RotaxMax and Roadracing

Stephen Buckley · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 861

All,

As Tim Doll has pointed out, he has repeatedly invited RM guys and gals to savour the tastes of Northwest roadracing. None have showed, including myself. In my case, it is a matter of kart prep. It's setup for sprint... not roadrace. The conversion would include bodywork, a seat angle change, a chain oiler (if staying with chain drive), installing front brakes and a belt-drive. Costly and time consuming at the very least. Not a whine... just seems to be a fact.

Thinking out loud.... At the present time, we (RotaxMax) have basically two series going on. We have the RotaxMax Challenge Sprint series and we have the RotaxMax Oval series. What would you RotaxMax people say to a RotaxMax roadrace series that would include any amalogated sprint chassis with front brakes, spec roadrace bodywork, spec tire, and spec belt-drive system? It would run with another class, of course, but be scored separately. Any ideas?????

[ July 25, 2001: Message edited by: Stephen Buckley ]

Erik Frank · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2001 5:59 pm Post subject: RotaxMax and Roadracing

I'm a shifter guy, so I'm a little out of my league here, but........

Why do you need to do all that to roadrace? Run your Rotax Max's with CIK bodywork, no front brakes, chain, etc.

Isn't the class basically a sprint crossover class? Here in Texas, I think its gaining popularity very quickly. The intent of the sprint crossover class is to get more sprinters out roadracing. You know: show up, install oiler, gear for track, push the starter button (still can't get over that!), and go race!

Also you mention installing chain oiler, but then you talk about running a belt. Are you oiling your belt again?

[ July 24, 2001: Message edited by: Erik Frank ]

Oscar Aguilera · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 1614

Last RR I pulled it out of the trailer, tires still had 12 pounds, changed the gearing and jet. Took 3 laps of practice because I had the same tires from the previous sprint race in OK and didn't want to wear out the tires. I spent the morning cleaning my kart. Oh ya, I usually run a 14 tooth in front but my special 1 1/2" socket got left behind so I raced with the 13.

Piece of cake.

Pete Van Ginkel · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2001 7:50 pm Post subject: RotaxMax and Roadracing

Stephan,
I have to agree with Oscar and Erik. You don`t need to change over anything. Just drive it. Run it according to RMC rules. Keep it simple and equal. I don`t think we need to dilute the competition by seperating into a Sprint Challenge and a Road Race Challenge. The SoCal Max challenge ran on both types of tracks this year. We had five on sprint tracks and one at Streets of Willow which I believe is a 1.9 mile track with the new section. I hope we can add a few more road races to the RMC next year.
Pete

Erik Frank · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2001 8:00 pm Post subject: RotaxMax and Roadracing

quote:
(snip) Took 3 laps of practice because I had the same tires from the previous sprint race in OK and didn't want to wear out the tires. (snip)

Piece of cake.

Wear out tires? Only one RR track in Texas where that's an issue. You must be referring to Oak Hill!

-erik

[ July 24, 2001: Message edited by: Erik Frank ]

Andy Seesemann · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2001 2:32 pm Post subject: RotaxMax and Roadracing

Pete,

Somewhat on this topic, SCK is returning to the Streets of Willow on 8-26 for a one day event. They have invited any and all MAX owners to come out and race with them. I know that you and your fellow MAXers had a great time at last month's event at Streets, so if you want to return, here is the opportunity. This is NOT a MAX Challenge event as our Southern California finale is 8-18 at the Willow Springs Kart Track.

ANDY
PITTS Performance
Southern California's MAX Center

P.S. Call Julie Kuntze for schedule details at 858-273-4056.

Pete Van Ginkel · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2001 3:01 pm Post subject: RotaxMax and Roadracing

Andy,
Check my last post under the "Class for Rotax Max" topic. Let me know what you think.
Pete

Stephen Buckley · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 861

All,
Good comments, however I was referring to roadrace people only, not sprint crossovers. According to an unofficial talley, there are a number of people who want to only roadrace. If they walked into a dealer/shop showroom and saw a complete roadrace setup with aerodynamic bodywork (similar to laydowns), would this concept put a shot into the roadrace venue arm like the RMC did to sprint? Just thinking out loud again.

Pete Van Ginkel · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2001 10:37 pm Post subject: RotaxMax and Roadracing

quote:
Originally posted by Stephen Buckley:
All,
Good comments, however I was referring to roadrace people only, not sprint crossovers. .

Stephan,
The RMC set-up has already been tried and tested at road races. It works great. Why change it? If you make up a different set of rules for road racers you won`t have ANY sprint crossovers.
Pete

coachjac · Joined: 27 Jul 2001 Posts: 3

Please allow me to test myself in replying.

I have a post later this evening that I think will interest many of you.

Johnnynull coacjjac@msn.com

coachjac · Joined: 27 Jul 2001 Posts: 3

Recently the WKA Road Racing Committee has reccomended that a Rotax Max Class be added to the series Schedule for the 2002 Season. The karts would be as currently raced on Sprint Tracks or crossovers as they have been refered to. They would run CIK body work nose and side pods. The one exception would be to allow belt drive systems. They are being manufactured at the present time and will be available soon. Drivers would have the option of running chain or a belt system. This class would race twice a weekend and would run for National Points. It must first be approved by the WKA Trustees at their August meeting. I feel certain that it will be approved. The first race for the new class would be at Daytona in December. I think this will become a major class in the Road Racing Series in the near future. Help me spread the word. I will be happy to answer any questions if needed.

Johnny Jacumin

Tim Doll · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2001 5:54 pm Post subject: RotaxMax and Roadracing

Steven

I got an email last week, the Cycle Barn (in Lynnwood) is preparing a special road race set-up for the Max - full bodywork and belt drive. I think the belt drive is great (especially if it isn't maditory) but I do have mixed feelings about the full bodywork part. While the full bodywork will certainly make them faster and arguably safer, it will discourage crossover from the sprints.

At any rate, I expect we will have a Rotax Max class in the NW Roadrace series next year. The only real question is what the rules will be, and if we build it, will they come

.

Tim