ENGINES

[paul rees]

It has been a long time since I had one of my little rants, but over the last few months the karting world has changed both physical, and philosophically. The major change has come in the form of the new generation KF engines, which show a change of direction for karting and the way we think about it. No longer are high revving 2 stroke kart engines what the CIK, and manufacturers want karting to be. Instead, top flight karting is to be aimed at the ‘leisure market’, where comfort, longevity and ease of use is a priority over pure racing.

Vincent Caro, CIKFIA Secretary, has said that himself-

“This is not supposed to be a pure racing engine, but a user-friendly engine. The aim is to bring on the market, from the usual kart engine manufacturers (who are mostly focused on racing only) an engine that will be suitable for hobby drivers too, which is not the case anymore with the current 100cc engines.

Taking influence from the hugely successful Rotax MAX, the KF generation engines were born. However, the very philosophies that surround the new generation engines are exactly the same as the philosophies that surround a move to 4 stroke karting.

Could it be that this generation of kart engines, and the way they have been marketed by the CIK, be just a way of making the manufacturers and competitors feel more at ease with a move to 4 stroke karting in a few years time? The CIK are already half way there with drivers and manufacturers sounding more and more like 4 stroke karters (not that I have anything against 4 stroke karters by the way) everyday, praising the long life, and ease of use of the new engines.

When the CIK moved towards 4 stroke a few years ago the objections were fierce, but will those objections be the same in 3 years time when the CIK move towards 4 stroke again. By then the 4 stroke wouldn’t be such a radical change from the new engines in terms of the way we think about karting, and will probably be hailed as a ‘natural progression’ from the current engines.

With the FIA President, Max Mosley, pushing for a move to 4 stroke there is no doubt that the guys at the top want 4 stroke to come in, and KF could be a perfect way to soften the blow for when they do make that ‘its going 4 stroke’ statement. In fact we could say 4 stroke karting is already upon us.

Please feel free to comment here on the Karting1 Forum or below in the comments section

[Greg Wright]

No offense Paul but why is this in the Vintage section?
_________________
Greg Wright
Rapid Racing Inc.
NKN Columnist & Host "Karting News Live"

I AM INDY!!

"When in doubt, gas it. It won't help but it ends the suspense."

[paul rees]

Sorry wrong page