2006 Bumper Regulations for C.I.K. Events.

Controversy ruled at La Conca for the opening Italian round of the 2006 European Championship, in an event that had a serious effect not only on Jon’s weekend, but on the outcome of his 2006 European campaign. Sadly, owing to problems with an issue arising from the new rear bumper saga, Jon did not even qualify for the main final.

As the Intermediate Classification demonstrated after the heats had been completed, very few drivers were able to show a consistent set of results, with only a half dozen or so able to produce five effective heat finishes. With the new rear bumper regulations coming into effect at the weekend, it was a decision that apparently led to the new rear bumpers being the cause of many incidents.

“The problem appears to be”, commented one respected individual, “that at the start of most races, the nose of following karts can go under the rear bumper, lifting the rear of the kart in front from the track. Obviously this makes the lead kart both unsteerable and undriveable, and this becomes a major safety concern, and potentially, the root cause of what would normally have been a previously avoidable incident”.

“During the course of a race normal overtaking manoeuvres were no longer possible, and some drivers became aware that catching the rear corner of a bumper of the kart ahead could either:

1. Push the plastic onto a rear tyre and damage it; or
2. Spin the lead kart around and off the track, as happened during this weekend”.

In cannot be denied that under the old regulations, inadvertent contact with the kart ahead if a nose cone touched a rear wheel, usually meant it was relatively easy for the following driver to brake and free himself. This appears to be no longer the case.

“There were so many incidents for the stewards to rule on Saturday evening that the queue of drivers/entrants was all the way down the stairs. In addition, having spoken to the Bridgestone representative, it is virtually impossible to find a way of making six tyres last for two qualifying sessions, three heats, and two finals. This decision, together with the bumper ruling, seems to be turning this previously wonderful sport into an endurance race, simply to save around Euro 200 (or in other words, approximately the cost of four tyres)”.

At this level of karting, arguably the highest level before a young racing driver graduates to the next level, this amount is a very insignificant saving when compared to the overall cost of an event of this stature. However, as was made clear by one of the frustrated parties at the weekend, whilst “we are sure that the governing bodies over-riding consideration is for the safety of the drivers, this would be best served by reverting to the previous rules”.

After suffering badly as a result of the decision making process in this weekend’s event, Jon was left feeling distraught at what had happened. “If this is top-level European competition, then we are wasting our time and money. We might just as well think about making a move into the next planned step, and spending the rest of the year undertaking some testing ready for 2007. It would be far more beneficial than having to suffer a weekend like this one”.