of angst • Promotion, sponsorship, reduce cost

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd membership which comes at the same time and it’s around $1500.00. • Slightly lower the entry costs at big meetings • introduce penalties and not let the drivers over turn them. • Fewer classes • Lower costs in maintaining your kart, that is - spare parts, tyres etc. • It is a great sport tainted in juniors by excessive J motor costs that I proved you • Improve the presentation of club track facilities eg loo’s and track seating with can still win with a $1500 motor or at least be very competitive. One thing I would cover from the sun or rain. like to see is a qualifying system to enter a National event to give it more value to • make it cheaper at big events like state championships, have a qualifying time so even be there for the heats. it gets rid of traffic and slower drivers” • Less classes more track time been a problem for far to long.. sportmans has been • Reduce classes, clearer progression through the sport. great this year in tag series with current rules • Driver training schools supported by AKA • More come and try days and bbq’s ect. It can be a very expensive sport. And the • Free practice prior to race day at any track. kids that win races are winning as the parents have more money than those like • Night racing and indoor racing. us that struggle. What about introducing a race meet for newcomers taking the • Board of Management as originally proposed...seek out professionals to review, pressure of just a little.. restructure and run the sport • I think there are too many classes which make fields small and a long day. I dont • I would have a qualifying session instead of two practice sessions in order to have believe this is what stops people joining but rather quite annoying once you join to clean races and a good time (eg. Golden power series see 3 kart fields going around. On a personal level I wish it was more affordable • Get rid of pro tour an cik as it is killing karting making kartind to dear to race at Midget/Rookie level so people especially in country areas had competitors to • Add tag-r 125 in the rotax pro tour,maybe have a look at changing the weights of race against. some classes. • I would love to see a meeting or a race that was for maiden drivers only. Meaning • Try to minimise classes so that more track time for money spent and so that their that you have never won a single race anywhere, strictly anywhere even club is more people in each class level. • All events in regional NSW never have any spectators! I think all clubs need • Give it TV coverage like most other sport events. there is very little TV coverage to pull out their fingers and advertise before a race day and make it inviting for on the sport the public to come! I believe once the public gets interested in the sport new • Limit classes to enable more competitors in fewer classes. members will come about! “ • Safer tracks and look into air fences. • Impliment a professional Governing Body with experince not so much in karting • I am not sure, the AKA do it as well as they can given not everyone will be happy but certainly motorsport, media and marketing with all rules or changes that are made from time to time. I think people entering • Lower costs of anything that can be lowered to make it more affordable and more the sport could do with some club level help in thier catagory for the first few AKA training days meetings so they don’t feel like they are starting alone. • Combine classes at club level. • Costs should be minimised as much as possible to encourage competitors to • Push with the TAG 125 restricted classes to help beginners race beginners and enter and stay in the sport! allow them to overcome the very steep initial learning curve. • Assist in enabling Australia’s best drivers to compete overseas more frequently. • Better introduction for people who are new to the sport as you often see people This would be especially beneficial to the retention of younger drivers. making wrong purchase decisions which can cost them a lot of extra money bring • Also, good commentators go a long way to creating the atmosphere at a race in consistant rules across the country meeting. Their quality can be a little hit or miss at present.. A great benefit for a • Promote the sport to people outside of karting - there is little to no point of small cost. advertising karting to people who already compete. • Reduce the number of classes, hence time spent at State and National events • Get rid of restricted 125 classes oreos them only at club level an restrict the no of • I would make the hard decisions now to have karting where the members want it adult classes in 5 years time and stop pandering to the importers and the products they want to • In regards to Western NSW the layout of the kart calendar (I would imagine sell that this is mostly in the hands of the clubs to organise their dates) however • Less class’s sometimes you can have 2-3 race meets on back-to-back weekends and then • The licence cost is very high, I have 4 kids and myself licenced. Add the club nothing for 3-4weeks.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd x30, thats it) • Focus on the grass-root level - spend less time focusing on the top tiers of • Make it more readily accessible to the public at a recreational level. the sport. Maximise accessibility and enjoyment for new karters by simplifying • more promotion of club level racing, not everyone wants to, or can afford to classes. compete at state or national level • Look at what the world is doing in karting as far as engines and becoming more • Cut classes, to many outside competitions, pulling people away from club events professional • Discounted practice for people on lower classes of licence to encourage practice • Get people in power who want to see karting get big. Not people who want power. time outside of race meetings. More tracks in metropolitan areas. • Have specific classes organising their own race days to shorten time at the track. • Simplify rules and ensure long term stability of rules. Seriously look at cost junior days used to be really good effective engines, maybe sealing of engines. Encourage flow of ideas from • Much better facilities. Tracks need to be designed so that spectators can sit in members. a grandstand and see the whole track (ie Dubbo, Wanneroo, MakoTrac and • unsure Ipswich (sort of) and not stand around like sheep in a paddock watching half the • No one want to loose there class but some simply have to go ! race because the other half of the track is obscured and there is no grandstand • AKA should be helping regional tracks more - not everyone can travel to anyway (Canberra, Puckapunyal, Gympie and too many others to list). Have Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong. a look at tracks in Europe and Asia - just google some photo’s, its not hard... • Reduce the cost of transponders, tyres, entry fees, give vouchers for entry fees Then compare those brilliant facilties to the tracks in Australia which are going instead of trophies have NSW state titles for midgets again these kids are one of more and more down a tangent without any direction. Does Australia even the biggest feilds at club days etc have 1 single CIK Accredited Circuit?? How can Australia ever hope to hold an • Costs are really high. The more we can minimise the costs the better. international event with the tracks we have now? Just imagine Australia hosting • Drop Js. They really are a bad engine that should never have been introduced. the World Rotax Finals or U18 World Championship or even the Oceania again • get rid of the j and s motors and get with the times these classes are geting to - where??? Have a look at the ‘grand prix standard’ circiuts where these events expensive for the averige karter and i think a newer motor that is a bit more cost are currently held and then compare it to Australia - at the moment its a sad afective would bring alote more people the sport comparison... • Keep inital costs as low as possible.eg. licencs and entry fees. • Up until the ridiculous plethora of classes in the late 1990’s, most kart race • Cheaper licencing and entry fees. More pro active to attract new members meetings would start at about 10am, feature 6 or 7 classes with 25 drivers in • For starters J engines should only be uses for midgets/rookies. juniors will start each, racing 3 x 15 lap heats and a 20 lap final and all finished by 3:30 - it was at clubman level for 12months then can move to 125. seniors will have the usual exciting, everyone watched the finals to see who won, and everyone had a clubman light, heavy , super heavy all new seniors will have to start in a clubman brilliant time. It was exciting, simple and fun. Although we cannot live in the past, same as juniors this will ensure the class numbers will be high. senior classes we can learn from the past - can the same be said of race meetings today as the will also be 125cc and kz2. there should be no senior J and restricted 125 these example given?? classes are a joke and a waste of time its embarressing to watch a 30 to 40 year • Cutting costs in entry fees of titles anjd licences old person going around the track slower than a rookie. • Reduce the number of classes/engines/chassis. • Support for newcomers to be improved, clubs to encourage mentoring by • Contain the maintenance costs via regular tech inspections for illegal engines. experienced members. Rules stability. More track time (fewer classes). Allow only one engine rebuild • Simplification and stability in rules. each year (ie contain engine costs like F1 to prevent simple $$$ being the main • Engine costs to be reduced” factor in winning) “ • Cheaper entry level. • More bang for your buck. • Get more people racing, reduce entry costs • Reduce the number of classes, thereby giving more track time to karters on race • Try and involve more young people in to the sport so there is a future day. • Try to get more media coverage and the AKA help the State and club level with • Strive to lower overall costs to compete at all events promotion. • Reduce the number of classes in the senior ranks by removing some motors (eg, • Less classes and harder tyres that makes the driver work harder to get a quick there is NO need for 6-7 125 motors in the TAG class. you can have a rotax or time and so that they last longer...

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd • Offer more junior classes as in the UK, like jnr gearbox, and 4 stroke for tighter • Have the sport for the best driver not the richest family $$$$$$$ budgets. • Less classes more track time • More media, driver pathways into open wheelers, special invite only meetings. • Get rid of trophies and introduce prize money through sponsors. You seen the • Introduce more Pro or Medium weight classes to reduce the ammount of classes. results at Orange with the amount of competitors due to the prize money. We Get rid the Sportsman class because it actually costs more to buy a set of MG spend the money to get there let us get some back reds one week and then a set of MG yellows the next, you are throwing away MG • More speedway tracks so as more will get involved needs to be one near yellows after an open meeting because you can’t use whats left of them at club Newcastle days. in part detering the better drivers who travel from club days • Rules and rule implementation to focus on the enjoyment of the sport. Too many • Less Classes, so it brings more karters into classes so people aren’t racing 10 people drop out after a short time due to this lack. people as there is 14classes at an event. • Less classes, more help and more come and try days • Equal Engine Power • Bring the family fun back in to the sport • Provide reduced classes to increase class numbers, make sure local clubs do not • Reduce the costs and better publicity. Better parity between engines to allow a run meetings on teh same weekends even if the number of race mettings needs more level playing field and reduce the high cost of good engines. to be reduced thereby encouraging more peolple to travel to neighbouring clubs • As an individual, there is only a limit amount we can do to help improve the sport • raise the profile further of current times. Word of Mouth, Helping your club, and helping new and exisiting • Reduce classes. people to get them more interested is just the least of things as an individual i am • Implement a new engine that can be used from midget to senior with only minor able to do. modification (they are out there) • Online race registrations and payments for races. • Reduce costs, cost must be reduced to retain club karters.” • The Race results system being more accessible through the internet at a race on • It would be alot more accessible to others if ongoing cost such as tyres and the day - perhaps clubs need help with advice/setup on this to a standard so most licence fees could be reduced. people can just attend and setup to a standard and it all works without locally • More regular meets at club level even though we are in a remote location we known tricks. Perhaps clubs that do this well could get a public pat on the back have enough Karters now to have regular meetings. from the AKA so people know it is possible and being done. • I would have a closer look at whether or not we need weight classes at state and • Giving karters young and old access to discounted arrangements using the national titles and the parity in the Sportsman classes karters license details or specials ‘advertised through the AKA website’ • Give less options of classes all classes are to be tag and 3 tiers of racing. Entry • pay officials to be honest. - 100cc or less intermediate - 125 on restricted tyres open - 125 sticky tyres • Less classes less rule changes • More promotion and advertising • Classes are confusing for spectators. All Juniors should have white plates with • Make a series that you are only allowed to have 1 set of tyres for the 4 rounds, J or R on them. Rotax red plates, TAG, green plates National black plates. Even playing field then Internaional Yellow plates.” • Infrastructure at some of the country tracks need financial support from the AKA • Less classes, less rule changes • AKA certified engine builder tags • More affordable for everyone, so not as many people have to leave the sport. • The use of composite parts in non performance areas. e.g. chainguards etcetc as if qualifying sessions are at an event, allow the p platers that qualify faster than OTK already make them...” some of the people not on their p plates start in their qualified position, because • Get professionals to run the sport, promote it and get it on TV some p platers that have had a break and come back are quicker than some • Top 5 shootout, for particular classes others. • May be let private promoters run certain events • Make karting more affordable for the average family • Make it more affordable to start .Change how race meetings are run.Need more • Give better value for money with more track time through less class’s laps for value??? racing,combining weight groups into one class and parity through restrictors etc • More track time,all stars and golden power to run like cik.allocated time slots • Making sure who ever is the official on the day must be watching all races at all • More media exposure in the NT. Other sporting clubs advertise on TV but not Go times not when they feel. karting.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd kids interested, not go home upset, reduce the number of classes, do more to • Reducing the cost, support club racing, that where future champions come from, stop catering for the • Improve the J class. It is a class I love but inconsistency with motors is frustrating. top 10% of karters who only do open meetings, keep nationals on the Eastern Especially for those of us who can’t afford to be spending money on finding seaboard “special” motors • Attitude of some drives • I’d love to see a 4 stroke class.. (Yeah Yeah subaru’s are slow) but what about • I think ammenities are important, at some tracks things like toilets are very dirty briggs world formula or animal? (I own one already - I take it to a dodgey as hell and old which makes the whole sport look bad. It looks like the sport is being private track because its not AKA approved, Its J pace.. and so far has 60 hours run on a shoestring budget and it makes it bad place for spectators to come and without rebuild and hasn’t lost one tenth!) that’s Value! they could run on sl1’s Id watch. spectators going up will aid in new members catching the racing bug. in race it forever. for now Tag R is as close as i get and that’s rebuilds ever 10 hours regards to disgusting toilet facilities i think barossa needs a special mention, their max.. toilets need improvement. • Less classes more track time • Make karting a bit cheaper to run bigger meetings and run the meetings more like • Maintain the rules in their current status. Additionally review weights for the 125cc they do in europe classes, at present they are too high with Clubman Heavy’s joining the 125cc • Promotion in media at national and state levels heavy classes. I had to give up 125’s due to having to have a kart weight of 107kg • Training for novice drivers to make Leopard Light. • I would monitor how many people officials write up each meeting, look at the • Provide more promotion for the J classes, as these are all most people can afford seriousness of each offence and take action to work issues out. It takes alot of to race. the fun out of racing when you are worried if you try to overtake and something • Less classes!! Why are we still runnning so many classes on a club day with 2-6 happens you will be written up. there are accidents in racing, and after watching people per class. This eats into track time. Why not promote 125cc classes more racing in europe, where they allow racers to deal with alot of issues among as they are low in running costs and are the future of karting! themselves which works much better. • Too many classes, no national senior.a durable and even performance motor for • We need more members so we can race against people with same weight. No midget/rookie.Too many TAG motors(l beleive true karting is same tyre,weightand pro classes. Not good for the Super Heavys! motor) • Provide less classes at events with more consistency in racing fields • Less classes • Fewer classes , race days for new drivers with less than 5 club days under their • When I started karting in the England at club level we had 2 or 3 classes with belt , a need to look at why numbers are dropping off. better access to the tracks an A, B & C etc level in each class depending on numbers. Depending on how for the working class ppl. Trainning days run by the clubs , maybe appoint a club you finished the final you either got promoted if in the top 4 or demoted to the instructor next level if in the bottom 4. This way each week you got to race with people of • Driver training along with training on set up and maintence on karts to help lower a similar level to you which made for good racing. Weight was not such an issue costs as it was set reasonably high and everyone seemed to settle into a level which • I would personally improve the sport by helping any one and every one to make suited them. All new drivers stated at the bottom level and had to work their way racing fair just like i do!I am so keen on making the sport grow in SA to make up. racing interesting. you will always have some to keep secrets but when it comes • Promote Junior, Rookie and Midget categories in WA through their own events/ down to it the more people you can have running head to toe in a race the funner opens. Intro Vortex engines. Have Junior Max at WA States. it is alot tend to forget about the fun factor thats what its about going home • Reduce the “forced” nature of expensive changes such as transponders and enjoying a days racing! engine changes such as ending arcs etc and limiting engine choices (get rid of • The rules apart from safety need to stay the same for more than 2-3 years.that J’s). includes engines. • Create more opportunities for the growth of a driver in their career • Align the classes and the age of drivers with an international standard.Reduce • Lobby the govt state and federal to provide facilities costs for cadets so more young people can join the sport. Bring back street circuit • Lower fees to attract more families racing, this was a great advertisement for the sport.Work with councils to get the • Allow Midgets and Juniors to be restarted during a race, its important to keep street circuits made safe.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd 3 years. For those of us who want to go a bit further but probably won’t ever be • PUBLICITY and MARKETING = More karters = More money being put into the national champion there is now what can best be described a confusing mess. sport = better sport. I feel karting is getting left behind against other sports as far This class should become the most popular class by having some consistency as public marketing and advertising is concerned. In this modern day simple word nationally, inclusion at national level events. of mouth isn’t really enough. The average person wouldn’t know a single thing • Let the importers run whatever series they like on whatever tyre they like (eg. about proper karting if asked and would assume hire karts is the only form of go Pro Tour), but considering make TAG125 the national class at national and state karting. events, plus at club days. • Less classes, focus on cost containment. Less wealthy people. • No one debates that there are too many classes in karting. The problem is just • Less engines. Delete the Comer. that no one knows how to reduce the number and there is no roadmap being • The AKA had a perfect system where the competitor ran a J for Midget, Rookie produced to give visibility of which classes will remain and which will be phased and then take it into the Junior and possibly the senior category. Comers are out in the future. more expensive than a J engine to run and not all engine builders actually know • If the current number of classes are to remain, meetins should be seperated to or can be bothered building a good Comer engine. have juniors on one day and seniors on the next to reduce the time commitments • JNL would be heavily restricted. No magnesiums, 1 axle. Leave the Junior on all involved Clubman class as an all open expense class. • Replace all air cooled engines with 125cc watercooled engines. • State Titles should be 1 fee across the nation, not decided by each club. • I would love to see easier opportunities for interested people to try karting. At • Rule changes to the AKA Manual to be advised at a quarterly basis, thus ensuring present it is far from easy. Also, there is almost no avenue for new members to that Karters are more aware to note that in ie Jan, April, July, and Oct to check the get and driving/racing training or tuition. new ammendments. • More constinsty with the rules • Tyre compounds have changed since we have entered 7 years ago. New tyres • Get back to the grass roots. Made it enjoyable and fun, not expensive. are way better than 3 race meeting tyre in the SL1 category. Why • Get professionals to run the sport. The sport has outgrown volunteer leadership. • Delete wet weather tyres, right across the board. (Like the good old days). • Less classes; this would in my opinion make for more karts in fewer classes on • Delete any fuel other than pump fuels. Qld State you could run ELF. club days. There’s to many classes today compared with what was available in • The AKA to contact ALL karters of a class that could have changes within their the 90s. class for their input via email. Not just make changes as not all delegates put • With $5000 engines, the national class is not entry level. Create a class run forward the correct information” at a social/club level which promotes parity and spending limits to encourage • Reduce classes participation. For example: one-make series using cheaper karts (e.g. SQ • Being consistent with rules Racing), control class with rules to stop excessive spending e.g. engine • Once again if world rules let run them example Mojo tires yet during club swapping/pooling, no wet weather tyres, annual limit on new tyre sets, chassis meetings they run Reds, Lepord, fireball motors which are at least 3 years old, success ballast.” • A locl marketing fund for local clubs to co-contribute on publicity and promoting • Less classes to promote more entrants per class (in regional areas) Also allows for new members more track time • Reduce engine diversity for low cost classes. • Reduce number of classes,put more training days on for officials • At club meetings get rid of the pre drawn grid and have qualifying, much safer that • Make it more financialy viable for newcomers. way. Also there seems to be no rules on the track because officals watch and do • Better Governance nothing unless the drivers report it.it’s not the driver’s job when offical’s are there. • Less classes Less heats longer races • make it more accesable • Getting more development in Junior drivers. This should be the clubs • The biggest issue for me that has caused me to sell both my Leopard and Rotax responsibilty. Perhaps look at trialling a mentoring system for new members, karts (to focus on racing DD2 on the Pro Tour rather than at local club and state where they are allocated to an existing club member. meetings) is the inability of local associations (eg. VKA) to make a decision on the • Engine parity, and stop swappping engine types. In 5 years, I have seen 4 engine TAG125 category and stick to it. Restricted 125 was very enjoyable and provided changes at Midget / Rookie level. This is too much for a supposed entry level. the most successful formula for the recreational karter of any class over the past • Transponders - a trade in system - or cheaper for new people.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd to reduce power. Endeavour not to change from the plan. There is not enough • More inter club days - especially in regional areas. support for the sport to have to many different engines and classes. • No Friday meeting practice. Saturday morning and thats it. • Reduce the number of classes by reducing number of engine types. • Professional stewards and tech’s at big events, cull some tracks • National, State and Major meets need to have all races videoed for contact and • Reduce the costs, everybody says its costing too much and there are too many for stewards /competitors benefits to take away the inequities in decisions. people out there think of making money before helping the sport. • In my opinion, tyres are the key to karting, and unfortunately they are also the • Better introduction to karting. maybe a introduction setup and driver training most expensive aspect of karting. day in all states logistically most likely impossable. So a gift certificate or similar • If I could change one thing it would be having the AKA import the tyres and sell offered to new licence holders to receive a driver training lesson with the local kart them direct to the karters, it would halve the cost, and also allow the AKA to make shop etc... profit on the most used aspect of our sport. • More track time at club meetings. maybe run meetings similar to CDKC lights on • Take the agression out of drivers when they do not win, especially if someone one day heavies the next but this again has issues with volunteers etc. accidently causes an accident & takes them out of the race • Advertise come and try days organized by a the AKA, clubs, and Kart shops, • A more simple path for junior drivers to experience higher powered karts, such as something like the aka help advertise to joe blow who is watching the V8’s with KF3 and J-Max, helping develop their skills at a younger age. his son and see that the local kart club is having a day to allow him and his son to • Each class needs a major series, such as pro tour, CIK and Iame leopard series. see the professional side to karting not the dodgy hire karts round the corner. this will increase track time and reduce days needed in accommodation, saving • Drop Speedway from the AKA and get drivers to join Speedway Australia, they money and improving entries” seem to know and care about speedway karting. • Get rid of the yamaha J engine. good ones are too dear and not so good ones are • More temporary circuits, in regional centers not competitive • I would take all the officials to wollongong and have them take a common sense • Less classes, less motor and tyre choice, reduce cost of racing and more laps at lesson from Mark Horsley or Max Laybutt meets. Need larger fields at all meetings and to encourage/attract more members. • More tracks in Sydney. Better, longer tracks well suited to KZ. Offer state series Need regular television coverage! for KZ in NSW. • I feel like some new ideas/heads in management could be a good idea. • Realise scale through integration with V8 Supercars. • Simple...... just make it easier for a newcomer to get a licence and club • More media coverage - not just to the karting fraternity - but to the general public. membership. • Less classes • As above. reduce the number of classes competing so the entry numbers in each • Think how to keep people in the sport not push them away with ongoing price class get bigger so drivers are spread out over 29 different classes!!!! inreases • reduce classes - simplify the structure of governance • Stick with some core world format classes. Get rid of TAG and National and • Make it cheaper and more accessable. Clubman • Change the engine rules in tha national class so all engines could be made equal, • Less classes and more track time rather than serching many engines to get a good engine. • Get younger people governing the AKA • Go back to the basics when no wets hard tyres • How to introduce karting to new drivers at a reasonable cost but on the other • As above, a 4 stroke class to replace/supplement J classes (possibly for Seniors hand reduce the number of classes by combinig or deleting clases from the rule also) book giving the deleted class a minimum of 2 years notice. At the VKA council • Further reduction of race classes at race meetings. At a club level, you get 4 meeting they are looking for a replacement engine for clubman Yamaha does put races during a full day totalling up to 50 laps in total for up to $80.00 in entry fees. a lot of money into the AKA but this is best chance to start this process with a If there was lower classes, then we will get better value for money for each entry class that is already in the rule book tagR 125. Next point 2 sportsman delete it, fees which will make racing more attractive. I would suggest the following race tell the states tag is the class that they will run. classes - Migets and rookies, Junior Medium (light and heavy combined), TAG • Get involved in schools Restricted/ Clubman medium, TAG/ Sportsman Medium and Gearbox/ CIK Level • Long term plan to phase out old technology and replace with new. Preferably 1 racing. These classes at a club level meeting would enable all drivers to get more to 3 motors that can be used from Midgets to senior using carburetion/weights racing whilst having the ability to race at varying levels of engine performance. “

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd • Reduce the number of classes • Keep it fun • Remove some older two strokes and replace two to three categories with a • More training and development days. It’s a very difficult sport for new people. 20-25hp graded 4 stroke class, split into 3 or 4 grades so all are racing similar • Be more consistent and more advertising for speedway karting...not enough is and the cream rises to the top whilst still keeping the average driver happy in said about both nsw speedway kart clubs the knowledge that they can advance through the grades without changing • Either stabilise or provide clear direction for future changes equipment. • Investigate changing restricted 125 to allow over 40 B grades to compete (this • Increase on track time, reduce time at the track, simplify adjustments on karts and would be so all people can compete at an event). I couldnt see that people would engines, reduce class’s at any given race day. compete in restricted 125 if there was a unrestricted class on offer. Maybe a • Reduce the number of race meetings. You can race nearly every weekend of the clause saying that a driver could only compete in one or the other at each event year, so numbers everywhere are diluted. If you reduce the number of meetings only and not both. competitors would race in a higher percentage of meetings and field sizes would • More advertising of our great sport, eg booths at V8 events, shopping malls, increase. Community shows/events etc. Tailor this to target the club day/family racer as • Less classes, more track time. this makes up the majority of entrants. I think that most people believe it is better • More come and try days, we had to commit to a $3000 kart just to give the sport a to cater for the majority of racers rather than the top 1 per cent.” go, luckily we enjoy it!! • Reduce cost such as tires or open it up so we dont have a monopoly as we have • Improvement of the standard of officials, more races on race days. now. • Less politics • The race day format. With the 3 heat method, it’s designed to encourage racing, • Stop bringing in new classes, leave rotax as rotax, why take out Junior clubman, however you have tracks in Australia that are small and tight that dont encourage now there is heaps of people with motor that are worth nothing, its just not right racing. So this caused kart collisions, fights, money etc. Make the day run as • Engine consistency. i know people say it isnt an issue, but the dyno says different. practise, quali, and 25-30 lap final. Better for the flow of karts, and the racing is • Drive days to get new karters done by lack of fitness, tyre deg, missing the setup as you’re not on track every • More Come and Try days. Very daunting for new people to get invloved. Stop half an hour, etc. Also, run open performance at club days parents abusing there kids in public not a good look • For Clubman classes, greater parity within classes by optioning more reliable cnc • Get rid of elected AKA Executive and move to appointed position based on machined engines for box standard racing. No one should be spending $3k on abilities and credentials. blueprinting or second had clubman engines, but those that do seem to win most • Have clubs working with each other to provide better value on race days. Not all of the events. offering the same classes 2 hours apart on the same day • Less classes for Seniors - too confusing for newies or spectators • It is mean’t to be low budget family sport. Reduce costs • More tv adverts. • Too many classes (everyone is complaining about) • Friendlier clubs • Too many weight classes (a- Just choose Heavy or Ligh and put some lead on • People keep saying less classes but this is hard when there are so many who b- It will make classes bigger and more laps on the day c- Just retain one Super have invested in each class. I think removing Rotax from major events outside Heavy class so they can still race) of their own pro tour would be a start. Pro Tour rounds can then become their • Tyre price too expensive state title (similar to CIK classes). Having Senior National Pro is a great idea for • Please make the rear bumper mandatory for SAFETY. It has been in use in nationals but should be done at all state titles as well. Europe + International level for a good reason for the past decade, so please • Make all major events (state/nationlals) run similar to CIK in terms of the racing apply this rule ASAP. It reduces the % of crashes and rollover by at least 50%. and presentations, media etc. You have invested money in CIK in order to • Less classes more technology initiative and keep with world rules. If speedway improve karting and its professionalism. I definitely feel that this is the right and Motocross can do it why cant karting do it. there are certain rules for certain decision but only if what you learn carries over into these major events and even classes used by all the ASN’s worldwide. why do we change it to run our own. into club events to a certain extent. stupid • Go back to basic classes • Leave the JNL JNH SNL SNH classes alone they are great classes, an engine • Employ Experienced, qualified and intelligent management. that does both cadets and rookies and help new members with cost.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd • Cut out most of the classes, try to make it cheaper. • More productive advertising, • Finding engines that are equal. Not like Js or S Yamahas. Senior National needs • Sponsor driver/races to go. • Rural sponsorship, • Reduce the amount of practice days allowed in the lead up to an event to: 1 at • Drivers scholarships” state/national level and zero at regional and club level. • A club level introduction class as it was intended and promote state and national • Reduce the number of classes, start by cutting Senior National classes all champions to next class after winning, this then feeds the top level of karting (cik) together and run TAG125 at all events incuding championships leaving the naturally. individual importers to promote and run their on events if they wish. Improve • Limit opportunity’s to test at tracks prior to upcoming events. driving standards and make plastic rear bumpers mandatory. • Streamlined classes- Rotax - minimax to Senior Rotax- 1 Engine • I would approve the use of air filters to be fitted to carbys. This means a greater • Promotional activities at V8 events throughout Australia reduction of the risk of en expensive engine rebuild. • Advertise it more • more availablility of practice at local tracks, rather than the track being closed 3-4 • Less classes, you might get a initial decrease in numbers, but overall it will reduce days per week. Not everyone works Mon-Fri a barrier to entry and increase field sizes. • Reduce licence & memeber fees • Plan event to give competitors more track time at race meetings. Maybe by • More developement days reducing the number of classes. • As above. Also, street racing or temporary circuits. Expose the sport to the • Costs. A lot of the time I see people not entering into the sport after their initial general public. Maybe a temporary track at the royal melb show, motor show, GP, research, or leaving the sport because of the cost. I think going the way maybe Moto GP. Get the sport in front of the public more often. of TAG classes is smart as this reduces costs, saying that even though I race • Improved parity in engine performance esp in Clubman class dif between good clubman. Maybe if we made less classes there would be an increase in numbers? and bad engines makes it hard. Family discounts on licences -similar to family • Simplify the class and license structure, while also making license grades club membership. actually mean something! • Making it fun for all the newcomers • Combine some of the more popular classes such as juniors into junior pro for • Better information about events, how to enter, the Online entries is helping this country meets to make a more competative field. already. Market the sport as a spectator sport as well, advertise major races to • In Australia I think it needs to be run more in line with how the Europeans run their the public to come watch free. classes. in Australia it is run so differently that if you ever had the chance to run • Correct tyres that give grip and wear to reduce costs,less classes and more laps overseas you are already behind the eight ball. or races • Phase out senior J classes, not the Juniors though. • Try to lift the skill level of drivers and course marshals in racing to make it as non • Help upgrade club faciclities esp. tracks. contact as possible as some get over competetive and the anger comes out and • Reduce the class numbers. Work towards better engine partity ruins it for new karters and old alike. Stricter adherence to good sportsmanship at • Make it cheaper and easier for the not so rich guys and families the track. • Stop telling everyone what they have to upgrade every year, let the average racer • Less Classes, improve engines for the future, clubman and j are the past. enjoy a sport that does not have to cost a fortune to participate. stop wasting • I believe the sport would be better suited in Junior Categories with a consitant members funds on the wrong ideas or trips for the elite or the ones who think they engine plant that allows an “even” playing field. There are many performance are elite inconsistancies with the Yamaha J motor and buying a competitive engine is • Just make it a bit more affordable. expensive. To have a controlled measured engine that leveled the playing field • Advertise more about its affordability as well as how family orientated it can be, that allowed drivers to succeed based on ability rather than wallet would be great. cheaper entry , maybe a class for the over 40’s again at club level to allow racing • more numbers at events, or more pro classes instead of spliting numbers into without the real seriousness light and heavy • Entertainment during a race meeting. Clubs need to do more to keep the • Driver development spectators happy whilst at the track, e.g music, commentary etc • Nametags for officials • There probably need to be less classes to increase track time. • Make it more affordable for everyone.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd if it is a continual thing from the same person. maybe there needs to be a set • At open State and National meetings seperate junior & seniors and policing of procedure and penaltys for this kind of thing. that way it is also easier for the driving standerds official instead of making up his own mind on a penalty.” • Maybe more events even at club level because once a month seems sometimes • Regular come try days at tracks not enough (although once in the zone rounds there is plenty) • Reduce the number of classes in juniors & seniors - eg: combine light & heavy • Sort out parity of the Yamaha J motor. Class weights. To keep drivers iterested classes and have a mid range weight, reduce the number of rotax classes not all they must feel they can be competive even with modest budgets karters interested in rotax. • Bigger race meetings in places away from the SE corner of QLD. Attract southern • By phasing out the direct drive motors ( Yamaha S/J ).They are out dated and drivers by offering cash prizes, discounted entry fees, etc. expensive to maintain. Young drivers should be coming up from the Comer 80 • Get rid of the licence restrictions in the 125 classes. engine and progressing to junior max or junior rok. The engines are safe and • Getting more spectators to watch racing at venues. Making the sport more reliable and will reduce the costs for families wanting to stay in the sport. popular. • Instead of tag JUST have sportsman. • Have across the board rules not club rules. ie over 35s??? sportsman on mg • Bring something like the arc back to replace these old S and J so i am not having yellows?? to save up 3000 for a good engine to take my karting higher. and yes i do plan on • Costs down, minimise politics and stay SIMPLE moving into sportsman once i start working full time.” • I believe that karting can be improved by the enforcement of stricter racing rules • Regular come and try days (Monthly) and regulations toward behavior on and conduct of cimpetigo rs both on and off • Capacity for members to have friends & colleagues have a try using their the track..ie: excessive or intentional contact. equipment • A proper way to pre enter a race meeting and pay upfront available at every • Increase track time at club events” meeting. • Enforce better engine parity by only allowing engines with high parity to • make it easier for karters to access tracks for practice for free or at a minimal compete...similar to CIK Stars of Karting series...why can’t we have that at the cost, allow more opportunities for unlicenced persons to get track time covered by club level? insurance so that clubs can confidently allow free practice access for all • Allow micromax and minimax for the pro tour so we can see the future” • More consistancy from officals of the rules • You need to keep the cheap entry level, go from j’s to clubman before any other • Engine builder sealing class. there’s too much money spent changing classes, like rotax and tag and • Get karting more out there more in the media. And to help more people who are needing tyres to suit depending what numbers turn up, crazy.Stop bowing to starting out. pressure from the big boys and put some stability back into it.There is less people • I would recommend lowering the entry cost of the sport. My brother was racing in too many classes, so numbers are down per class, so people chase the completely put off having to pay hundreds of dollars for the licence and club bigger fields and dump 6 or 8 grand to change classes only to now have another membership before even being able to drive a kart. If there was a day pass or class introduced. Those left in the old class have no one to race so give it up cheap practice licence so he could have taken my kart out for a few laps I think because they don’t have a spare 10 grand. he would have been much more likely to get involved. • Increase the weight allowances by 5kg in Rookies and Junior National light • I think the basics are fine. new members need to be helped more. I have seen classes. where new members arent exactly sure on the rules which is understanable and • By speeding up time between races at club & state level officails give them a blast and then that person is never seen again. if someone • Have more come and try days. is new to the sport they need to be made feel welcome and helped to encourage • Take the time to communicate with all influencial figures (industry, governing them to stay in the sport. this is then more likely for them to tell their mates and bodies, clubs, competitors) and identify a solid vision for our sport. Have a clear then their mates may become members. Karting needs to be run like a business. balance between why we have certain engine/chassis classes and make sure the Im sure if some of these officials owned businesses they would not treat their greed of a business isn’t impacting the future of our sport. Bring in planned and clients this way or they would be out of business. substantiated change to lift the enjoyment and participation levels and make it a • I think there needs to be some stiffer penaltys for people who are continually more approachable sport to the public. hitting people off the track. a warning or being excluded from a heat is not enough • More promotions, media, track time, prizes, recognition.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd meetings are on , to make our sport look good for tv possilby ,that will attract new • Introduction of CNC Machined Engines to promote engine parity. Improve local people and spectators so our clubs grow and therefore the sport in general karting exposure utilising community channels and road side signage. • More advertising to get more people in the sport • Invest at a local club level through grants, training and promotion to improve local • Cut classes to improve track time club infrastructure, official skill base and social visibility. I believe this would attract • For us weight increased in Rookies to 110kg and midgets 100kg there are bigger more competitors to the sport and improve the participation at a club level, to gain kids that carry weight and height. My son only 11 years of age 12 next January flow on into state/national level competition we may have to go to JNL next year due to weight a bit unfare and dangerous • Clear transperent directionin which we are heading as a sport racing against 16 year old kids. • Reduce number of engines between age groups - cadet/rookie/junior = 1 engine • Get more celebrities promoting sport eg ex kart racing V8 stars/ with minor cost effective changesbetween ages • Have less classes and/or combine classes on the track (e.g instead of clubman • Place more backing behind the TAG-R classes as there seems to be a higher light, heavy, super heavy, have all clubmans on the track at the same time and retention rate when new members are channeled through this class. Perhaps introduce a master class for over 35’s and drivers with kart above a certain even making the class as a mandatory starting point. The level of competition in weight) existing Clubman classes can be off-putting if little improvement is made. A bigger • Again survey the competitor, then as the customer to the Karting industry, emphasis on learning chassis setup would also be invaluable to new competitors demand that result Stop the politics as there is a large disparity in knowledge between the front and rear of the field. • Bring the ‘fun’ back into karting, particularly at club day events, where it should be • Get mini max in for the pro tour. about getting in and having fun. • Safety - introduce rear bumpers. Too many accidents caused by wheel to wheel • Maintenance...some of the tracks are not always maintained especially the track contact which I know has put people off of the sport (particularly parents looking surface!! to introduce their kids to the sport). • More incentives like winning free memberships, cheaper fees for members who • Reduce cost can’t attend all the time • I think a pemier class like KZ 2 should have small national series on one of • Endeavour to have real world engine parity in all classes. The KT100J ans the many Tv channels that are now available that would help promote the sport KT100S are dinosaurs and are driving the cost of the sport into the stratosphere, & give younger drivers something to anspier too before they go to compete causing the havenots” to leave the sport in large numbers. The Rookie and overseas. Clubman numbers in Victoria have been desimated in the past 2 years.” • I would have maximum of four classes for championships. They would be midgets • Reduce the costs of tyres J Tag and kz2. Restricted could disappear as you could just have a A grade and B • More media coverage. Lower cost. Less classes. Better track facilities. Profiles on grade based on lap time and previous results. karting website, which can include driver statistics, pictures and other information. • By reducing classes, and introducing an easier ‘progression’ system of class • Its really great but in regional areas we could use more tracks to reduce travel structure. I think that promoter classes have damaged the sport ever since Rotax and increase competition was introduced. Personally, I’d like to see Leopard (which I race) and Rotax • Greater parity in TaG Restricted (run parity tests on all engines), and phasing out scrapped all together. Introduce KF4 (KF3 engines in seniors) on MG Reds. This yamaha classes and introducing rotax micro and mini max would replace TAG/Sportsman, along with Clubman as the entry level class. Then • The officials need to have their base strengthened - they must be seen as being KF2, which would replace Leopard and Rotax from State series, right up to State in charge at all events and they are then supported from the state councils and and National titles, and as a support class to KF1 (same engine specs as KF2, the AKA nationally pretty much like Speedway, or swimming or athletics officials international rules, weights etc) at CIK SOK. That way, it’s easy to get involved in are un-questioned in doing their duties. Needs officials to be better trained and CIK even if for just 1 round in your home state, without having to buy or lease an supported. engine for just one race, and also opens up a market for second hand engines • Keep cost of entering the sport as low as possible. eg For a average wage earner which can be used right across the board. But engine manufactures needs to be and the way the economy is unless you are finanical, the joe average will or stay opened up to do this. in karting very long. • Strategic Planning for the future direction of the sport. • Qualifying at club meetings. • I would like the AKA to assist clubs in the infrastructure of any facility when big • Take a more professional approach to all level of karting operational matters

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd • Cafe and kids play areas for the non karters in the family • Maybe have a class for the not so rich to give the average karter a chance to • Competitors need vaue for money....treat them like a customer...more race shine . meetings that are flexible and suit the customers needs i.e. Friday night for three • Teach the officials the proper rules etc and not favour a competitor in a hearing or hours etc...Do away with the Victorian system where clubs are too limited with just because an official doesnt like a particular competitor, not saying all officials dates etc..Sydney needs more than 10 meetings per year within metro area...we are like this but a fair amount are. have to get with the times and make business like decisions at AKA level...Sport • Build better tracks with better facilities, such as Lithgow’s camping facilities, needs to get professional management rather than volunteers that only have this is a major cost saving when racing at Lithgow. This sport needs a junior mediocre skill levels. development officer at every club, this will help grow the sport and educate • Have one racing championship throughout the year for each state and one for competitors at the entry level. Development camps should be mandatory for new australia in which at the end of the championships the winner will get a blue racers. plate for state and green plate for australia. As well as these championships • Limit classes, remove old air cooled classes thier should also be the stars of karting series and the rotax pro tour for the more • Officials Taking control over race incidents, instead of conpeditors experianced compeditors. • Assist parents to encourage young kids into the sport by reducing licence fees. • A clear direction of progression through the sport. Currently there doesn’t appear • More electronic and automatic penalties, driver cheating should not be allowed. to be one. its a non contact sport yet there is too many bumps, in our state race there were • As above corners without clear view of the officials, people could bump you or force you • With the rising interest in V8 supercars it would be great for karting to be in to a mistake but you couldnt argue. these things should be automatic, you incorporated more often as the starting point for motorsport. shouldnt have to tell someone about a problem computers can do everything • More cost efficiency these days. • The sport has become far too complex both technically and in its administration. • This survey is a great start. AKA needs to move fwd with feedback from this It’s appeal was in its simplicity. That needs to be returned. survey. • Get rid of the current council construct entirely. Replace it with a proper business/ • Create a platform for karting into the feasible future to maintain consistent class governance model, and then fill with properly qualified people from day one. This structure and less adjustment to classes can and should be done within 6 months from start to finish. • Enforce the non contact rule. Racers leave the sport because of the damage to • The big question! I really don’t think I have the answer but I know that it their karts and danger resulting from contact. desperately needs some help. I think i can identify the problem and than work on • Allow video as evidence after track incidents the answer from there. This is the best analogy and easiest way I can understand • Start a class which is super cheap & easy for beginners at Junior & Senior level. things. Karting is a pie. It once was a family pie, then a pie you buy for lunch at Really focus on keeping costs down for the karter and provide double the track the shop and now its almost heading towards a party pie size. I believe this is time. Half the amount of classes to fill up the grids,having races for 6 or 8 karts because of cost. The way I want to tackle karting for my business is not try and is boring for everyone.Get back to 20+ fields. While the tag restricted class is a make a lot of money from people but instead make a little bit of money from a good class it is still too fast and too expenisive.With transponders why cant grids lot of people. If we can grow the size of the pie back to family than I think we will be set in a qualifing seessions rather then computer grids, computer grids are all be better off. Short term loss but long term gain. I can’t make other people dangerous as the supercompetitive push their way to the front. Having qualifying have my train of thought but I believe people need to stop being greedy and at least keeps everyone racing around with people of the same level. understand that if you make $1 profit on 1 item or 50c profit on 2 items than • Encourage top level drivers to attend club meetings wherever possible to lift the you still have the same amount of profit at the end of the day. This attitude will overall standard. The average driver tries much harder when competing against stop people fleaing away or deter them from getting involved in karting. The the best. same goes with why all these new engines and classes have been or tried to be • Club level is the bread and butter of the sport and should be heavily promoted. introduced its not for the good of the sport but just the good of the pocket of the • Introduce a cost effective relatively high performance stock motor and chassis people behind them. I know tyres and thats all I will continue to focus on. Getting race class where competitiveness is not dependent upon the skill and cost of an the best, suitable tyre for Australian karting at the cheapest possible price so that engine build or chassis purchase with constant rules people can go out and have fun and enjoy this great family sport.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd will help to keep new comers interested and a taste of what racing in the open • Try and Stop ALL Kart cotact classes would be like • Promotion through sponsorship, media exposure, consistent scrutinising of • More young people on the committees why not introduce the juniors on to engines by officials who are not engine builders as this seems to represent a committees the juniors are the base. Less grumpy officials they all should be like conflict of interest. More advantages for our drivers to get overseas through at Lithgow have a laugh and have some fun! series, although the results form the World Series should put us on the map, • Reduce costs to drivers which will attract more new people well done to the boys who went. Promotion to wider audience (I would like to • Take away the contact and empower officials to give penalties thereof see privately owned tracks that could generate bigger and better futures for • Run more events such as the Pro Tour, the value for money is the best in themselves) Australian karting. CIK has alot of appeal, however the cost of racing and • This would = more competitors and more track time at race days. maintaining the karts is beyond alot of karters, even some of the elite racers. • Less Classes. Get rid of out of date engines (Yamaha J first) Tyres life should also be looked at. One of the best tyres i personally have ever • Hard decisions need to be made without the influence of product suppliers. I think raced on was the Maxxis HG3, great grip that also came with amazing tyre life. the subject of fining competitors for minor infringements should be reviewed. I’ve The MG Red also offers a similar experience. only ever copped 1 fine in my career but I know it’s a thorn for many. Not sure of • Introduce a standard and culture into the sport and take away the fear of reporting a solution but it seems to me fines dont stop people and the enforcement of them by the officials or clearly define what an officials job is. If a driver has to make a isn’t consistant. report and lodge a fee this will put 90% of drivers of initiating any action. • Cadet class to become non competitive - give kids timed session on track at club • More cost control. The reason most kids don’t stick it out long term is they feel meets, all participant’s get macca’s burger voucher or like at presentation. defeated by other families that can (and do) spend up to $100,000 per kid per • Allow people being introduced to karting to use tracks without come and try year. paperwork - still have rules on engines though. J and S and restricted engines • More advertisement. media coverage eg. cik this year. only, dependant on the class they want to start, can then get track time unlike • Bring back a choice of being able to run MG yellows are something sticky, too Come and Try day (had 200 people at last one in Mackay) much difference between club to CIK level. • All senior competitor’s need to do at least 1 race meet per year as an official to • Try to keep costs as low as possible. compete • Keep Clubby and J, perhaps Clubby in a separate class as Sportsman. The • At Driver’s briefing at all race meets around Australia, each month to have a leopard restricted engines are great, but faster in general to the beginner level section of rule book discussed - 5min refresher and questions to official - same at clubman, which is what most p-platers at our club race every club for that month” • Get honda and Yamaha and Kawasaki involved producing a 250 four stroke • Personally I would like to see longer races, hence more track time. A reason why engine with shifter option(motocross engine and gearbox). Start a shifter class for Pro Tour rounds are popular. At club days this can be difficult due to the number these 250F and introduce a 150cc two stroke option to run with the 250F. of classes running, so maybe its something that can be looked at. • Have AKA buy and distribute tyres AT COST! buy in bulk(charge one set with a • Reduce the amount of classes.. renewal of licence- to kick off the pool of funds) • Regulations that allows a low cost/technically simple club level class; Follow up • I would hold races on the streets in urban and regional centres( for example on non-renewing members to gain accurate understanding of why people leave main streets in the local town or city (fremantle)or at other events which close off the sport so those issues can be addressed; streets) • Small clubs need to help each other as i have seen numbers falling from their • Remove 125cc Restricted licence limitations and the class can ONLY be run at club days ,lot of has to do with clubs and the members club days. Leopard and Rotax run their own class at open meetings (not club • Mentoring program for new drivers (give existing experienced drivers incentives to days unless there is demand for it) and D and C licences can race off the back support and mentor new drivers); Remove licence class restriction on TAG-R. of Rotax and Leopard like they used to. This allows B and A grade licence • Harsher penaltys for unsportmanship holders to race club days in 125cc Restrcited so they don’t miss out because of • More combined classes if entry level low (maybe staggered start grids) low numbers in open classes - this is more for the small country clubs. Numbers • Maybe look at having feature events for the restricted 125 classes as well, at our will increase in Rotax and Leopard at open meetings as D and C grade licence club the restricted classes always have the highest numbers of enteries and it holders can race.”

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd time per meetings (ie Senior meeting only and Junior meeting only). Additionally • Consistancy of engines. And have adriving standarts observer that can penalise have more information about set ups, maintenance for all classes on the AKA on track infringments. Instead of waiting until someone outs up the money. If it website rather than having to search the internet. good enough for the V8’s to have one then we could as well. • Also for combined classes (ie light & heavy) the starting grid should be from the • Modern engines with less running costs” finishing order of the last race regardless of light/Heavy catagory classification (ie • Get rid of the cheats for good, if found cheating a life ban, we don’t need these Le Mans style). This would help prevent needless accidents of faster Karts trying people in karting to pass slower karts • Make club days more relaxed, have less classes and include qualifying. • More practice days for non members. • Cut costs of licensing and entry fee’s, I have been and raced speedway for the • No need to have 4000 classes on each race day. Take a leaf out of UK karting last year in wingless sprintcars and the entry fee is usually only $50 and you are where there is only 6 or 7 classes each race day. Midget, Rookie, JNL, Clubman racing for money up to $5000 sometimes, it costs just as much as karting to do if Pro (170kg) TaG R Pro(170 kg), TaG Light, TaG heavy. not less, which I beleieve it should not • Make it more affordable to be able to follow the circuit. More focus on junior traing • Compress the Fields down, and Tag is not the answer! For example, make the and safty and less political bullshit state championships into Rookies, Junior (J’s on SL1’s, Middle/Heavy Weight so • Much more parity in senior national light please, the engines are to different to everyone can race) and Senior (S’s, MG Reds, Middle/Heavy Weight so everyone one another, its just not fair. can participate). By narrowing the classes down the sport becomes easier to • Less classes at club level and reduced costs market (clear, definite classes), creates more track time (less other classes • Make things less expensive rather than more expensive. hogging the track at big meetings) and creates bigger fields (euro style fields of • More emphasis on racing for fun at a club level, minimising frequency of damage 50 - 100+ competitors would be fantastic. at club level. • More promotion - arrive and drive for new competitors. Try and remove red tape • I have been around karting 17years and people without licences could drive on where possible and make it more seemless to race. In todays world efficiency is practices days this brought more people into the sport the best way of getting and keeping members • Less rule changes and stick with grass roots karting • Start a club in the outer eastern suburbs of melbourne • Simplify the politics,rules etc,reduce classes. • I would first get greater publicity within schools. accompanied by more junior • Same as I answered above. At a lot of levels in Kart racing we are not racing for development camps. sheep stations and that some competitors need to take a more relaxed attitude. • I would also remove the tag125 restricted class. This is not to say that you dont take it seriously but to enjoy the sport for what it is. • I would improve all official training and get more professional officials at each • Get rid of some classes meeting. • Make it cheaper across the board. Its become an eliteist sport.The rich & famous • Something needs to be done to improve the running of meetings in terms of time just keep winning dont they? More junior dev camps in our area not just the metro management to reduce the number of times laps have to be reduced.” areas. • More consistency in engines, so you are not continually chasing a better engine • Great family sport but costs are getting out of control. it seems that karting is like with Yamahas becoming a sport more for the rich that can afford the best of everything and is • Change the track / club insurance policy, allow unliscenced drivers to use tracks, not such an equal sport any more between sessions of licenced drivers whenever the track is open • Hire tracks at Clubs would integrate the involvement of the public • State and national Championships events only Junior L/H TAG 125 restricted, • Reduce the weight limits senior L/H TAG 125 restricted and senior L/H TAG 125, Open Performance 2 • Lower entry costs at state & national events sets of tyres, promoting club to allow up to 3 other classes as support classes • Heaps of media coverage based on nomination numbers closed 1 month before meeting • A Clubman Series like the Rotax Pro Tour” • Promotion, Have Days at schools talking about the positives that come from a • more people racing discipline sport • By improveing track availability both practice time and meetings over two days to • License fees are too high. too many classes/promoter classes. reduce congestion • Less classes per meeting. Would rather have less meetings offered and more • Licenced officials (who have karted before)

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd regular well orgnaised events. CIK style run series at 3 levels. Dispense with • Consistant Track penalties stale State & Natioanl Championships. A1 decided from national series, Q1 • Value for money improvement & large meeting time reductions. decided from state series, IKC1 decided from club series/championship points. • More Media coverage. People have to attend to earn” titles. access at 3 levels give competitors choices • Prize pools for every class. of where to invest for a medium term. • Make it a level playing field, clubs should really enforce proper scruutineering to • Lower the costs prevent cheating. Tyre treatment, fuel, restrictors and enginne mods are common • Phase out the yamaha J’s over the next 12 months, starting immediately and i think its wrong. • More marketing to attract new competitors, more ways to reduce costs, single day • Have come and try days put on by various state organisations - sponsorship days events with fewer classes and more track time where major sponsors are invited to participate in come and try events. • Greater flexibility on the less important rules which help newer members to feel • Cost to be affordable and less rule changes more welcome within their club. E.g. Licensing and Membership dramas for • All Stewards to be given the power to right people up on the spot with out us newcomers. having to put up money sport getting to dirty.time to do what supercars do and • More media coverage hand out some fins to dad driver and dad behavour.the bar must be set • When I retire from racing I will still be an official and I strongly believe in the rule • mostly ran fine, all motorsport has politics etc book which should be followed to the letter, and as a driver that is what I believe • More come and try days, take some power away from industry and make equal for all decisions for the benefit of the majority of karters, not just the ones with the most • Can an engine be approved to take from Junior National through to seniors using cash a restrictor, this will keep the cost down. • Do more advertising and bring back street racing • Track conditions • By teaching the some of the officials some interpersonal management skills. Stop • Don’t forget about the little guys, the ones that don’t spend thousands of dollars officials from treating competitors at drivers dreifing as all little children, and stop per race meeting. They are the ones that keep the sport alive without them the threating the competitors with the threat of reporting. sport dies. we need to make sure money, time and effort are spent on them, • Make it more of a sport with a tv spot and get the word out it. Is a legit sport aswell as the elite!!! • Prime time television advertising. • Engine equality. • Reference to karting by the V8 drivers. • Reduce amount of classes. • Promote karting to the masses not the karters • Allow all licence holders to compete in restricted - will boost more cross entries • Try and cheap the cost down and stop the problem of big restricted classes and unrestricted classes not being • Advertise to the masses not the karters able to form at club days “ • Combine classes at ‘Opens’ to maximum grid sizes to enable more track time per • Family discounts. dollar spent • Keep it Fair and affordable • Reduce disparity in Junior classes especially the ‘J’ motors. This would also • The politics and egos involved in the management of clubs often detract postive reduce costs as it would get rid of the $5000 plus motors being offered. social aspects of karting. Unfortunately I cant suggesty how to fix that • Race meetings no longer than 2 days including practice. • As above and I would like to get involved in the tech side of the sport • Consider ‘tendering’ engines for each class same as Tyre contracts. Engines • More 2 day events like major motor sport ei V8 supercars F1 could be tendered on basis of cost, performance, parity etc for say a 5 year • Merge lesser number classes into same events at club level. contract - enabling a particular class to be promoted and guaranteed for a 5 year • Have more come & try days & advertise these on local radio/TV period. Would take some thought but doesnt need to eliminate existing class • I believe this could be achieved by tougher penalties for the crime. of course this options.” needs to be within reason but for really big things slap them with a 1 year plus • Lower costs,less rule changes ban. As they say they will only do it once. • volve V8 supercar drivers and get them to promote the sport and sponsorship • Fewer classes and ensure that there are classes that do not allow kart store / from the drivers - alike Greg Murhpy does for other formulas. sponsored entrants • Fewer classes, bigger fields, clear local, state & national series that promote • Having less classes would mean more competitors in each class at Club level.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd • For regional clubs we never have enough entries. Maybe a $100 a year licence • Less classes if you cant put 15 karts in class combine them, if the parents whinge for the karter who only wants to race at his home track. After 1 or 2 years he/she get them to rally the people in there class together to get the numbers. More may opt to up there licence once they are more established into the sport. This laps. Streamline metro and northern and southern zones so we can race at more would encourage more D grade licence holder into the sport which results in more events that dont clash entries at club level which makes the sport more attractive. • Reduc start up costs. Support clubs to have “club karts” for introduction to new • We need to get club level racing right,make it accessible for families who earn members the average income. Club level is where people join the sport, and kids get into • More promotional features on TV. It is the cheapest form of motorsport and the karting to follow in the steps of their V8 Supercar and F1 heros. most exciting, lets get it out there in the media • No Yamaha j in seniors • Combine and reduce the number of classes and maybe have a common tyre to • I think you have got it right people just want to finish every race not neccesary reduce costs finish first • Increased marketing to the wider community. • Remove all the tag classes and go back to Rotax Light and heavy • Also a common brand / image across the country would increase public • Reduce classes and engine types awareness and familiarity. • read above statment. but also have taken my children to a few tar meets and see • Run it like a business more kids racing on the dirt then tar at a club meeting • Have more SKC meetings to be able to throw more ideas around. organise more • The only issue we seem to have is adjudication of issues on the track. novelty/one off; events. eg rotax/shifter enduro and night racing. this attracts • More advertising in county areas so people know that there are karting clubs in numbers. there city to encourage more people to come karting • Build a class which is cheap to attract sponsors for younger kids, the sponsor • I’d have different races based upon ability so less experienced karters can race supports the category and at the end of the year the prize for the winner is and not just drive at the back of the field. sponsorship next season in a higher class. need to cap spending somehow, some • Stop putting 125 with restrickers in with clubman classes this is killing the sport in dads can afford to spend in excess of $10,000 a year! some others barely make mackay the track, let alone be competitive! • Develop a culture that promotes the sport and encourage other competitors to • Try and attract people that dont have plenty of money to spend but still want to assist novices. compete at a state level without the extra costs. • More main stream advertising for kids - schools and tv • Improved regional training days • Just more advertising as i believe it is one of the most afordable, fast & fun motor • Get rid of most officials and start again + I would change the practice for ALL sports around watercooled engined karts at major events. They need atleast an extra 2 laps • Limit the amount of technical changes across all classes. than any other class • Living in a regional area with shift workers that are involved in karting. a fee • Try to get those that have come from karting and made it to upper levels of schedual needs to be implemented for compeditors that can only attend 2 to 3 motorsport to have more input into the promotion and driver development club meets a year due to work commitments. EG: dividing the total licence fee programs for a year by the number of months in a year, then adding an extra fee on top • Publish a 5 year plan for engine eligibility of that ($10 to $15) so that they are covered legally to race. Limit the number of • Rationalise classes and run engine classes that reduce running costs temp licences that a compeditor can have in a year (Max 4) any more and a years • Clean up all the classes, we do not need so many classes to be raced as they licence must be purchased. This will allow shift workers to come and participate could be consolidated together too make racing more streamline too make days and keep them interested in the culb and the sport of karting.” run smoother and not so long. • Classes where the only variable is the driver, not whoever has the best engine • Improve time efficency of running an event wins like in the Yamaha J classes. • Gold coast needs a track as we had the one of the highest amount of members • Try make it cheaper, it is getting expensive! per club. • Reduces classes, better utilisation of facilities, split events to increase track time • Less classes that are more affordable, longer lasting engines and tyres. and classes (I know cost and volunteer issues) but needs to be done. • Improve running costs • More publicity

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd interpretation of the one rule • Make it more affordable for everyone • Cut classess make racing more attractive to watch with more karts on track. More • Stricter stewarding try type day to get freinds into sport • Lower costs so more people can afford to compete. Make more user friendly. • More focus on club level and not elite competitions • AKA needs to have a look at the overseas karting and how strong and competitive • Fewer official classes, more laps during racing. It’s the long waits between action it is. Karting is going to be more expensive the more classes you have and that annoys most people, drop half the classes and fill up the grids also less competitve. You don’t see any overseas event racing a meeting with • More advertisements on main highways or country towns to generate local 16 different classes, their meetings don’t drag on all week making it again interest, at each meeting, not a simple a-board next to the race track, if F1 drivers less expensive, they only have a few classes therefor most people could have tribute their success to karting, we should at the very least advertise on the main competed in every class they have to offer, but in Australia you would have to buy road near the racetrack with a big sign advertising the karting with an obvious 12 engines, restrictors, P plates... pictures that can be read and seen well. Even those hire-able LED signs from • More come and try days, practice sessions for kids to get a lic. Coates hire etc are good. • For Sydney its track availablity and cost to practice. • Being able to pit from trailer at most tracks. • Invite public to have a try • More undercover for spectators. “ • By making the sport more even within drivers and pit crew • Get people who are not friends of ousted people to run the national body • Ensure tracks and rules are audited to keep karting safety at a high level. • stop changing class specifications away from national specifications and improve • In my limited experience with the sport, there needs to be some reductions with the standard of officials. some of the out dated classes. In the tag classes there almost needs to either • Reduce the number of classes. Move towards 125 classes ie Rotax junior / senior have some engines removed from competition or parity needs to be looked at rather than the air cooled classes. Benefits would be less engine maintenence, • Reduce number of classes lower cost moving from junior to senior. • Improve safety (eg compulsory rear bars).” • Karting is supposed to be an amateur sport, when you compete at State and • Combine classes on the track and give more laps. Allow one false start then start National level unless you have an unlimited budget you can not compete with the counting the laps down as a penalty to that class for not forming up properly, facory backed drivers, Shouldnt this sport be trying to find the best young drivers rather than penalise all at the end of the day by cutting laps. in the country? But even if you have the best driver but do not have the huge • Reduce class to make more events such as club meets and state / nations more budget or that magic engine (only available to the big budgets) you can not win at appealing to all. current outlay to race even a club meet of one day is not worth that level. How can you make this sport a level playing field for all levels of racing. the 2 or 3 7 lap heats 10 lap pre final and 12 lap final. take to extra cost for state / That is my challenge to you nations with same amount of lap and this is not even worth considering. • Rules are good But some rules really need to be tied up or deleted. • Allow quality promoter events such as pro tour (i would have quite karting if not • More track time for the $. Run it like a sporting business, Invest in training and for it) transparency. • More focus on club stuff rather than feeding money into CIK. In training of • I believe that if u increased club membership to a one off payment of maybe 200- officials, more focus on the fun side (the reason we are here really) and not 300 per member you should be able to practice at that track for free whenever u nitpick assome can do like practice days are too costly and dont reward members for practicing at their • Television coverage for more events and more spectator freindly facilities clubs track • Initiate a buddy system so that new members would be automatically asigned to • Get rid of the people who drag down the sport make the fee structure more an experienced “buddy” who can give them advice and mentorship affordable especially if there is more than one family member karting or they are • become more family sport competing in two or more events. • Don,t make the sport to expensive changing thing on kart and you have to comply • Listen more to the needs of competitors and less to the out of touch AKA with , that makes it to expensive to the average karter that they can not afford management now days , the rules book (the bible)you don’t stand behind it ,etc one person • More media coverage ,try and keep costs as low as posable,more surveys reading a rule interpret one way and another person read the same rule read • Make things less expensive and have more variety in accessories for karting to it differently ,make one rule and stick to it and don’t have two or three different promote it, especially for girls.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd and to the point. If drivers don’t pay attention at them they should miss qualifying • We have found that now we have been doing the sport for 2 1/2 years the cost of • try and simplify all those different class you,s guys have in kart racing tyres(to stay compeditive) is the area which consumes most of the racing budget, • Radio awareness program. if possible cheaper tyres would help • Public demonstrations eg. Street meets (if they can do it for the V8’s surely we • Have some starter days for new drivers to learn the ropes for the first club race can find a way) day • Bring some more fun into the lower levels, we are not racing for sheep station in • Some positive moves the last few years. Encourage officials and competitors to club days. compete overseas and bring back ideas to improve local competitions. • Bring more awareness to race craft eg stamping out rubbing is racing mentality - i • As above hate trying to keep the rubber of my side pods. • I think we should have two classes of race meetings - A class: state,national • Map out clear progression through the classes. ie. distinguish between club level titles,state series , over 40s gold cup etc and where more than 80 karts have races and career racers. eg restricted (club racer oriented) = low grip tyres and entered where officials must be graded in w accordance with current aka rule restrictor, Un restricted (more serious racers) = Higher grip etc” book and B class local club round less than 80 entries where officals eg clerk of • Have officials trained and conducting every meeting consistantly irrespective of course and chief steward etc would attend a compulsory training session and club or track control 2 race meetings under the supervision of a current graded official and if • There needs to be more advertising. Also maybe have a $10 per ticket raffle and deemed compentant able to run local meetings only ideally these would come the winner receives a brand new Kart and Engine of their choice. from people with karting experience this would decrease the work load distance • Need to get rid of the voting system in Victoria for which clubs get 1,2,3 votes travelled on graded officails and make it easier for clubs to recruit volenteers as depending on their membership numbers as the country clubs are getting left officials and decrease cost imposition on clubs like accomadation fuel which all behind while the city clubs are getting bigger and bigger and to share the bigger clubs pay so they can get officails for race meetings currently some people would open meetings around to the smaller country clubs instead of them being hosted like to help out at their local club but dont want to do all the training and time by the city clubs all the time. required to become a graded official • It is a sport and it is something to enjoy.use tyres that are more difficult to • Don’t make people buy new things for their kart when there is nothing wrong with control in all events except for those who wish to compete in state or national what the are using eg when the new airbox came in we could have made people championships less cost more fun.same tyres for all tag and rotax classes. just buy the filter rather than buying a complete new unit” Restrictors in light tag and rotax to equal heavy performance would mean less • More track time maybe more events instead of 9 per year classes in a lot of areas where numbers are few and more equal and fun racing • I think the junior classes which my son is involved should run a rotax engine • continue to have the state cup but do not call it a qualifier to the state titles as that rather than a comer or yamaha engine. this would stop wealthier parents from turned away many family weekend casual racers being able to work many engines, as the rotax can be worked less. • Speed differences in some classes are dangerous due to the different skill levels • Lower licence fees. Cheaper transponders - how the hell can something so basic mixed in - almost need to ensure competitors are capable of doing a certain lap cost $300, cheaper air boxes - it’s a coke bottle and piece of foam, such a rip off! time in order to complete for certain meetings ie state/national championships, Interested competitors see how expensive these things are and are turned off the pro-tour etc. Is a real safety issue sport. Better promotion of the sport. More consistent rules and officials that act in • I would run ameteur race meetings more often for newer members a respectful manner would be a bonus. • For myself free up the licenses so i can race restricted at meetings where ther are • Karting is a great sport, the drive to keep coming and getting faster rests with no opens to race.i could then race with my dad and my brother. supportive clubs and a friendly atmosphere. • More Television/Radio broadcasting • Remove old technology, reduce the number of classes. Get rid of the Dunlop SL1 • In all junior classes with engines that are all the same and cannot not changed as it has changed this year & doesn’t last as long. with people who have unlimited funds and then the average person can race on • At an entry level which I am at more training days re driving and Kart setup. the same playing field • Make the rules the same as it is everywhere else. • Stop adding extra costs to club level drivers. eg: Clutches mandatory (not • The drivers briefings need to be better run at almost all tracks. The mucking initialised), Mandatory Transponders. These added costs almost killed my around by some competitors is just rude, however the briefings should be short participation in the sport.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd between 3-7 thousand dollars. This is for kids under 16 to go racing and to just • I have been Karting over 20 years on and off, i have raced in 200 clubman and try and be competitive? Kids racing especially in Yamaha J’s should not be about supers and then open, I have been out of the sport for 5 years or so, when i who has the most money!!!!!!!!!!!” re-joined I was asked to fill in a prior recognition in motor sport and was basiclly • More advertising & try to lower the costs? told im sorry you will have to go to D class with P plates, to be honest i was • Longer races with qualifying,video races and get rid of bid and barge disappointed, i thought with my prior experiance i would go to maybe C and do • Make it simpler some meetings the be able to move back to B, after speaking to some other • More training days, and training days on kart set up karters coming back in some with state titles, every one get to go back to D with • Instead of having as cast engines why not allow engines to be machined to your P, if your not going to really look into to it I think this only gives a kart hope when actual specific measurements eg J class to erradicate spark erroded engines, etc there really is none • More promotion/reduced costs for grass roots level. • i think at the moment karting is very well advertised and if this continues with • Run it as a business education for officals the sport will improve itself . maybe reduce costs for first • Improve the Profile of the sport year people • Grow the recreational market • Put more money into club track maintenance & rebuilding” • There seems to be too much money spent on delegate fees and conferences and • Personally, I would like to see this implemented nationally. The first weekend of on the CIK events which only cater for a minimal amout of karters. each month reserved for a all state CLUB DAY” you participate at your home • All motors to be sealed by the engine rebuilder at rebuild time and karts must clubs championship event. over the next three weekends of the month hold have a sealed engine to compete. a state reconsigned series. For example make the cost of light users more • Put some fun back into the sport. reasonable or make E Class licence available to all persons • The sport must become more professional even at club level. Officials, Clerk of • By reminding everyone who races that it is a fun sport and if your not having fun Course should be more consistent in their ruling then you shouldnt be doing it. • I think efficiency in administration is the key and adopting new technology. • Keeping all of the race meets organised all the time. I would introduce some • Have a CEO to run and promote karting as a business no politics different rules. • Karting in general is heading in the right direction. It is my Goal to help the AKA • Keep an even playing field with classes, and restrictions, so it comes down to make the CIK series initially a TRULY national series, by having races in ALL race craft and kart set-up, not the biggest wallet wins. States by 2015. • As a karter who travels within NSW , I have had by and large no issues at the • Reduce costs track , however , on a few occasions I have been made aware that a certain • Introduce venue swap in club calander eg N S K C compete at dubbo/orange or issue has arisen wholly and solely due to the personal beliefs of one committe other for points.This will give a small club a big boost and many other benifits. member , rather than the committe as a whole and that basically the rest of the • More consistency, smoother/faster meetings said committes are merely there for show. I am sure the executive of the AKA • I think there are too many classes. At our last meeting there were too many races would be aware of some of these issues and if they are they should intervene in that had less than 8 competitors. the best interests of the club and our sport. to this end i would givee the AKA what • Reduce classes and less input of importers to class formation. ever powers were required to resolve any issues.( Maybe they already have these • Easier, quicker new licence process powers ?? ) • Midgets(Cadets) and possibly rookies not to be at open state championships, • Keep practice to a minium to keep cost down this will allow the kids to have a bit more fun in there sport without overbearing • Production line the yamaha j motor to take all the money out of j racing as people parents pressuring results from them. will pay anything for a good j which makes it hard for good drivers with no money • Token wage for officials (Mainly clerk of course) to be paid ($50 a Day) to to be up the front encourage hard honest work” • Make the officials actually official. • Restrictors to be handed out by the clubs on race days [lucky pick], so there wont • Have an off season of at least 8 weeks. be any discrepancies • Longer racing laps. • More drivers on the tack while racing (join heavies & lights) and more laps in the • Fix the Yamaha J engines being so different in HP. Some engines are selling same time frame of a meeting

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd needed. • More promotion, connection with V8SC, sponsors etc • re evaluate when a junior becomes a senior, it seems rediculus that we have • Have more officials on the track whilst racing because they never seem to ‘see’ 16 year old kids racing against 50 year olds in senior national class, at wat age when certain competitors arent playing by the rules would you call someone a senior, i would suggest at least 25 • Cut out the bang and crash mostly in juniors,I teach my boy to pass clean and • more consistancy of officals decisions leave room if someone is up the inside.this will keep them in good steed when • Cut all cheating out and reduce costs to events such as state titles to a more moving up to different type’s of racing etc shorter time • Equipment that your average Joe can use and can be competitive in • Introduce a professional, non tainted governing body that can put in place some • More track time. future directions for the betterment of karting. • Aim to reduce running cost (tyres and race entry are biggest costs). So you get • more events at and interractions after racing has finished more people racing more often. Better to have 10 people race and make $10 from • “As a recent newcomer to the sport I have been a little disappointed with the lack each entry then have 5 people race and make $20 from each. Because the 10 of frequent co-promotion by suppliers & manufacturers. I expected much more people attract more people. from them especially seeing as competitors are their livelihood. • Four-Five classes in total, one weight for the class, to fat, go on a diet, qualify for • I know how I would try to improve it at club level and that is include bigger events. all races/events no computer draws, • Have races in the city and places the general public can see the sport away from • We need to keep the costs down for people to make the sport more affordable for the club tracks. people to race. • Make race days entertaining. Flags, music, banners. Put results in the media. • Overall more tracks in regional areas.... a tough ask but a must to involve more • Provide driver training days for new drivers. people and create more jobs and competition • More media coverage, try to attract bigger sponsors for the major events with • All states and national events at the best tracks in major city e.g Perth would be TV coverage of the events. Have more junior development days during school Cockburn (Tiger Kart Club) holidays free of charge. • Comes down to each club, getting out their in their local area. eg: BBQ at • Incorporate karting into driver education through schools at a reasonably young Bunnings, sporting events and having a display of karts and video’s of racing age. • Run it like a business for the people not the kart businesses run the Association • By making it cheeper for familys to be involved as dad,mum,&a couple of the as a nest egg, refer to my comment on Aluminium Alloy rims family may want to race but is too xpencive so only one member races & the rest • Put it on tv one a week. may help out • One day meeting • Stop making/changing rules that cost competitors money. Eg Yamaha midget • Try and get more people involved knobled by extra kg’s so we had to buy a comer for 12 months. The clutch • I did not know how much fun this was, I really didn’t know it existed. I got my sons debacle etcetera . Have you considered individual handicapping? into motocross & would have commenced karting if I was aware so I think getting • Implementation of onboard starters for Yamaha engines. the message to non karters or potential karters is important • Cheaper entry fees for club meetings. • By not changing weight in kart classes all the time,motors and tyres. • Cheaper tyres or longer lasting tyres for National and Clubman.” • Promote Junior Karting more. It is elite even as the cheapest form of motor sport. • Stop the crash/bang at race meets. We have had a cheap year on parts racing Driver skill should be the winner, not necessarily a high tec support crew or family. just at one club (Morwell). Another club and open meets are expensive on parts • Accomodation discounts at centres where National And State Championships are due to being crashed into - which never seems to be noticed or dealt with. held. • More club racing events • Less classes. More racing. There must be better motors than the Rookie motor. • Take away self-scrutineering, lower the costs of the sport eg. entry cost, What do they use in Europe? unnecessarily high costs of parts etc. • no comment • Reduce the amount of classes run, perhaps introduce more pro classes. • I think the most important area we dont do well AT ALL, is with new members . we • Have a more intense OLT (seen far too many drivers cause big crashes because fail badly & MOSTLY AT CLUB LEVEL . They are not nutured carefully enough they shouldn’t have their license.) , lots of reason why. need more support / staff /info/ promo. AKA input /help • Decrease number of overall classes.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd categories and create the transition classes. Midgets and rookies needs to loose • The sport itself is good and doesnt have a lot of flaws, i think somehow it needs to an engine either one is ok but again it is all cost imposed on mum and dad. My be put out to non competitors of how easy and accesible the sport is for anyone 1st J I had at age 8 stayed with me till I was 16 and went to seniors, only change to do and compete in. was the restrictor. Also do away with the stupid wheel rule put in by DPE and • Firstly make things cheaper and more affordable so that more people can race. EDWARDS so they can sell product, that is the biggest joke of all of it. If you are let the decision making of the officals be more consistant so that more people are going to form a new rule like that write in in once the current 3 or 5 yr period ends saticified with what the officals are doing. that the new rule will be imposed from date x and all karts must run alloys of x • Set come and try days for each club.(1 or 2 x clubdays per year VIC) size from date y till date z. That rule change is the biggest joke of them all. • Create a logical path to follow from Midgets right thru by eliminating some of the • Longer lasting engines with strict rules . ie no modification allowed what so ever under supported class options thus making engines last much longer . closer racing • maintain single engine classes & combine classes so as the karter gets a miniun • Make it cheaper and more fair to those just entering the sport. of 30 laps per racing day • Unsure at the moment it seems pretty good so far. • Get the sport more advertised to the general public because most people know • Sort out the divide between being a professional sport and the grass roots level. nothing of the sport except the people already in it. We are facing an identity crisis. Not everybody can afford (or wants) to run at the • By marketing the sport furiously. I have never seen a single race televised in top level that we are being forced towards. Australia, yet when I have visited the United States and Canada, their bigger race • More tracks around Sydney. meetings are televised on free-to-air television. • Keep costs down, and more come and try days for potential new comers. More • I’m not sure how the AKA or any state level associations expect to grow the sport focus on ensuring the sport is fair for all eg engines/tyres etc. or its supporter base when there is no marketing to the potential competitors its • By running a series that can be promoted on RPM (one hd), just the like the trying to recruit. formula fords are. • Better promotion (possibly TV coverage or something similar) and a closer • Keeping it a friendly environment relationship with clubs and communities. • Encourage friends to have a go at the end of the meets, address the technology • Promotion of this fantastic family sport. I think the weights for the adult classes getting into it. keep it affordable. need to be looked at. A survey on licence holders body weights. TAG is the future, • Try and take out the man with the most money wins situation. Restrictions on thats why I was drawn back into the sport. Prize money,gift vouchers or tyres for tyres, CNC J barrels ect winners and placegetters. If you feel you have the ability and prior experience you • Tyres must do 5 race meets consectuvely minimum. this can be checked by bar should be able to run in any adult class, no licence restriction. Apart for drivers codes. New regs on engines as said before. new to the sport. • Reducing some costs may help, but not always.. Great officials that help each • Offer more incentives/prizes to encourage drivers or teams to compete at state other and not fight against one another. and national level • Reduce cost of license to encourage more competitors. • Make the rule book half as thick, and increase the cost to protest ten-fold. • Promotion of the TAG100 class across the nation. This is a great class for Encourage a win on the track not in the stewards room. levelling the playing field and keeping costs down. • Potential members should be able to try a kart for a few laps • Cater for the social karter ... I would love to have new tyres each meeting but • Reduce the number of classes and make the engines more equal at junior levels. my wallet doesn’t justify it. I’m happy to potter around middle of the pack (due to If winning is determine by the quality of your engine rather that the driving it is not finances) and I know many others are the same too. fair and sustainable. • It needs to be more family friendly in regards to tyre costs whichis a issue as I’m • Stabilising the rule book so that once a category is in place it is locked for a 3yr or always reading or hearing about it 5yr period so there is no major changes to engines, wheels, chassis specs so that • Closer working relationship with higher forms of motorsport allowing top karters of people have a given time frame to work with. I would scrap tagr and sportsman all ages the opportunity to further their opportunities in motorsport by giving them and roll them back to Leopard and Rotax and again impose a 5 yr period on them exposure through testing days which they might not have gotten due to financial/ and scrap world rules so that you can get more than 12 months out of a rotax geographical constraints. before its worthless.You need the kids at club level to aspire to drive the higher hp • Have a engine you can use from juniors right through to senior. Just restrict it.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd couple of competitors, taking race time away from the more popular classes. • Cheap development class spanning 14 - 20 year olds where progression to other • as above. long term commitments to rules etc. enforce clubs to obey rule book. motorsport is the aim • Reduce the amount of classes offered to club day events. Seperate 125cc and • A hard question and not one that can be answered in a few sentences. to 100cc classes to their own state and national title events. maintain club and local title meets at a reasonable monetary value for the the • Find out why people leave the sport and rectify the problem majority of the karting population. National level will always attract the cream and • TAG motors need to be the core engines. Need a very low maintenance 4 stroke weather there is 300 or 600 competitors doesn’t change the results. clubs don’t option for TAG. Ideally the one engine should be able to be purchased as a junior make money out of that event anyway. its mainstream karting that needs to be and with the aid of restrictors be used right through to adult classes. This would looked after. greatly reduce the cost to competitors. • Advertisement and fox coverage of major events • Compolsery rear bumpers. Cost of the sport is to high. • Not allow further engines to be introduced, keep fees at an affordable level and • Start at NKC level change is needed. training days for new drivers. • Karting is the ‘easy’ part, it is the people that make the karting club feel like home. • If it didnt cost so much to start karting i would get more friends and family involed But this is not always the case at some clubs. I feel that people within the club • Replace the current yamaha clubman classes with restricted rotax classes at should greet members and make them feel welcomed. A particular club that I major events. Engine parity in all yamaha air cooled classes are a big turnoff for have been to is not very friendly, so therfore my driving gets affected by this. Yes those who would like to compete in these classes but do not yet have an engine. karting is competitive, but also has to be fun for the karters and enjoyable for the • Parity needs to be established through allowance of porting, etc. or the engines spectators. need to be removed from the big meets (states, Nationals.) to make room for the • Less finacial costs, less regulations on new people starting out at club days. More more user friendly TAG restricted classes.” help less cost to clubs, for club day racing. • Roll around speeds before the start of a race are far to fast. Poor P platers at • stop making rule changes which cost competitors money & make no real the back are very disadvantaged as the the lead karts accelerate far before the difference to performance or equalisation. acceleration line. I would be really strict on the roll around speeds and penalising • all classes on one tyre therefore cutting costs anyone accelerating before the acceleration line. • Dissolve the current AKA executive, and media manager. Instigate a board • I firmly believe there needs to be a bigger turnover of aka reps. Like any position controlling several sub committees, made up of delegates from each state, lead in any organisation fresh views are gold! Yes experience is needed but long term by a chairperson who is totally independent of the sport. intrenchment of senior positions can be bad. AKA reps sometimes forget that they • one way communication from stewards to drivers and penalised on the track there do not own the sport or the clubs they are there to represent and serve this 99.9% and then.See speedway if taken out you maintain your position. amateur sport. • Introduce one-two engines to use from juniors to seniors and use restrictors to • The question of the continued use of yamaha engines needs to be looked at, I am achieve parity and horsepower. Could use rotax and the leopard which are used also aware of karters that have left the sport because of the use of these outdated now. engines. In seniors with Rotax and Leopard engines so cosistant out of the box a • as above Junior equivalent replacement for the J should be considered. • Introduce a class where you can run anything you want on a kart, ranging from • To make it more accessible and less cost to get started racing. motorbike engines to ‘Chapparal 2J’ style fans for downforce, • Bring in more european engines so we have a greater selection. Get clubs to • Have qualifying at most series races. Cut some classes so more race time or hold try to support new members at getting started as you feel on your own at some senior and junior races on seperate days. Have video clubs. • Have a club race licence . Cheap . • Get the right marketing recruited to promote our sport • No transponder. • Promotions • Maybe tyre batch for club level . Two meetings a set . “ • Regulate the classes more to reduce the costs. • Get officials that can relate to young people • Steward training, not volunteers, especially for major events. • Less classes. More structured race meetings for experience levels. Should be run • National winning Champions should have kart and engines completely stripped. like pro tour • Reduce the number of available classes. There are to many races with only a • Cheaper licences

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd at Geelong in Clubman Heavy doesn’t give me the best value for money, as I • To encourage people into karting it needs to be promoted a lot more through said, TAG-R has ruined Clubman at a club level, this needs to be addressed. the media as a lot of people are not aware of actually what is involved. When Otherwise I need to spend another $2000-3000 or leave the sport. they think of go kart racing they automatically think of hire karts. Also not just • The only thing is media coverage. its free to watch which is great, but we need to promotion of CIK or Rotax, it needs to be promotion of the grass roots of karting be shown on TV such as the younger drivers, success stories, people like to read about other • Focus on the new 125 TAG engine classes, move this class from separate Rotax / people. Leopard races to a combined Sportsman or TAG 125 class, promote a 125 Super • Officials be more aware of what is occurring on the track. Punish unsportsman Heavy Class, bring restricted 125’s into the over 40’s class, run separate (large) like / dangerous behaviour on the track. events for Snr and Jnr races, run no more than 10 classes at open meetings, run • Less classes, more track time at major events, less rule changes and harsher as many events as possible over just one day not 2... penalties given to cheats. • Stop state councils changing tyres for the 125 classes, keep it consistent. • One universal engine that cant be heavily modified like the yamaha engines, • Mandatory training days for all new drivers as part of licence before competing. that can be used from cadets right up to seniors for budget racers, with two • Consolidation of classes performance engings such as rotax and leopard. • Align it with a development pathway, from karts to formula v, formula ford, Aussie • Adding additional technology to show that the sport is keeping up with technology race cars and the times. • Over 40 rotax restricted class - for ‘father and son’ racing • Cleaning up the driving standard of some competitors. sidepods are used as • Everyone I talk to outside of the sport always say to me it must be expensive to a passing tool or push you off the track tool. penalties should be given for this race and get into. Maybe we need to try to change that general opinion to try to driving habit. increase numbers • More laps in racing • Have a reward system for those who help run events etc. • Reduce classes, advertise in major events that will provde exposure of the sport, • Start at grass root level and let cik /sok/ rotax fund their own series not out of AKA television advertising. Whenever i speak to people about racing go karts they tell funds me they have been to the local hire kart track and have the image that we are • Regulate junior engines, equal doing the same thing. People also assume go karts are toys for kids... • Have a good look at the weights & try to reduce the costs some how, its not to • Make all motors equal (CNC clubman motors, or others if possible) bad if you only do club days but once you start to travel around a bit the costs are • AKA have open discussions with drivers in forum so drivers can understand the very high reasons behind AKA decisions • Drop Js. It was never meant to be a kart motor. • Keep costs down and more TV coverage. • Karting is a great sport the problem is the unqualified people who run the sport. • Try to minimise costs where available-some familys i know, myself included, dont • Remove the J engine. I know that’s not a popular one but this engine has a few have a great amount of disposable money to spend on karting. Myself and my issues leading to “a good one” selling for ridiculous figures. As an engine builder son(12yo runs JNH) both compete and sometimes we just have to wait to buy this engine is very good for me that means its bad for the sport. There is much tyres or parts as we have household bills more important to pay first.Any saving better options out there. would be great as now my 10yo daughter would love to join as well, but my • Lower costs budget does not stretch to three karts. I may have to stop to let her participate. • Get more people to come race. And more time at tracks. Also the Officails need • Every club to have an aka approved coach and have regular driver training days, to read rule book and stick to it for everybody or don’t have a rule book • Much more regular checks of engines and fuel as there are many people out • Officials and rule makers need to use common sense drivers need to be there that tseem to think that they dont exist. consulted on rule changes that effect them use the internet to put rule changes to • Lower entry fee’s and license cost, cnc barrels for all classes and improve parity a vote in combined 125 classes, promote the sport in the media more, televise major • Advertise and more will come with ideas karting events ie nationals, state titles, stars of karting, • By raising the profile of the sport to the general public through media coverage - • For regional clubs (eg. Geelong, Ballarat, Cobden, Warrnambool) have a ‘inter- as an exciting spectator sport and event club’ or ‘round robin’ type club day to increase numbers, racing in a field of 3 • Combine classes to cut out waiting time

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd How would you improve the sport of karting?...ctd • Less classes,shorter race days,more laps.Less tracks,but better ones with better facilities. State titles ran only on tracks that are high standard,eg Ipswich,Cooloola not Warwick. • More promotion and encouragement of the sport to new people with events like “have a go days”. Less classes and more track time. Inter Club challenges or at least running club meetings on different weekends so can race at different locations at club level. • Cost reduction, more exposure/professionalism, improved parity and technical compliance • More guidance to beginers- training, tips, and rules.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment structure stops it from growing. • The AKA and all the state levels need to have a very clear and open. • I love the sport and it’s great fun when it’s going well, but it can be like golf if you • Surely most of this data could have been colected from the CMS system records.” don’t have a well trained ball it can be very frustrating and you will either stick at it • Less classes, more coverage/marketing, more competitors - full fields! or give it up. • Karting is a very time consuming sport outside of the track and on race days so • So I think we just need to be carefull that we don’t make silly decisions and rule the rewards should also be there for all competitors. I suggest that the podium changes that add to the normal pressures of trying to get the kart working well trophies awarded at clubs could been reduced in size and licence grade trophies and the drivers experience to a level that you compete at the front. So decide on be awarded for classes. This will also encourage more people to stay around for the classes at the start of the year and stick to them and don’t change engines presentations and participate. like the S/80 to the S/W because someone says you can’t get parts or the • On line entry should be available up to close of entries on track. watercooled S because someone says you can’t get parts these deecissions • And a strong internet presence should be developed. Along the lines of a Youtube are made because promoters start rumours and before you know it the class is channel. gone only to start up the next year with a more expensive engine. And now we • I love karting you dont need to promote it as a pathway to v8s as senna answered are thinking of changing the J to a strike barrell, this is because a person has that karting was the best racing in his career no politics or technolgy would take purchased ARC and needs to make money, why can’t he make more watercooled that away parts instead and one of the best classes would still exist. The J just needs to be • I love karting you dont need to promote it as a pathway to v8s as senna answered replaced over phase out period of 5 years or what ever so the sport can move on, that karting was the best racing in his career no politics or technolgy would take not hit a huge %of karters with extra bills of $1000 per engine by 3 or 4 for a total that away of $4000 plus thousands of $ to re develop the engines, it just doesn’t make any • Karting is a niche sport that will never appeal to the masses. sence. • I would like to see the rule book written in a positive way with no loop holes. As in • If this happens the same people will win only you will drain ther pockets at a time you can do/run this product...” if it does not say you can use/do it when it is very hard to fill them. • Karting is a fantastic sport which I believe needs to take a look at itself to continue • I tookm up this sport +with my grandson to improve his understanding of to improve. Particularly those who hold the power in the sport need to step back competing and so he can later take on some form of motorsport or even remain in an realize it isn’t their sport, it’s everyones whose involved. karting with a full understanding of the sacrifices made by other members so they • I think the sport is in a very healthy position at the moment can compete • Listen to all members not just the committees more regularly. well done and great • I love the sport and after a decade out of the sport I’ve seen some good initiative improvements however numbers are still down. More work can be done to attract • Thank you for this opp to try for a free license hope you do it every year to give more attention from the public which will result in more participants something back to the karters. thks again • From completing my Flags I found a respect for what the officials have to do and • The Aust. dollar climbed past the US $ and JAP Yen, but my engine and parts why they can be so strict at times i think that having the younger boys and girls prices went up. Needs looking at learn there flags and know a few rules would help in having smarter better racers. • We race and spend max of 3000 per year at club level My younger brother will • Advertisment is a must for our sport , whether it be papers, tv, radio, or even be staring next year so we will not race as much due to keep the cost at an internet, we must promote it a bit better! affordable level • Karting is awesome, if people watch some of the stuff on TV that they do at the • Overall the AKA is very good but they need to be good at little meets not just big moment I would think that if big meets were broadcast on free to air people would meets watch them. • Help seek goverment funding for track delevopment and upgrades. most track • Need to keep things simple.Make club level racing easier but maintain things as facilities don’t meet current Building codes and CIK rules. Better facilities means they are for state and national level events safer environment and comfort for all karters and may retain more in the sport • I hear a people comment that karting is too expensive, but put simply what other over the long term. form of motorsport is as cost effective as karting. Go to speedway for example • If have karted a lot, and cannot believe how badly its run. There is massive and it costs 2-3 times more. resistance to any positive change. Could be a huge sport, but antiquated admin • Love racing and I want to continue racing for many years to come.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment ctd... • Karting is our life, wouldnt swap it for the world, just wish the one rule applied • I have really enjoyed my first year - however I am going to be struggling to scrape every where, there is two much difference from track to track. together the money to run next year unless I get some sponsership • Karting is great I just wish Tassie could be run as professionally and fairly as the • I appreciate the opportunity to answer this survey. I hope that we as competitors mainland. officials and members are heard in the long run and not just commitee arguing • This is a great sport but it needs a national media promotion to encourage more with commitee to suit each other. members especially in country areas • it was very difficult and expensive when i first started and i can understand why • Thanks for taking feedback i guess. people leave the sport so quickly. the only reason i stayed is beacuse i love • Make it more enjoyable for the whole family, karting but for the other person that just gets into it because his mates are, i • Karting competes with a whole pile of other more relevant and better marketed ( think you will find will only last around 12 - 18 months before he leaves again. more money spent ) passtimes. By comparison we take peoples money and offer this is mainly i believe due to the cost and time spent at track just waiting. i think bugger all in return. This needs to change, and soon. something needs to be done for people wanting to get into the sport. like a buddy • I would like to see more recognition of our volunteers. We need their input to system or something. an AKA owned track in sydney would be great as well. make this a success. some place where you can practice whenever without having to wait for hire karts • Sort the small stuff first and make it easier for people all you want to do is keep or only being able to get on every 3rd weekend because your local track is always turning people away. If it is to hard they will just sell up and go and do something closed.maybe a dream but would be nice. else • My partner has not renewed his licence this year due to the rubbish that has been • Have no problem with club membership cost as still intend to be active there even going on between the two speedway kart clubs and I am seriously considering though only racing club days proposal doing the same. there are only two things that are keeping me in racing at the • you should by trying to help out the people that are at club level more financially moment - the fact that I enjoy being out in my kart and the boys who I compete not the people with more $ then they no what to do with (scrape the CIK)as they with that continue to encourage me - however if they club politics continue then will make it on $ alone what about the people that can really drive who are on a I may be discouraged from renewing my licence next year. Please feel free to tight budget contact me to discuss any of these matters further as i would really like to see the • Would love to see an over 30s national class sport improve • To ban wets in all classes exept for opens,rotax,125,kz2.Try keep the price of • There needs to be a licnce for parents of midget, rookies and juniors as this is racing down on the competior. We did this many years ago with no complaints. where a lot of issues arise and the bad sportsmanship is drummed into the kids. • Disgusted about midget and rookies dropped from state and nationals, replaced • I love karting but it’s exapencive an really makes it hard to compete in bigger for more classes and laps. shame!!. events. • Karting needs to be run to cater for its customers. Industry needs to start catering • Karting is generaly a great sport however, costs are too high for the average to the karter and actively participate in the growth of the sport at the club level. person and there is to much diparity through out all classes , there is no clear Get more people into karting at the cheaper level. All parties involved then need planning for the future that i’m aware of and the open tag classes are a nightmare to concentrate there efforts in supporting and retaining these new people in our hence the growth of tag restricted sport ,Then in time the ones whom like it and stay will progress up to the more • Allow B class licence holder to run restricted at club days expensive classes when there ready. • Having a great time kart racing. Would race every weekend if I had the money • Thank you for the great work you do for our sport. It must be incredibly hard to • To much money spent in wrong areas and not enough spent on geting people satisfy everyones need, from the small country club with not enough members trained in officialdom. with worn out old tracks, to the big city clubs with too many karts & not enough • Great to be a member and would like to be more involved track time. I hope you continue to govern our sport with good well though out and • It is great to see this survey made available for some feedback from the karters. I researched decisions. believe cost is the biggest issue in the sport. National and state titles running for • Get rid of the vested interests and ego trips. as long as they do make it hard for people to not be at work travel and compete. I • Use technology - teleconferencing etc. believe people are doing far less club racing due to higher costs and are saving it • Absolute need for transparency, at state and national levels. for the bigger meetings. But well done for this survey! • Keep up the good work!

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment ctd... moto x, Road bikes & cars in the past and was looking for a bit of a cheaper/ • There can never by any justification for introducing rules that are designed to safer/drivers licience saving option to let off some steam. For me I’ve got other prevent transparency hobbies on the go (Kitesurfing #1, Surfing, downhill skateboarding, weight training • I really enjoy karting and I’m disappointed my two eldest boys have lost interest etc) and I couldn’t really care about winning the Go Kart championship. I’m happy but I intend to re-commence racing in 2012 with hopefully my third son (7 years to just race my 3 mates who also have 125 gokarts and have abit of fun. To be old) joining me honest, I’m not interested in sitting around all day on the a Sunday watching • There are more good points than bad to the sport of karting and the AKA classes & classes of kids when I could get more racing in on a practise day in 2 • love it, love it, love all of this sport... itching to get on the track now! hours total with my friends. (Sounds very selfish I know) Perhaps if there wasn’t • I think I have said everything I need to say ...I guess we will just continue to beat so many classes I would look at attending a club day and encourage my friends the drum for the sport we love and continue to promote it as we have tried to do to join me. Basically we would just like to have more karts around us. Another since our return to karting with a plan of continued growth in our team ( Which downside is we would have to restrict our karts. I know there’s only a matter of generally accounts for 10% of the competitors at our race meeting)And the secs in it... but I’m not interested in my kart having even less power. We’ve come outlook to provide assistance to anyone who may require some assistance to stay off 190HP Roadbikes I’d like the option to give the restricted stage a miss. As within the sport !! previously stated, our Club Manager/hire kart man is a very grumpy man. We • Karting should be where young people learn car craft and road manners. stick to the rules so we don’t have to speak to him. We’ve made asking him for • I love karting and have always been competitive with the best but now the wealthy advice or buying parts off him (not that he has much) NOT an option. We just pay in the sport are spending to much money and the less well off can’t compete eg our money to use the track. We visit a nearby Kart shop for parts, oils etc as the flying machanics and chassis specialists around australia I have heard of some guy there is a very helpful. He offers great advice and we are happy to spend our people spending $ 30,000 just on tyres for a year money with him. • I thoroughly enjoy my sport, regardless if I am racing, being pit-crew or helping • Love the sport, just not very good at it. out the officials during a meeting. The sport is a lot of fun, has a great community • TAG restricted light & TAG light (Sportsman light) should be 150kg NOT 160kgs. feel and is great for families and children to develop in them selves. A lot of guys are having to put on 20kgs+ just to make weight. This needs to be • Personaly for me i have raced clubman for 23 years and a few others on and changed asap...... off i would like to see the max size of the piston raised slightly(eg 53.2) to allow • I am only a member of AKA so I can use AKA tracks to practice on. The AKA people use current engines to save money replacing a piston is cheaper buy makes this VERY difficult. a barrel (lets be honest there is good and bad engines out there and that cost • Fix TAG! 125WC is the future. Make a uniform set of rules that is fair and works, $$) why dont we use commom sense and extend the life of the engine a little bit like clubman. more.once my engine reachs this size my racing will Stop at all levels as i now • Dump Senior National from Open State and National events. have a young family and $$ take higher priority. • Dump Midgets, Rookies & Junior National from National events. RICH PARENTS • Keep up the good work im enjoying the sport !!! SHOULDN’T BE WINNING TROPHIES!!! Junior Clubman Light and Heavy • People at club levels just want to race safe and have fun, sometimes officials are (heavy at CL weight), CL, CH, CSH nationals only” to strict with minor things and should do more for people bashing and crashing • I love karting - the state politics and club distrust of each other. No protion or into others. They should be like referee’s and umpires in sport and control people keeping members. doing thing wrong and not waiting for somebody to complain. • I think we are heading in the right direction, entry numbers are starting to improve • I love karting, but it is getting harder to race in these tight times. Event numbers again after the downfall in the mid 2000’s.. are getting smaller all the time because people can’t afford to race at the moment • I love karting and with my sister competing and Dad the pit crew we have a lot of • As covered above would just like to see more racing and less standing around fun but get annoyed with the seriosness sometimes from other dads and some time due to the amount of classes on offer, im sure the senior class could be kart shop owners, as kids we have a ball but feel sorry for Dad sometimes with reduced to no more then a around 6 class, juniors around 3, 1 for midgets and 1 the other side of the sport. I know he tries to hide that from us but I still see it. for rookies, Other than that I wish we were in melbourne as there seems to be lots more • Dont co-exist with hire kart tracks opportunity and the racing is tougher but fairer and less whinging, or it has been • I bought a Go Kart 7 months ago and joined the nearest track. I have been into when we have been there.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment ctd... It is a joke of a class. • Maybe consider encouragement prizes for kids doing quick laps at practice • Overall supportive of AKA but its time to review, restructure and refresh karting in sessions.. my son is worried he will be ran of the track by faster karts at a club Australia to retain existing and attract new members meeting, so he decides to only practice..he’s fast but won’t race as he’s scared • Make race meeting 2 day only as some poeple have to go to work to pay the bills Everything is really good otherwise. . Junior should not be able to practise on a school or race • The AKA is doing well and depending which way the wind is blowing on any given • As a relatively new member. just renewed my second year of membership. I have day will depend ion what comments you here from the general population in had limited exposure to the depths of the AKA. However, I’ve had a fantastic first regards to karting. year and look forward to the next year. • I love karting. But it is financially difficult to keep up with the way things are going. • I think alot more people will get involved in karting if these issues were looked at. Time off work isn’t possible for everyone, therefore some meetings are impossible In general lower fees more track time. to compete at. If it were financially and time possible to race at more meetings I • If i was a rich man I’d race every weekend! definitely would. • There isn’t a meeting either local, or interstae now, where I don’t over hear • Karting a great sport but to many classes and to many different motors, State comments or discussions in the pits about the poor shape karting is in, and how Titles are not value for money CIK & Pro Tour less day more laps bad its got, we need a big overall. I must admit, its great to see this survey, lets • Karting is fun, love racing and hanging out with my friends at the track. hope you take it on board though.... • It’s good that you care! • I have really enjoyed my first year of racing and will continue to race in karts as • There’s always going to be politics in karts regardless of who runs what events. long as i can. Fines at the track are a joke as it is only kart racing, not F1. Alot of officals abuse • I am looking forward to my first year of competing next year. there positions within the aka/clubs as their hour of power and this has to stop!! • Too many people expect the easy way in this sport and give up at the drop of the • Great sport, love it. At 41 years old being able to compete against highly skilled hat when get beaten at the beginning of their time as kart racer. we to encourage drivers is one of life’s dreams come true. A great shame it took 25 years longer people to remain in the sport and want to be the best they can be and race the to achieve than it should have. Having a big family makes it a very expensive best competition on a more regular basis sport. We often run 4 or 5 karts at an event, this will be heavily reduced next year. • I think something needs to be looked at in regards to the comer vs J issue in the Purely due to cost. We will be giving preference to one day events next year, midget class, with new kids coming into the sport, the ability for parents to be as the cost of accomodation for 7 or 8 people for 2 nights, entries, 3 or 4 sets able to buy a J motor that has the potential to remain their stable engine for the of tyres, a rebuild for an x30 (one will go in the dirt without an air cleaner every entire karting career is a good option which doesn’t hurt the hip pocket to change meeting), 1/3 of a clubman engine rebuild, 2 liters of oil, 40 liters of fuel, some engines and become competitive in each class. chains and sprockets, a nosecone, a couple of seats, a wheel or two and maybe • Get rid of the people who have been running karting (national & state) for the last an axle has tended to become a little too much this year. Obviously it’s not the 40 years. Karting needs new blood & new ideas so it can move forward. fault of the AKA that I have lots of kids. We have run in 23 events since November • Karting went through a bad period in the mid 2000’s but seems to be coming last year. We now need to reconsider events based on cost/value/equipment out of that now, better events are the key. Class Structure needs to be improved requirements. Maybe club days on used tyres and a couple of state championship - again not every class needs multiple weight divisions!!!! and not every class events with fresh engines & new tyres. Maybe selected events where we don’t needs to run at every meeting. have to stay overnight. We will just figure it out as we go along. • Karting officials need to be friendly and helpful to competitors; there was once • I have been a member for over 28 years i love the sport nothing better than being an event about 10 years ago when a particular ‘official’ walked up to a grid of 30 one with the kart. I would like to think that my son can have that same feeling for ready to go out and walked through saying ‘Get it off’ (the grid) to 12 competitors many years to come. He has competed for four years now. Thankyou. because of a minor technical ruling (which was later overturned anyway). They • Karting is an affordable motorsport which can be enjoyed by the whole family. did not get to race!!! Yet this particular individual was very pleased with himself • Our family have always enjoyed being a part of the wider karting community. because he had ‘done his job’. Would it not have been better for the sport of • Tougher penaltys for people who cause kaos on the race track(causing an karting if he had gathered the drivers in question, explained the problem and unessesary collision on track). asked them to fix it?? Sadly, this example typifies the experiences of many... • Get back to basics, introduce levels in the sport. Get rid of the Yamaha J engine. • Love the sport keep up the good work

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment ctd... • Just remember that the future karters Cadets / rookies are what you need to • Reduce the number of classes and you’ll get bigger grids per class, more track survive. time, more competition, lower costs and more fun! • Run a major event that goes for about 6 to 10 mths with major sponsers like V8 or • There are some excellent initiatives like CMS, CIK Stars of Karting and the F1, as there are to many events on at the same time. so sponsor get something increased communication for the AKA. back from it as well heap of karters and spectators. • Just need to consolidate this and have some stability • Lee, you have done a fantastic job promoting the AKA and karting in general, • Country tracks need alot of support from the Metro clubs to give a higher level if especially CIK. CIK has been such an eye opener and a great series to be apart competition of, and can see that its able to grow further. • We need to make sure that the fun is maintained it appears that people are only • Rules need revision. look at the J in midgets. you cannot be serious. look at the interested in top level karting i.e. CIK but that is not what keeps karting viable it is biffo on the course. it must be peanalised. the every day karter who racing at club level • Everyone loves to look at Karts. All AKA registered clubs should be encouraged to • Don’t be put off by the negative things people say about the AKA, they are trying put on shopping centre/Bunning displays and offer, come & try days their best. If they can gauge more accurately the consensus of the people, they • Keep classes as they are,no changing of engines,ie rookies going to comer would be performing a lot better in many peoples eyes • If the cost of karting wasn’t so high more people would be able to participate in • I really enjoy karting at a recreational level but due to other commitments and a our sport. lot of poor weather this year my kids and I have not been able to attend much. • Karting is a great sport and a good way for young people to learn how to start Because of the cost of renewing three licences for infrequent use, I intend to sell driving and honeing there skills our karts and not renew. • My son loves racing we are hoping to be able to race alot more next year!!! So • Nuture the roots and the crop will yield. keep up the Great work AKA!!! • If the AKA is serious about the future of karting it needs to listen to its members & • Follow recommendations from the members, with due dilligence given to all make some changes. proposals, transparency • An even playing field where drivers feel that their gear is just as good as the other • The AKA is doing well with the sport but more needs to be done with promotion guys gear is also generally attractive. • By increasing class numbers thereby increasing feild sizes would make the sport • Keep up the good work its not an easy task keeping every one happy im sure look more attractive by way of popularity it would also reduce club costs and • Karting needs consistancy in the application of the rules from club level through increase profit that can be returned to the karters by improving facilities, offering state and national levels. prizes to assist with racing and funding for attracting new members so that the • Simple realy get rid of the classes which offer no spectator value and dont give sport continually grows people the option of racing 30 different classes. Keep it simple and the numbers • Some of the NSW officials think they know everything and they dont. Unwilling will come back to the days of 30 plus karts in a senior feild. I have not renewed to help you, just treat you like dirt. No where to practice in Sydney without my licence as Clubman Heavy has not had a feild since the nationals i refuse to contending with hire karts. spend the money to race against 5 or 6 karts. 125 classes should only have the • The people who have the skills and passion to move the sport forward are out choice of either Rotax or Leopard. there. We need to get rid of the dead wood and people with agends that dont • Great sport, Great experience if you take the sport seriously. More support fit. Far too many examples of the ‘fatcats’ spending our money with no visible through club level. invest some of that money back into the sport through media. improvement in the methodology of karting • It could be a fun and rewarding pastime but getting over the hump of initiation is • On the right track with this survey difficult especially if time is tight elsewhere • Reducing cost would go along way to helping people out such as myself. • To overcome such competing elements, the first competitive experience need to • We have had enourmous fun over the 4 years and our needs are simple - good, be made as simple as possible. decent value events to go and have that fun at. Unfortunately these are getting • Been karting for one year, won’t stop for a long time i hope. harder to find. Even the Country series in Vic has gone to being a two day meet • Love the sport the most fun i have ever had. There are a great bunch of people - the implications on accomodation means less value. Could have reduced the involved and all willing to help a new commer wether you are a new boy or girl. classes to fit more comfortably into a one day meet, but this would (maybe) have Help the grass level grow and this will flow onto the upper levels. reduced income and that seems to be off limits.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment ctd... somehow reduce cost across the board to help keep karting affordable. • I enjoy karting alot. It gives me a chance to escape, spend some time with my • Rotate big meetings to give some country tracks a go ie Hamilton had great Dad and has allowed me to make a lot of new friends. I’m not an expert and I atmophere in 1998 states titles and more relaxed to people still travel to these don’t have all the answers, therefore, I aim to enjoy myself. tracks and plenty of accomadation in most towns • As stated karting is perceived to be getting better. more promotion of high profile • Their needs to be fewer engine types, which are easily and cheaply maintained drivers eg Lowndes etc will help immensely with very few mods allowed. They need to be produced to a very consistant level • Don’t rule with a iron fist !, we all do karting because we enjoy it. so their no are variation and all are the same out of the box. Club racing needs to • Karting is a great sport, but is out of reach of many, because of cost of tyres, get back to driver skill and kart set up and not who has the best equipment with parts, and admin costs. plenty of racing and track time. We used to get 4 heats and a final all with 10 - • Composite parts. 15 laps in one day when I started. These days you are lucky to get 4 races in a • Officials like Rod Clee weekend which is not value for money. • Karting is the best motorsport available to the average person, so promote the • If my 9 year old didnt love it i would be out of the sport already and I have only damn sport. raced 4 times myself but the costs are atleast 20 dollars too high for entry when • As I have only been karting for a short time i believe AKA do a good job etc she starts racing we will be up for 170 dollars just to enter let alone to get there officials & organisers and keep em both running :-( • I love my racing and i love my intrepid kart.I love the competition at each race • I am not very happy and now add to that they tell me my motor needs to be meeting as the standard in my class is very high .. I look forward to seeing my replaced its just getting out of hand. friends every time i go to the track.We have made so many friends. • I raced supertrucks all over australia for $26000 for 6 rounds why are you pushing • It would be nice to organise the AKA license through the local club secretary family budgets so hard. instead of having 2 applications. • Karting has potential, however, in Australia we lose sight of the big picture. Its • Everyone has their own opinions. But At the end of the day I think the AKA (I all about making money and supporting key suppliers. Grass roots is whats thought it was Karting Australia now?) are just plain lucky. I would have raced important, and encouaging kids. Children have so many options today that are so kart’s as soon as I could afford it, no matter what the association or its rules. It much more afforable and better value for money that karting. Reduce the number took me 22 years to save up since I started wanting to race at 5 years old, but of classes, make the races longer so that it improves race craft knowing that you here I am. At the current costs I’ll be here for probably another 2 years. unless dont have to be 1st into turn one and create mayhem, 30 lap heats will teach I win the lottery. A cheap 4 stroke class would keep me in most likely forever! I karters how to set up a kart and how to race.Enforce the rules as per the book, don’t need to do 120kph on yellows to be happy.. I just need to race. Oh and.. no mans land and accelaration lines a just 2.Have officals as spotters looking for Keep it fun - and don’t make it too political it’s not f1 :) aggressive driving, and ban repeat offenders.Racing is not cheap, its all realtive • Always wanted to compete in this sport!! only doing club days. and people want race not repaor damage caused by bad driving. Look at reducing • Great atmosphere, great friends, great club... should have started years ago” costs as well. • have been involved in karting for12 years and still look forward to every event like • The way forward for the sport is new members and the things the associations it was my first one must focus on is evrything connected to getting them in, making their transition • Stability, it is what the sport needs more than anything else. into the sport smooth then keeping them with value for money meetings and • I think that there are too many race meetings in the year and the CIK, Pro Tour cheaper tyres would go a long way to keeping ongoing costs down. being held over the same weekend as club days and other open meetings takes • Karting is a great sport it just needs more promotion and media coverage to too many people away, i think that only 1 meeting per weekend so all drivers and attract more people to the sport officials are available. • AKA needs to lobby state and federal government for funding as a sport tied to • Keep up the good work guys. Without you we would just be practising!! driver education • Have raced since 89 and the best thing to happen was when rotax motor came in. • It’s fun. Its relatively cheap. Let the club days be for all members & the open At last a motor with electric start and at least 20 hrs use between a engine builder events for the would be champs! touching it • Surveys such as this are a great way to gain relevant informtion as after all it is • Overall I think karting needs to do more to keep it’s current members and the competitors who ultimetly decide to race or not

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment ctd... good after been used once I would prefer to use MG whites • I have found joining this sport was very tough , hard to get the info i needed , its • Yesterday I was looking at a J clutch. It was over $300. I found a identical clutch a lot more expensive than I was told too. ppl are too competitive which takes the on Ebay for $58. Piston are over $70. I can buy a Honda piston for $20. Do I need frendliness of it away too , dose turn newer ppl off the sport to go on! • Thanks for oppurtunity to have my say in this survey!!! will see yous next year • I love this sport. I have waited my whole live to get involved in it. Don’t make me • Need a level playing field for everyone, money shouldn’t be the main factor. leave because of bad leadership and not getting me involved in the future of my • Their has been to many changes over the last 3 or 4 years costing too much. sport. • Cost of entries need to be reduced as specialy parents with two or more kids • My local club (Orange) does not run club level restricted so I have to run in Rotax racing Heavy, which has sporadic and minimal participation. Also means i have to keep • Believe in this trying time for Karting the future is still looking bright on top of 2 tyre types in some instances, Mojo’s for Rotax, and MG for Tag • Advertising and promotion is the key area in which the AKA should focus, followed • Keep improving where possible...listen to your members sometimes they have by cost control and Incident reviews. Through improving these areas karting good ideas should improve to be a well known and well respected sport. • If the cost of karting continues to rise it will become imposible for families and • Great sport to be apart of beginers to not only participate but set up costs associated with multiple karts and • Less classes, Less confusion between classes and changes, 3 day national and basic needs such as tyres and entry fees state title events like the Pro Tour Page 46 of the november Kart Oz has all the • Karting is a great sport lets not destroy it with all the bureaucracy that seems to answers for the sport of karting. Start giving back what the people are asking for be creeping into it and that is value for money. I have spent 10’s of thousands of dollars getting back • Overall, very happy at the moment. VKA is doing a great job, and should be into the sport which i was involved in 2000- 2004 in the boom time. there was half congratulated.Its a tough job, with plenty of grenades getting thrown over the the classes. If thi does not change by the end of 2012 i will quit once and for all. fence. • Karters dont have a lot of faith in the AKA. Most changes over the past 15 • Karting in Australia need to welcome new comers a little better that’s just by my years brought in by the AKA has cost the karter money. There does not seem to own personal experience... as i found it to be quit daunting but I’m sure we all did. be consistency within the AKA as a whole. Secrecy to all AKA matters creates • Karting is a great family sport and i think the AKA is starting to head in the right distrust. The AKA needs to be more open and approachable direction with the sport to possibly show people • If this sport is to to continue and increase membership some hard decisions need • I’m a tall Jr driver, not fat but cannot get to race seniors for 2 more years. I’m to be made racing 30 kg over the rest of the field. • Too many classes,split meetings • Big nobs at AKA should go around and speak to drivers at little speedway clubs • You need to do something in sydney to make karting accessable for karters and ask why they are loosing interest in AKA Speedway. • I’ve loved competing in karting and made great friends out of it along with • Drivers in Sydney that do not have the time and budget to travel several hours memories of some fantastic racing. The officials also on the whole do a very good to simply practice are at a massive disadvantage to drivers for eg. in Melbourne, job. For me, time is becoming a more scarce and this has made me realise that if where at least 4 good tracks are within an hour of the CBD. there is one thing that would improve karting for me, it is to get more time in the • Sport needs to have more focus on driver habits to teach drivers the correct drivers seat and less in the pits or the hotel. way to race cleanly because karting has a bad reputation as a crash and bash • Overall though, I’ve been very happy with my choice to take up karting as a sport category and that is as a result of the efforts of a lot of passionate individuals who are • Parents are fighting with one another because of kids and parents not knowing involved because they too love the sport. what is right and wrong on the track. • Just started Karting I fined it to be a very family frendly sport and most people • I very much enjoy karting but it does cost my family a lot of money for me and my VERY HELPFUL. brother to race and be highly competitive • I think we need to remember that karting is entry level to motor racing. It should • I love karting....simple as that and even though the aka are far from perfect i be kept simple, easy and cheap. support them because they do support karting • Love the sport and hope to make it into v8 or other motor sports in the future. • The conduct of the officials can be confronting. This makes new people walk • TaG Restricted Light are still running on Dunlop KT1 tyres for wet , which are no away. Like it or not

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment ctd... participation through simpler governance and controlled costs and fewer • My son raced for five years from 94/98 we ran out of money so we had sell up classes... the elite will have their regional state and national champs as well as now i am trying get back into over 40 but am finding hard to get 160 kg with kart ? Pro Tour and CIK stars series... enforcement of a code of conduct is important... may try looking at TaG retc but more exp? have not raced yet done prac looking Comer engines for the younger classes would mean more consistent engines and to start in 2012 top sport but high costs opportunities for more people to be competitive • Remove cameras from karts as this is not photography it is motor racing • The majority of karters are club level to attract more costs need to reduce • At worst we could continue with the same system however it must be transparent • This is a difficult sport to start up in without support, and a club designated mentor and be seen to be transparent. for beginners for the first few drives and race meetings will help. The two stroke • The sport has a great future but only if the decisions are made now and we do not classes are temperamental and tricky for beginners, and an entry level 4 stroke sit on the current classes for another 10 years. No driver should be able to buy class would allow a lot more people to stay in the sport after their first drive. his/her win by purchasing a “known” engine. Just look at the nationals this year. • The AKA needs to remember to keep karting as a cheap form of motorsport. It is Not one new engine one a class in clubman or j’s. So why would anyone want to now more expensive to race karts compared to superkarts race unless they had one of those!! engines!! • I have been racing Rotax (unrestricted) since April 2006, along with Clubman • There is too much conflict of interest in karting where certain people making and TAG100 and have enjoyed every second. Two of my sons have competed in decisions have a vested interest in the outcomes and is the very worst examples I Rookies, Junior National, Clubman and Rotax classes as well and this has been have seen a fantastic way to enjoy our familys company together (the wife helps out in the • I have only been racing for about two years, but in that short time I have had a canteen as well) I have every intention of competing for years to come. ball. Karting is by far the best sport I have been involved in. It is professionally ran • I have been very happy with the operation of our sport (even at club level) and it oozes a family freindly environment, I have made some • I beleive we have to reduce class numbers so that we get greater numbers of life long freinds and will not be leving the sport any time soon. entry in the classes we run, also need to reduce cost such as tires it crazy that so • Karting is a great fun family sport few people have full control not offering competion of reduce pricing. • The european formula of racing is something that australia should aim to emulate, • Love my karting, keep up the good work AKA and hopefully I have provided some especially in higher level racing. Club level racing seems to be working well from useful feedback. what I have seen at my club • Have been involved at National level and it is not easy trying to please all. • my weekends have been spoiled by being punted off and nothing done about it. • Letclasses let rotax have there series , and simply have yamahas , comers , etc Need to stop the cheating. The J engine needs to go. Why cant we race with an • Please employ Experienced, qualified and intelligent management. engine that is used in europe • This sport needs to provide better value for money or it will lose another member • Over all my karting expeeience for the year has been excellent and a really within 12 months. enjoyable learning curve. • I love racing, but the politics and licencing continue to get me involved to the • I love karting, after many years of racing basically everything with a motor (motox extent i would like and enduro, jet ski and cars), karting is the most fun and closest racing. After • Need to attract more people to the sport by making it accessible to give it a go not racing karts for many years and recently returning I found it very difficult to without the high costs. Once hooked, people will pay whatever it takes, just ask understand the new classes, this needs to be simple and consistent to attract and us... We have probably now spent $10000 on a sport we knew nothing about 3 retain members and increase field sizes. months ago!! • I love the sport and would like to spend many years pursuing that extra tenth. I • Karting in Australia is of good quality but there is still room for improvement in hope the Association can make it a place to do that. some areas • This questionare should have happened about 20 years ago. Its feedback from • All in all we are in a great sport, but some of the officals at the top seem to be the active participants that is needed. doing there best to drive people away, with the invention of new rules very second • Reducing the number of classes competing is a major factor that is hurting this meeting,example, Jmax max kart weight, some kids are just small and cant race sport and making people quit along with cost involved. It might be worth it if you it, 2, the new rear bumper rule, i pay $5500 for a chassis than have to pay for get to race against a field of at least 15 20 where ever you go. another bar to race in the rain,and last, the new sportsman class, mg reds for dry • The focus on marketing is not the most important aspect of karting... encourage fair enough, why not run mojo wets most of the karts in this field will be rotax

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment ctd... • Overall the AKA is doing a fantastic job. I’m really impressed! • Almost everybody wants to go karting but the cost of it is killing the sport because • If you can reduce the license fees and promote the sport more effectively, i of greed believe that this will go a long way to attracting more participants • This was a great idea to to this!! • Dont care about the politics of the AKA. all we care about - and I talk on behalf • Make sport cheaper for first time social members at club level of 3 other members of the family that are/will be involved in Karting, is that comps • Unless huge changes are made there will be no AKA left within five (5) years and are run well and performance of Stewards is consistent and costs are kept to a only a few clubs who go it alone. minimum for those competing (we have 3 karts to maintain 3 licences to pay for.) • Let’s not be staisfied that the rich people (majority) who kart always will - get the • Sport is in better shape then when I left it in 2006. After racing a few other forms costs DOWN and attract the average joe to the track of motorsport and coming back I am please with how it has grown. It’s good to • Keep the kt100j it’s a great engine that I cheap and competitive. see old faces, some that should and some that shouldnt be there. and so many • Love racing go karts just wish i got back into the sport sooner, new faces. its what karting is about... teaching young talent. having fun, and • 2012 is my first full year of competative racing, enjoying our sport. • Get stewards/officails to judge the sport on the day in a black and white manner, • Overall I think the AKA has been improving since I have joined. not wait for competitors to complain about each by lodging fifty dollar protest. • Electric start and clutches on all karts,reduces time with karts stuck of track • Technical changes are good for the sport. requiring push start or trolly • Im obsessed with karting and would love to see numbers increase, and costs • To align ourselves more inline with what is happening on the world stage would decrease. In my opinion the more TV time the better, those kids like me that were be good. A better contorlled engine acrioss all categories so as setup and ability obsessed with racing since they were 5 will see it and want to participate. Footy, became the measure not the engine” with that additional horse power would cricket and soccer have participation through this method, and that seems to make the sport more competitive and reduce the cost to the sport over the long work. If its at all possible, decreasing the cost would deter a smaller amount of term for participating families people from entering into, and staying within the sport. • All in all, doing a pretty good job, just don’t stuff with it to much. • I believe that the AKA is constantly try to improve the sport and provide a cost • I think the sport is great but the problem in attracting people to it is the prohibitive effective entry level for motor sport. Unfortunately as with most association 5% of start up costs (licence, club fees, kart, suit and helmet etc) so maybe discounts the people do 95% of the work. for membership and licences in the first year would help attract more to the sport. • It’s a great sport, as it was 25 years ago. It must remain cheap enough for And the more on the track the more fun it is. average” earners to be involved.” • Karting is the most fun I’ve ever had, disappointed I didnt start earlier in life. The • Congrat’s for trying to get the competitors involved in the running of their sport only negative is politics of the sport. If we could do away with the nasty poltics of • It is not as bad as people make out. Thank you everyone who works hard to make the sport and concentrate on the postives it would be a much more family friendly Karting Great sport. • Find the right people to run the AKA, the sport is growing it is only the fact that • Get rid of the licence restrictions in the 125 classes. you can not retain the members to stay longer than a year or two is a major • Been very pleased with my comeback and in particular the Hurricane Kart Club concern. If you have not seen this problem coming then get out and let the right and its people. people in to fix the AKA. • I think that the sport of karting needs to be advertised a lot more to future • Overall I think the AKA does a terrific job & I enjoy the racing. competitors and people who love watching the sport. I SA our closed titles where • All in all happy and looking forward to getting back racing next year . keep up the like a festival state cup meeting and even those meetings are small which sucks good work and hope it only keeps getting better . really. Going to a station like nova who could advertise in return for signage or • As a newcomer, I would have liked to have been able to attend driver training and getting their van out to the track to give out stuff. Approach tv stations and radio kart maintenance and setup clinics, free or otherwise. stations about the possibility of advertising and covering the racing. More people • I am pleased that the AKA has sent out this communication as it helps restore come out the more chance the clubs and racers have of attracting more sponsors faith in the system that the association is being proactive, so cheers! and help the sport grow. • I’d also like to see the official age of entry reduced to age 6. This woudl no doubt • Reduce the number of engines have a vision towards the future where an engine need to be done under strict guidelines. could do cadet/rookie/junior

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment ctd... events, you need to spend the money. Each club should start its own spare • My club has commitee memebers that are only interested in themselves and their parts shop at each track at discount rates for club members. This would mean classes. I am on a break until they get it together. I won’t commit until I know I will that there are always parts available, the club will make profit on sales and the have a class that suits all. I am over the fact that my class hacs had four major members would know that if something sjould happen with their kart on race day, rule changes in as many years. i dont know what will happen in the future. more they may be able to repair / fix their kart so that they can continue racing. consistency. • Love the sport, regional areas need more promotion. • Stop trying to band aid existing classes (like J national with new barrels ect ) find • I believe too much is decided behind closed doors within the AKA with so called something better that can be used through more age divisions “ experts who have been in the business for a long time. If the results aren’t being • The cost if Karting these days is often more expensive then club level car racing, acheived It’s time to appoint people who are willing to make change and are in though isn’t karting the step before? it for the good of the future of the sport, not just a continuation of the present • Bring on governance or attempting to return to the past. We must look to continually evolve with the • Great idea to hold a survey. world’s economy, social demographic and keep it a highly desirable sport to all • Need to make it easier for possible new karters to try karting without upfront cost people interested. to bring more people to sport. Reduce the number of classes and give people • As long as there is some decent form of racing, I will be racing. more track time to keep people in the sport. • Help keep the local club viable and promote the sport in a positive fashion. • There needs to be a management practice set and adhered to at all levels of • Has tought me to drive respect others on the track and safety administration • Keep the general karter informed as to whats happening • The overall experience has been positive. There were a few issues with obtaining • Good to see a more active approach in addressing the sport’s issues! endorsements to obtain my C grade licence, but those have now been resolved. • I just hope that karting stays affordable to the club racers like myself. but I still • nothing more to add. apart from we really need to promote karting. im sure some think we need the top class’s to promote the sport. of the well known V8 drivers would give some of their time to promote karting as • I would like to see karting advertised as it is the purest form of motorsport not a this is where they all started from and alot have their own kids involved in karting stepping stone. Remember Michael Schumacher and Casey stoner do it for fun now. not to get a sponsored drive. It may be cheap as far as motorsport is concerned • After years of competing in many differnt motorsports I have found Karting to be but it’s also one of the few motorsport categories were a good driver can shine. the most enjoyable and family orientated of the lot. • I love the sport, however we are being torn away from enjoying it with all this • Reducing the competing classes will make it easier for new people entering the Sportsman vs promoter classes vs CIK. We need some stability, and a long term sport to have a clear understanding of where they will be competing.Smaller plan. Also, there needs to be more consistency with rules and penalties, as classes equals more track time and better competition. well as officials taking more resposibility with on track incidents, rather than the • When I came into the sport there was no capacity for me to try before buy, very competators having to put their $50 up. “ little information, and significant upfront costs in licence and club membership. • Need to consider that there are two distinct groups of karters (club level karters Luckily I sought a local dealer whom was helpful and guided me to a second and competitive karters). The sport needs to cater for both groups effectively, and hand option to enter the sport. However 3yrs on with rising costs and continually must not advantage one at the expense of the other. limiting track time, I am starting to question myself where is the value for me • I think if some people pulled there heads in and stopped complaining about in continuing in this sport...so imagine how the current situation presents for things and put their energy into building the sport and their local facility instead prospective members!.....it doesn’t of it being about me me me ! I know this is a perfect scenario but clubs executive • AKA need to get with the times look ahead for the future until this happens we will should set up like a business and surround them selves with the brightest and remain the laughing stock of the world in karting this was evident with a recent trip best people that want to be a part of the growth -- there is no I in team so if at to the UAE and Italy where even our rotax classes are treated as a low powered club level and a positive leadership group from the aka set realistic goals that class makes 1 and all feel apart of something that is moving forward i believe that there • If I leave the sport it will because its too difficult to find a competitive J motor for will be consistent growth at club and national level . Thank you Rookies and Juniors. If if i find one the asking price is prohibative. • Keep clubman as is. Easy to maintain, cost effective. Keep clutches optional or • Karting is a highly competitive sport and if you wish to be at the front of most ban them in clubman.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment ctd... • I hope this is a positive step in getting karting back to its hey days where it was • Transponders have been great, email is great, need more awards for new fun, exciting and everybody had a chance at winning. Not just those guys with starters to encourage them to keep going for the many years it takes to become special engines. competitive • My biggest fear in karting now is getting tipped on my head from some lunatic • I raced the Winterbottoms Webbers and know what the story was in both cases, that thinks his about to win a world title. Only having one track in Sydney is really as I would still consider myself as a friend to both in potsy’s case he never when’t hurting karting, it has cut back the amount of available meetings past clubman before F/Ford so its simple Pay attention to the grass roots promote • Put as much resources as possible into the smaller clubs to lift memberships. clubman and J’s, C I K is great but the above classes Are extremely competitive • Who made the decision to have the Qld State Titles at Gladstone at Easter in EG 1992 inter club challenge @ Oran park entries stopped @ 72 entries for 2012 when you cannot get accommodation there at the best of times, let alone clubman light same for heavies the busiest holiday time of year. I know of many competitors (us included) who • Karting needs to be cost effective for the long term sustainability of our sport. would normally attend a Qld State Title but will not entertain the idea of attending With how much some people spend on gear now, it gets difficult to keep up, this one simply because it is not practical and there is no accommodation. Surely maybe we need a stricter cap on number of chassis/engines/tyres allowed at a a metropolitan centre such as Ipswich would be a safer bet at Easter where given race meeting? accommodation is readily available at reasonable rates all year round. • I have answered on my sons behalf. I have been involved in Karting on and off • Remember that ultimately Karting is about finding the best young motor sport since 1984 and have seen the good times with Club Days with 400 entries and driver talents (not who has the best sponsorship deal), and providing cost now where Karting is struggling to remain financialy viable. effective motor sport racing for the rest of us • Great sport to be involved in, no matter where you travel, all the people I have • This sport has potential to go through the roof...unfortunately the overall system met, involved with the sport , are really helpful and friendly, would not do anything and the AKA are holding it back...If it was run as a business with competent else. management it has the potential to grow rapidly. • AKA just needs to look at its technology, and also reduce the number of classes • The AKA should have one racing championship throughout the year for each to improve track time (or run club events over 2 days) state and one for Australia in which at the end of the championships the winner • Our only concern is that if and when the AKA change the rules with the Yamaha J will get a blue plate for state and green plate for Australia. As well as these Motors the cost to conform to the proposed barrel change etc may be enough to championships thier should also be the stars of karting series and the Rotax Pro say let go do something else. Tour for the more experienced compeditors. • We need to look more at the business of karting, I believe we are too fixed on • Something should be done to encourage racing in country areas . rules and technologies with the karts and motors. • As a rural competitor we travel alot to get to our State based competition rounds. • Great job done by the AKA and AKASA .Look forward to my son and I competing It would be great to have the final dinner for the year on a Saturday night instead in the future . of a Friday so the efforts we put in throughout the year can be rewarded without • Love Karting, wouldnt know what to do with out it ! Best part of my life, thanks dad having to take more time off of school and work. (: • I enjoy kart racing, and the spirit amongst my fellow racers at the track. The • Cost of repairing our karts, particularly in my daughters class has pushed us out biggest thing against karting is what happens outside of the track, like the rulers of the sport. In three race meetings we bent three axles, one chassis, 2 steering and their ill thought out rules. columns and one stub due to blocking dirty drivers. All three incidents, no one • I mainly like going and practicing on non-event days when there s not too many saw a thing!!!! people around it gives me a thrill just thrashing around for a bit of fun - not really • Officials Taking control over race incidents, instead of competitors into the real racing part, but it cost me a lot just to be able to do the bit I’m doing. • After returning to the sport after many years, I find the same helpful officials and • All clubs should strive for covered starting grids & better drainage of tracks, family friendly environment....good fun for all! otherwise all is pretty good at present” • Karting is fun but state championships which are designed to separate the best • Have really enjoyed getting into karting with my husband and believe it is a great from the rest should allow more time on the track sometimes where you have a sport to be involved in accident in the first corner it ruins the whole race, but a good driver should have • Go karting is so much fun I am not a member at CDKC but they have the best enough time to come back. events even the officials have fun

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment ctd... class to run • Being in different states and listening to different people I think people have • The AKA is great, but there are a few issues that drive people away after only a ideas worth listening to. This is a great initiative this survey and a step in short time in the sport. This includes cost and time issues. However, small fields, the right direction. Take some time to ignore the haters but act upon the a lack of support, and a lack of welcoming from existing karters that can make constructive criticism. An idea that I heard at Monarto that I think is a great idea new drivers feel like outsiders. Established karters should be given incentive (in is professionalism. I understand that this and cost sort of butt heads but if I can the form of reduced entry fees, licence benefits, giveaways, etc) for supporting go to a state title meeting and instead of it being hickildy pickildy with trailers and mentoring new license holders. A small few are happy to help but most are and tents everywhere but the first row of tents being the shops and trade area too busy with their own karts. where people can ask questions and find out information, people walking around • Reduce classes, Reduce the classes, let rotax and pro tour run there own shows handing out flyers etc. Than a row followed by the impressive set-ups of trailers • I love this sport! and teams etc. than our sport will look attractive and is easily accessible, easy to • Enjoying Karting at present. However we heve been seeing a significant increase follow and people will want to get involved. There is an argument that people may in carnage in the Junior National Classes and nothing seems to be done about look and go oh wow this looks great but expensive to be involved in but i believe it. The only way to reduce this is to be strict with penalties for contact and unsafe that if we put on a show and the fact that they have already made an effort to driving. We spent all of our 2011 budget by June this year due to crashes caused come and watch means they are interested they will bend over backwards to get by Junior drivers driving Karts like Dodgem Cars. We have decided to move to involved. Save every cent they have because they see how good it is and need to Jmax as there seems to be much less of this sort of thing happening. be a part of it. We have a terrific sport, if it is done in the right way it will sell itself. • I enjoy the sport of karting, and there is no other form of Motorsport i could afford No need to be scared of people running away, they will knock down the door to be to compete in. This is also the case for many other karters. With this in mind the involved if its attractive enough! AKA should be working at ensuring karting remains affordable for the average • Encourage Respect of One Another and Good Sportsmanship For All. racer. Perhaps a return to a format similar to that of the Super 8 Series could be • The AKA is doing a good job in general and I think this survey is a positive step considered, but for separate classes such as Junior Clubman, Senior Clubman and will return some interesting views. and Leopard, while Sneior and Junior National with midgets and rookies had • Communicate to us the karter about the direction, policies and thoughts around there won state series. The Pro Tour takes care of the rotax drivers. the future. The structure of karting is such that I cannot ask a question of the • Make your reporting system easier by drivers and allow the AKA and the VKA AKA without having to go to my Club, State Delegate etc. etc. Too many levels more approachable. In the past if a letter is not directed through the right channel of management have removed access to the executive if we wanted to ask or it is thrown out no matter how important it is to the person involved. It looks provide input. It’s diluted by the time you guys see it if at all. THIS SURVEY IS A like the AKA is fobbing it off. I have more but i will close now. Thank you for the GREAT IDEA!!! Ihope you get loads of good/bad feedback to evaluate. I hope you opportunity and I hope someone listens. then publish the findings. Thanks for the opportunity to provide some feedback. • It is ‘affordable’ to get into karts and get out on the track but winning is • All competitive individual sports will always have competitive indivduals involved. unaffordable for the majority. You will have too many individual chiefs and not enough conforming Indians. • I’m the Treasurer at my local kart club and I think the sport of karting is in quite • For me as a competing father I’m there to support my son and have a bit of fun good shape. Our only dramas have been personal type issues that you are at the same time (this rarely happens as I take it too seriously). My son is never always going to have at any club that has a variety of different people attending going to be a Formula One star but I want him to compete as long he wants to as with different personalities. The licence number I have listed is my sons as I will even at the back of the field you still learn new things and the longer you are in not be racing next year due to concentraiting on his racing. the sport the more you will improve. However it is frustrating being beaten week • Great association. great bunch of competitors. keep the push for media or tv in week out, and this is why I would suggest most people give it away. coverage :). • I’m not sure how to keep the spirits of the beaten”” up” • Karting is great, but i see to much control & power with the importers... • Reduce the amount of classes... • The gap between club to the top level needs to be closed, sticker tyres will help • Due to societal changes, the sport is facing huge competition from other pastimes this alot.” • High cost of things ,need to be kept down as to why many people leaving the • Relatively new member, but so far I am happy with all aspects of the sport and sport ,as ie tag100 if it wasn’t for this class i would not be racing a very low cost how it is run.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment ctd... children involved as well which means I get to spend more time with them as well. • Technology means karting is more expensive to remain competitive, and that • Excessive restrictions on what people can race at club days should be avoided. If needs to be taken into account especially with new members - why start racing if I want to purchase a KZ2 kart to race I should be allowed. I can run any vehicle I you don’t think you can win? choose at a track day as long as I show competence • If this sport is not fixed, it will go underground and there will be nothing developing • Keep up the good work and put a bit more into rural. Following as well as more our Mark Webbers. publicity of the sport and events • Stop thinking we are the best entry level motorsport”” the engines are crap” • You need to move with the times and make decisive decisions about reducing • I don’t think there will ever be true parity with the Rotax and Leopard in amount of classes or at least combining Yamaha with water-cooled engines in Sportsman and therefore will not race the class. This leaves me with the Pro TaG and TaG-R and Junior Performance classes. Why are there now two Junior Tour, Vic Open and Rotax Nationals for season 2012. Sometimes the calendar Performance classes - JMax and Junior Clubman? I thought Junior Clubman was is not all that friendly and this year for some reason the SA Championships have to go and the class Junior Performance (Yamaha S, Restricted 125 engines) was moved to the first weekend in November, the weekend after Pro Tour Canberra. to be all together at Club Level. But overall, Yamaha should be gone as they cost So after going to SA for the past 3 years I will be missing the 2012 event which is karters too much money. a shame. • Karters just want more track time to race. • We love the sport. But we need to bring costs down. New chassis are getting so • I love the sport and being on the Executive at my club I find it hard that most of over priced for what they are. You can buy a brand new car these days for just the work is left up to the usual few, which can be really stretching. I think karters over twice the price of some chassis. need to realise that Karting is not just about them on a personal level but for the • Kart racing must move with the modern times ie engines like V8 racing. It’s only whole Karting organisation. the ones that have vested interests in retaining out dated technology that fight • Generaly pleased with format of the AKA and club management just need more change publicity in regards the atraction of new/younger members • Have been in the sport for years and at the end of the day will be probably for the • I love the sport of karting & so do my two sons. Please stop the rich ruining our rest of my life. great sport. • The sport isn’t bad, but it needs a sh*tload of streamlining to make it simpler for • I weigh in at 45-48Kgs & race Clubman Light my kart itself has around 20-30Kgs newbies.. of lead added & the kart is at 98Kgs+ in the light category but when there isnt • I love Go karting and on the whole feel the job done in Australia is pretty good. enough karts we have to run the medium weight(150Kgs) i have to add 10Kgs+ But a few tweaks in terms of license process and durability of tyres would do the which takes the kart to 108Kgs+. I have been forced to buy a electric start world of good. Lets build on a fantastic form of motorsport and make a key focus clubman which takes some lead away but still cannot put my kart on the trolley on costs by myself so reducing weight limit would be cool!! As it is a hazard it has already • The aka need to really re-evaluate its whole operation and goals for the future. In hurt mine & dads back by pulling muscles in the back & shoulders & hurt some NSW particularly organisations like Prokart are booming in recents years because random helpful guys elbow. the cost is much less, the amount of laps are much MORE and the finishing time • You run a very good Association and has been grate the enter your race days of their events are much earlier than most NSW clubs. They in the past few years • Karting is great sport but race meetings need to be well organised to take the have a much more professional stance in terms of their officiating and timetables stress out of when getting to a venue.And finally please get a tack for Sydney and but yet still have the community feel that karting provides.The only limiting factor i dont be held to ransom by a private entrepeneur. see that has slowed PRO Kart’s growth is their limitations with track availability. • Keep asking Karters what they need, get rid of incompetant lazy/blind track • The main issues I see for the AKA are admin costs and also the cost of tyres and marshalls. parts. the AKA has become too expensive for the ‘weekend warrior’ or someone • Make karting affordable and more reasonable for everyone, not just for a handful who just wants to have a good time with mates and race.” of elites that win everything. • Keep up the good work, thankyou for your time and enthusiasm, keep it simple, • My family love karting and traveling but is getting to much in cost to stay in this don’t cater to everybody all the time. top sport • I have found coming from another form of motorsport it to be a great experience, • Our sport is in a reasonably good place currently but could do with some it has cut my cost of enjoyable sport in half which has allowed me to get my improvement and more emphasis on club racing would help a great deal

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment ctd... will be getting paid for doing a job. The sport will not survive if we are spending • I believe it is good the way it is , as a speedway person I think more $80,000 on a admin job for one person. I mhyself volunteer at many events understanding in our form of the sport could be learnt and also allow us to be beacuase i love the sport and want to see it flurish. I don’t see that happening if promoted a bit more to attract more karters some are paid and the others do not, Again without the little guy’s the sport will • Go karting is a great form of motor sport. if the AKA continues to promot the sport not survive. the way they have in the passed, it can only get better. • Officials should be maybe firmer through protests and step up when unsafe • I think the sport just needs more time in the media. driving is seen. • The small country clubs should be given greater support to enable them to • The cost of engines is fairly high so if TAG 100 is meant to be low cost for the develop or just kept alive. At the same time if the Metro clubs grow then so too will battlers of the world why is it that we are not able to race with low cost tools that the country clubs assist to monitor engine temp? • In general kart clubs and tracks offer good to excellent facilities for racing but too • It is important to remind competitors that why they may be there to win what often falls down in meetings dragging out and race time/laps being reduced. As all happens on the track stays on the track and the most important reason people clubs are generally operated by volunteers there is limited time available to do all come to these events is not for a bit of plasic but for fun this is where karting the that needs to be done. future of karing lies a fun no rubbish sport that can be enjoyed by all • Simplify the rules, simplify the engine options and constantly review costs. • You are doing a good job, Rome wasnt built in a day but don’t rest on your laurels • As many karters maintain their own engines I dont agree with having licensed and drag your feet. You have a lot of good people within the AKA as well as a or authorised engine builders per se - just more money going into the dealers small number of dead wood just keep your vision and drive and it will be a better pockets. sport than it is. • As a committee member of my own club we have pioneered many innovations • More track time at events. More combined classes.Allow vortex engines for including combining classes - best thing we ever did for club days although it had Midgets & Rookies its detractors to start with. There is nothing worse as a spectator and competitor • I love karting and the friends that I have made are great. than watching a class of 6 or 8 karts driving around whilst being kart lengths • A lot of good changes have happened online license/entries and payment for apart. Combine classes - get full fields and both the competition and ‘excitement’ them lights instead of flags, more tv coverage factor will increase - the AMB system makes this much more amenable these • I think that the steps that have been taken over the past year have greatly days. improved the sprit as a whole. • Stiffer penalties/yearly bans for parents threatening other parents and kids. • I enjoy racing when im on the track. but costs are not getting lower so my • Karting at junior level should be about learning the craft, not bad behaviour frequency of racing is getting lower. (copying there dads behaviour)and not (as dad says) driving for sheep stations. • This was a great idea, hopefully people will fill this out and you guys appreciate Yes its great to be competitive but my competitors from the last 2 years (rookies) where the competitor is coming from. have not been sportsman/women. I always go and shake my competitors hands • Thankyou for taking your time out to read my answers. Hope you take some of after a race and congratulate them on a good race, but some just turn there back this into consideration. as not often are the females point of views are seen in a on me and don’t bother or they are crying because the didn’t win or there fathers male dominated sport. are yelling at them or other dads because of a coming together. I look forward to • Hope this gets through to the people concerned and everybody can enjoy this year, as I hope all this will be addressed and hopefully the competitors are a themselves that little bit more. After all, isnt that what its all about having some little more mature and the dads have got the bad behaviour out of there system. serious fun and enjoying one of the best sports available to families of all • Ban the bully fathers, it does not make karting inviting. I used to play soccer and generations race BMX - it was zero tolerance! • I hope this has an impact as I love the sport I can see how it can go further • Thank you for letting the members make a comment on the future of our great forward with better outcome for the future. sport • Karting is a lifestyle for me and my family. • I love karting, I think the AKA do a great job. • There needs to be a step from say hire karts to racing AKA, to get the kids up to • Quiet enjoy the sport and hopeful we keep going so my son can eventually race. speed, before racing, then dads will look at getting a Kart, it scares them of a bit • All AKA positions should be volunteer positions, not paid. Some people are or now with the costs.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment ctd... forward to more fun on the track in future. • This is the first time I have ever been given a direct line of communication to the • Rules need to be black and white, no room for interpreation or subject to anyones AKA and this leaves me to beleive there is opportunity for the AKA to listen to opinion. Then they need to be enforced, vigalently. there customers (karters) and to make it a better sport for all concerned. Great • Stewards are terrible initiative guys well done. • It is a bit jump to go racing straight away when your young. • My son started in midgets 9 years ago now senior national light got his first state • Novice practice days with instruction would be a good buffer” title this year NSW we enjoy karting the friendship the challenge and have learnt • Keep up the good work not to give up dreams do come true keep up the good work thanks • I have been out of karting for 15 years and only recently returned to the sport. I • Three-round series in short time would be better than over 8 month period ( can enjoy the racing and time with my son. However I can see little development of have more than one series) the sport since the early 1990s while other sports have progressed. Tracks have • Tyre life is too short become less accessible and the time required to participate greater. • Clubs to have less meetings to have peple turn up when they are on. • Please help out the timing ladies by fixing the bugs in CM:S • North shore Kart Club resurfacing as a absolute disaster distroying the season for • Hope this helps alot of people and not many people travel to any other club other than there home • More help to new people,a mentor section set up to help new members I find it club hard to find help. we karted for long time on dirt,bituman seems to be a little like a • I enjoy the friendship that goes along with the sport but would like to see more [boys]club .sorry to be a little negitive .but we have stayed social karters because consistancies across the board. I race in restricted TAG and we are combined of this hope in future it becomes more family orientated . with Clubman racing against A grade licence holders, this in my opinion should • Karting is getting to expensive and i love to race more but the expense of karting, not have happened as Rectricted TAG was only to be for C grade licence holders also restricted classes , a B grade driver has to go down to a C grade to go and • Junioir development should be a major push for the AKA. As a father of a Midget race restricted ,a driver who holds a B grade should be able to go from rotax to and the fact that i have 2 more boys starting late next yearsome sort of discount restricted and restricted to rotax depending on the race meeting of the day on nominations fees would encourage more families to participate in the sport as • I love karting, wish I could afford to do it more:) most parents are more happy to spend money on there kids then themselves • Keep on Keeping on. These surveys are only as good as the person reading • We come from CAMS run events and find the lack of respect shown to officals the answer. Clarity, Intuition and Motivation all stem from passion for something. unbelievable, but that is balanced with the lack of a need or willingness to clean Passion for Racing! up our sport. • Numbers were quite low at meetings 2011.. I strongly believe this is a financial • I am enjoying karting with my son at the moment, and learning a lot about the issue where people just dont have the money to keep pouring into karting, so if sport. More tv coverage of major races would be good we can keep expenses down eg. nominations - this may encourage more drivers • AKA please keep country clubs in mind for major events so we can show our to come back ?? great county to more of the city karters • AKA need to work closer with the clubs rather than just dictate as the clubs are • Stop putting 125 with restrictors in with clubman classes this is killing the sport the members and the karters are the clubs. listen to the karters/ clubs. in Mackay the 125 are way to fast it is over 1/2 sec differents if people have to • AKA is doing a good job and has improved and moved forward in my time in the spend 3,500 to be competative in a sportman class we will loss them a lot of guys sport. are allready not racing again till the 125 are removed • Would love to get my licence for free this year as it has cost me quite a bit to get • I like the sport, however it can be a bit of a boys club. excluding new members started in the sport & would love to keep doing it. from learning. their is not enough sharing. • Karting is a great way for kids to get into motorsport. Kids are the future for the • Improve the image of the AKA Administration and Officialdom as there are a sport.Look after the kids that are coming threw and you have the package deal for lot of us who believe that many of those people are only involved in the sport the future of the sport. Keep oficials coming threw the system at club level. for what they can take from it as well as personal gain and profit. While that is • Overall I am happy with my Karting for the money that I can spend on it. However the perception, karting will not move forward and will be seen as an ‘old mates’ as you can see from my answers I believe that the major area on improving is organisation for the chosen few. track time and transparency of where all the money goes. • Cairns Kart Club needs it’s own track so we can practice more often but I look • Work on the kids it is the forseeable future of the sport

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment ctd... • I spent many year racing all sorts of motorcycle and that is a very big sport and • If there is someone in nsw who will push a series to encourage the best I believe it is because you can buy motorcycle and ride just about any were competitors in the state to race like the old premier state cup or the NSW leopard and this is what get people intersted in racing,in sorts its try before you buy. series where there is incentive to race that it will spark not only more existing unfortunately this is not case with gokarting as people will find when they buy a competitors like myself to race more but will also attract more to the sport kart and realize there is no were to drive the kart with out the instant cost of club • As a family we love karting, the costs are astronomical and the politics is getting and licence fees i think this sad for the sport of karting out of control. People should not use the system to benefit themselves the • Would like to see if there is a way to get the costs down for the average club level system is there for all. Officials need to stop trying to be someone they are not racer who are happy to stay there for a while, when you need to buy a new set of and treat the competitors fairly. tyres each round because you are loosing a tenth or so brings the cost up when • My family have been involved for over 24 years and are dissappointed at the way there is still much rubber left on the tyre. Also mayby looking at relaxing the club the sport is being run currently. rules to allow repair of items as long as it can be shown still comply eg welding a • I joined Eastern Goldfields this year and have really really enjoyed it. Our club has crack in an exhaust header. had a few issues over the year with expenses of lossing our time tower and costs • To be competitive tyres and engines are for some people are to expensive,at to resurface the track, with help we could get things done a lot quicker, which club and not serious events use more durable tyres,engine do not change engine would be good. specification as much e g rotax barrels • Keep it clean and simple • State titles should not go to country tracks who have to go into massive debt to • Just staring in sport and guidance and encouragement are best things the first get there track up to scratch.a great country coffs harbour club has now almost race event will be the scariest fell apart due to this. • Stars of Karting has its detractors but the money spent by the AKA has been a • Karting is fun and enjoyable, great training ground to learn driving skills and race good investment and Lee and Peter have done a fantastic job craft • In the survey you haven’t asked one question about parity, This sport is supposed • County clubs have got this idea about stretching meetings out over 2 days to be a cheaper form of motorsport. We will continue to lose people particularly recently.. wastes a whole weekend.get rid of qualifying it has took away racing. kids if they are not competitive with in a relative short time. This won’t happen • Keep up the good work and lets make karting alot easier for everybody and unless you look at the engine issue. It’s not all about CIK. promote it more to kid the juniors of australia to learn how to drive and then they • We just have to keep it simple at club level not every one wants to compete at the will learn about safety and maybe we will not loose so many australians by road highest level of the sport they just want to go to their local track and race deaths • Need to go faster. • Rulings need to be set in concrete as clutches for example were supposed to be • The AKA do a great job overall in making karting a very enjoyable sport compulsory for Yamaha KT100 but it never evolved. People who bought clutches • There are not too many classes as most people are carrying on about, there is at an added cost felt ripped off as the so called compulsory clutch rule never was just too few competitors. Attract more racers and the classes will fill. I’m happy instated. These unescessary added cost can scare peole out of the sport. with the amount of track time. As a part time racer I normally feel completely • The AKA does a superb job at large meets but at little ones like club days they are stuffed after a days racing. Any more laps and I’d probably die. not so good. • It’s not always about the people with the biggest and the best, local club racers • I love karting, and we need more people to join, and keep costs down. Then I can need a fair go. spend more money on traveling to more races at other tracks. • The restricted classes need looking at, motors not equal, all restricted plates to • As a whole I believe the AKA does a great job , as above it is just a few isolated different, Rotax X30 cheata motors its bull sh*t situations at club level that needs to be sorted out sooner rather than later to • Put money back into karting, not friends / importers pockets. allow our sport to continue to grow. • We love karting but unforunately its not really about talent or skill anymore and • Cull the classes down, 7 classes with full size grids make better racing for more about how much u are willing to pay to win.... money talks everybody and a better spectical than 12 classes with small fields. • Karting is a great sport but is not being sold for the family sport that it could be. • Make it more family orientated, especially for the women. Starting is the hardest thing and the lack of knowledge or just getting to know the • We need stewards that enforce even the most basic rules without requiring a basics is the hardest thing. complaint to be made

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment ctd... • Less classes at big meetings please. 3 five minute sessions of practice in one day • Really enjoyed starting out this year am alite dissapointed that straight after I is unacceptable bought my kart and rotax engine the rules were changed so that my engine won’t • While the running of clubs is not the responsibility, the impact of poorly run small be able to be used after next year because it will be to old when I cant see how clubs impacts on karting in general. Not enough important information is ‘pushed’ it would be better than a new engine and I am happy to be mid pack with my old to competitors eg. rule chhanges engine but now I have to tell my wife that I need a new engine at the end of the • Tyres in the national (J) classes appear to have changed compound this year year and another $3500 and now the front guys replace them every race day. This shouldn’t be the case • I feel that the officials need to be more active in observing race incidents and in the entry level of the sport. You shouldn’t need to spend $230/race day to have applying penalties to illegally aggressive passing a chance at winning. Tyres need to be of a compound where they are consistant • Karting is similar to Motocross as a sport, but Motocross has a massive amount of over time and the classes that have this will have good numbers. recreation members and a strong Professional market plus everything in between. • TAG restricted is a class that could benefit from this. Motors are fairly cheap to • V8 supercars are your best ally, get their trucks and drivers in karts at special run. Tyres and race entry are the main expenses. If tyres were a little harder and events: similar Bercy and Vegas. more consistant over say 6 race days you would have a reasonable fast, cheap • Get more money spent back at club level tyo encourage new comers to the sport. class, that I believe would attract new people into the sport. Because most new • Karting is great people enter in Tag restricted or J’s so these classes need to be affordable to get • I will be clocking up my 20th year next year and hope i can keep going for more. people started. • More emphasis should be made on the junior classes, after all they are the future • I have only been involved for the past two seasons and have been given my life of karting. back. I’m over weight and drive a clubman, all on a very tight budget, every time I • I believe there are too many senior classes, which impact on track time especially go out on the track I have a ball, even though I am last to finish I have a ball. at club and state level. • Cost of general living along with just the expense is killing this sport for the • CIK and Pro Tour are the bench mark; clubs should strive to emulate the average Jo, class numbers are dying, like V8 supercars hatched a plan all those professionalism of these two years ago to create the supercar idea and brand, karting needs to do the same if • Keep up the Good work, and improve on the way things are going. it is to remain strong and popular for the future • 12 years of awesome racing (for me)with plenty more to come! but improvements • Excellent platform on which to move forward, involving more people and greater are needed to get more into the sport. participation..... remembering it is the grass roots of motorsport • I only became involved in karting at the start of this year, aged 43 years, and I am • Being new to this sport I’m very impressed with the governing body and how absolutely loving it. It is fast, exciting, cheap and safe. I can’t wait for my 7 year comp day’s are run at club level’ and I’m looking forward to state and national old sons first race ! meets. • Why are we paying tooo Much for tyres? • Keep trying, I appreciate where the association is at but hope it will improve. stop • This was my second year and as a new comer I am keen on going to state titles the infighting, ensure the decision making process is transparent. and maybe a national one day and so far i find things are good but as said before • Karting is a great sport but like motor racing , money stills rules . because I dont have the money to go all over the country and race it would be • Maybe all licences should be due at same time and a part payment to get you to nice if I could race as much and long as possible when traving too the zones. that point, i would like to see that • Keep up the good work AKA, you guys have been great over the years • Love karting to bits, my son and I have been competing for only two years and • We love the sport and the people in it we have made many friend’s in our first are having a blast, to win my fees etc would be such a enormus finacial help as year of racing we are enduring the worst years in 15 years in business I have experienced and • A focus on costs alone avoids us dealing with the big issues this saving would be such a help. • Karting is dominated by J classes. J’s are complex, temperamental and rare to • thanks for anouther good year find (competitive) Please have the courage to develop a ‘phase out plan. Only • If I got a feee licence I would race karts again ultra competitive children and parents work them out. Parents are being forced to • We drastically need change across the board both at National and State level. pay ridiculous prices for these engines by industry participants that have collected Karting has to be professionally run like other multi million dollar sports. good engines over many years. • Looking forward to being involved as a parent.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment ctd... used. the reason for its lack of use should be addressed and rectified. • Karting in Australia may benefit from one or two major annual events that back • From what I see the AKA focus’s on the drivers of today, all I am trying to say is on to either F1 or Indy with the objective of recruiting new members in the sport. that the AKA need to focus a bit more on the drivers of tomorrow. e.g. Why not an exhibition race between say Hamilton and Webber in Karts at the • The only possible way this sport will survive in Australia is to recruit more Melbourne F1 sponsored by the AKA. Then send invites to schools to come and competitors. As with the AFL and A-League, the sports entire future depends on watch and learn how they can become involved in the sport. You could maybe its ability to keep the next generation of athletes interested in the sport and offer even get in on the back of a safe driving campaign... just a thought.” incentives for them to play. Word of mouth is simply not good enough to get new • Love racing and would like to do more interstate events if the costs weren’t so racers come into the sport of Karting. For years I have been a keen follower of the great Formula 1 and I knew that almost all of the professional drivers who are racing • The continual stuffing about with Senior national classes is crap! Every time today starting in Karting. Having said this, I had to ask a friend who was already some heavy drivers feel uncompetitive and scream to lift the weights.. up go the racing on how to go about obtaining a license and doing the necessary things to lights as well! Some karters have to put 16kg on a lart just to make lights. THIS IS start Karting myself. DANGEROUS! And the combining of the classes for every bloody event means • I believe the entire sport of Karting in Australia lacks reach in every aspect. these karters cant make the weight and dont race, or put on another 10 kg and • There is not enough information on how to start Karting unless the individual is wreck their gear! Senior Nat lights had the biggest class at this years nats yet get already convinced that he or she wants to start racing. their class bumped. Where is the equality? • There is not enough advertising in the sport to get potential racers interested and • Very happy with the AKA and my involvment with Karting. In my opinion the future once racers get into Karting, there is no incentive to keep them there, other than of the AKA looks like that it will grow to become bigger and better. a trophy for winning a series and the fading hope that they may be recruited to a • Great sport at any level,great friendships&social bonds formed,your choice of higher level of Motorsport racing. competition level you compete at and costs. • Reduced costs of racing and better promotion would certainly help the sport grow • Love the sport however it is too expensive to be competitive. back to its former glory, but a better treatment of the volunteers, or more incentive • Please make karting more affordable, as it could get more numbers if more for them to do what they do would not go astray either people could afford it. • I don’t think you are doing a bad job on the whole, I just get really frustrated • Sydney needs another track desperately. by how much time/money/anguish gets wasted over excessive rules and over • In addition to AKA I have joined Superkarts where I race under a CAMS licence zealous officials. We have to out the emphasis back on FUN for everything except and there is no crash/bang. Although still with a weight issue, it is fun to race at the elite level racing. bigger tracks. • Currently we need to improve the sport to attract new people and it starts at • New comer, that works away find it hard to come to race meets due to there being grass roots.The way forward I believe is to get midgets and rookies right - this will not many club meets resolve the low numbers of juniors not making the transition and straightening out • I love the sport of kart racing and hope that I can afford to continue racing well 125s and pulling them back in to line and on the right tyres not the mg red as far into the future. All race meetings I have attended have been well run and well as I can see this decision will keep people away from this class and the smaller organised. The only fault of many meetings i have attended is to have a constant meetings will not attract the better drivers. Officials need better training and we supply of flag marshals, I do not know how to overcome this issue. need to look at the lighting systems used on circuits as visibility of the lights is not • Apart from the cost of the sport and some decisions made by some officals, it is always the best a very fun sport and is something that I look forward to every week and there is • There is way too many veriations in kart classes which is leading to much less nothing like satisfying your need for speed. track time and much smaller fields. • I think the sport it at a tipping point. We need some really good leadership within • I love karting and always have. This has probably kept me in the sport longer than the AKA to save the sport. A little like what happend with the change from Group A most and seen me stay when I should have left years ago. Not everybody is like cars to V8 Supercars which is now running quite well. this. Try and provide good basic honest karting as free of politics and as cheap as • There are too many Class Options which seem to be driven by the karting possible and more people will see what a great sport it can be. industry and not the governing body • Karting needs to be brought back down to Driving ability over money spent. • The old Maxis HG3 was the longest lasting tyre with negligible lose of time ever • Cope with complications and the sport is a drug of addiction

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment ctd... every 4 hours of use)and has considered pulling out of karting because of the • I love karting. Me and my daughter are both go-karters and we are supported by high costs and maintence “ my husband and brother-in-law. It is disappointing, however, that Snr National • Karting needs to stay affordable. Tearing up gear every weekend in crashes classes are dying. Canberra does not even run the class anymore. It is the entry bought on by bad driving and bad attitudes is a BIG deterrent for competitors level class. It must be retained. (especially new ones). This could be reduced by stricter enforcement of no • I love karting and have done for many years. I believe the AKA is doing a good contact rules which will see these repeat offenders prosecuted, hopefully leading job given the current economical situation, but I believe the AKA could be doing to a change in their attitudes/driving and a reduction in racing incidents. more to ensure karters remain in the sport longer. • Have left the sport twice before. This time it is to give the kids a go. This coming • I believe that people that aren’t involved in go karting do not fully understand the year will be do or die. As far as the use of the J motor is concerned no matter how sport, or even know about it, so we need to do the best we can in promoting the good or bad my kids are they will never race above club level whilst the class they sport. are in uses a J. • Try to encourage people, familys to have fun at kart meets, no one likes to get • I think this is a great sport but we need to keep evolving as sometimes we just barked at for making a mistake or parking in the wrong spot, karting is awesome do what we have always done because it is easier. We need to try new race so lets get that to people who dont know how rewarding it can be. The bottom line formates and types of races to keep the enthusiasum up. people want to enjoy there free time, so lets keep it simple and costs down. • I am taking this year off because I am not satisfied with the way my class has • Look at the mid to the bottom of the sport not the top. been mucked with at state and club level. L/H has had weight changes down/ • I love the sport, I wish I had started earlier, can’t wait for the start in 2012, want to up/down/up again. name changes tyre changes and engines added in the past go to the state titles and compete. I want to be competitive and turn heads so girls few years. i am lost to know what to run. it depends on what club i join. my club like me in sport get noticed and mentioned more frequently. has appointed drivers in my class to the commity. they make decisions to suit • Karting was a lot less political 15 years ago. Although it has come a long way themselves... just a bit over it. since then (new technologies) I feel it has also gone backwards due to the politics • Karting needs to be brought back down to Driving ability over money spent. involved. All I want to do is race and have fun whilst doing so ... but the politics • Cope with complications and the sport is a drug of addiction will inevitably increase the cost of racing. • Reduce the number of classes to allow competitors greater track time. The • Apart from a few minor costing issues I absolutely love coming down to the track sport desperately needs to have better management. I have all but left the sport and forgetting g about work and life stresses and having a fang around the track after being on the commitee, Club deligate, Club president and a steward out of with People who love doing the same frustration with the way the sport is currently run. I don’t feel like we have any • Thank you for initiating a survey to provide karters with a opportunity to give power as members to have our views aired or acted on. The old school members feedback, I love karting with a passion and unfortunatly don’t have enough running the show ensure it is a closed forum. Regional clubs do not have time as I’d like to dedicate to it, however I would love to see the sport grow in sufficient voting power to have any say in the direction of the sport. participation and spectator numbers. • I am looking forward to the 2012 season in karting and very much looking forward • Karting is a great place to meet people , i meet a new person every time i go to in meeting new members to my club. the track and it’s a great family sport” • AKA needs to concentrate more on average racers, not the so called ELITE. • Karting is still and always will be a great sport for those involved. i agree we have • Karting is good family fun - try keep as cheap as possible and get more people evolve but not loose sight of what makes it so great in the first place. that is entry involved at country level level motorsport that whole family can enjoy as well as a great teaching of racing • I think the AKA is doing a pretty good job, certanly the promotion of the sport is fundamentals for those who can progress to higher levels of motorsport. much better now Lee Hanatschek doing it directly rather than through BAM • Its a shame they dont have a 4 stroke class that is cheap to maintain (eg. rebuild • We need to reduce the number of classes and more effort to support club racing every year or two) for those who want to enjoy the sport and not compete at a as not all of the compeditor can afford CIK,Pro tour considering that only small high level where you need alot of money to spend on your engines. amount race these classes • My younger brother also races and dad pays for the two of us and is finding it • All the club level member wants is to have fun in a cheap form of motorsport. hard with all the expenses especially the rebuilding of engines up to a competitive Therefore introduce a 3 tier licence system, clubs to work together to address level where we wont be coming completely last (eg. my s engine has to be rebuilt reduced numbers in fields and club officials trained to use CMS.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment ctd... karters feel, so that we can try to continue to improve on our sport. • The National Executive of the sport have become a farce, and need replacing • Promote junior clubman in 2012. with competent personnel who can adhere to a constitution and abide by the • More races on race days processes the constitution entrusts. It has also become abundantly apparent that • I believe a reduction in costs would see a rise in participation as many cannot people filling those current positions, have no idea that the greatest concentration afford to compete on a regular basis, however the aka is doing a good job and of licence holders in the sport, the Sydney Basin, do not own or operate their own credit should be given to all involved karting is on the way up again track, and the executive of this sport have done NOTHING to rectify the situation • I love Karting and i try to see the good that is done by officials, not the bad. too are oblivious to the plight in Sydney and simple are too concerned with own little many father/son teams try to point the finger instead of facing reality. Keep up the agendas to care . The Media manager is too a farce, and we could save $80K @ good work year by dispensing with his services. As we know he is under the control of and • I just hope this census results are studied and any good ideas are used not just to service CIK or Stars of karting as it is known in Australia as we don’t run CIK put in the toohard basket regulations. The majority of karters in this country are club racers and they are • I enjoy karting, it is great fun and I have made great friends already only after 6 not being taken care of under the control of National executive as they should be. months racing. • Need to reduce classes and engines now!Reduce costs! • It would be good to hear that some of these issues are discussed at some stage • Have been in karting 28 years raced all except last 3 yrs still plan on returning in the future. soon • I paid heaps of money for my last AKA license and you did not even send it to me. • Perhaps there should be some way that karts and engines could be kept standard • Unfortunately we need some strong decisions to be made for the long term so they are more affordable to normal families and its not just the richest people improvement of karting. Some of these if not all will cause some short term upset who can win. Thanks but our current structure is limited and offers little room to grow and improve. • The sport is good on its own . I dropped out cause of travel and expence. Lost The key issues are: to many classes, replace the J with a modern consistent passion due to long waiting time to race. Ended up choosing 1 day race meets or engine that is good for the competitor not so much the engine builder, make the Pro tour . Take a note form canberra kart club as well . Good formats . managers of our sport accountable for there decisions, these people need to be • Karting is a great sport but stop all these classes, i wanna go out and race 40 skilled and have a proven background in business management. karts not 4... • I was sick two year ago but I still went racing I love it. My mum loves it and dad • I would have to commend our State Office (VKA) for being approachable when plus my sisters they help at each race we go to it great I get do something I love we have had questions (especially when we first started), they were always able and spend time with my family great great to help or point in the right direction. I believe that this is also a major point in • Karting is my life. Let’s keep this great sport growing ensuring that the AKA runs smoothly, that all State Offices are approachable and • We love karting but think we mighten make it because of the cost involved. fully informative. It would be sad not to follow his dreams because of the rules being out dated • I’m 46 and I Love Karting....keep up the great work they were great for james courtney etc but future drivers have to be better as • Dad raced for over 30 years and has always loved the sport and now i love it just Motorsport changes all the time.We hope more kids that arent as well off make it as much as well. continue to grow the sport of karting. because they work hard and are good drivers,not because of the bank balance. • I would like to see the use of slicks in all weather conditions and classes except • For state championship level meetings where there are over subscribed entries premiere (i.e. Jmax, sportsman unrestricted, f100) for the following reasons; (Clubman Light), I think the A v B v C method be utilised instead of repercharge • Reduction of cost as some people travel a long way or puy alot of money into one meeting with the • I hope the AKA reads these surveys and does something about it potential of being out of the race meeting Friday night. This happened to me at • Overall the AKA is doing an excellent job, i think the number of classes is the Vic Open 2006 whereas A v B v C etc had been used at least I would have had 3 major problem that the sport has.. races. • I rarely race AKA and perfer to race with Prokart now due to the politics in AKA. • I have raced quite alot over the last 4 years but have become a bit dissapointed • The sport of karting is great and the AKA is a great association to be a part of and with the way karting is now, I plan on only doing club days and the Rotax Pro Tour my satisfaction in the sport is very high. as these are the only events I find enjoyable • I believe this survey will be helpful for the AKA to gather information about how • For the short time ive been in the sport it has been enjoyable.

karting.net.au 7.0 SUMMARY/FEEDBACK...ctd Final Comment ctd... • I recently completed cert 3 in Motorsport at wodonga tafe and work with various race teams in V8 Utes, Fujitsu V8s, Formula Ford, Radicals, Australian rally championship and targa. I have also raced karts for a number of years and had a year off last year to study Motorsport. I am getting back into it in 2012 and am looking forward to it. I feel I have a good perspective of the sport and how it ties in compared to other forms of Australian Motorsport, if you’d like to discuss things further with me in detail please do not hesitate to contact me either via email or call me on (number removed). I’m also about to renew my license and would hugely appreciate if you could help me out with the free renewal as I’ve had to out lay thousands to get back into the sport already and I find this hard as a student doing it all on my own!

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