FORMULA TKM PUT EMPHASIS ON JUNIOR CLASS AND DELAY INTRODUCTION OF JUNIOR EXTREME

The newly created Formula TKM Junior Extreme (115cc) class has been put on hold to allow competitors a clear choice on which class they will race at the 2008 S1 Formula TKM National Championships.
 
The new Junior Extreme class, for drivers of 13 and upwards, was announced at the end of last year to run as purely a championship class in its initial year. It has received considerable interest, but not enough entries have been made to make it practical to run within this year’s S1 championship events.
 
So Tal-Ko Racing, controllers of the Formula TKM classes have decided to put the new class on ice short-term to concentrate instead on the revised Junior TKM (100cc) class at Super 1 for 2008.
 
The revised Junior TKM class features a new three-tier weight and restrictor format which allows drivers of just about any age and weight to race on equal terms for the title. In addition changes to the MSA rules allow Cadets with a full race licence to switch into the class in the year of their 11th birthday.
 
Announcing the decision Tal-Ko Racing Managing Director Alan Turney said: “There has been a good response to the new Junior Extreme class but it has been partly at the expense of the Junior class and left some drivers not sure which way to go, causing confusion.
 
“We have listened to the drivers and parents along with the manufacturers who support TKM and in order to safeguard the Junior TKM class at S1 level we have decided to make this decision now and go back to the simple one Junior class option. The three tier format is very important in allowing all drivers a level playing field and very simple for everyone to apply and so should add extra bite to the S1 class this year.
 
“Some people have suggested we limit the class to one restrictor and one weight at S1 but while that is OK for some drivers and teams it can mean that others are simply too light to be able to get into the class, while others are too heavy to be fully competitive. It also means drivers can increase weight naturally during the course of a season without worrying about becoming too heavy.”
 
Tal-Ko are offering outstanding discounts on engine packages to all drivers entering the 2008 S1 series. They will do an exchange on any Junior Extreme engines bought at special offer prices but not yet used.
 
However Tal-Ko point out that this short-term delay on the new Junior Extreme class will not necessarily prevent its introduction later in the year. Explains Alan Turney: “We will look at introducing some events later in the year – possibly at the Festival and maybe as a winter series so we can get it up and running for 2009 provided we have the demand.”

“We apologise to drivers who had already entered and wanted to go Junior TKM Extreme but trust they understand our decision at this time.”

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