Has anyone else heard the 'rumour' that Vampire are ceasing production? The German web karting forums seem to know more than we do, as yet.
Of COURSE such things are merely rumours at the moment and I have NO PROOF WHATSOEVER so, do NOT rely on me for the information.
I have received a copy of this 'communique'/'statement' that is supposed to be from Suter. It's been translated, obviously, so there COULD be errors in my translation. Again, let me STRESS that I cannot guarantee ANY of this: it's just 'crossed my desk':-
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To our customers and all friends of the Vampire
The announcement of the CIK (Commission Internationale de Karting) first made in 2003 to introduce new 4-stroke rules and the resulting racing series has to this day not been implemented.
It is difficult to understand why criteria such as cost, the environment and noise emissions, which appear to be so important to the FIA in all other forms of motorsport, should not apply to karting.
As this will highly likely not be the case in the near future either and greater sales numbers are consequently not be expected, SRT finds itself compelled to cease Vampire production by the end of this year.
Suter Racing regrets having to take this step: The decision has not been an easy one for us after all our success in various championships, and with the Vampire having consistently prevailed against its competitors as no. 1 in the market.
However, this kart project, which is loss-making to this day, requires some investment in its 3rd year for technical updates and new homologation, but the low unit sales do not justify such investment.
Of course we shall continue to supply spare parts to continue to serve our existing Vampire customer base. We should at this point like to thank you for your confidence in Vampire engines.
If there were after all to be an international switch to 4-stroke engines we could certainly imagine starting up again with a newer version of the Vampire engine at a later date.
October 2008
Suter Racing Technology AG – Vampire department
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Here is the message (in German, of course) on the Vampire web page:-
http://www.vampire-engine.com/forge/news.cgi?cmd=display&id=3493&forge_menu=121
As I KEEP stressing, this (for me) is 'breaking news' and it therfore COULD be wrong or even a HOAX. However, I think anyone about to buy one ought to know that this is 'out there'.
It sounds horribly like yet ANOTHER 'Biland saga'!
Ian
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