TaG Weights: We have updated several of the weights in the TaG classes to keep them in line with most sanctioning bodies and the F1 Outdoors Club Series:

TAG SENIORS
Rotax: 365 lbs/370 lbs with any EVO component

TAG MASTERS
Rotax: 405 lbs/410 lbs with any EVO component
IAME X30: 410 lbs
Parilla Leopard: 405 lbs
PRD Fireball: 390 lbs
Sonik Sport: 415 lbs
Sonik TX1: 415 lbs

Rotax EVO Engines and Upgrades: We’re gradually seeing more EVO upgrades and complete EVO packages at the track. And gradually competitors are figuring out how to unlock the potential gains. Changes to weights will also be gradual and based upon on-track performance. For now, any Rotax in any class with any EVO component is required to run 5 lbs more than Rotax engines with no EVO components.

Rok Engines: Vortex Roks are typically run in standalone classes, which doesn’t fit the format of either NHKA or IKS. So we are working on weights that will allow Rok owners, particularly those with the 34-36hp Rok GP to compete fairly in our multi-engine tag classes. Stay tuned.

Stock Moto: To remain in line with the Northeast Shifter Kart Series, karts with a stock Honda or another moto engine should be 405* 395 lbs. All KZ powered karts remain at 385 lbs. Both are required to run an air box. (*We were informed that NESKS changed this last season but has yet to update their website. Sorry for any inconvenience.)

Drop Rule Clarification: Your lowest finish of the season will be dropped in calculating the final championship points. This may be a race you do not attend, but will not be a race you were suspended or disqualified. If a race is cancelled, that race will be everybody’s drop.

Points: We have tweaked the points payout:

10th Place: 50 points
11th Place: 45 points,
12th-Last Place: 40 points

DNS Clarification: If for whatever reason you are unable to start the Final, so long as the day’s entry fee has been paid and you personally present the kart when the Final is called to the grid, you will receive points for the position after the last kart scored on the track. If more than one kart is to receive DNS points, they will be sorted by finishing position in the Pre-Final, then by Qualifying result, then by least annoying. Special circumstances may apply at the discretion of the race director.

This Saturday, May 30th, is the race that’ll put the 2015 season into overdrive. It’s Race 1 of the Interstate Kart Series (IKS) and Race 2 of the NHKA Racing Series driven by Checkered Flag Indoor Karting.

Last year, the IKS events drew record-breaking fields to the Hill Course at New Hampshire Motor Speedway by bringing together NHKA and F1 Outdoors racers. With all the new drivers we’ve seen already at both tracks, fingers are crossed that entries will top 100 karts! That would make for some awesome racing!

Winning an IKS Championship is a season-long battle you most definitely want to be part of. When the first season of the IKS came down to the wire, every single point mattered. The drivers who won last year earned it with hard work and racecraft in each on-track session. We’ll be honoring the 2014 IKS Champions with an awards ceremony during Saturday’s lunch break.

This is also Race 2 for the NHKA Racing Series. The first event foretold a competitive season across multiple classes with big fields and super-tight racing. Saturday’s race promises to stoke the intensity even higher. Be there!

So many old friends and so many new ones. Thank you to everyone who came out and made the season opener one of the largest ever for the NHKA Racing Series driven by Checkered Flag Indoor Karting. We were all treated to some great racing throughout the day in many classes. World Formula continues to grow, and TaG Masters was definitely looking like a solid group. But maybe the pleasant surprise of the day was how many shifters hit the track. This all bodes well for a great 2015 season.

Actually, NHKA Race 2 on May 30th promises to be even bigger – it’s the first combined race with the Interstate Kart Series which last year drew lots of drivers from F1 Outdoors. As many of you will remember from last year, the only difference in the race day is that there are even more karts out there. Each race will be simultaneously scored for the NHKA and the IKS. And also just like last year, every race and every position on track will certainly make a difference when the points are tallied at the end of the year. The two-track, six-race IKS Series is the good kind of kart drama. Be part of it from the drop of the green flag.

The snow has melted at the track. Racers are emerging from their caves. Karts are roaring back to life. The NHKA Racing Series once again driven by our awesome sponsor Checkered Flag Indoor Karting opens the 2015 with a full day of practice this Saturday, April 11th, on the Hill course at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The gates open at 7am and engines will be fired up at 8:05am followed by lap after lap of practice. Come out and see your old racing buddies and make a few new ones… the racing season is finally here!!!

After literally thousands of laps of winter testing, the NHKA Racing Series driven by (and in this case, at) Checkered Flag Indoor Karting has provisionally added two new clutch options for both Light and Heavy World Formula classes in the 2015 season: Hilliard Inferno Fury and Hilliard Inferno Flame (NOT the Blaze) in addition to the stock Premier Titan and Premier Stinger clutches.

Over the years, some NHKA racers have voiced concerns about the Premier clutches. So with the blessings and participation of the NHKA, World Formula racers Tom Prioli, Rick Brown, Dammit Dave Nadeau and Ken Repke took it upon themselves to purchase and test a variety of clutches in conjunction with Checkered Flag’s World Formula Indoor Karting Championship.

The Goal: Identify clutches that will preserve World Formula as a fair, fun, affordable, competitive and low-maintenance class to start or continue racing.

The Parameters: Reliability, performance and adjustability similar to the best Premier clutches, ideally at a lower cost.

The test drivers were unanimous in their recommendation of the Hilliard Flame for its perfect reliability, consistent performance, ease of adjustability, cheap parts and at half the cost of the Premier Clutches. While the Fury wasn’t tested at CFIK, it uses the same basic design as the Flame but with beefier shoes and an even lower price tag.

So in 2015 all World Formula racers will be allowed to try the Hilliard Fury and Flame. “This should be considered a season-long test,” says NHKA Race Director Mike Camara. “We put a ton of laps on the Flame over the winter without any issues at all. The Fury wasn’t tested, making it a bit of an unknown, but its design is very similar to the Flame’s. We anticipate that both Hilliards will perform just as well outdoors as indoors, but the only way to know for sure is to get them into the hands of competitors in actual race conditions. Those who run them are expected to be open with club officials and their fellow racers about their experiences and lessons learned.” At the end of 2015 the NHKA will determine whether either of the Hilliards will be fully approved.

You may purchase the Hilliard Inferno Fury and Flame clutches from whoever you choose. Our test drivers had good luck with Rieken’s Racing. You can continue to use your existing driver gears, but you will need a Bully Conversion Kit. As is the case with the Premier clutches, racers are allowed to choose from various springs to adjust engagement. However, the weights available for the Flame are NOT permitted.

“The racers spoke and we heard them,” Says Camarra. “They invested their own money and time to identify a couple of high-quality, easy to work on clutches that cost less than $100. We appreciate their efforts and passion, and look forward to seeing how it plays out on track during the 2015 NHKA Racing Series season.”

Last year was the first season of the Interstate Kart Series, and it was a huge hit with northeast kart racers. The grids were large and the competition was intense every scored session. We’re expecting all that and more as racers crisscross state lines to battle it out!

2015 IKS Schedule
May 30 Hill Course NHMS
June 20-21 F1 Outdoors
July 18-19 F1 Outdoors
Aug 8 Hill Course NHMS
Aug 29-30 F1 Outdoors
Sept 19 Hill Course NHMS

This year’s schedule includes six points races, just like in 2014. But you’ll notice that we’ve compressed the dates to the summer months to avoid the unspeakably bad weather that forced us to cancel last season’s finale. What’s more, we’re working hard to give you a shot at racing at a couple new places. So stay tuned!

The 2009 NHKA Racing Series has been completed.  Final points have been posted.

All of the available events from the October weekend have also been posted at MyLaps.com.

Congratulations to all race competitors!