NJB, You are right, you do have the choice of where you take your unsealed engine and in the sealed class you can only take it to the registered sealing agents for that class.
Everyone will take their engine to whom they consider the best builder that they can afford, so that includes themselves if they think they can do it. I just feel that at times there are rose tinted glasses with unsealed classes due to the amount of people that come to realise that its not as cheap and even as they thought it would be.
My point is that every one extolling the virtues of all these unsealed classes make a big thing about doing the engine work your self. The reality is that very few people actually do it and probably none of the front runners.
From KGP website: Engine service schedules – short top end service estimated at 6 to 8 hours running £90 + VAT and full rebuild service estimated at 20 to 22 hours running £360 + VAT. How much do other builders charge?
So I make that approx £540 to £630 + VAT for 25 hrs running time and that seems fairly similar to Rotax costs for a rebuild inc the conrod. How long is the warranty?
Of course this assumes that we are comparing against Rotax. Have you seen the cost of TKM parts? they arn't cheap any more and maybe thats who these new classes might attract.
So tell me again what are these new classes going to do to make karting better than it is now.
More choice of classes for everyone against smaller grid sizes
More classes on the grids against less track time for everyone whilst clubs try to accommodate everyone.
Equal racing because you can build it yourself against someone whose engine has been built by an expert who makes his living at it. Nice to have a choice.
I fear that more drivers will change class only to discover there are no races in their area so they end up with higher costs and then give up disgusted with karting.
Its a free world and market forces will eventually win out. It would be nice though if just once someone would do something totally open and transparent for the good of karting.
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