UK Karting - Notice Board (2-Stroke Karting) : Re: So Why Race In Rotax???

Notice Board (2-Stroke Karting)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax???
Posted by 'davidmc' on 15 Aug 2009 @ 10:33

| View Message Thread | Reply to this message |

davidmcJoined: April 2003
Total Posts: 2
[ View User Profile ]

I cannot see the four-strokes, in their current form, ever taking off. The engines are too big, heavy and cumbersome to be suited to karting. You'll also see huge increases in tuning and rebuild costs as soon as the class becomes competitive.

The Easykart concept is very good, with laptimes similar to Rotax but a much simpler engine and cheaper complete package. However, it will be limited to a single grid all the time it's tied to one chassis.

In my opinion, TKM is the superior class. Low startup costs, low running costs, extremely simple maintenance, the right balance of power:grip and limited tuning with no seal produces a hassle free karting experience. However, my opinion does not matter. The masses seem to want all the extra hassle of water cooling, starter motors, float carbs, fuel pumps, power valves, balance shafts, higher kart weights etc. If that's what the masses want, the only choice for the "others" is to join in or race on the fringes with small grids.

When Rotax started to take off, back in 1998 or so, there were four major factors that saw it replace TKM:

1) TAG - For some reason, people don't like bump starting and offboard starters seemed like a botched solution, especially with the prevalent notion that the clutched TKM was slower than the direct drive.

2) Long rebuild times - The widely accepted 8 hour rebuild time of a TKM didn't compare favourably with the marketed 50 hour rebuild time of the Rotax. At this time, the costs of Rotax weren't widely known, nor whether 50 hours were actually achievable whilst remaining competitive.

3) Sealed engines - This gets people hook, line and sinker every time. The Rotax was marketed as having a level playing field because of the seal. There is not a single motor racing formula that has a more even field because of sealed engines, but perception rules.

4) Faster - I remember first seeing a Rotax grid (about 8 or so I think) down at Lydd. They were nigh on as quick as 100A, but with the benefits described above. Why wouldn't people find that attractive? Also, TKM had, until 2005, the sticking point that Juniors were as quick as (or quicker than) Seniors.

Of course, there were many other influencing factors, but those above were the types of factors influencing the existing racers decisions to change class. Changing to Rotax was actually quite cheap. When it was first launched, people were racing with TKM chassis and old CIK chassis. As with any class, the true expense only becomes apparent with large competitive grids. As grids built up, rebuild times reduced, perceived engine parity was lost, new chassis were needed and new tyres were needed every meeting.

I'm no fan of Rotax, but they certainly ticked the right boxes at just the right time and with no response from Tal-Ko, took over the British karting scene incredibly quickly.

Dave

Message Thread:

So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'Aquila' (14 Aug 2009 @ 16:29)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'JonWright' (14 Aug 2009 @ 16:57)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'Avago' (14 Aug 2009 @ 17:05)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'DavyBoy' (14 Aug 2009 @ 17:30)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'John' (14 Aug 2009 @ 17:40)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'Aquila' (14 Aug 2009 @ 18:32)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'Bod' (14 Aug 2009 @ 19:05)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'Aquila' (14 Aug 2009 @ 19:26)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'chriskasch' (14 Aug 2009 @ 20:02)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'DavyBoy' (14 Aug 2009 @ 20:06)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'Aquila' (14 Aug 2009 @ 20:14)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'chriskasch' (14 Aug 2009 @ 20:27)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'DavyBoy' (14 Aug 2009 @ 21:09)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'Bod' (14 Aug 2009 @ 21:21)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'Aquila' (14 Aug 2009 @ 21:31)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'harvinsurrey' (14 Aug 2009 @ 21:45)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'DavyBoy' (14 Aug 2009 @ 21:55)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'harvinsurrey' (14 Aug 2009 @ 22:22)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'DavyBoy' (14 Aug 2009 @ 21:48)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'Bod' (14 Aug 2009 @ 22:08)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'Bod' (14 Aug 2009 @ 22:24)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'BanzaiBoy' (14 Aug 2009 @ 22:34)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'John' (14 Aug 2009 @ 23:40)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'Bertoliniii' (14 Aug 2009 @ 23:50)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'davidmc' << You are here!

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'kai' (15 Aug 2009 @ 16:45)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'broke' (15 Aug 2009 @ 1:10)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'SimonS' (15 Aug 2009 @ 9:56)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'SimonS' (15 Aug 2009 @ 9:39)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'IamdeFastese' (15 Aug 2009 @ 9:51)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'IamdeFastese' (15 Aug 2009 @ 10:13)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'kai' (15 Aug 2009 @ 10:21)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'John' (15 Aug 2009 @ 10:31)

The future... by 'DavyBoy' (15 Aug 2009 @ 12:15)

Re: The future... by 'kai' (15 Aug 2009 @ 16:48)

Re: The future... by 'Bod' (15 Aug 2009 @ 21:51)

Re: The future... by 'Aquila' (15 Aug 2009 @ 22:05)

Re: The future... by 'BenFallon' (15 Aug 2009 @ 23:32)

Re: The future... by 'chriskasch' (16 Aug 2009 @ 0:02)

Re: The future... by 'stemorton46' (16 Aug 2009 @ 0:44)

Re: The future...Ben by 'John' (16 Aug 2009 @ 6:23)

Not quite true Ben... by 'DavyBoy' (16 Aug 2009 @ 9:48)

Re: Not quite true Ben... by 'John' (16 Aug 2009 @ 12:07)

Re: Not quite true Ben... by 'Aquila' (16 Aug 2009 @ 19:57)

Re: Not quite true Ben... by 'BenFallon' (16 Aug 2009 @ 21:16)

Re: Not quite true Ben... by 'Aquila' (16 Aug 2009 @ 22:32)

Re: So Why Race In Rotax??? by 'squidly01' (21 Aug 2009 @ 19:13)

Post a Reply:

You may post a direct reply to this message which will appear in this thread.
To post a new or unrelated message use This Form. Top of Page
Notice Board Index

[ UK Karting Main Index ]


News	Karts & Karting	Notice Board	Market Place	Companies Directory	Tracks Directory	Events Calendar	Race Results	Photo Gallery	Links