IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE SERIES DIRECTOR: I would like to remind all drivers,
car owners and parts suppliers that the Katana Sportsman Tour is a travelling series for Sportsman cars - Sportsman cars not Super Late Models. The sportsman
car started with a Camaro clip, square tube chassis, OEM lower control arms, spindles and hubs, stock style OEM steering, mid-price shock absorbers, factory OEM
style transmission (standard or automatic), OEM style in size and weight steel driveshaft, a 9 inch Ford floater rear-end and a nice after-market fibreglass body.
The engine will be limited in modifications in order to keep cost and horsepower to a specific range. The stock carburetor would be closely monitored for cost
reasons. As the series grew, some racers argued that since we are travelling to various tracks, a quick change rear-end is a necessity. This was not in my original
plan, but as we investigated the pros and cons of a conventional straight tube quick change and a 9 inch Ford straight tube floater rear-end, we found the
horsepower drag on the quick change equalled out the advantages of easy gear changes and this became allowable in the series. The carburetors we use are strictly
checked and I would consider to be basically stock. I understand some high dollar racing carburetors are in the series as these may be nearly impossible to tech,
all carburetors will be subject to a claim and exchange for a stock carburetor by the series. The after-market replacement front clip came into the series with
a weight penalty and that works for everyone. I would like EVERYONE to know as of this date, performance enhancing versions of any parts may not be legal. If you
are purchasing items such as carburetors, transmissions, driveshafts and rear-ends, check with the series director first. I think it is great that there are people
spending hours and hours a day inventing new and fancy racing parts and they can sell them to whomever they wish, but these parts may not be welcome in this series.
Our Sportsman rules are deliberate in their intention to keep the cost down. Performance enhancing parts that are expensive are not the direction this series needs
to go. Tracks across Western Canada are consistant that once the rules are allowed to open up then car count begins to fall off. We have a great set of rules, if
the intent is considered, a Katana Sportsman car will be the same from Victoria to Winnipeg in the forseeable future. All of the tracks we talk to indicate they had
a great car count a few years ago, but as they allowed the rules to open up the car count quickly dropped. They have a portion of the original cars on the track
and the balance sitting at home. The 604 crate engine is a great racing engine at a great price and it has allowed track promoters to re-evaluate what was going
on in the racing world. Now promoters realize strict tech and a car built for the masses, not for the few, will keep auto racing alive and well in Canada.
Please help to ensure the financial viability of the Katana Sportsman car and do not be one of the teams that pushes our series towards extinction. If teams show
up with parts that are considered not the intent of the Sportsman rules, there will be adjustments made.
03/08/08
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MESSAGE FROM JOHNNY AANTJES, SERIES OWNER:
I have been asked many times what the
direction is for the series - if I am going to be involved or if the series has been sold. It has been suggested many times that I should step aside and let
someone else take the series to a new level! We are going to have a great year with the Katana Series and racing in B.C. We have made incredible progress to
date and we still have room to grow! There will always be compromises when growth and change are involved, but overall the support from the drivers, fans and
teams in the Katana Series has been very rewarding! I would like to thank Terry Kershaw and Gary Amadeo for becoming involved this year, as I believe their
contributions will make a very positive difference. I would also like to thank all of the people that have been involved over the last five years building this
series; the participating race tracks, tech people, pit assistants, lap counters, flag people, safety personnel, drivers crews and fans; Brian Poppe, Wendy
Whitter, Pat Schepanowsky, Alana Venne, and Rebecca Ogden all deserve special thanks for a job well done! Sportsman racing in B.C. is alive and well and the
Katana Series is a big part of that. We want to have a series that is built on a firm foundation, that will sustain itself through growing pains and continue
to improve both the racing environment and financial viability for all those involved. I will continue to make decisions based on these foundations!! I have
the same focus as when this series started - keep the costs down and try to find more ways to put money back to the drivers/teams. Good luck to everyone this
year and lets have some fun!
02/03/08
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