New to karting/colorado!

[Anonymous]

Rick, thanks for the info bro, helped clear things up.

As far as my class, I am 19 years old and weigh somewhere around 165. I think that would put me in TaG junior? I dont know if there are any class differences (as far as the names go) if you were to run in Rotax or another series. I will go search around on ekartingnews, I’ve been on there before and as you said it is a wealth of information.

I would like to run Rotax becasue of the equality, but I like how there are alot of club races throughout the year according to The Track’s website. The Track at centennial is close to me, about 20 minutes, and IMI is about an hour, mabye less, so the club series would be nice becasue those tracks are pretty good distance from me. So, does the Rotax series run at different tracks all around the state/country?

So basically, if you run Rotax there is more equality between drivers, BUT if you want to run in the club series as well, the majority run with a little bit of a faster motor than the Rotax. So thats where the impractical motor changing would come in if you wanted to run in both series. I just want to get in as much racing as possible so I guess Ill be buying another kart some time down the road 😀

If im in town on the 5th Ill be at IMI, ill stop by and talk to you for sure.

Definitely look foward to racing with you guys as soon as possible :cheers:

[Doug Welch]

Alex

No question TaG kart is the best place to start. Even if you want to move to shifters, you are better to start in TaG than jump into shifters.

At age 19, you are considered to be senior. Junior is 12-15, senior is 15+, master is 35+ or driver over 200#.

As far as engine choice, there are two that are most common and have the best support from the importers. The Leopard engine made by IAME (the largest kart engine manufacturer in the world and imported by Russell Karting and Italian Motors, both very good and strong importers) and the Rotax, ( Made by Bombardier, the largest manufacturer of recreational engines in the world and imported by 3 companies, SSC Southwest, F1 Boston and Cycle Barn, the largest motorcycle dealer in the country). There are others with strong local followings, but are definetly second to these two engines in terms of support.

The Leopard is a very good package and every kart shop here in Colorado sell and service them. The Rotax is sold through authorized service centers, of which there are 3 in Colorado, CRE Motorsports in Colorado Springs, Critical Zone in Grand Junction and us, Shockwave Karting in the Denver metro area.

Basic advantages are the Leopard is cheaper, wide power band, competitive at most tracks, you can rebuild it yourself, carburetor is easy to tune, and it lasts a respectable amount of time between rebuilds. One weak point is the starter which fails because of the vibration. Some have trouble with the clutch. The Leopard can run in Tag or Stars.

Rotax is a bit more expensive, parts are expensive but it lasts longer between rebuilds. Work doesn’t need to be done by a service center unless you intend to run it in RMax challenge races. Then it must be sealed. It is competitive at most tracks in the area. The Rotax can run in Tag, Stars or RMax.

To find out what all the shouting is about, I strongly recommend that you come to the RMax Grand Nationals starting in two weeks at The Track. Over 300 racers from all over the USA, Mexico and Latin America will be there competing.

By the way, we race both Leopard and Rotax depending on the track we are at.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for clearing that up Doug.

So basically, if I wanted to stick with club races becasue im just starting I could run with the Leopard or Rotax all season long. If I wanted to do club AND Rmax, then I would have to go with the Rotax.

Thanks for all the info man, definitely good to know

Ill be going to the RMax Grand nationals as well. Sounds like that will be fun to attend. How many of you guys will be running in it?

BTW you all have been a wealth of information and a huge help, and really cleared everything up for me. I appreciate everybody’s input :cheers:

[Mike Jansen]

Antoher engine in the fray and has good support here locally: Motori 7…

Fantastic flywheel, excellent pipe and carb, and the same weakness as the leapurd with the starter due to vibration. Plus, you can have engine worked on by your favourite engine builder instead of the Rmax service centers….

Oh, and it took a back marker in TaG Masters with no talent to P1 in a state race this year and P2 overall….

8)

[Anonymous]

Is motori an engine company or is it just a model another company sells? I cant find there website for the life of me. :idn:

I am planning on buying used for my first kart so I guess ill be at the mercy of whatever the seller has on there already (if anything). After being around it for a while though and seeing all these motors in action I will be able to make a decision down the road if I want to change.

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