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Post by Katesdad on Nov 29, 2005 13:38:12 GMT -5
New frame? New engine with killer horsepower? The latest aero package? Variable caster/camber steering? Special fuel line that holds that good juice for the first 2 laps? Just kidding on that last one Do tell us whats in the works? I hope the house is getting back to normal, Ive been thinking about that and your situation every once in awhile. Hope all is well!!!
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Post by dj11 on Nov 29, 2005 16:07:34 GMT -5
The off-season has been fun but is getting boring. We put the new walls in last week and two days ago my dad painted them. Unfortuantley the sheets he hung up to block the fumes from gonig upstairs fell during Sunday night. I leave my door open when I go to bed so out of my whole family I got sick. That's why you might of seen me posting alot yesterday morning because I had to miss school.
Back to racing. We were planning on running some indoor races but we couldn't find any races that isn't a "wreck fest." I just got another curve ball thrown at me. An ASA Speed Truck/ Star Mazda Series team owner e-mailed me about a ride. This would be the deal: I work in his shop during the summer, I will get a ride. But, he didn't say what series or how many races. also, I will have to move ot Arizona for the summer. The last thing I'm going to do is to leave my kart team over the summer to race two times in a racecar. I don't want to say the name now, but if this deal gets closer I will.
If that didn't throw you off this will: A Formula BMW USA team e-mailed me telling me they have a ride for me if I can pay $225,000 or if I can find sponsorship. Right now I've been writing a few proposals and we'll see if anything gets worked out. As I said before, I'll tell you the team name if I get closer into the deal.
A racing reporter approached me and told me he would help me become a pro racecar driver if I help him with motorsports marketing. I accepted. This reporter has connections in American Le Mans Series and Grand American Road Racing Association. (aka: home of the Rolex 24; in other words NASCAR drivers gone road racing.) Both GARRA and ALMS are sports car series. He may fix a private training day between me and a pro driver.
This spring/summer, I will take part in the all-American driver contest. The winner gets a ride in USAC. It's about $300 to enter. But there are alot of top karters all over America competing in it. I'm not intimidated I just hate politics.
Last but not least, Ron Sutton Winners Cirlce (an USAC team) offered me a ride if i can fund $60,000 or find a sponsor. This deal is for 2007 but I can test the cars in 2006 if I can get the money.
Well I am extremley confused so far. If you have any suggestions or comments feel free to post them. Thanks
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Post by Katesdad on Nov 29, 2005 17:41:31 GMT -5
I think you need about a half a mill and a plane the confusion would clear. Too bad the USAC thing is about politics and not lap times.
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Post by dj11 on Nov 29, 2005 18:07:47 GMT -5
I'm thinking about offering the RSWC (the USAC team) free labor for a ride. Most of these rides are costing $$ but there are a select few there aren't. But whatever I choose I will most likely have to move for the summer. But hey, I'll be happy if I'm racing.
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Post by Mike Kattan on Nov 29, 2005 18:25:47 GMT -5
Wow, dj, we are soon to have a NASCAR driver on board here You never really want to burn bridges but being a marketing executive you know that it's a business and whatever helps you, you will accept. Good Luck man, don't forget about us either!
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Post by dj11 on Nov 29, 2005 18:45:58 GMT -5
Thanks Mike. I hope to be racing in NASCAR in the future. But one of the reasons why I really like the formula BMW USA Series is because the champion will get a ride in F1 in Europe. I don't really consider my self a marketing executive. I happen to know alot about racing and I always used to write proposals for my own kart team. My dad took a minor in marketing when he went to college so he tought me everything he knows. I also have about 1,000 marketing books too. If you don't know already, the Star Mazda Series is sort of an unofficial development series for Champ Car and IRL. About 99% of the teams will sell you a ride. Some will even let you have a ride for shop help. I don't mind that because I want to learn everything I can about racecars. I'll keep you all updated. Thanks for your support.
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Post by Katesdad on Nov 29, 2005 20:43:16 GMT -5
Sounds like you have alot going on dj!! Is that a USAC midget team?
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Post by dj11 on Nov 29, 2005 21:04:12 GMT -5
Yeah they have four teams. They run Ford Focus Midgets which is the same as a national midget but with a smaller engine. It's about $30,000 for a raceready FF midget so I feel they are charging a bit too high. I've been trying to come up with money to race for them but its been hard. I'm probably going to either decline the offer or ask for a trade between work for a ride.
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Post by Captain Spyro on Nov 30, 2005 22:00:13 GMT -5
I envy you... But dang, ASA, F-BMW, USAC: That's pretty darned good there. I wish you good luck on your endeavors. ^_^
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Post by dj11 on Dec 2, 2005 20:41:42 GMT -5
Just a little update: I am in the works of getting a training session with one of the world's most talented road racers: Jason Workman. I am also talking to Moses Smith Racing for a ride. They race in the Star Mazda series. I'll keep everyone updated.
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Post by dj11 on Dec 3, 2005 17:18:29 GMT -5
Also, Katesdad, how's the "kart search" coming. Shoot me over any questions if you have any.
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Post by Katesdad on Dec 3, 2005 18:48:02 GMT -5
Sounds great, Ill get it together soon.
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Post by Katesdad on Dec 4, 2005 13:41:30 GMT -5
dj I read about that Mazda star series. Sounds sweet and pretty high tech. Way cool set up with the rotary and no lift tranny. Looks like a cluster at the first couple of corners, but with karting you should be used to that!
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Post by dj11 on Dec 4, 2005 13:59:37 GMT -5
I'm still talking to MSR (the Mazda team.) If I do land the ride I will probably "build up" by racing SCCA club races and Star Mazda South West Series. The West Series is like the Busch Series of Star Mazda. The only difference is that the West Series cars have less H.P. and I think they way heavier.
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Post by dj11 on Dec 4, 2005 14:46:40 GMT -5
Also, I am talking to Jason Workman (professional racecar driver) and Alex Graas (his manager) about having a testing session soon. I am probably going to spit the session with another kart racer named Casey. This will make it cheaper on both of us. The session will most likely take place at Road Atlanta. The whole point of the session is to learn as much as I can from Jason. Road Atlanta is known to be a tough road course so I hope to be learning alot. I'll keep you updated
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