[Charles Skowron]

There really isn’t any ideal year for the CR80 because, from what I’ve read here before the engine went virtually unchanged from 1986-2003.

If that’s true, I’m guessing the reason for this was because, since the 80cc dirtbikes never competed in the professional ranks like the 125s and 250s (and subsequently, never in the media spotlight like the others), there was never a need to constantly update the 80 in order to stay competitive with rival brands, unlike their big brothers.

Now, whether the post-2003 CR85s are a significant advantage over the older CR80s, I have no idea. You’d have to refer to an expert who worked on these motors like Woltjer.

I’ve mentioned this many times before on the old site, I’ll never understand why they didn’t push for a stock, or near-stock in this case, 80 shifter class in addition to the 125s; something like that makes a lot more sense to me.

 

[Charles Skowron]

More often than not, Open Shifter means:

Any 2-stroke 125cc motocross engine such as the Yamaha YZ, Kawasaki KX, Suzuki RM (rare), TM motocross (different from their well-known K9/KZ10 ICC engines), or the ubiquitous Honda CR125. From any year (although one org. specifies models no earlier than 1991). Mods allowed.

Any 125cc ICC/KZ  motor. (eg.: TM K9A/B/C, TM KZ10A/B, Maxter, Pavesi, SGM, Vortex, Debei, CRS, etc.)

In addition to the ICCs, they may even allow the older rotary-valved Formula C motors.

Usually, the class is restricted to 2-stroke 125cc motors; no 4-strokes like the Honda CRF. But, certain orgs. and series may allow them (I don’t know of any however). They might also allow for 80cc 2-strokes with a weight break. But 80’s are much rarer now than they used to be.

Since the Stock Honda package fits in the 125cc motocross engine category, it’s legal to run in the class as well.

 

[Charles Skowron]

“Shifter Kart Elbow”,  if you’re not wearing an elbow protector.

[Charles Skowron]

[quote quote=6467]Chris, do you know if it was with or without the “chicane” before the straight? Wast it even an option in 2010?[/quote]

F1 New Jersey basically created the straight-line bypass around the chicane, as well as opening up the esses section, for the international WKC guys 3 years ago. So I would imagine Thonon’s time was set without the chicane.

 

[Charles Skowron]

Looking at MyLaps, I’m only seeing 37 Senior entries at the Grand Nationals, not 72.

Then again there are only 26 Masters listed as well, like you said. Generally, Senior Max tends to have larger grids than Masters.

[Charles Skowron]

[quote quote=5358]Unless one brand of KZ is way better than all of the others, then its always going to be a question of which KZ is best for the track you are at. Better off with Stock Moto.[/quote]

 

I don’t think the KZ class (TRUE KZ engines, I should point out) suffers from the same nightmare that is currently plaguing the TaG class. Namely, trying to equalize all of the different TaGs brands together under one race group.

Despite it’s disadvantages, the KZ class has a big plus (compared to TaG) in that it’s a homologated class, strictly regulated by the CIK.  All KZs use ONE ignition, ONE size carb, the dimensions of each pipe is homologated, the CC volume is regulated, and the exhaust port opening is controlled. 

TaG isn’t like that. The engines are all vastly different, with different carbs, ignitions, RPM ranges, pipes, etc. that creates the “this engine for this track, that engine for that track” mess the class suffers from.

Also, I’m not sure how CIK homologation works now, but I don’t think any KZ manufacturer can produce a major re-design of their motor on a whim right before a major event; theoretically, an engine brand could make a sudden change at any time in TaG, which further muddles things.

Are some KZ engines better than others? Yes. Does a specific model of KZ improve with each homologation? Yes. Can an engine builder significantly improve on a KZ in stock form? We all know the answer to that one. But I think the nature of the rules and regs that KZ runs under prevents the sort of “certain model for a certain track problem” that TaG suffers from.

 

[Author]

Posts