'09 Leopard - any feedback yet?

Scott Heavin · Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 5:43 am Post subject: '09 Leopard - any feedback yet?

I know a few have had the privilege of driving one (Jim Jr., etc.), but surely there is someone out there testing on already - even if they aren't legal with most orgs.

Just curious as to how they're running? Any of the maintenance / breakage issues resolved? I'd like to pick one up mid-season just to play on but wanted to hear from those who are actually running one.

*Oh-and if anyone from IAME is reading this...and would like to send me a free one for evaluation, I'd be happy to put some laps on it. I've broken about every part possible on the old style, so I'd be the perfect candidate to test it. Smile

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marty casey · Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 6:19 am Post subject: new leopard

Scott
It's a really good engine,the old concerns have been addressed. The testing we have done shows no concerns.

The engine is approved within TAGUSA / TAG International.
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Jim Russell, Jr. · Advertiser Joined: 03 Oct 2001 Posts: 1535

Scott Heavin

kelly Read · Joined: 19 Nov 2002 Posts: 1383

Marty or Jim Jr.,

I asked this question in a earlier post with NO response.

I would like to hear if there is ANY PERFORMANCE GAIN compared with the old one??

Even thou I like both of you for what you do for our sport but, It would be nice if someone other then the importer or head of tag did the TRACK TESTING. I believe this would give people a better feeling.

Scott Heavin · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 12:32 pm Post subject:

Scott Heavin · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 1:44 pm Post subject:

I have one I've been playing with (Courtesy of Jim Jr.!). Heading to the track right now to put some laps on it in 94 degree heat, but I'll put together a full report later and post it in a new thread.
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kelly Read · Joined: 19 Nov 2002 Posts: 1383

Scott,

ONLY if you are HONEST!!! Don't want some sponsored driver to give me input Smile

Just to clear things up, I'm not any official for ANY organization. I am heavly involved in KART and promote combined events with other organizations. I just want to make sure we are on a LEVEL playing field before allowing a new motor. I remember the days when I was a board member for a major organization and we had motor suppliers wanting new motors allowed and were told they were not faster then what the motors were that ran the particular class (Piston Port). Each time a new motor came in, it DOMINATED the others which killed the class.

I give a lot of input and have several racers respect what I try to do for our sport by keeping the cost down, keeping things simple, etc and I hate to loose racers due to motor of the year like we had with pipe of the month a few years ago.

As long as the new leopard doesn't obsolete the old one (as long as there are old style motors & parts available) and are neck & neck, then I would be first in line to allow the new leopard.

Looking forward in hearing your results.

"THE MAN"

Michael Maurini · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:42 pm Post subject:

Hi All,

I found out the truth to these comments first hand this past weekend at the CKI event in New Jersey. While working under the Italian Motors tent for IAME Senior driver Tyler Wheeler, two other drivers (Nicastro and Valiante) had 2009 Leopards on during Thursday's unofficial practice. Though the motor packages were very quick, the 2008 model was put on late on Thursday in the final session and was quicker than the '09 motors run that morning.

I have no affiliation with Italian Motors except for the weekend's that I am hired by a driver who races under their tent. I saw this first hand and paid attention throughout the testing timing every single lap for all the IM drivers. The 2008 motor was quicker than the 2009 model.
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kelly Read · Joined: 19 Nov 2002 Posts: 1383

Michael,
Thanks. Looking forward to hear from others. This is what I and am sure everyone with pre 09 motors want to hear. I would also like to know if anyone has done any track testing on a road course.

David Cole · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 1:19 pm Post subject:

In case you guys missed it, Scott wrote an article detailing his '09 Leopard experience:

http://www.ekartingnews.com/news_info.php?n=12794
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kelly Read · Joined: 19 Nov 2002 Posts: 1383

Read the article and liked MOST of what was written. THANKS Scott for testing and giving feed back.

Kathy Gerst · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 6:30 am Post subject:

Hey Scott,

I think this goes under the catagory of "Be careful what you wish for", especially when you are talking to Jim Russell Jr.

We live just around the corner from Russell Karting, and I stop in there at least weekly during racing season. They are all a great group of guys (& gals) and very helpful.

When I read the original posts from you and him I laughed and said I wouldn't be surprised if he sent you one, knowing Jim Jr... I am not surprised. He is one of the coolest guys you could ever hope to meet. We were fortunate enough to know where he got it from, his dad was an awesome fellow too. Jim Jr had a lot put on his shoulders when his dad died, and he has managed wonderfully. I don't think any one would have even noticed a blip with the transition of Russsell Karting.

Have fun and keep testing, we have two "older" version Leopards, and while they have performed well, we have been curious is this would be a disadvantage to the '09's.
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Kathy
w/ G2Racing.net

Scott Heavin · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:26 am Post subject:

Kathy-
Yes, I was quite surprised! Very generous of him, and I think it shows he cares as much about the 'regular guys' in karting as the guys who are in it as a launching pad for cars. If he ever makes it to NCMP, I definitely owe him a dinner at the nicest restaurant in town.

I was able to put about another half hour on it last night and it ran flawlessly. Two races this weekend, so we'll see how it does. One good thing is that I run in a spec class so everyone's running the same motor (except for me!), chassis, brakes, etc. to it will be a good comparison.
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Mat Haggith · Joined: 06 Jul 2009 Posts: 30

From what I know it is more reliable, one guy who comes by or track once and a while has one, he was getting old and tried to go to 4 cycle after selling his 08 and ended up missing it to much, so naturally he bought an 09. An extra bearing for added stability, extra crankcase heat sinking, and the carb is tilted to the side for easier access, they just look like nice small improvements done right to help improve the already awesome engine and it's life. I am about a season and a half on my 08 without any new parts besides the front sprocket, I am even on the original stock spark plug, so hopefully you can expect similar or even better results from the 09. So far the guy has had really good luck with it, he loves it, the changes are really all done to the bottom half of the engine for anyone wondering. I know I want one. But I am planning on running my 08 for as long as possible, being 15 has it's money problems.