Calendar

1 Feb 2003 - Champ Kart purchased

15 Feb 2003 - Champ Kart picked up in Nokesville, Virginia

19 Feb 2003 - Champ Kart delivered to Elmore, Alabama

23 Feb 2003 - Removed fiberglass body parts in prep for new paint job

1 Mar 2003 - New sponsor - Royal Purple Synthetic Motor Oils

10 Mar 2003 - Rear bumper to Jenkins Machine Shop to have small crack repaired

22 Mar 2003 - Spectated the Pro-Divisional race at Wilson's Race Track. Went to meet fellow Champ Kart competitors, look at their karts, watch their procedures, etc.

29 Mar 2003 - Kristian BANNED ! ! ! from Wilsons Motorsports Track, kart ruled 'illegal' according to the 2003 World Karting Association rules. Kart will not be allowed to run at any WKA sanctioned events or any WKA sanctioned tracks.

According to Tommy Triplett, the builder of the Bandit Racing Kart chassis that Kristian runs, "WKA rules changes for 2003 have made this Kart's roll cage illegal. There have also been changes in the rules regarding the construction of the tail section of the Kart. WKA will not allow 'reconstructive' changes to the rollcage to enable it to meet 2003 rules"

5 Apr 2003 - New 'home track' found. Kristian will now be racing at the Marbury Dirt Track in Marbury, Alabama. It is actually closer to home, only about 15-20 miles north. They do not currently have a Champ Kart class, but they will allow him to run in their regular 'Purple Lite' class. More info to come as details are worked out with track officials.

12 Apr 2003 - Pro-Divisional Race at Marbury Dirt Track. Kristian made friends with a 'Purple Lite' kart team and worked most of the night as part of their pit crew. Duties mostly consisted of cleaning the kart after each race, but was also learning more about what has to go on in the pit before, during, and after the race.

Learned a lot, had a good time, and made some new friends. (This should not be seen as an attempt to spy on what will be a fellow class competitor or as an attempt to make a move on the 10yr old female driver for that team).

19 Apr 2003 - Champ kart has kind of been put on hold as we try to get our SCCA RallyCross Truck into competition. First race today. We have about 2 races per month scheduled from now thru about November. Kristian functions as Team Crew Chief and stays busy during the events (with lots to do before and after too).

1 Sep 2003 - Finally we get back to work on the Champ Kart. Over the Labor Day Weekend we took the Kart to Bonifay and started going thru it. Took it down to the frame, cleaned, sanded, fixed stuff and welded a break. Later we painted the chassis.

6 Sep 2003 - Another workday on the Kart. Making significant progress. Engine removed and taken to a Wolfe Racing in Geneva who is going to work on it and tune it up for us. Ordered parts from Comet Kart Sales, TSRacing, Bandit Karts, and Crow Enterprizes.

27 Sep 2003 - Most parts we ordered are in and weekend spent putting them on the Kart. The engine is back from the shop also, and it's a screamer. Got a bunch done, Kart almost complete. Got to order a few more parts, plus still waiting on seat harnesses and nerf bars. Also have minor fiberglass repairs to do on body before we get the peices painted.

October 2003 - Between moving from Alabama to Florida, we have managed to get a little work done on the Kart. Brakes have been redone, and stagger/front end has been setup to run at the Baker Dirt Track.

15 Nov 2003 - Installed new foot pedals, new racing seat harnesses, and put on the new nerf bars from Bandit Racing. Did our first actual 'in the Kart' testing today.

19 Nov 2003 - Took the body peices to Dothan Auto Body to have some fiberglass cracks repaired and then have peices painted jet black.

23 Nov 2003 - While working a NASA Rally in Cheraw, SC, we slipped down to Charleston and picked up a 'Outlaw' wing for the Kart.

4 Dec 2003 - Number decals arrived from Harris Decals. Very nice, purple holigraphic surrounded by chrome mirror outline. Should look super on the black Kart. Hopefully body panels will be back by the weekend so we can start putting them on.

7 Dec 2003 - Today was supposed to be my first race. Was registered for a SCCA AutoCross in Chattanooga, TN. Dad got a schedule change at work, so I guess my 'career' won't be starting at 9yr old like planned. Tomorrow is my birthday and next scheduled race isn't until January. Oh well, guess it will have to start at 10.

27 Dec 2003 - Successful test laps made in the big parking lot behind the Ag Center. Kart is fast and handles well. Ran without the wing, but will try it next time.

1 Jan 2004 - Another set of successful test laps, this time with wing on. However this time out we did break the chain and will have to order replacement links to fix.

17 Jan 2004 - Took Kart to a new dirt track in Opp, Alabama for some hot laps / testing. Just how 'new' is this track? Well we had to wait about 2 hours before the road grader finished rounding out turn 3 before we could get on the track. Without being packed, it was kinda rough, which resulted in shaking the engine loose and later loosening the steering. By the time we fixed those, the rain had started. Still managed to get in 20-30 laps though.