I was at the Rotax Grands this two weeks ago. As you guys know, all Rotaxes are sealed. The head of tech was Scott Evens, well know in karting as very, very through tech. He has found many non-compliant karts in his role as tech director for Stars. He goes over chassis as well as motor. He has found racers non-compliant for simple things like radiator height.
During the entire event, many, many engines were torn down as well as many more were checked through less evasive methods like I have long championed short of tear down.
End result, NOT ONE SINGLE engine was found to be out of compliance.
The racing was incredibly close. In the international class qualifying, 43 karts in a field of 67 was within 1 second of pole! In junior, 34 of 49 were within 1 second! There were a total of 3 dq is qualifying and one in the mains, all for weight. While Sunday’s rain in the main events jumbled things a bit, during the dry heat races, the karts were literally one long snake going around the track. It was without a doubt, the best racing I’ve seen in many, many years.
Anyone who claims the Rotax program is suspect doesn’t have a clue or facts to back them up. For Rotax, the seal really is the deal.