Davy you make it sound as if the MSA has suddenly introduced a whole new set of rules that will destroy karting.
There have been posts on this forum that have explained the process for approving new classes and pointing out that under the regulations, the MSA can not refuse to add a class if it meets the criteria. If karters don't want the new class then it will fail. There is also no ob ligation on any club to make room for a new class in their race schedules.
How much anger would you generate if you tried to close an existing class and make their equipment scrap?
Mixing age and weight is not new - look in the gold book at the junior classes and they all have minimum driver weights as well as age ranges:- Minimax - 31kg; Junior Rotax and KF3 - 40kg; junior TKM - from 30kg to 67kg; junior blue - 32kg to 82kg. Maybe the TKM and Blue promotors will add a restrictor to allow lighter drivers.
The have been lots of posts from people who say all the weight limits should be increased because the youngsters are getting taller/heavier and counter arguments saying raising the limits would add too much lead for lighter drivers. How could the MSA win with such conflicting views?
I agree that all ther classes and restrictor choices does make it very confusing for people entering the sport but I don't think the latest changes make it any more so and there does seem to be a steady flow of new entrants - could always be better though.
Now that the minimum age for junior classes are to stay in force (following the consultations) are drivers really goinf to be bounced from class to class? A young cadet who is on the heavy side but quite young now has the opportunity of super cadet whilst older drivers can still progress to juniors although it looks as if the proposed weights in super cadet may not help much.
As for consulting the licence holders, the MSA does put proposed changes on their web site and invites comments but I doubt if many take advantage of this. If you do not want one of the new classes at your club then get it as an agenda item at the next AGM and attend.
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