January 2018 GCKI Newsletter

With a challenging but successful 2017 completed, it is time to look forward to a new year of kart racing at Gulf Coast Karters in Katy, TX. As always, our membership numbers continued to remain stable during 2017. While our race participation started strong in 2017, we had challenges due to the effects of Hurricane Harvey in the later part of the year. With the recovery underway and some exciting new changes in the schedule, 2018 should be another solid year at GCKI.

2018 GCKI General Membership Meeting

On Wednesday evening January 3rd GCKI held its annual all-members meeting at the Memorial West Community Club. The facility, arranged and hosted by Becky and Bill Choice, continues to serve as an excellent venue for this important event. We had a reasonable turnout of members representing all of the classes raced at GCKI. Several topics were presented and discussed and decisions were reached that will shape the club and form the basis of our operations for the next year.

Facilities

Following GCKI’s significant investments and improvements during 2016, 2017 was focused on maintenance and some lower cost improvements.

Facilities improvements completed during 2017

• Replaced area lighting with new LED lights
• Spread new parking lot material
• Worked with new neighbor to start planning near track storage

Facilities improvements planned for 2018

• Install electrical for new covered building for grid and scales area
• Continue to spread new parking lot material

Sponsorship

We are thankful to the longtime supporters of GCKI and look forward to their continued support. We will be making a renewed effort to secure new partners with our club. Please endeavor to support these great supporters of GCKI whenever your purchasing decisions allow. GCKI is always looking to add businesses that are interested in furthering their exposure through a beneficial affiliation with GCKI. Please contact Jay Kleinheinz (713 825-6887) or any of the other members of our Sponsorship Committee for details.

2018 GCKI Race Schedule

We are excited to announce the creation of the GREATER HOUSON RACE SERIES.  This is a 10 race series and includes 5 races at GCKI and 5 races at SpeedSportz with 1 drop allowed from each track.  The response to the series has been overwhelming and we expect large fields of competitors from the local area as well as from other tracks throughout the southern US and Mexico.  This series will be hosted at affordable club rates to keep the costs low.

We are also excited to announce a 10 race series at GCKI that runs parallel to the Greater Houston Race Series that scores the best 8 of 10 races at GCKI.  There will be one race at GCKI each month and will not interfere with any of the other local or regional race schedules. This series qualifies racers for year end championships, awards, and prizes.

2018 GCKI SCHEDULE
GCKI Race 1*	2/4/18	GCKI Race 6	7/8/18
GCKI Race 2	3/4/18	GCKI Race 7	8/5/15
GCKI Race 3	4/8/18	GCKI Race 8	9/9/18
GCKI Race 4	5/6/18	GCKI Race 9*	10/7/18
GCKI Race 5	6/3/18	GCKI Race 10	12/9/18

Red text denotes Greater Houston Race Series (10 race series)
*Schedule change

Changes to 2018 Rules

As a result of coordinating schedules and creating the Greater Houston Race Series, several changes were made and approved to the class structures.

• The Kid Kart class will be the Honda GXH50 only for the purposes of points for both the GHRS and GCKI.
• In the SKUSA designated classes, the Micro Swift will be offered, along with the Mini Swift for the Cadet size karts.
• The TaG Junior will be the Iame X-30 only with the new restrictor that SKUSA will be running.
• The TaG Sr. and Masters classes will be re-designated as the Iame Sr. and Iame Masters class, with the Iame Leopard (original and MY09) and the X-30 as the designated motors.
• A TaG Historical Sr. and TaG Historical Masters will also be available for those motors already sanctioned by GCKI. These will be scored separately, and not eligible for points in the Greater Houston Race Series.
• The Shifter classes will remain the same with Stock Moto Sr. and Stock Moto Masters offered again.
• The 4-Stroke classes will be consolidated around the Briggs 206 class with a Cadet, Junior, Senior, and Heavy class available at the club level.
• Only the 206 Sr. and 206 Heavy will be recognized classes for the Greater Houston Race Series. These classes will follow the Briggs Racing rules.
• Due to lack of participation, the Rotax Classes will not be offered as a points earning classes at GCKI in 2018.
• GCKI will continue to use SKUSA Evinco Red as our spec tire for all SKUSA-based classes (Tag & Shifter).
• SKUSA Evinco Blue will be the spec tire for cadets and four stroke classes.
• Kid kart tires will remain “open.”
• Rain tires will now be MG Wet for all classes.

Download the 2018 GCKI Rules (149K PDF)
Download the 2018 GCKI Classes (160K PDF)

2018 GCKI Officers, Elected Board of Trustee, Compensated and Position Volunteers

We are pleased that the membership continues to support the leadership of the club, and for 2018, we’ll see the continued service by an experienced team.

Voluntary Officer Roles
President – Paul Jones
Vice President – Robert Schneider
Treasurer – Bill & Becky Choice
Membership Director – Scott Boone

Compensated Race-Day Roles
Race Director – Gary Kinkade
Race Day Manager – Joel Yeltin
Tech Inspector – Frank D’Angelo
Race Administrator – Elise Yeltin
Starter – Leo Leondio
Timing and Scoring – Austin Johnson
Concessions – Open

Volunteer Positions
Facilities Manager – John Fantuzzo
Trophies and Awards – Michelle Watts
Sponsorship Director – Jay Kleinheinz

Elected Board of Trustees
Bill Choice (Serving year 2 of 2-year term)
Brian Warwas (Serving year 2 of 2-year term)
David McKee (Elected to a 2-year Term)
James Waithman (Elected to a 2-year Term)

I would like to thank all the leadership and volunteers of GCKI. Without your dedication and help, the success of this club would not be possible. 2018 will be an exciting time for the racer and club member, and we look forward to seeing all of you out there at the track.

Paul Jones