2015 EKN Chassis Showroom: Margay

American-made chassis celebrating half-century of development and success

October 29, 2015 by David Cole

EKN is excited to offer a new editorial series for our readers – our ‘Chassis Showroom’. Over the next couple of months, we will be highlighting many chassis manufacturers and the importers / dealers who are responsible for making these karts available to the North American karting community. The market is filled with models for all levels of competition, from four-cycle to shifterkarts, and the new offerings are really great looking.

Manufacturer: Margay Racing
The leading and longest lasting chassis manufacturer in the United States of America for sprint karting is Margay. Founded in 1964 by Elmer Freber, Margay was originally known as Mar-Kart, developing a patented quick-change gearbox for the growing racing kart market. In just two years, Freber purchased the ‘King Kart’ company of Milwaukee, WI to begin development of their own karting chassis. The company name evolved into Margay Products, with the first kart named ‘New Breed’. Margay was among the first to introduce the ‘sidewinder’ style of karts, with the engine mounted beside the driver instead of behind. Management of the company passed from Elmer to his son Don in the mid-1970s, continuing to put Margay among the best in the sport. Margay also designed and built its own 2-cycle engine, known as the LMR 100. The company now is under the eyes of the third generation, as Keith Freber took over management in 1990 and then purchased the company outright in 2009.

Chassis: Margay
For a half century, the Margay brand has been winning at kart tracks all over North America. Thousands of karters have been at the wheel of a Margay kart, including the likes of Jamie McMurray and Kevin Harvick of NASCAR, IndyCar’s Scott Goodyear and longtime sports car driver Scott Pruett. All began or elevated their karting career with Margay, with a long list of other drivers helping to keep the brand at the top of the results sheet. With 13 World Karting Association manufacturers titles to their credit, Margay is also the only US kart manufacturer to have participated in the CIK-FIA World Championships.

Today, Margay’s chassis line-up is geared around three options, with options available for the Cadet and Kid Kart levels as well. Priced at $3995 ready to race, the Margay Ignite chassis is the perfect solution for the entry level customer. Tracks across the country are utilizing it for their schools and spec class. It is available in the K3 package for Senior and Junior competition, while the K2 is for sized down for Cadet and Rookie ages.

Margay has been a been very successful in the 4-Cycle area of the sport. The latest version – Brava 4.15 – continues that streak. Designed specifically for 4-cycle racing in the US, the chassis is equipped with all the latest components including Sniper linear caster/camber adjusters. The Brava 1.15 is Margay’s premier chassis for the 2-cycle TaG and Rotax classes. Standard equipment includes 25mm spindles, 50mm rear axle and the Sniper adjusters. Developed for the Yamaha and Junior 2-cycle categories, the Brava 1.15ck version utilizes all the same components as the 1.15 but features a slightly softer chassis better suited for lower horsepower and lighter drivers.

Ignite
Frame tube size: 1.25” (32mm) / 1.125” (28mm)
Wheelbase: 41.25” (1047.75mm)
Spindle size: 17mm
Front width: 26.3125” (668.34mm)
Rear width: 25.125” (638.175mm)
Length: 64.75” (1644.65mm)
Front hub: None
Rear hub: 65mm Aluminum
Front Wheels: DWT AlumiLite 135 DSM (direct spindle mount)
Rear Wheels: DWT AlumiLite 7.75”
Brakes: MCP Cast – (8.25” slotted rotor)
Seat: G-Seat
Steering Wheel: Ignite 320mm ‘King’
Bodywork: KG FP7 / Duo

Brava 4.15
Frame tube size: 1.25” (32mm) / 1.125” (28mm)
Wheelbase: 41.25” (1047.75mm)
Spindle size: 17mm
Front width: 26.3125” (668.34mm)
Rear width: 25.125” (638.175mm)
Length: 64.75” (1644.65mm)
Front hub: None
Rear hub: 65mm Aluminum
Front Wheels: DWT AlumiLite 135 DSM (direct spindle mount)
Rear Wheels: DWT AlumiLite 7.75”
Brakes: MCP Billet (200mm vented)
Seat: G-Seat
Steering Wheel: Margay 330mm ‘King’
Bodywork: KG FP7 / BDE

Brava 1.15
Frame tube size: 1.25” (32mm) / 1.125” (28mm)
Wheelbase: 41.25” (1047.75mm)
Spindle size: 25mm
Front width: 26.3125” (668.34mm)
Rear width: 25.125” (638.175mm)
Length: 64.75” (1644.65mm)
Front hub: 95mm (Aluminum or Magnesium)
Rear hub: 95mm (Aluminum or Magnesium)
Front Wheels: DWT M-Series 130mm
Rear Wheels: DWT M-Series 210mm
Brakes: MCP Billet (200mm vented)
Seat: G-Seat
Steering Wheel: Margay 330mm ‘King’
Bodywork: KG FP7 / BDE