Some really good thoughts and conversation.
When I think of the Masters grid, I'd have to estimate that probably half do not have to add any weight. Some like Tom M. need something like 60 pounds of weight, and I can tell you, I hate lifting his kart as much as the next guy. However, if either of us were racing with the Rotax Seniors, we'd be in the right weight category, but they'd be wiping the floor with us.
I personally like the designation 'Masters' as the mindset of the drivers is somewhat different than the Seniors. Believe me, I certainly would not want to change the name to Rotax Mature, but I there is some truth in that.
The tough part is that most of the Senior drivers have been racing karts since they were young. For the driver that has never raced karts, stepping into that class will overwhelm them, and very likely discourage them from racing long term. The Masters class however is the perfect place for those that want the speed of a Rotax, but also want someone to race with. I don't beleive the weight difference necessarily makes up for the speed difference between the two classes. I've spoken to a couple of relatively new Senior drivers, and their pace is on par with the Masters, but their age & weight restrict them from our class.
If I'm an older adult, I want to be mixing it up with those roughly my own age. And if we want to continue to grow the class, we need have a place for those drivers, as I see this as a class that will see continued growth.
If it was purely wieght based, I could be racing with a 15 year old, and our physical & mental outlook and capabilities are not at all on the same level. The Masters class has numerous drivers in their 50's & 60's and I think the name is appropriate for our existing group of drivers.
The tough question is how do we handle someone in Mark's situation, who would like to race with the Masters, but because he's kept in far better shape than most of us, has problems meeting weight. There is no easy answer, unless our Rotax class grows tremendously where we could have a Rotax Seniors Light & Heavy and a Rotax Masters Light & Heavy. But until we get to that point, I like the separation based on age, more so than weight.
And Dan, the Masters class lets the old guys, not necessarily the heavy guys, get close to the front!
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