Rotax Max Gauges

[Rick Brockman]

I'd like to understand what types of gauges are being used for practice/racing for the Rotax Max class. I'm just getting started in this particular class.

I use the Aim Drack systems and the Aim MyChron-2 systems on our shifter karts. I've read that any type of "memory" gauge is not allowed for "racing" in this class.

I thought about using a MyChron-2/DRACK for practice, then taking the battery out for racing. Problem is then a person wouldn't have temperature or lap time information at all. I've heard that some racers are taping up the display so that only water temp and tach display, but this doesn't seem to fall within the rules, as all of the data is available afterwards for review (memory).

What is everyone doing? Is it going to be required to purchase two different gauges? A full DA system for practice, and then a dumbed down non-memory unit for racing?

[Jon Andrews]

Yep! this is exactly what I do. I have a Mycron Pro DA system for practice and a Mychron MCT (Water temp + rpm) for racing in the RMC. The MCT does not have laptiming or any other sensors, just a peak hold on each value.

My Pro system is attached to the underside of the nose panel on a fiberglass plate. This make it easy to remove the whole system with only 2 bolts. I leave all the sensors on the kart, just tape up the connectors.

My opinion is that most of the people racing the Max class have NO desire to go the the world finals and the rules restriction on gauges (and composites for that matter e.g. carbon fiber) is irrelevant. I have already suggested to the Max organisers that the rules be relaxed in this area due to the fact that 99% of the people racing this calss are either A) Moving up from another 2-cylinder class and already have a digitron/mychron/PI etc OR B) are not afraid to buy a DA system due to the fact that buying a $5k setup was not a problem The response was that 'Rotax does not want to create any disparities between the countries running the RM challenge'. Kind of weird statement to make considering we run 1 lb heavier that anybody else, AND we are the only country to use Vegas (others use MG or Bridgestone).

Enough rambling for now.....

[ July 25, 2001: Message edited by: Jon Andrews ]

[Nick Weil]

On a Regional level the 'gauge' rule has been relaxed somewhat here in Florida. By the official rules you cannot have any type of datalogger on board. There have been some small 'exceptions' to the rules made in a lot of the Regional Challenges. But I think all of that will go out the door in Vegas for the Nationals.

I have already heard that for the National Event we will be running Bridgestone tires. And I would assume all of the other 'relaxed' rules will also shrink away. Hopefully, this will not come as a surprise to anyone, and everyone will make the necessary equipment changes prior to racing in Vegas. I would hate to see a bunch of whining and fingerpointing about 'the way we did it at our Regional Events was different!' That could get ugly.

Nick

[bird]

They let us use loggers in juniors here, doesn't seem to be a problem. A couple of us use the Pi and most of the others have Alfanos. Regions should be allowed to set their own rules so as best to grow the class - ie. if the big dealers in that area sell karts with 50mm axles as standard then it doesn't make sense to ban them.

- Mary-Ann www.kartlink.net

[Jon Andrews]

quote

Quote:

On a Regional level the 'gauge' rule has been relaxed somewhat here in Florida. By the official rules you cannot have any type of datalogger on board. There have been some small 'exceptions' to the rules made in a lot of the Regional Challenges. But I think all of that will go out the door in Vegas for the Nationals.

This is EXACTLY why SSC should enforce a common set of rules across all the RMC region races. It's obvious by the people posting here that most people want to run the gauges that they alread own, i.e. Alfano, Mychron etc. The situation is already brewing where a competitor races in a national or another region and finds out the rules are different.

My suggestion is for the rules official (Scott Evans?) at SSC to poll each of the regions to find out what the competitors want, then ammend the rules for '02 and ENFORCE them across all regions.

Mary-Ann has already indicated that the UK has different rules from here. The whole 'we need the same rules worldwide' argument has already been shot down.

This is the first year in the US for the Max, so teething problems are inevitable..

[ July 26, 2001: Message edited by: Jon Andrews ]

[bird]

quote

Quote:

Mary-Ann has already indicated that the UK has different rules from here.

RMC rules are the same as everywhere else, but no one races in the RMC , because it was brought in after our rules were established.

[Nick Weil]

There may be differences in the rules from Region to Region in each country, but the rules for each National Competition will be the same in ALL of the countries from what I have been told. And even if this turns out to be untrue, when they all get off the boat or plane in Malaysia there will be only one set of rules. So everyone should just get used to what the rules are for this year and then petition their Regional Directors for any changes they feel necessary.

Our Director, Bill Wright, sat all of us RMC drivers down last weekend and said, 'When I am out in Vegas for the Nationals, we directors are going to decide what is happening for next year. I can only ask for changes that you guys want and support. So over the next three months you need to talk to me or it just won't get addressed."

I kind of sit on the fence on the Datalogger issue. I have one myself on my Yamaha, but do not on my RMax. I do miss it, but there are many other guys in our Region that don't have them. There are a few guys that have them and disable them during the events. Those guys also happen to be our two front runners. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not...

As far as weight goes, I have 15# on mine to get me to 360 lbs. I would love it if they ran a 'Heavy' class cause then I would get a little fatter this fall and run both classes

Anyhow, I think some people are losing sight of what the Challenge is really about. First and foremost, I believe this RMC is to promote the growth and sales of the Rotax Motor. I know, sad but true, the almighty dollar(franc, yen, pound, mark, whatever your currency) rears it's ugly head again. The Challenge itself is to introduce the masses of people to the quality and ingenuity of the motor. Once the 'newness' wears off we are probably going to see Rotax Modified classes starting up everywhere. Then comes the Pipe of the Month, the Hot New Clutch, the Ultimate Port Job, you get the idea. If we get lucky, they may still even run the Challenge with the spec sealed motor.

Those that don't want to run by the 'strict' rules laid down in the Challenge don't have to. In fact, I would hope that there are a few clubs out there that already have enough RM's that they govern themselves with their own rules. It sounds like that is the case with Mary-Ann.

In the meantime, can't we all just run and have fun. Because in case you missed it, that may be the other reason for this class...

just my pair of pennies...

Nick

[Stephen Buckley]

quote:

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Originally posted by Nick Weil:

Anyhow, I think some people are losing sight of what the Challenge is really about. First and foremost, I believe this RMC is to promote the growth and sales of the Rotax Motor....The Challenge itself is to introduce the masses of people to the quality and ingenuity of the motor. Once the 'newness' wears off we are probably going to see Rotax Modified classes starting up everywhere. Then comes the Pipe of the Month, the Hot New Clutch, the Ultimate Port Job, you get the idea. If we get lucky, they may still even run the Challenge with the spec sealed motor.

In the meantime, can't we all just run and have fun. Because in case you missed it, that may be the other reason for this class...
Nick

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Nick,
That has been my point all along AND one of my fears. It is the very reason why there are still many naysayers when it comes to the RMax. Without some common foresight, we could well end up in a KT100/HPV kind of situation. I'm really hoping that the RMax Challenge Series as well as regional and club level racing will honour the original intent of this class. As you may have read, I am personally against a light/heavy class split and I will campaign such at the IKF meeting. The engine package isn't even a year olde in the US, yet we're all on the bandwagon for major changes. I think we need to stick to it's original intent as close as possible to help guarantee it's success. In addition, the forthcoming introduction of the RotaxMax Jr. into the US marketplace is another boon to kart racing. I hope that our young drivers can enjoy this great package as much as we have.

As far as the weight issue (hot button), I would like to see the raw on-the scale data for all of the podium finishers from all the RMax races in the US. It must be on record someplace. If we could gather a couple hundred samplings, I then believe we could start to get a true understanding of the minimum weight issue. In the meantime, I believe it'll remain a subjective topic.
S

[bird]

quote:

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Those that don't want to run by the 'strict' rules laid down in the Challenge don't have to. In fact, I would hope that there are a few clubs out there that already have enough RM's that they govern themselves with their own rules. It sounds like that is the case with Mary-Ann.

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I think that the sealed engine and the engine package as a whole is the core of the class. If us Brits run on MGs (seniors) because Bridgestone tyres are unsustainably expensive, or Americans run at 170kgs because they are lardy then what's the problem?