You seem to have two tested options, TKM and Formula Blue, for the cheaper and long lasting classes.
There is the option of X30, but it has not yet got the history to say whether it will last. Theres's no reason why it should not, the engine has a sound background. There's very large sums of money being pumped into it to make it popular but that also has the disadvantage that dogs Rotax of money looking for ways to find competitive advantage.
There are three main issues facing karting at the moment, the 2017 restructuring of MSA meetings, the 2016 "new" Rotax, and the positioning of IKR.
All three are possibly interconnected.
The 2017 MSA restructuring suggests that they will have two classes in Senior and Junior categories which will loosely be perceived as "Fast" and "Not so Fast". There is speculation that this might also be "125" and "Less than 125" ( The TKM extreme is 115, the Blue Maxi is 117, the Blue is 100).
There are commercial implications to this, with valuable prizes going to the supplier of the most popular engine in each class. The X30 was supposed to dominate the"125" because its design is more recent than the Rotax, and one can speculate that the new Rotax is a response to that. (You have to look at the wider global implications as well as the small UK market).
At the same time there is a considerable amount of political machination going on about IKR. Rightly or wrongly the MSA is seen as being influenced by vested interests insisting on rules and regulations appropriate to elite, financially selective racing but not appropriate to the average club driver (in the same way that insistence on F1 standards of build would be inappropriate to Formula Ford )while the rise of hire and drive has diminished the requirement for all those interested in karting to go through the "club, owner driver and MSA" route.
IKR offers those unable to break into advising the MSA a route to making karting over in their image, while at the same time allow track operators a way to maintain income from the budget owner/driver.
Which means that at the moment, having an engine that remains competitive by MSA standards may not be quite so important as it seems. However, as increasing numbers of karters who compete to win, rather than having fun, move into IKR events, one can foresee that MSA type regulations will emerge there too. (Because if you want to win, you will want a level playing field, not racing your 125 against a bored out 150 with a modified rod, piston and exhaust, won't you?)
As itpro suggests, you may wish to consider your purchase.
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Where do i buy a Rotax Max Kart by 'RobertAlonMonks' (20 Jan 2015 @ 23:06)
