Whatever Happened to the CIK Four Strokes?

In March of 2002 the CIK FIA met to chart the future direction of International Karting.
A decision was taken to gradually phase in modern 4 stroke, fuel injected motors to to replace the environmentally and health unfriendly 2 strokes which dominated competitive karting.

The release from the CIKFIA indicated that a vote was carried to implement these measures starting with the top level K1 (KF1) category in 2005.

However these changes were later postponed.
http://www.karting.co.uk/News-CIKFIADecisionsDec03.html


Subsequently the idea of moving to a 4 stroke formula appears to have been dropped and instead a new 2 stroke formula based on "125cc long life electric start" engines was adopted in 2007 by the CIK "in conjunction with manufacturers and the CIK Advisory Group".

Since then there has been no further word on the move to a 4 stroke formula despite a number of manufacturers, notably Suter Racing, SwissAuto, Technique Engineering and Oral Racing having developed and produced engines based on the new 250cc DOHC 4 stroke formula.

The high level of pollution and toxic exhaust produced by the 2 strokes remain a grave concern for both environmental and health reasons. It is especially disturbing considering that a a large majority of competitors are children. As the 2 stroke TAG formula continues to grow, this becomes an increasing concern with more kids getting into the sport at an earlier age.

Also at risk are the mothers and fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents, friends and fans who come out to races.

A recent article by Discover Magazine outlines the seriousness of the 2 stroke problem.

It is time the industry took a serious look at this issue and devise a plan to safegaurd the health of our young competitors, their supporters and the general public and phase out this current formula in favour of a cleaner and more eco-friendly one.

For those who would prefer to keep the simplicity of two strokes, stringent measures should be implemented to ensure a cleaner formula. This could be achieved via Direct injection technology or alternatives such as found in the Aprilia DiTech, BRP Evinrude ETEC or the envirofit retrofit kit. For the rest a planned, gradual move to a modern, cleaner, greener, lower maintenance 4 stroke formula seems to be the obvious choice.

/FFJ

A New Breed of Superkart - T.A.G. 450cc 4Stroke V-twin

An innovative and enterprising company, NLR system s, is developing a new superkart package which poromises to revolutionize the sport.

The Superkart which features an Anderson Chassis, uses an Aprilia V-twin 450 four stroke motor with on-board electric start and - get this - will feature an intercooled turbo charger.

The stock Aprilia 450F makes only 50HP hence the need for a turbo to bring power inline with the 250cc 2stroke F/E Twins which typically make around 90BHP.

The on-board start is meant to eliminate the need to push start these $30k just to get started.

For details of the project see:
http://www.nlrsystems.com/superKarts.htm
http://www.ekartingnews.com/viewtopic.php?t=70812

If this succeeds I might consider getting into Superkarting myself...

/FFJ

Yamaha's WR250FK 4 Stroke Shifter Kart

For the longest while I have been increasingly convince that Karting is sorely lackking the backing of a major auto manufacturer. For many years the only major manufacturer to have a purpose built engine has been Yamaha with the KT100 series 100cc 2 strokes.

Now it turns out that in addition to that venerable machine Yamaha has added not only a pair of 2 stroke shifters:

i) A 12cc 2stroke - the YZ125K

ii) A 85cc 2stroke - the YZ85K

But also a 250 4stroke shifter - WR250FK

This Kart is being promoted in Mexico as part of its 250F Superkart Series

But for some strange reason the engine is not listed on any English speaking Yamaha Web site or apparently being made available in Canada or the US. I only hope more people will find this package about this and this situation will soon change. For this could be the first step in moving (shifter) karting into the modern 4 stroke era.

Incidentally Memo Gidley Recently won in the Mexican 250F Superkart Series

/FFj

Karting's Environmental Future

With the increased focus on green motoring, all forms of motorsports are under pressure to clean up their image.
Formula 1 is introducing KERS and integrating Bio fuels; IndyCar is already running on ethanol; Le Mans and ALMS teams s.a. Audi have have introduce cleaner, quieter Diesel engines (and are winning championships).

The one main form of Motorsport which remains on the outside is karting. Karting continues to be increasingly dominated by 2 cycle motors. The largest and fastest growing sector, the TAG format uses 2-cycle 125cc engines renowned for the strong acrid blue/grey smoke that they produce. This is not only an environmental but also a health concern as many of the racers are children. Equally crucial for the future of the sport is its public image.

A few years ago the CIK realizing the problem, proposed a move to a 250cc 4-stroke formula, but the major manufacturers rejected this move. Although a number of manufacturers started building cleaner, lower maintenance, high performance 4 -strokes, these have largely not being adopted due to resistance from the establishment. Karting has since lost its eco-friendly vision.

A recent post by the Southern Interior Karting Association - B.C. Canada (SIKA) highlighted the importance of addressing this issue and soon. The SIKA currently race on a temporary track in a parking lot. They approached the city for approval to build a new kart track. One of the first question they were asked was predictably: “How environmentally friendly is the sport? Noise? Does it pollute the air?” For 2007 they proposed rule changes to allow adopting of the new 4 TAG strokes (See http://www.sikaracing.com/Rule_changes_2007.pdf)
If the sport is to grow, gain support from the government, the public and major sponsors the environmental question will have to be answered and soon!

There are now at least four 250cc 4 stroke TAG engines being produced by major manufacturers that are on par with the best 2 stroke TAG motors (including the new CIK KFs). These include the Vampire, Oral, SwissAuto (SA250, Biland) and the Tech F1. The problem is a lack of adoption by the major sanctioning bodies who are offering no leadership in this critical area.

So far the only body to have approved these engines in North America is TAGUSA (http://www.tagracing.net/). In Canada these engines seem virtually unknown .
The ASN in Canada needs to take a serious look at this issue and provide some leadership to take the sport into the future on a greener and more sustainable path.

For more on the new 4 strokes, see my earlier 250 4 stroke blog at http://tokarter.blogspot.com/

/FFJ

Fuel Injection Arrives!

Suter Racing Debuts the Vampire R-Injection, the first fuel-injected 4-stroke 250cc kart racing engine. With more power (a whopping 40HP and 30Nm of torque at 7000 revs), greater fuel efficiency, lower emissions, simpler setup (no need for carb tuning), plus the ability to run greener fuels like e85 ethanol, this beautiful engine heralds the future of karting technology. It is now up to the regulators to steer karting into the future of greener, modern racing ...

http://www.vampire-engine.com/vampire_r_inj.html

/FFJ

Swiss Auto Releases New 250 4 Stroke

Swiss Auto, makers of the original 240 4 stroke, the Biland SA250 have come out with a new purpose built 4-stroke single cylinder Kart engine. Taking inspiration - and aim - at the most famous 2 stoke in the market, the Rotax Max, the new SA 250 is meant to be a simpler, less expensive long life TAG 4 stroke package with performace above the level of the TAG 2 strokers like Rotax but with lower maintenance cost. Taking some cues such as a directly mounted radiator from the Rotax, the SA 250 is meant to be simpler to install, require less work to maintain as well as produce power across a wide power bad with a massive 35HP at 10,000 RPM (using the 30mm Carb) and a staggering 39HP using the 35mm carb.

This puts it on par with the powerful new 4 strokers like the mighty Suter Vampire and the awesome Italian TECH F1. Not to forget the French ORAL 4TK.
With an Msrp of ~2350.00 British pounds for the complete package, it is competitively priced against the other 4 strokers and could be a major new player in the emerging TAG four stroke category. Now that the Biland seems destined to become part of the Asian Mini-car market, this machine should be an erstwhile successor.

Swiss Auto 250 Details
http://www.swissauto.com/uploadfiles/EN_20006X.pdf

Suter Vampire
http://www.vampire-engine.com/downloads/Vampire_Article_Sept07.pdf

TECH F1 250
http://www.technique-engineering.it/racing_division_en/tech-f1_engine.htm

ORAL Racing
http://www.oralracing.com/or/home?lang=ENG

North American Importer : Engines4Racing.com http://www.engines4Racing.com/

Karting1 did an article on a number of these karts: http://www.karting1.co.uk/offenbach-2008.htm

Hopefully the newest kid on the 4 stroke block will show its pace in this years Monaco KART Cup on the streets of the famed municipality.

Cheers

/FFJ

On board a 250 Superkart - Streets of Isle of Man

How is this for an adrenaline rush!

Racing through the streets of Peel, ISLE of Man - in the wet - on a 250 Supekart.

Click here to view

For full video Click here