Easykart Speed (or Am I Missing Something Here?)

Erik Kullenberg

OK, I just read the Gatorz Race report on the EKN main page and I'm a little confused. Maybe someone can help me out.

The story talks about how the pits were buzzing with talk about how the Easykart engine package might run away with the race and make a 'mockery' of the TaG class.

Rotax-Max (International) Class Pole Position:
AJ Weber (CRG/Rotax)- 1:05.542

Rotax-Max (International) 2nd Qualifying Time:
Flemming Tranberg (Intrepid/Rotax) - 1:06.549

TaG Class Pole Position:
Cory Pollock (Easykart/Easykart) - 1:06.358 seconds

65.5 seconds is still faster than 66.3 seconds, right?? What am i missing? Why was there buzz about an engine package making a mockery of the field, instead of a driver making a mockery of the field??

What's all the fuss about?

I must be missing something!

Rolling Eyes

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Erik Kullenberg
http://erikkullenberg.com

Glenn Holland · Posted: Tue May 11, 2004 9:25 am Post subject:

Erik,

Nobody said karters were logical. Rotaxes do run heavier in TAG than international, but word got around that the EKs were going to destroy everyone else.

A Rotax won with Leopards following, so I hope they've calmed down a bit.

Mitchell Dixon · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 330

the buzz might have been form the engine power itself, as i have seen an easykart catch and pass a rotax easily, as i also have. But the engines in the ek have a more benficial powerband(broader) than that of the rotax. The lap times may be close to the same, but driver ability also come into play. ! driver may have been better than the other, track conditions/track surface conditions could have changed, temperatures, etc. there are so many reasons for the lap times being the time they are. I think driver could have been at the top of the list, yet i dont know him and i wasnt there. but the vuzz could just be from the power the ek engine package has, not the laptimes.

Happy Racing!
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"I am not afraid, I was born to do this."

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Erik Kullenberg · Posted: Tue May 11, 2004 9:29 am Post subject:

logic? Hmmm.

Rotax runs 365 in TaG, right? OK, let's add .10 secs to AJ's time. How about .3 added? Laughing

Glenn email or PM me when you get a chance.
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Erik Kullenberg
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David Thompson SR · Joined: 06 Mar 2002 Posts: 584

Erik Kullenberg you did the math good job. Tag is all about all packages being equal. I think they are pretty close right now.

EasyKart Rotax Lepord and the rest all have there strong points.

In the perfect world everyone would be happy, you know that isnt going to happen....

Dave
www.davesperf.com

Jim Cassi · Posted: Tue May 11, 2004 12:20 pm Post subject:

a good test for power will be at Rock Island....no tight corners.. mostly flat out....not very technical at all....it's mostly about how big ur sack is... Laughing

..since EK is going to sponsor the class... i'm sure it will be a big turn out from the FLA. guys..and they are always fast..it should be tons of fun.. Eric... bring that Jordan kid with ya.... i owe him one.... Laughing

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Bruce Woodrow · Posted: Tue May 11, 2004 1:01 pm Post subject:

Shouldn't the TaG times generally be better than the RMC times, since in TaG there is a choice of tires with lower durometers than YGK's?

Bruce

Ron Pattison · Joined: 28 Nov 2001 Posts: 238

I believe the TAG weight for Rotax is 355 vrs. 360 and 375 for others. At least that is what KART is running here in the midwest sprints. A problem that exists is that different engines were tested in their out of the box configruation as per TAG rules to establish the weights. The Rotax ended up with a lower weight as it should have when tested as a legal ReMax engine. The problem is the loophole in the tag rules that says carbs can be rejetted. I suspect that meant the main jet but that is not what the rule states. When the Rotax has all the various jets changed to make it run correctly (not legal Remax as tested) it should be handicaped with a heavier weight, not a lighter weight. That is what I am seeing at the tracks we run here. My 2 cents

Erik Kullenberg · Posted: Tue May 11, 2004 3:40 pm Post subject:

Doug Ring · Posted: Tue May 11, 2004 8:05 pm Post subject:

Erik -

Back to your original question. The "buzz" around the EZ is greatly based, IMO, on the fact that this $4K package is proving very competitive against a much larger pack of $5-6K karts. Just look at it - no 50mm axle, no magnesium wheels, no adjustable rear ride height, no water cooling, no power valve - there's no way it can compete...right?

OTOH, as an ex-HPV driver, I can totally understand why the EZ does so well - it's an HPV motor on steroids. Also, it looks like Birel has put together a (relatively) simple chassis that is well matched to the HP and weight of the class.

As far as legality in the TAG class, I don't know where any of those ideas have any basis in truth. We all run the same tires, the same maximum width, very similar chassis, etc. From what I've seen so far, the EZ - when well tuned and well driven - will hold it's own against just about any other "regional club level" competition. As a Leopard driver, I say the more the merrier!

Mitchell Dixon · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 330

I agree, EK is extremely fast when tuned properly which is y it is so popular. Our ek's down in homestead run times competitive with some shifters. Its cool. But rock island will be big for easy's with a low enough gear. I'd like to see another rain race though. How fun is that? haha.
_________________
"I am not afraid, I was born to do this."

-Joan of Arc

Mitchell Dixon · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 330

I agree, EK is extremely fast when tuned properly which is y it is so popular. Our ek's down in homestead run times competitive with some shifters. Its cool. But rock island will be big for easy's with a low enough gear. I'd like to see another rain race though. How fun is that? haha.
_________________
"I am not afraid, I was born to do this."

-Joan of Arc

Mitchell Dixon · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 330

I agree, EK is extremely fast when tuned properly which is y it is so popular. Our ek's down in homestead run times competitive with some shifters. Its cool. But rock island will be big for easy's with a low enough gear. I'd like to see another rain race though. How fun is that? haha.
_________________
"I am not afraid, I was born to do this."

-Joan of Arc

Dave Schwabe · Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 5:17 pm Post subject:

What do the EK motors rev out to typically?

What's the powerband like compared to it's relative the Leopard.

Last... in a TAG setting, wouldn't this be the motor to go with if you're having a challenge making the weight minimum? No radiator, water, water pump, etc...

I have to say, the simplicity of the EK motor is attractive...
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Doug Ring · Posted: Wed May 12, 2004 6:16 pm Post subject:

Dave - good call on the weight issue. Dave T. may have better specific information, but my guestimate would be that the EZ package would probably be 10-15# lighter than the comparable Leopard package.