There definitly needs to be a class between kid karts and mini-max as the hp and speed jump is more than I would like. A 7 year old is not ready for mini and yet is too big for kid kart. Rotax has recognized this and is working on another set of restrictors to bring the power and speed down further. When combined with a fixed gear ratio, this could bring the power in line with the ability of hte racers.
The restrictors are already made and the testers already lined up. The testing will start right after the Rotax Grands in September. I will try to get a set of restrictors here so that we can test also and determine if this is in fact a viable method.
If this were to work out, then a parent would only have to buy one motor and it would be good for the entire time the kid was racing. That was somthing I found very frustrating as a parent when we started. It seemed that every two years I had to give away all my old stuff and learn an entire new package. Had I been brighter, I would have quit, got a jet ski and hung out at the beach where there’s more women!