Tagg Racing

Think Positive

Ikei August 24

We would like to thank everyone that came out to show their support on Sunday.  After a good qualifying effort the day was lost when Robert jumped the start and was penalized.  The team felt good about how the kart ran and expects big things on October 25th race.  With the penalty Robert may have dropped from the top five in points as soon as we find out I will update.

Moving Forward

Tagg Racing would like to apologize for the withdrawal of Kart 99 out of the beginner division.  This decision was not made lightly but due to the financial strain this year on the Race team.  We feel it is the right choice.  As soon as a new engine can be purchased for kart 99 we will have Ryu back on the track.  All the heart Ryu has and great driving ability is wasted if the engine can not get him around the track.

Robert more then just a driver

Robert Driver of Kart 99 is 2009 Ginowan City Arm Wrestling Champion.  In a televised competition at the Okinawa Convention Center Robert beat out  30 other competitors for the title.

28 June

After set backs all day Saturday, Robert was one of the first to hit the track for hot laps.  Unfortunately he was the first incident flying off the track at about 80 KPH into the grass coming to rest against the tire barrier next to the road.  Jeff said that it is the problem of running wore out equipment and trying to stay competitive.  We did not replace a old wheel bolt and it gave way causing Robert t loose his right front tire in the fastest turn of the track.  It was unfortunate and wish our bad luck wold have stopped there.  It was a long day Sunday.  We just could not get Robert out of the snake turns and it cost us in the feature.  Robert was fast the rest of the track but would get run over in the snake.  It almost cost him his hand when he passed a kart running a couple of laps down just before the snake turns ran over him coming out of the snake.  We have a lot of work to do but will have it put back together this week.
Ryu "The Dragon"  drove a hard and determined but the engine just gave away and was not competitive all day.  I feel so bad for Ryu because I know he is a better driver then his performance showed.

Ikei Practice

Ryu "The Dragon" kart 99 had a great practice.  Everything ran great and he was one of the fastest on the track.  We are looking forward to a great run tomorrow from the abused and worn out kart.  
Robert Kart 96 spent the day working on the kart.  Jeff was heard to say that the 96 team had some difficulties today but we would rather have them today then tomorrow.  By the end of the day the 96 kart was very fast and the team seemed to be satisfied, even thought they were only able to get about five laps in for the day.
 
 
Come out to Ikei and watch the races.  Ikei Island Racing Circuit is located next to the big time resort.  Take hi-way 10 to Ikei island You will go for a long ways past the island large fuel reserve tanks up and and a few Okinawa mountains all with a breath taking view of the ocean.  Ikei island is the third island from Okinawa.  when the road comes to the top of a hill and flat-ens out and you have rice fields on both sides you are close keep going the road will end at Big Time Resort and Ikei Island Racing Circuit.
  
http://tagg-racing.webs.com

 

24 May Subaru Race

 After a bad setup during time trails.  Robert had to play catch up all day.  In the end he was unable to get around Shon and had to settle for second place.   Robert said it was a great effort and we didn't tear anything up.  Due to team funding this could have been my last Subaru ace and I am a little disappointed that  was not able to bring home a first place finish but it was still a great day.

Ikei Island results

After a tough day of trail and error on Saturday Tagg Racing was still a couple of seconds off of the pole position in Kart 96.  Sunday Robert was trying his best to bring home a pole for the freshman division but was only able to get a 7th place in qualifying. The first heat Race was a bitter end when a kart spun in front of Robert and took Robert with him.  The second heat in a daring move as two karts got together in front of him spinning.One went one way and the other the other way and Robert right through the middle for the lead.  Just to have engine troubles two laps later.  After a desperate attempt to get the engine fixed for the feature race, Robert was able to work his way back up to a fourth place finish.

Ryu in a borrowed kart was able to qualify fourth.  A lot less stress with a newer kart and engine.  Everything held together very nicely and Ryu was able to come home in fourth in the feature event.  With that finish Ryu is currently in forth for the season at Ikei Island.

Looking for the Podium at Ikei Island Circuit

Sunday was a very productive day for Tagg Racing.  Robert’s kart was running some great lap times. Team owner Jeff stated there was still a lot of work to do.  We will try and capture a top five but at least we see it is within reach.  We lost our appeal to reduce the weight in the Yamaha Freshman Class but we will turn it around and make the weight work for us and stop working against us.  I have been doing a lot of studying on weight set ups and think we may get all this extra weight to work for us.  If we get a good test session in on Saturday I think we will have a great chance in Sunday’s race.

Not a Bad Start Room to Improve

    Tagg Racing showed up with three karts for the Saturday practice session at Ikei Island.  Kart 96 was still in need of more repairs from the bearing failure sending driver Robert  Taggart into the tire barrier.  Tagg Racing borrowed Kart 85 for the weekend events.  Due to a rule change for 2009 Kart 85 had an illegal set of tires and a new set of tires was no where to be found on island.  At about 9 P.M. the team had finally secured a used set of tires for Sunday's races.  Kart set ups on Saturday did not go very well and again the team was behind.  The team wore out from the events of Saturday and exhaustion from the week retired for the night at White Beach Camp grounds.  After a few hours sleep the team refreshed and ready for the new day and ready to tackle the task ahead.  The goals ahead were keep simple, 1. finish without damage or injury, 2. finish in the top three.  Team Sponsor U.S. Auto informed the team a truck was purchased for the Tagg Racing team and would be ready in few weeks.  Suzuka raceway officials were at the track on Sunday and keep a close eye on the Tagg Racing team but we are still waiting for that invitation to compete in mainland Japan. 
 
    Sunday driver Ryu Taggart (99) was first for time trails and with no track time to warm up the kart qualified 15th out of 15 karts over 10 seconds behind the pole winner.  A first place driver in a last place kart.  Adjustments made to the kart for the first heat race.  The Commer 60 class Ryu starting at the back of the pack was able to improve through the race to eighth place finish when the checkered fell.  His engine on its last leg and the team worried it will not last the rest of the day.  The second heat starting in eighth place and clutch failing Driver Ryu was able to improve to seventh place finish.  Adjustments made during a break Ryu hits the track to check how the kart out, when a half a lap into the first lap Ryu suffered total clutch failure.  Towed to the pit area the pit crew tears the engine apart to clean the clutch and pray it will survive the feature event.  Ryu starting in seventh place was set to the rear because he was unable to be on the starting grid on time.  Ryu showed that he my have a kart and engine on its last leg but was able to keep it together and to his entire teams amazement, somehow pulled off a fourth place finish.  A great job from this upcoming first place driver.  The other competitors were just lucky he did not have a kart that was equal to theirs.  Ryu did impress a potential sponsor though and could have a new engine for the the April race.
 
    Robert Taggart (85) Qualified seventh out of eighteen karts in the freshman class.  A bad weight set up and worn engine keep him out of the pole.  Good qualifying effort for Robert.   Heat race one Robert was taken out when the kart he was passing lost control and Robert had to spin to keep from hitting him taking Robert out of the race and finishing seventeenth.  The second heat race starting at the back of the pack.  Robert was running on cold tires and spun in a hairpin turn and when he got his kart restarted he was a lap down.  A great effort and a never give up attitude he was able to finish in tenth.  Going into the feature his pit crew changed air pressure and with a tenth place start Robert was able to improve to a seventh place finish.  The team learned some mistakes were made on the set-up and will be looking to improve that finish in the
April 26th race.  Running an old set of tire when everyone else was using a new set and bad set-up, worn engine, when the team gets the kart together it will be a they will not be able to catch Robert.  Look out Okinawa Tagg Racing is in negations with some potential sponsorship. 

Tagg Racing is getting geared up for the start of the 2009 Season

Repairs are being made and kart 96 will be ready for the race on 22 February.  Robert will be running the Yamaha KT100 class, Ryu will be competing in the 60cc class and will be his first race on Ikei Island raceway.  Please come out and support the team.  Tagg Racing is always looking for volunteers to help, No experience necessary.

Robert takes a spill and is out for the endurance race                                

We are sorry to announce that due to circumstances beyond our control we will not be able to attend the endurance race on January 25th.  We are planing on entering the points race 22 February at Ikei Island.  Kart 96 had some problems and made contact with the tire barrier after loosing a wheel on Sunday and will be off the track for a couple of weeks waiting for parts.  Ryu has made a complete recovery and come back running record times for the 60cc class but due to his recent injures we fill it would be better to not run him in the endurance this coming Sunday.

Yomitan is not Darlington

Yomitan is not to tough to tame.  After recovering from injuries in one of the worst accidents ever seen.  Ryu driver of Kart 99 took to the track that tried to scare him into retirement at the young age of 7.  Ryu was anxious as the kart was unloaded and readied for the track.  The day was cold and miserable, rain even came in once in awhile trying to scare Ryu away, but Ryu would not have it.  He took to the track and after a few mandatory safety laps he was given the go ahead to open it up as fast as he wanted.  While he tried but the kart would not go as fast as he wanted.  It was fast though he was back to his regular fast times as if he had not even taken a six week break.  Tagg Racing is proud to announce Ryu Taggart is back into the seat of Kart 99 for the 2009 Season.  His first race will be Ikei Island the end of January.  Come out and support Tagg Racing as both drivers are going to attempt to take the championship in their divisions in 2009.

Ryu to make his come back 10 Jan 09              2 Jan 09

After injuries from a terrible crash Ryu Taggart driver of Kart 99 will be back in the drivers seat for the new year.  Saturday January 10 is the day he is expected to make a few laps around the track that broke his collar bone.  He is ready to show the world that no track will take his spirit away.  He will once again become the leader in the Beginners Division.

 

Mandatory Safety Changes

After two bad crashes and three broken bones.  the track officials are going to implement new mandatory safety equipment on all beginners and Junior karts.  Ryu Taggarts crash was the worst seen at the track and he could have been hurt a lot worse if it was not for the safety equipment he had on.  there was still a crash and injuries.  So new rule changes are coming into effect.  All karts will now have a full rear bumper.  Drivers will have a neck brace and chest protection.  These items were optional in the past but safety of the children is priority one.  The action will still be hot though.  Robert Taggart said that his kart handles badly now and we will have to make some major changes to the setup but after seeing my brothers crash I think the safety changes are needed.  We have always run with the gear but the bumper will take some getting used to.

Taka Departing Celebration Race

Beginners Division

Ryu Taggart (99) took the pole in time trails and went on to win the heat race.  The feature race involved a serious crash involving Ryu Taggart (99) and Rin Sasaki (5).  Driver Ryu Taggart was trying to pass Rin coming down the front straightaway.  Rin’s left Rear tire and Ryu’s right side touched causing Ryu’s right rear to dig into the track sending him flying into the air upside down and over Rin.  Ryu came nose down into Rin’s side pod then going into a cart wheel coming to rest upside down under his kart against the tire barrier.  Rin was shaken up after the accident and Ryu was taken to the hospital by Ambulance.  Ryu returned to the race track a couple of hours later with a broken right collar bone. 

Junior Division

            Robert (96) and Hiebiki (42) tied for the pole.  Robert wining the last race was given the pole award.  Mickey (10) last years track champion qualified third.   In the heat race Robert held off Hiebiki in a narrow win with Mickey spinning giving third place to Showta (8).  The feature race was cancelled due to the accident in the Beginners Division.

 

Ryu Taggart is out for the remainder of 2008

Driver Ryu Taggart (99) making a pass for the lead and tangled and flipped over another kart hitting with the nose of his kart going into a cart roll and landing upside down at the end of the straightway.  He was taken by ambulance to a local hospital and released later that day with a broken collar bone.   He has been relieved of driving duties until late January.  The Kart is ready for his return when he is ready.  Ryu is fine and in good spirits.  I have been learning differences in racing in America and Japan and learned a new one today.  If you are involved in a bad accident they bring spirit seeing people to the track to get your spirit back.  I guess it worked because Ryu said he felt better afterwards.

Tagg-Racing Takes Second to None              26 Oct 08

We are proud to announce that we have finally broke into victory lane and did it in style.  We were the dominating team from Qualifying to the
Feature races.  Robert started his day off by taking the pole with the fastest qualifying time.  A narrow escape in hot laps could have cost
him the day but he used his head and stayed out of trouble that cost one kart driver some serous injures.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the young driver who flipped his kart and was hurt pretty bad.  He will be in surgery later this week and we hope everything will be fine and look forward to his return to the track in a few months.  With the accident fresh in his mind Robert did not let it slow him down and dominated the with a heat race win.  Ryu qualified two seconds faster with his 60cc engine and showed that even when they are running 100cc engines Ryu can get around the track the fastest.  He won his heat race by a half a lap. During the features, Robert finished first in a close race in the Junior Division.  Ryu not wanting to be outdone by his brother went on to dominate his feature race in the Beginners Class.  Tagg-Racing is back and ready for action in 2009.  A new year and a new kart league for Okinawa.  We plan to be the dominate force in 2009 and looking for two Championships.  Check the web site weekly for updates.

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