Margay Ignite 100 (Photo: IgniteKarting.com)

It was in 2014 that Margay Racing launched the Ignite Karting concept. A spec karting package based around the Briggs & Stratton 206 engine platform to get people off the couch and into a kart seat. The focus became about the driver, with competitors racing aboard similar equipment.

The Ignite category first ran at the Gateway Kartplex circuit inside the World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois in 2014 for a partial season before the first full year contested in 2015. It was in 2015 that the class made its debut at the Rock Island Grand Prix, bringing the true Arrive and Drive to the famous Rock Island, Illinois street race. That was the launch of the Ignite Majors program, bringing the Ignite program to high profile events such as the WKA Daytona KartWeek, Battle at the Brickyard inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Elkhart Riverwalk Grand Prix, and the Quincy Grand Prix.

Since 2014, Margay has manufactured 1550 Ignite chassis in total including both the K2 (Rookie) and K3 (Junior/Senior/Master) models over the 11 year span.

Margay Racing has expanded this concept into 2-cycle racing, creating the Ignite 100 package. The same K3 chassis designed and built for the Ignite Briggs 206 program can be utilized for the new Ignite 100 category, mounting with a sealed ROK VLR 100 engine package.

“This expansion of the Ignite program makes sense for the karting community and for our business,” stated Margay Racing owner Keith Freber. “Our Ignite 206 package has proven itself to not only bring in new people to the sport but provide a place to race without the need for decades of experience or knowledge. Ignite people love spec racing and what we do with it. In motorsports, drivers always want to go faster. The expansion with the Ignite 100 package helps to take them to the next level while staying within the spec program with the same kart they raced with in Ignite 206.”

Ignite 100 on track at Gateway Kartplex (Photo: IgniteKarting.com)

The K3 chassis is a 1.25” / 1.125” frame, built inside the St. Louis, Missouri headquarters for Margay Racing. The components are a mix of in house manufactured products and those sourced out, with each chassis put together with the same each and every time. The kart comes with a 40mm axle with 17mm spindles along with MCP Billet brake system and KG 506/507 bodywork. TruSpeed magnesium wheels are mandatory.

The engine selection for the Ignite 100 program is the ROK VLR 100, manufactured by Vortex Engines in Italy. The air cooled 100cc engine measures roughly 20 HP compared to the 8.8 HP of the Briggs 206. The engine package comes with its spec exhaust, carburetor, clutch, reeds and ignition with Margay mandating the Odenthal Racing Products motor mount and #219 RLV Extreme chain.

What makes the Ignite 100 package similar to the Ignite 206 program is the sealed engine program for the VLR 100. Engines eligible for the Ignite 100 category must be sealed as they come from the factory. The serial numbers from each engine and the seal numbers are logged and will be published for record. Any work done to the engine is performed by a single source – L.A.D Specialties in Bridgeview, Illinois. Engines are sent to L.A.D through Margay Racing to ensure anonymity on the service side. A complete top-end rebuild and re-sealing costs roughly $500 with shipping to and from L.A.D Specialties. A complete top and bottom-end rebuild, re-sealing and shipping is roughly $1,000. Margay’s testing and information from Vortex conclude competitors can run a full season (approximately 10-12 hours) before a top-end rebuild while most engines can go two seasons on the bottom end before a rebuild is necessary.

“Keeping the engine seal was what we wanted to incorporate from the start when developing the Ignite 100 package,” added Freber. “Having the engine sealed is key to growing the 100cc program when welcoming new racers or former karters back to the sport. It’s shown to work with the Briggs 206 model for over a decade. One difference with the Ignite 100 program is the sole service center with a prominent history within the sport. Their work will help to ensure engines work in the favor of the racers with our affordable engine sealing program. Long term, we hope to see 2-cycle racing grow from the foundations of the Ignite 100 package.”

Ignite 100 package includes the Vortex VLR 100 engine that is sealed by L.A.D Specialties (Photo: IgniteKarting.com)

Just as the Ignite 206 program, Ignite 100 debuted for a partial season in 2023. In 2024, the Gateway Kartplex welcomed in the new Ignite 100 package for its first full season, welcoming 23 different drivers in the Junior, Senior and Masters category throughout the season. More than half of that total have competed in the championship for 2025 after one round into the season. Among them making the transition was Gateway Kartplex General Manager Keith Scharf – who has an extensive background in several spec series in the SCCA and previous karting experience.

“With my extensive background in several spec series in the SCCA and previous karting experience, I was committed to introduce Ignite spec program to those with various experience levels and abilities and to grow karting in the Midwest. As the Ignite program grew throughout the years, we saw many racers graduate to other levels of motorsports. However, we also saw some racers become complacent and lose interest. I posed the question to Margay, ‘what’s the next step?’ We needed something enticing, challenging, and faster while still maintaining our spec roots. They decided to embrace the 2-cycle option for the next step. At the Kartplex, we ran a full program for championship points in both Ignite 100 Senior and Master in 2024. For 2025, we have added Ignite 100 Junior to line up of championship classes.”

Scharf continues, “The Ignite 100 absolutely fits as the next step in the Ignite spec program. It’s exhilarating! The VLR 100 engine delivers amazing power and performance. The first time I jumped in one I was hooked! The extra grip with the Hoosier R70 than the standard Ignite classes and the 2-cycle power allows you to manage the kart better with the throttle off a corner. Whenever we put someone in the Ignite 100 for the first time, they are amazed at the power off the corner and the top speed. Obviously, Briggs 206 racing has always been a momentum game. The 2-cycle power and sound is an exciting change from the Briggs 206 engine. The extra grip allows for more cornering speed than the R80.”

“Utilizing the exact the same basic Ignite kart everything translates as far as set up goes,” concluded Scharf. “Using front and rear width to tune for oversteer or understeer remains the same as the Briggs powered Ignite kart. The biggest difference is finding your happy pressure range on the R70s from the R80s that everyone has been accustomed to. The R70 reacts more like the R60B and likes much lower pressures than the R80s. As common in most soft tire classes, you find yourself dialing grip out as the day goes on as the track rubbers in. Overall, the Ignite 100 is a winner and for sure the next step from Ignite 206. It fits the original need, exciting, challenging, and faster. The VLR 100 engine is easily tunable. Keep your EGT in the appropriate temperature window, find your happy tire pressures, and enjoy 2-cycle racing with the simplicity of the Ignite chassis set up.”

Keith Scharf of Gateway Kartplex (Photo: Margay Racing)

The Ignite 100 has expanded outside of the Gateway Kartplex program, joining the Ignite Challenge championship series in 2024. The 2025 Ignite Challenge program begins with a unique two round, two tracks weekend over June 21-22. The Saturday action is held at the Kart Circuit Autobahn in Joliet, Illinois before everyone packs up that night and heads over to the Norway Motorsports Park in Sheridan, Illinois for the second day of action on Sunday. The series visits the 61 Kartway in Delmar, Iowa on July 19 before heading to the historic Mid-State Kart Club in Springfield, Illinois on August 16. The championships will be decided on October 18 at Gateway Kartplex. The Ignite Challenge 100 Senior champion earns a 3-day formula car school scholarship through Skip Barber Racing School, creating a path from Ignite Karting to car racing. 2024 champion Jake Walsh utilized his SBRS scholarship in February at Circuit of the Americas.

In addition, the Ignite 100 program will be part of the 2025 Ignite Grand Prix Cup, which includes the June 28-29 event for this year’s Quincy Grand Prix, Elkhart Riverwalk Grand Prix in August and the Rock Island Grand Prix on Labor Day weekend.

Learn more about the Ignite 100, the Ignite 206, the Ignite Challenge and more at IgniteKarting.com.

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