K&N is ready to fight back - if the public supports it. Ready for change, willing to take all suggestions, thoughts & ideas and run with them - the time is NOW to take action at K&N.

The question remains - will updating the track gain the racers?

We need to hear from you! We need to know if you think K&N should stay open?

If so go flat - or stay banked?

Improvements that are needed are listed under Track Discussions "Overhaulin K&N" - but the concern remains.....can we SAVE K&N?!!!!????

Its what Chad wants...he just needs the support, suggestions & involvement of all the racers!

moved my post

I think the new carpet could help the track, but its not the main reason for declining attendance. If you replace the carpet with the open loop carpet like what is currently in place it could actually hurt for a while untill the carpet breaks in. I raced on that carpet when it was 1st installed and believe me, it is almost undriveable for months because of poor traction. The tires we all now own will be useless,(and all the stock on the wall) because much softer tires will be needed to even get the cars around the track. Tires would literally spin down the straights because of poor grip. Not good for the short term boost we are looking for. Please consider ozite carpet, it is much faster, on a banked track will be driveable right away, and I think much cheaper. Something to consider.
Stock the store as you mentioned earlier, smart. part of the reason I think myself and others go to race at other tracks at least once a month is to be able to take home all the goodies we need on a monthly basis. As far a s helping with the overhaul I simply do not have the time. Between running my own buisiness and other commitements, I barely have time to race anymore let alone work on my cars or volunteer any time. If I had any time whatsoever I would gladly help out. What I can commit to is buying my supplies from the store when I am there. In this day and age time is valuable, please dont get discouraged if people dont knock down the doors to help out, just "get er done" and they will come. If it were my track I would put the money toward the things that really need to be fixed and DONT cost money. The race program, the tech procedured, rules, and what seems to be percieved by some as a hostile environment, I.E. wannabee helpers/racers who walk around like little hitler pissing off paying customers and playing favorites. (this does NOT include J.Marsh or you Danielle) To this day I hear about racers who are intimidated to come race at K/N. After all these things are fixed and k/N becomes profitable (and it will) only then would I change the carpet. If you turn all the stock the price of the carpet could buy, just once, the carpet suddenly would become much more affordable. I'm sure if you polled the regulars they would all say they are just fine with the paint and the carpet. It certainly doesnt hurt a place like R/Cmadness that pack them in at big races.
In short, the way the races and big events are run, tech procedure and rules, atmosphere and hobby shop supplies are more important to me as a racer than a fancy building and new carpet. A plasma screen would be nice though!:) Besides stocking the store, I dont think it should take one dime to take K/N back to its glory days.You asked, you got it! HB

very well put bob!

That sounds very reasonable. I like the idea about spending first on products to sell that will generate profits to buy a new carpet etc. Paint is free, all it needs is laborers.
Rick<><

Bob -

Well that was some response and we def apprecaite you taking the time to share it with us.

For the record I hope I dont ever get a bad wrap at K&N (nevermind be referred to as a hitler type- LOL).....

Youve made some very valid suggestions and we appreciate that. Tonights our meeting. I dont know if youve watched the other threads under track discussions but alot including the Ozite carpet have been addressed. I think and I cant (and wont) speak for Chad but I believe part of doing it all at once the carpet, painting, shop, promotions, more events, music, etc etc etc - is all part of showing everyone we are totally serious and commited. Although your point is very valid!

The store is def a priority. I hear you on that!

After speaking with SEVERAL SK's today and learning everything we did ... Chad and I want to get them as well as every other unhappy racer who left K&N - to come back and give K&N a shot again - thats just about the top priority for me!

I learned that several people had problems with CERTAIN people at K&N.... one person mentioned as a problem RARELY comes anymore ... and the others Im not sure come either - however, after discussing it with Chad we WILL NOT STAND FOR ANY MORE PROBLEMS OR LOSING PEOPLE OVER THE B.S.!

If anyone causes a problem, starts childish crap - they will be booted.....we are not going to lose the people who keep the hobby alive over petty games, bad attitudes and problem people.....thats all going to end.

I speak my mind- and someone recently saw that (just happens to be the person most were complaining about) when they pushed the wrong buttons. I layed into him....and left him surprised that I spoke up as I did. Im not saying it was right....I just wanted the crap to end.

This is part of why Chad offerred SK's a special night at K&N - allowing them to come 1-5 times per month and have it be up to them if they want ALL racers there - or just them...and if there was a problem, Chad promised to handle it.

Please email me anytime if you want us to address anything or if you just want us to know whats going on... I got 3 emails today doing just this - and we had no clue - but we need to know and we are glad we now know!

We want everyone there & HAPPY TO BE THERE......

Hope to see you guys soon!

:wave:

Dont get me wrong, a bad day of racing is still better than a good day at work!

have you decided on the type of carpet yet?

Danielle,
Keep in mind SK's are racing Friday nites in Montville at St. Bernards High

Steve K

Steve its about time you joined-geez, yes dont forget our club racing on friday nights mainly SK's roll out flat track, some of the guys from our track make the big events at k/n so getting flyers over to steve would be a good idea.

I would almost consider getting an sk to run on wednesdays.
Rick<><

rick it doesnt take that much and I could probably be up there on weds regularly to help out if you wanted. I know goerge got hooked up with my old car--well actualy 2 of them, cool guy. I think I worked on his car more than my own on sat night--LOL I built my own car---solid chassis/Tplate mix of both worlds-I am going to try it out this friday see what happens.

Oyea I saved a bunch of money by switching to Geico--NOT

Hey whatever night SK's want to come (or day for that matter) bring it. We will either fit them in to the regular schedule or make changes to accomidate.

All is good.

For those interested ............after the meeting tonight we will begin the overhaul at K&N starting on March 4th and finish up by the 9th - everything BUT carpet at that point. Carpet will come after NEOT...if possible before Spring Sizzler - but it may not be - we still have to talk to Steve. We hope to get the carpet by the latest - this spring...

With this news (the dates of the organization/painting/etc/etc) if your willing to help PLEASE email me - we can feed those who volunteer and will forever appreciate your gift of time & energy!

Where can you purchase one of the sk cars?

Big Clay,
Talk to omnis85, send him a message he'll hook you up.
Rick<><

bogclay. check with chad or danielle at K&N, they can get them from team beefy products. They make a sweet kit for the SK.

Really... Jimmy makes an SK kit. Very cool.
Rick<><

Yup! Jimmy makes the excaliber sk kit. I'm getting one soon.

Tplate cars have a narrow front end compared to the solid chassis-aka yellow bird-d.a.r.n chassis. I would say 90% are running the solid chassis cars. Solid cars are not kit cars--they are very simple--solid chassis--right now made by dan durkee, any dynamic associated front end, old or new and l3 l4, irs rear pods with some sort of spacer of your choice inbetween the pods and chassis. associated battery box and all the other extra stuff, electronics tires etc etc, if you have a rc10l old new kicking around theres your sk car. bodys are availible to. johnnycash-can hook you up as well. very cheap--put it together yourself-good way of learning the car. will gladly help you out with details or people to get in touch with. Ken

I have two RC10L's
hehe :thumbsup:

there you go-get a chassis 20 bucks and theres your car.

Hey SK guys, Anyone in the mood for a road trip, looking to get people together the weekend of 18th to head to glenn falls, NY for saturday night racing to prepare for the N.E.O.T. send me a pm or email if your interested or just reply here.

As Danielle reported weve made some steps to starting the changes at K&N. Danielles got a list of things to do - and some of you have voluntered to help her - THANK YOU Very much, I appreciate it.

Does anyone have any questions for me?

Yea I got a question chad--are you Ryan Newmans brother? Was watching Speed tv today and said he looks like chad.--lol

Im going to ask the DUMB question - whos Ryan Newman?

Im going to ask the DUMB question - whos Ryan Newman?
No its not a dumb question---nascar driver-#12

ahhh.... gotcha.

Chad is playing with my son in the living room and I read that to him - he asked the same question (LOL) I will tell him.

my boys go nuts over nascar---2 and 3 ages and they are glued to the tv worse than cartoons. glad the season is starting again.

how about if they put a notebook on the counter and other then the stock that their putting in people can right down suggestions on stuff they may be running and you can look into getting it in stock we all know racers run different things.aka tires motors brushes.start off with 1 and if people buy it you can always increase the amt you order.other things would be if someone specail orders something say over a certain Amt$ ask for a deposit we do that at work and no one evers complains and you can garrantee they'll pick it up.i'm looking forward to the track work Craigs gonna help.something else you can maybe do is when people sign up have them right what type of car they run and that will help in stocking the hobbyshop,hope this helps.

john did you ask george last night about the tool? if he was there.

John what are you smoking tonight? I love reading your posts they keep me laughing... whats with your last one though? Im lost....

george wasnt there

i'll call ya on it and explain

Is anyone coming to the track tonight? Sandy mentioned we are getting snow tonight and I dont know if I live under a rock or something but I hadnt heard anything...LOL....

Chads going to make the 35 minute trip - unless no one intends on going... please give me a heads up if your planning to go just so we can plan accordingly.....

I have no idea how bad the weather is going to be - like i said I hadnt heard anything - I will pull off my rock and turn on a radio though and find out... in the meanwhile let me know!


Thanks! - Danielle :wave:

The word is that the snow is for tomorrow night, 6-12 inches. Tonight there shouldn't be any snow at all. I am coming to practice. I hope once I get there, someone is there! If for some unknown reason, the place isn't going to be open, call me on my cell phone 508-873-1607
Rick<><
PS I assume Ted will be there too. Maybe Charlie, haven't talked to him lately.

:thumbsup:

Snow or no snow were going to be there...

FYI - Doors will open 5-5:30ish....I would love to promise Chad will be on time at 5:00 - but we all know we cant predict how the roads will be.

We will do our best to be there at 5pm - but 5:30 is the latest!!!! Chad's opening tonight - I think Fred has some plans to care for - so bare with us y'all.

Thanks Rick for the weather update!!!!!

Thanks! Danielle :thumbsup:

Tolland CT
Today Highs around 31F Low around 18F Clear, :thumbsup:
Tomorrow, Highs around 34F, Low around 21F Clear :thumbsup:
Sunday High around 28F, Lows around 11F with snow :confused:
Monday clear all the way through next weekend :thumbsup:
Rick<><

See you tonight guys!
Rickster><

See you there.

Bill,
Thats a pleasant surprise.
Rick<><

Thank you Rick for the full update! :thumbsup:

We all apprecaite you looking out for us! :thumbsup:

YOU THE MAN! :dude:

Thank you! :thumbsup:

Tomorrow night big time,nothing tonight but free Sodas .LOL See yah around the campus. T.C.M. I guess i didnt make my forcast clear on an earley morning email.

John -my freind had my tool, he used it that sat night at madness--saw him last night and gave it back to me--no need to ask george. but ask him how the new car is running, lol

Rick thanks for the tire. cer went better. I guess 3 shocks work ok-vertical shocks dindnt think it would go at all from i was told seemed ok on the track- felt better than my KSG.

Not that I would expect any of you to head up to the track today - but its NOT open due to weather.

ALso heads up that next saturday 2/18 we will close a little early - as we are getting married! So expect to close around 4pm.....

Any questions or needs call Chad 860-508-3815

It was fun running some laps with you. I'm looking forward to next week. I went to Madness yesterday. I ran 2 laps hit the wall and my Quantum 2 caught fire as a result. :drunk: Aside from that seems like a friendly place, Chris seems like a good guy. Aside from the fact that I crashed right away; I can't see why anyone would want to run on a flat track .... yuck. It's boring even to watch others race. No insult to Madness, I realize to Chris' credit that he runs one of the more successful tracks around. Not that I been to many flat tracks,still I have no desire to do that, except for special occasions like the NEO tour.
Chad in the words of the guardian of the Holy Grail in the Indiana Jones movie, "You chose wisely" . :thumbsup:

ps: what's all this business about flat being easier? I think the banks aren't any harder at all.

Rick Chads not feeling well today...so he's resting I will tell him you posted & to respond once he's up and with it.

Im sorry we let you down yesterday with not being open. Because we had heard it was expected to be sooooo bad we told most on Friday night not to come and left a sign on the door - it also gave us time to sit with our parents and finalize the wedding plans and the reception as well....Did you get my email?

Its only going to get crazy from here out.... Next weekend you wont see me - I have 2 party's for my son whos turning 6. We have the class party on Saturday afternoon which is at the Great Escape (sim. to chucky cheese) then the family party on sunday - so Im not going to be up this weekend. Next after that is the Overhaul dates...which reminds me Ive got to POST like crazy that we REALLY need help! Then after that...we have our wedding reception on 3/17...YIKES.. the next 2 months between these things, NEOT & Spring Sizzler are going to be CRAZY...

I will be online and in touch though. I will also be working my tail end off during the 4th-9th.... Hoping to get some help and to get as much done as possible!!!!!

Talk with you soon Rick..... Be safe everyone!!!! Danielle

I can't see why anyone would want to run on a flat track .... yuck. It's boring even to watch others race. No insult to Madness. Not that I been to many flat tracks,still I have no desire to do that, except for special occasions like the NEO tour.
ps: what's all this business about flat being easier? I think the banks aren't any harder at all.

To each is own I guess. I enjoy flat track more than anything. More than one groove to pass-makes for exciting racing and you should see the crowd watch the races--it is fun. Train racing can get boring. Having a banked track is fun for mixing it up. To get better at driving you need to explore all types of racing and tracks also allows you to get familar with your fellow racers and how they drive there cars. Everyone drives differently. off road I think improves your ability to place a car were you want it-dart in and out and react to anything since dirt is unstable and all over the place-I think, no expert here just my .02 cents.

Actually i have passed 2 wide in the corners at K/N many times, its much harder on a flat track to do cleanly for me. On high banks the traction groove isnt as critical because the banks hold you down. On many flat tracks there is literally 1 groove if for no other reason than traction, let alone having room to do it.

For me, flat tracks are way harder, doest feel natural to slam the car into a hairpin corner at top speed without lifting. The crash factor is also way higher at most flat tracks, something I proved this weekend. Both are fun but for me banked tracks are easier to drive and pass on. if you use the banks right you can let another car pass and lose zero time. Just my opinion.

hard to imagine your not comfortable on flat track--do alot better than me, though it seems as though you never get a clean run at madness--lol

I've been way overdue for total mutilation. If there is a positive to it, it forces us to tear the car down, I'll usually find other things wrong while I have it apart.After running banked tracks for years the flats were a tough adjustment. Just starting to feel comfortable.