KZ Reborn in North America?

[Chris Hutchinson]

With the recent topics of G1, Stock Honda and KZ, this seems like a good time to bring up a new thought.

With the economy and the Real Estate market showing signs of improvement, karting also appears to be gaining some new momentum, at least so it seems here in Southern California.

From the posts online it also seems that the East Coast has a strong KZ racing program which is thriving. I think we all would agree that nothing stays the same very long with the sport of karting. I’ve been told by many that it’s just a matter of time before KZ makes a return again full force on the West Coast.

The first thought that comes to mind, if KZ were to make a return, why couldn’t there be a Stock KZ class or why wasn’t that an option to begin with?

If the KZ manufactures such as TM, Maxter, Vortex and the others really wanted to gain market share here in North America maybe they should offer an incentive program.

For example they could initiate or design a program that would allow any owner of a Stock or Modified Honda to trade in their engines receive a $1,500 - $2,000 credit (core charge depending on condition) which would apply to the purchase of a brand new in the box KZ form fit and function kart engine with EVERYTHING plus some designated spare parts, for let’ say $3,100 or so. Presto, in no time the North American KZ program would be reborn.

This is just a mere suggestion and a brief example of what could be done. It has been mentioned that since the Stock Honda package remains consistent yearly, this is a financial benefit. However, I often say hmmmmm when I see many people upgrading to a new chassis as soon as they hear about a new tweak or update to their current model. I think, it’s safe to say, as consumers we gravitate to wanting the latest and greatest gadgets not limited to karting, but having the latest I-Phone, a faster computer, a bigger thinner TV, faster internet connection, etc, etc

I'm certain that at some point in time after all the tweaks are made to the Stock Honda program the masses will want to push for more power and more speed. And the KZ engine maybe that option.

If stock KZ were to become an option I guess the next debate would be which engine would we use TM, Maxter, Vortex or one of the newer brands?

In the meantime the Los Angeles Karting Championship Series offers a great KZ/ Open Shifter, along with the Stock Honda classes, and we all get compete and get along well and have a great time, and this year seems like it will be major fun with good competition, once again.

I wish you all a great year.

[Jim McMahon]

Why would a KZ manufacturer, or importer want to give a $1500 credit for a motor that's next to worthless outside of the USA? I don't share your optimism with this, a lot of people are heavily invested in their motos and arent going to switch because they are happy with what they have and are happy to accept the horror stories they hear about KZ motors.

Other problem with "stock" KZ is it forces practically everyone to buy new motors and rules out motors from outside the country.
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Live in the midwest and have a TaG, Shifter, KPV, KT100, Animal\LO206, enduro or superkart?
Click here to join the karting festival at Blackhawk, IL June 1st-2nd.

[Jimmy McNeil]

The number of stock hondas in this country is increasing considerably. I know of more than one engine builder thats been slammed in the off season. Ive heard roomers of one builder selling 30 to 40 engine packages in December. Thats exciting for the sportIf people started jumping ship and going back to icc, a ton of people would drop out.

[Jim McMahon]

I think there's a lot of assumptions being made in your post Jimmy. Consider how many drivers have stopped doing SKUSA once G1 was dropped. Last time I checked the majority did not make the transition to stock moto. A lot did yes, but the the majority did not they went elsewhere. To me that's a net loss and not something to get excited about.

It's hard to draw any sort of conclusion from a rumor of what an engine builder has put out in a month. Whats exciting for the sport is more butts in seats and I think the statement that it's going to somehow implode because some drivers opt for a KZ is an absolute fallacy.
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Live in the midwest and have a TaG, Shifter, KPV, KT100, Animal\LO206, enduro or superkart?
Click here to join the karting festival at Blackhawk, IL June 1st-2nd.

[Howie Idelson]

I still love the KZ. Hope it can make a comeback.
_________________
Howie Idelson
howieidelson@mac.com
www.coroflot.com/howieidelson

[Jimmy McNeil]

It's more than a rumor jim, they have been selling the crap out of stock honda engine packages. Pkc has started off the year with record numbers and I hear the first national is going to be big.
It's exciting for the sport, shifter kart numbers are actually growing.

If it started swinging back to icc, theirs a ton of people that are not going to spend 12k on two new engines to compete. Shifter kart numbers would shrink.
Just because a few of the g1 drivers didn't make the switch to stock honda doesn't spell out doom and gloom for skusa

[Matt Dixon]

[Jim McMahon]

You started by saying it was rumors?
Who said it has to swing? That's the root of the problem IMO. Why not have both? It's disappointing to hear you make a statement about having to buy 2x 12K motors to compete in a KZ class It's spinal tap. Pure and simple.

So it seems, at least out west, Stock Moto continues to grow. Cool. Meaning HPD have more and more people by the balls in terms of supply and demand. Not cool. Remember 99 cylinders drying up? Am I the only person that's concerned about this with the CRF250 on the horizon? Its too many eggs in one basket IMO. You cant use the KT100's market penetration in karting as a case for a spec in a away that's relevant to the current stock moto program.

Re my G1 and SKUSA comment, I wasnt saying doom and gloom for SKUSA. I was highlighting the point that there was much fuss made about how many drivers moved to S4, what got overlooked was that the majority of drivers dropped out.
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Live in the midwest and have a TaG, Shifter, KPV, KT100, Animal\LO206, enduro or superkart?
Click here to join the karting festival at Blackhawk, IL June 1st-2nd.

[Jim McMahon]

[Randy Pierson]

And here it goes again.

If you are racing some form or association with SKUSA or the west coast in general...yes stock moto is the way to fly. Anywhere else in the US with the exception of the few who show up for the WKA road races..it's not so big. We have 35+ shifters show up at the CES races and have a whopping 3 stock motos that show...over the last 3 years. It's not growing. The WKA races have some but not the numbers it needs for real growth. It's just stagnant.

Perfect example is the SKUSA central state races..even there stock moto has no roots.
I think the reason for that is most who run in the midwest are more "recreational" karters. I would rate the ProKart guys and Jimmy, etc as "pros" even though they don't make a living at it. That type of commitment and racer is a rare commodity in the central US.

Example: Rock Island. Big King of the Streets fields when it was KZ. Now it can barely get to 20 entries with stock moto. There are no "locals" to fill in the field. The Masters class had more entries..but mostly from this "local" group.

Anyways, while it may not make a big "come back", it is doing pretty good on it's own when in the right series or location.

[Jimmy McNeil]

The 12k comment was me being conservative, back when I quit icc a built maxter was 8k, I'm sure the prices haven't gone down. If icc made a comeback and all the top guys started switching over, I would have to buy two 8k engines to compete at a national level. No way that would be good for shifter kart racing in the us. That was my point Jim.

If you guys have a strong icc presence back east, more power to ya, that's awesome. It also helps me understand your frustration with g1 being dropped from the Nats.
I'm all for less classes. Fewer classes with larger numbers should be the goal, I think that was the idea behind the demise of the g1 class. Don't ask me about the dd2 situation, I have no idea what's behind it and I hope it doesn't siphon drivers from s1.

[Tom Barth]

What is a stock KZ?

A KZ is controlled by the CIK homologation. All KZ's are basically the same. Pick your brand. Study the homologation sheet, bring engine to homologation limits and go racin'.

What is a stock moto?

I personally don't know what a stock moto is. I saw a piece somewhere that listed legal 'only' components and that no drilling, sawing or grinding is allowed. But there is no real designer or manufacturer behind the moto. I.E. how long will it survive?

KZ will be back stronger than ever. It is strong everywhere outside the U.S. and is getting stronger in the U.S.

As a package the KZ is better than the motorcycle engine because it is designed to be on a kart. The smoke and mirror horror tales of the KZ are just that 'smoke and mirror'. The KZ, if set up properly, will run strong and long for a whole season.

I tend to agree that the stock motos will be the majority on the west coast but KZ's will dominate on the east coast and in the mid west.

GFK stays busy doing the maintenance for many KZ owners. Looking forward to a good year. Love KZ.
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Tom Barth
http://www.greenflagkarting.com/

Power is good...more power is better... too much power is just right!

[Howie Idelson]

One thing I can say about stock moto. In all of the events since I've run them, Mostly PKC, Pro Tour and supernationals, I've never noticed someone having more power over anyone else. The motors are all very equal. Pump around, ST fuel system, single pump - they all seem to work well and are evenly matched.
_________________
Howie Idelson
howieidelson@mac.com
www.coroflot.com/howieidelson

[Keith Bridgeman]

[joseph hollinger]