Rotax on the Big Tracks (i.e. Mid-Ohio)

[Jim Emerson]

I did some searching on the Rotax threads for the big tracks and one answer that was missing for me was belt drive or 219 chain? I some questions from Brian Kay and I never saw and answer. This might be a good one for Mr. Weil! Is the gearing options of the 219 equal to a belt drive with the standing starts?

Who sells them and how much?

[Brian Kay]

Depends on how much road racing you plan to do. For a couple of races per year, it's alot cheaper to buy the right 219 gears and go race.

Since I mainly road race, and use my kart(s) as rentals on road courses, BELT drive all the way. For sprint racing, 219. For sprint, it's too expensive to have all the available ratios in belt drive - rear gears are $40-$50 each and clutch drum pulleys are $140-$155 each. Belts are $50 and up.

Call Jim Pfeifer - 630.293.7840 He mfg's all the parts, and can direct you to your nearest dealer.

See you at the CES Gingerman race Sept 20-22(?)

Brian K - T2 RaceKarts

[Nick Weil]

Jim,

Without a doubt, if you are going to race long tracks you should consider going with belt. It is more expensive, but if you don't plan on switching back and forth it is pretty dependable.

Guys like myself and many of my customers like to race both, and we stick with the 219 chain. If the chain is aligned properly, tightened properly and lubricated properly it will hold up. We have done many 30 minute races, and even a few 45 minute races that the chain was still good afterwards. We have also seen our fair share of attrition due to lack of attention to any one of the above items. But we see those same results even when sprint track racing. I can get you the 15T and 16T drivers necessary for the 219 chain setup. If you have any questions, drop me an e-mail...

Nick Weil

[Jay Sharpe]

I spoke with Steven Sidle at the last Thunder Hill R.R. and he said he was developing a belt drive for the Max karts. If your out there Steve (and I know you are)you may want to elaborate. Great come back in the last race Saturday.

[Steve Sidle]

I've got a guy that is developing a drive gear for the Rotax as we speak (write), the price of the driver should be a lot better than Pfeifer's (1/2 or less). We are going to test a 30mm and a 20mm wide version to see if 20mm can survive the loading and to see if we can cut the cost on belts and sprockets by going to 20mm (about 30% less cost). I was running a 30mm setup this last weekend at Thunderhill and noticed no difference in drag between the belt drive and a 219 chain. I did 150 plus miles of racing plus practice and not once did I worry about the drive system, that is worth the extra dollars as far as I'm concerned. I will keep all of you up to date on the status of the rotax belt driver gear and when it will be available.

Regards,
Steve

steve@suisidleracing.com

[Steven Emanuel]

Suisidle,

Throw me a bone would-ya...?????

Steve