Karting1.co.uk

[kai]

No-one here interested? OK then, let’s play crystal ball glazing (referring also to my contribution in the Wankel section).
Assuming that the Honda/ProKart market will remain largely unchanged, underpinned also by the massively larger corporate market, what kind of other 4-stroke piston engines will we have? Rotaries will surely never have this business to themselves.

In the meantime, I find it amazing that Rotax appears to strongly outsell the Biland even among people just driving ‘for fun’. Price can surely no longer be an issue, with excellent value to be had in used ones (especially now that the new price has come down so much).
To me it’s an infinitely superior drive (never mind the so much nicer sound). On top of that there is the ease of use: arrive, hit the button and go; every time, all the time. That can mean a lot when spending a precious day off once in a while.

[Alan Dove]

I think we need to look at what's happening in America with Motocross.

MotoX in the USA has gone pretty much all to 4 stroke bikes. You would think that this would increase ease of use, and numbers, but the truth (or what I can gather) is that numbers ae falling.

The cost and complexity of a 4-stroke engine in up to front form puts many people off. Even though the Rotax is far too complex than it actually needs to be, its is more simple to use than a four stroke in terms of mechanics.

To be honest I think high performance 4 stroke karting is actually doing quite well. 10 years ago we didn't have any high performance 4 stroke engines anywhere. Now we have Bilands, TKM 4 strokes etc... Even though they do not dominate the market, they are actually successul relative to 4 stroke karting 10 + years ago

The thing is for 4 stroke karting to succeed they need to look at what makes succesful kart good.

1. Lightness
2. Speed
3. Sound
4. Simplicity
5 Reliability

Its very hard for a 4 stroke to compete in terms of lightness, and simplicity. This is why 4 stroke may never be huge in terms of high perfermace karting unless of a change in legislation.

The only logically route is Rotary. It's the only engine I can think of at the moment that can be the bridge between 4 stroke, and 2 stroke karters.
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[Steve0]

I have seen a few options and these are my thoughts:

Prokart: Enduro, Corperate and Fun only
Rotary: Not impressed but this wasnt well maintained
EcoMoto: Modifiers class (open tuning on open tyres)
Royale: B+S engine but declining
World Formula: B+S engine but not many around
Subaru: Seems Corporate only
TKM4: Most popular 4 stroke class with bright future
Biland: Popular 4 stroke class but i question the tyres (or maybe they have to be that soft to deal with the torque of the engine)

these are my ideas but i must admit im sad to see prokarts fall from sprints
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Scruffy Looking Racing

Steve0 - Stephen Trout (F6 Senior Open Twin)

2006 SOT F6 Challenge Cup Champion