"So basically they want us to ditch the DD motors that many people have spent ££££££££££ on getting right for a TAG!?"
What they actually said was " Recent results prove conclusively that the latest spec TAG engine can compete equally and win against the traditional direct drive unit." In other words, they have worked to create a level playing field in which really good drivers are no longer at a disadvantage to other really good drivers by using the TaG engine.
"I now imagine that just for the pure principal people will go to X30"
Sounds as if you want them to do so rather than react sensibly to the comment that the TAG and the DD are now on a level playing field.
It is simple economics, if TKM see people moving to other classes "because they have a starter", which, let's face it, was the reason Rotax became popular back in the 90's then TKM simply have to get an onboard starter. There isn't the volume for TKM to retain two production lines, one for DD and one for Tag, especially if they don't share many common components.
It seems that TKM will continue to support DD with spares, but these will dry up over time. If the demand you identify is big enough then someone will start an aftermarket, but that is liable to be expensive, but a few years into the future. Meantime engines will wear out, and it would make sense to change to a new TaG at roughly the same price as reconditioning an old engine when the bore has worn out.
Of course X30 will be exploiting this, karting is full of political and economic point scoring. Thus we have a comparatively few drivers touting the advantages of X30, creating the myth that it is 'the best class' simply because they want someone to race with. In reality, it is no better and no worse than the TKM TaG, Formula Blue or even Rotax. If it achieves the popularity of Rotax you will find it suffers from exactly the same problems as other classes, those with the facilities and ambition will find ways of 'unlevelling the playing field', the importer will have to impose regulations on what must or must not be fitted and follow the lead of the manufacturer.
If the manufacturer, for example, changes the ignition units, the importer either has to source equivalents of the old ones and change the class rules** or insist that everyone upgrades once spares become in short supply. You can bet that the forum will be filled with whinges about this action, often from the same people who protest that other people have cornered the supply of parts (carbs etc) rumoured to be 'better' and demand that those parts be declared illegal.
** This may be opposed by a committee advising the MSA of course. Such is the nature of politics and economic competition.
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