DRIVERS COUNCIL UPDATE

Our drivers council has been visiting about some items since my last post and I need to bring you up to speed on a new change we have agreed on. We plan to experiment w/qualifying at 2 races this year. Heat 1 will be replaced by single kart laps with fastest time being used as the winner. Heat 2 will grid based on Heat 1 finish and be scored with winner completing the most laps in the least time. Feature will grid with Heat 2 results and be scored as usual. We are offering this as a chance for those younger in the sport to experience an event used in regional and national series.

We have chosen May 6, race 3, as well as Aug 5, race 9, to let you experience this. Please plan to join us in this pursuit. Written guidelines for this, and other things, will be given to you when getting your tech sticker. Points for the day will remain consistent with other racedays.

Thanks to the Drivers Council for the deliberations to get to this decision.

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2023 Raceday Pricing

Last year we had two levels of pricing for our raceday entries and wristbands. If you pre-registered and paid prior to Friday noon, you were eligible for the lower price. This year we will have only one price schedule BUT we will offer a 10% discount for those who pre-register before Fri noon prior to the event. You may register by phone or in person.

Pre-registering saves quite a bit of time when checking in on racedays since we already have entered you in a class. The wristbands you preordered will have a name on them and be ready for quick pickup. We will have the release form already filled out with printed name and wristband number and will only require your signature. While you still have to stop at registration, this saves much effort and reduces time spent there. As always, if you choose to wait until raceday, we will still accommodate your needs. In the case of a cancelled event, all monies will be transferred to your next visit.

One last reminder is that the certificates given out at the banquet expire on Mar 15 so please use them prior to that.

Drivers Council updates

A drivers council was formed last fall, after the banquet, to improve communications between the track and racers. This is not new news but members are Brandon Norris, Jeff Lohmar, Randy Raridon, Jim Johnson, Diann Finke, and Les Finke. This group is focusing on improving the CHMS racing experience. Most notable accomplishments to date are minor rules changes with much consideration for the 2023 schedule. This was published on the website in December.

Most recently we have met in person and I want to publish some resolutions which evolved through discussion.

1. All council members agreed that we would like to have more racers participate in our “club”. This could include larger classes, or addition of classes. Karting seems to be a well-kept secret in America, and we would like to market the sport and the fun we enjoy. Past ideas were reviewed and word of mouth is still an important factor.
2. Council members will be advisory, during race events, but will not be required to be involved in staff decisions.
3. Council members will have the authority to issue half price crew passes to those new to the sport who wish to “shadow” a racer to learn about the sport.
4. Randy, Jeff, and Brandon intend to lead the organization of a cookout to improve the social aspect of racers. This will be discussed at drivers meeting but if you have ideas, please contribute them to a council member.
5. We would like to see sportsmanship improved both on and off the track. It was pointed out that possibly not all know the rules and expectations of the track. In 2023, when you request a tech sticker, you will be given some printed information which is intended to explain track guidelines.
6. We intend to hire a flagman (we currently have a commitment from a person w/racing experience) to control starts and make race calls. We will continue to use the corner lights and cameras.

This post is intended to announce the agreed on ideas for 2023. Should you want other ideas considered, feel free to contact any council member.

Tire Lease Contract for 2023

Once again in 2023, CHMS will offer a tire lease contract. This is an option since the “scuffs” are used in our rental program. We have created a page entry, under points racing tab, for you to review the pricing and terms. We will continue to rent tires, on a per race basis, for those who wish to race with us and do not want to buy a set. As always, if you choose to buy, rather than lease, that is perfectly acceptable.

JOB OPPORTUNITY @ CHMS

We are looking to add a person to our staff. Do you have the following skills?

1. Able to meet and converse with the public both in-person and by phone
2. Able to listen to requests and explain our programs and opportunities
3. Politely enforce our guidelines and rules including safety
4. Willing to be trained in both counter and grid duties

We have a training syllabus for structured training and are willing to train new people.  This could be a part-time, pay per hour, or a full-time, pay per month opportunity.  We are looking for support on 4+ days/week including weekends.  Our normal hours of operation are 10AM to sunset, with slight changes for Sundays and special events.

Call us to set up an interview or with questions.  815-496-2467

NEW KA100 Class Addition

CHMS would like to offer the KA100 class in 2023. Some showed interest last year and we had a few show up but we never had a steady class on race days. In order to “guarantee” we have a class for others to build on, we would like to have 5, or more, sign up for a season pass. To encourage this, we will discount the season pass race entry fee to $600 for all 13 races. This price will be in effect until Jan 31. Sign up now to reserve your number.

AEM has graciously agreed to support the start of this class by offering to pay half of this $600 for those that work with them. Contact AEM for details and then sign up with us at half rate.

Class guidelines are MGSH tire and 360# to try and fall in line with others in the area.

If you sign up, and the class does not mature, CHMS will offer you a refund.

COUNCIL UPDATE

We were asked to consider some items and here are the results. Thanks for council input.

First — Masters weight will remain 390 – It was asked that we raise Masters class weight but, “after further review”, we will remain as before in 2023.

Second — CIK bodywork ONLY – This was also a request and since most every track and series complies with CIK, and we have discussed it in years past, we will implement that in 2023.

Stay tuned for more issue updates as they develop.

RACE SCHEDULE 2023

The drivers council has been busy and now has developed the 2023 schedule. Several inputs were considered and here is the result. I think you will like it.

We were able to arrange a 13 race season avoiding Holidays, CKNA events, & RT66 events. We have scheduled NO double events and NO alternate track configurations with evening schedule in Jun, Jul, Aug. We will count your best 11 for a champion.

Dates: Apr 15, 29, May 6, Jun 3, 10, 24, Jul 15, 29, Aug 5, 19, 26, Sep 16, 23, with Oct 7, 14 used ONLY if we have rainouts in the first 13 dates.

This will be posted on the website but you now have an early picture of the outlook for 2023. Stay tuned for more details as they develop.

NEW DRIVERS COUNCIL established

In an effort to improve communication between drivers and the track, we have decided to take a page from the NASCAR playbook and start a formal committee to communicate with the goal of trying to solve problems. Brandon Norris, Randy Raridon, and Jeff Lohmar will represent the drivers group while Les Finke, Diann Finke and Jim Johnson will represent the CHMS track. The plan is to have closed door discussions about issues and contemplate solutions. Minutes from these meetings will be published identifying the best solution we can collectively come up with. If you feel you have an issue that is important to be considered, feel free to contact any one of the six people listed above. We are intending to to have a season with more understanding and less drama in 2023.

Stay tuned as our first order of business in the next days is to develop the 2023 schedule.

2022-2023 Winter Schedule

We are starting our winter hours this week. Moving forward please call to confirm a time to come out to the track with respect to normal business hours. We would like to thank everyone for another successful race season. If we don’t see you before the year’s end, we wish everyone a happy, merry and safe holiday season and we’ll see you in 2023!

We will be closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. We will also be closed on Sundays through the Winter.