I think that going to the Bridgestone makes sense as it is the tyre of choice for the majority of prokart championships as has been pointed out but I do think we need longer than 3 races to use up our Dunlop wets! Maybe a transition year would suit people more? Plus they could have given us slightly longer than a month to notify us the changes in regs, glad I didn't buy my tyres early.
But to Welshy's point I do know someone who carries both Bridgestone and Dunlop and considering he is a front running driver it could make others have to follow in order to remain fully competitive in all conditions. I would suggest one tyre for the wet, whether it is Bridgestone or Dunlop doesn't make a difference to me.
Ross - I cant see anyone buying a new set of slicks every meeting as the difference isn't huge from meeting to meeting in my opinion. The tyres I used for the few sprint meetings I competed at Teesside this year had done a 6 hour race plus EPEC practice and a few days racing and they were still capable of doing low 48 second laps. The slick only rule would be interesting and it would also save a lot of money but anyone who has raced at WL will know the track has horrendous grip in the wet and it could become mayhem! But most other prokart championships have this rule so maybe we can eventually follow and I would fully support it.
As for the change to drop the clubman grid there are both positive and negative points. Does a grid that only once surpassed 20 in 2012 really need two separate classes? But do novices and people with older chassis and standard engines need more motivation to run mid pack or near the back of the field knowing they have no hope of some silverware? The class was more on track this year as it didn't have SP engines and brand new chassis like was the case in 2011 but we just don't have the numbers to support it and I'm sure the club would support a come back if we could get the grids back to a reasonable level like we had in 2009 and 2010.
We will find out soon enough whether the reg changes have had a negative or positive effect on the championship soon enough anyway.
Also another note they have become tighter with the championship prizes! Only 6 free races for 2014 if you win this year opposed to the whole season.
See you in February for the first round!
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