February 2019 GCKI Newsletter

Dear GCKI members and Houston area racers,

I am pleased to announce plans for another exciting year of racing and sportsmanship for all Houston area karters. GCKI has approved and published schedules for both an 11 race GCKI Championship series and an equally competitive 10 race regional series with races scheduled at both GCKI and Speedsportz. These two challenging race series are sure to attract the best racers in the area as well as many nationally ranked competitors. Please plan to support these two series so we can grow karting in the Houston area. I am also pleased to announce changes recently approved by our GCKI Board of Directors that I am confident will improve member access to our track and facilities year-round. Our goal for 2019 at GCKI is to make karting affordable, fun, ultra-competitive and conveniently accessible to our membership and all karters in the Houston area. Please read about all the details below.

2019 GCKI General Membership Meeting

On Wednesday evening January 9th 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. The meeting was well represented by the majority of 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 including:

Facilities
GCKI is a “not for profit” organization so all proceeds from racing and membership are reinvested in our facility for our membership and area racers. 2018 was no different with:

• New A/C unit in the clubhouse
• New podium and registration desk (thanks Joel and your shop class)
• Offsite parking access improvements between GCKI and our neighbors to the west
• Maintenance to our fantastic sound system and other maintenance related expenses

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 Ken Snider (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or any of the other members of our Sponsorship Committee for details.

2019 GCKI Race Schedule
We reviewed all dates through the year to schedule two race series to attract local area racers and GCKI members (Yes Valentine day is off limits). Our GCKI series is an 11 race series that includes 3 drops and requires 7 races to qualify for year end awards. We just hosted our 2018 banquet at IRace and awarded all our champions with trophies, jackets and lots of other awards. It was a great time and you need to attend next year, you wont regret it! We also discussed our 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.

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

Texas Mini Grand Prix Races @ GCKI
March 2nd & 3rd
March 30th & 31st
July 6th & 7th
Aug 3rd & 4th
Nov 2nd & 3rd

Texas Sprint Racing Series @ GCKI
June 28th & 29th

2019 Rules Changes
Both GCKI and the Greater Houston Race Series are trying to standardize classes around nationally recognized race series. The following changes were approved by the membership:

• 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 and Mini Swift will be the Cadet size karts.
• The TaG Junior will be the Iame X-30 only and will now run the Evinco Blue tires.
• The IAME Sr. and IAME Masters classes will remain the same except the minimum weight for IAME Masters will now be 395 lbs,
• An IAME KA100 class will be offered at Junior, Senior, and Masters levels.
• The Shifter classes will keep the same Stock Moto Sr. and Stock Moto Masters, with the addition of Pro Shifter using the new IAME 175 shifter motor.
• 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.
• The 206 Sr., 206 Heavy, and now 206 Cadet will be recognized classes for both GCKI and the Greater Houston Race Series. These classes will follow the Texas Sprint Racing Series rules (IKF).
• Due to lack of participation, the Rotax and TaG Historic Classes will not be offered as a points earning classes at GCKI in 2019.
• SKUSA Evinco Red is approved as our spec tire for all SKUSA-based classes (Tag & Shifter). SKUSA Evinco Blue will be the spec tire for cadets, four stroke classes, X-30 Junior, and all KA 100 classes. Kid kart tires will remain “open.” Rain tires will remain MG Wet for all classes.

2019 First GCKI Board Meeting Business
Shortly after the annual meeting of GCKI members, the duly elected GCKI board met to discuss and approve the various action items from the annual meeting. The board also met to discuss material changes to GCKI that could improve club membership and to discuss relevant business matters for the club in general. The following items were discussed and decided:

GCKI Membership Dues
The cost of membership at GCKI has remained the same price for over fifteen years. In that time, the club has expanded the track, built a new building, installed new septic and A/C, added new electrical and barriers, and many other improvements. With all these improvements, the local property tax authorities unexpectedly decided we needed to pay more. This combined with other factors requires GCKI to increase revenue with a modest increase in annual of $50. Renewing membership will go from $300 per year to $350 per year, with no increase to associate rates ($10/ associate). New member fee will increase from $325 from $375. This small increase will help defray the increased costs of operating the club, particularly as it relates to the increase in taxes. This new rate will be in effect April 1st 2019 in case you want to renew your membership early.

Elected Volunteers and BOD Approved Contractors
The GCKI membership elected and the Board of Directors approved the following club positions. We are pleased that the membership continues to support the leadership of the club, and for 2019, we’ll see continued service by an experienced team.

Elected Club Officers (by membership / approved by BOD)
President – Paul Jones
Vice President – Robert Schneider
Membership Director – Scott Boone
Board of Directors
Bill Choice (Elected to a 2-year Term)
Jay Kleinheinz (Elected to a 2-year Term)
David McKee (Serving year 2 of 2-year term)
James Waithman (Serving year 2 of 2-year term)

Board of Directors Elections
Chairman – Scott Boone
Treasurer – Bill Choice
Corporate Secretary – Jay Kleinheinz

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 – Open
Sponsorship Director – Ken Snider

New Business
Many new ideas were discussed and debated at the first meeting of the new Board of Directors this year. These ideas were focused on improving club membership. The following initiatives were approved by the GCKI Board of Directors:

Reserved Pit Spot/Trailer Storage
For the first time ever, GCKI is offering a limited number of year round pit spots for storage of trailers at premium locations along the GCKI pit runners. Details of these pit spot leases are available on the website at https://www.racekarts.com/pit-spots.html. Some of the more general terms and conditions are:

• Lease terms are $1000 prorated to the calendar year and paid in advance.
• Lessee must be a GCKI master member.
• Each pit space includes access to approximately 10 feet of cement pit runner. Approximately 10’ x 30’ pit spots are clearly marked with survey stakes and marked with the name of each lessee.
• Space assignments are made at the sole discretion of the GCKI Board of Directors on a first come first serve basis. In general, spaces are assigned from the north end of the pit runner to the south end.
• Additional terms and conditions apply. Be sure to read the GCKI Pit Space Lease Terms, Conditions and Agreement on the website.

I hope you are as excited about 2019 kart racing as I am, and I hope you like all the changes approved for this race year. I would like to thank all the members, club leaders and volunteers of GCKI. Without your support, dedication and help, the success of this club would not be possible. 2019 will be an exciting time for the racer and club member, and I look forward to seeing all of you at the finish line!

Paul Jones

2019 Gulf Coast Karters Schedule

Gulf Coast Karters is pleased to announce the 2019 race schedule! Races 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 are also Greater Houston Race Series races.

2019 GULF COAST KARTERS RACE SCHEDULE
	Race 1	1/27/19
	Race 2*	2/24/19
	Race 3	3/10/19
	Race 4*	4/28/19
	Race 5	5/26/19
	Race 6*	6/9/19
	Race 7	7/14/19
	Race 8*	8/18/19
	Race 9	9/8/19
	Race 10*	10/6/19
	Race 11	12/1/19

GCKI championship points will be the best 8 of 11 races with seven races to qualify for awards.

Races marked with an asterix are also Greater Houston Race Series races.

Texas Mini Grand Prix Races @ GCKI
March 2nd & 3rd
March 30th & 31st
July 6th & 7th
Aug 3rd & 4th
Nov 2nd & 3rd

2019 Greater Houston Race Series Schedule

	2019 GREATER HOUSTON RACE SERIES SCHEDULE
		Race 1	1/19/19*	Speedsportz
		Race 2	2/24/19	GCKI
		Race 3	3/17/19	Speedsportz
		Race 4	4/28/19	GCKI
		Race 5	5/19/19	Speedsportz
		Race 6	6/9/19	GCKI
		Race 7	7/27/19	Speedsportz
		Race 8	8/18/19	GCKI
		Race 9	9/28/19	Speedsportz
		Race 10	10/6/19	GCKI
		* Race 1 changed from 1/13/19 to 1/19/19

Parking and Pit Spaces at the Track

Written by Paul Jones, GCKI President

We have seen tremendous turnout at our races this year! As a result it is imperative that the parking and the pit space be done in an efficient manner. Please see the revised diagram showing the pit locations at the track. Each pit space is 10’ wide, and there are two spaces between the yellow posts. There should be only one pit space for each trailer, with the pitting out of the back, but not on the pit runners. Exceptions to this should only be for teams with three or more karts, then a second pit space may be used.

Our Saturday practice days are almost as busy as a race day, and many leave their trailers overnight for the race on Sunday. It is important that pitting on Saturday follow the same procedures as race day, one trailer per pit space. Please pit as near to the front as possible, without taking the sponsor’s pit area. This will allow a more manageable parking for those that arrive on Sunday.

Thank you for your cooperation,

Paul Jones
GCKI President

Gulf Coast Karters and SpeedSportz Collaborate for 2018 Schedule and Inter-Club Championship

Gulf Coast Karters and SpeedSportz Racing Park have collaborated to create some great local racing opportunities for 2018. Coordinated race schedules, class structures, and an inter-club championship will be part of this exciting new year. Each track will host it’s own ten race series for 2018 with separate awards for it’s clubs champions. In addition, GCKI and SpeedSportz will co-host the Greater Houston Race Series, an inter-club championship constructed by combining five scheduled races from each club’s series. This series will have its own champions and awards. Some of the highlights for 2018 include:

• No overlap of club race dates.
• Coordinated class structures.
• Combined two races per month.
• Each track will run one race per month.
• Each month a Greater Houston Race Series designated race will be run at alternating tracks.

The goal of the coordination is to provide the racer the opportunity to race at different venues without schedule conflicts.  With the coordination of schedules and the addition of the imbedded Greater Houston Race Series, racers will be able to tailor their racing to meet their needs.  With up to 20 different club races available in 2018 between the two tracks, along with the concurrent inter club championship, the racer has the opportunity to participate in up to three different local championships in 2018.

	2018 GREATER HOUSTON RACE SERIES SCHEDULE
	GCKI RACES			SPEEDSPORTZ RACES
		GCKI Race 1*	2/4/18	Speedsport Race 1	1/28/18
		GCKI Race 2	3/4/18	Speedsport Race 2	2/25/18
		GCKI Race 3	4/8/18	Speedsport Race 3	3/18/18
		GCKI Race 4	5/6/18	Speedsport Race 4	4/22/18
		GCKI Race 5	6/3/18	Speedsport Race 5	5/19/18
		GCKI Race 6	7/8/18	Speedsport Race 6	6/23/18
		GCKI Race 7	8/5/15	Speedsport Race 7	7/28/18
		GCKI Race 8	9/9/18	Speedsport Race 8*	8/18/18
		GCKI Race 9*	10/28/18	Speedsport Race 9	9/29/18
		GCKI Race 10	12/9/18	Speedsport Race 10*	11/3/18

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

Update on the 2018 Inter-Club Championship

Now that the other regional and national series have solidified their schedules, we have made three date changes to accommodate racers and eliminate overlap. The February 11th race at GCKI has been moved up a week to February 4th to eliminate a conflict with the SKUSA Winter-tour. The August 25 SpeedSportz club race has been moved up to August 18th as the Texas Sprint Race Series will be at GCKI the weekend of August 25th. The third change is the October 14th Series race at GCKI has been moved up to October 7th to eliminate a conflict with a TSRS race on the 14th. 

Scoring, awards and classes for the Greater Houston Race Series

The good news is there is no added step or cost to race the Greater Houston Race Series. Just sign up for the designated local club race in a recognized class and you will be scored for the championship. Final standings for the GHRS will be based on the total points from the best four of the five designated races from each track (4 of 5 from GCKI, 4 of 5 from SpeedSportz). Awards will be presented at the last series race at SpeedSportz on October 27.

The classes that will be eligible for awards for the Greater Houston Race Series are those that are common to both local track series. Those are as follows:

Classes

We will be putting together a separate Greater Houston Race Series Page (or website) that will contain rules, standings, class details, and any other important information in the future.