Where is South African Karting going
in 2008 ?
Kart.co.za has been following with interest
all the rumours and myths about the new CIK KF engines
compared to the existing Rotax MAX or Rok engines. We
decided to conduct some further research, and this is
what we found:
When the price of a KF1 or KF2 engine
is quoted by any supplier, it does not include a carburettor,
intake silencer, radiator, radiator mounting kit, fuel
line, accelerator cable nor an additional silencer to
meet noise requirements of certain circuits. It is clear
that before you can start the engine, you will have to
spend several thousand Rand above the initial engine price,
just to get it to start. The KF3 engine however, does
not use a power valve, so they include the radiator and
sell it for the same price as the KF1/2. It still does
not include a carburetor, intake silencer, radiator mounting
kit, fuel line, accelerator cable nor an additional silencer
to meet noise requirements of certain circuits. This is
not the case with the Rotax Max family of engines, as
the kit contains everything needed for it to run competitively.
We have had a look at the purchase price
of various engines, in different countries and compiled
the following:
Firstly we had a look at Japan, because
it is not in Europe so shipping costs would be similar
to South Africa. The cost of a top line chassis is almost
identical to what they are in South Africa. All prices
exclude VAT.
JAPAN
| Rotax Max Engine complete |
R20 718 |
| Junior Rok Engine complete |
R21 566 |
| Super Rok Engine complete |
R27 554 |
| Vortex RAV KF2 engine, no carb, no radiator |
R32 631 |
| Ibea Carburettor to suit KF2 |
R3 413 |
| New Line radiator kit to suit KF2 |
R5 029 |
| Intake silencer, accel cable, fuel line, cable ties
etc. |
+- R500 |
| Vortex RAV KF2 engine complete ready to run |
R41 573 |
We then had a look at Germany where a
Rotax Max engine sells for within R500 of the South African
price.
GERMANY
| Rotax Max Engine complete |
R18 730 |
| Maxter KF2 engine no carb, no radiator |
R27 470 |
| Iame Reedster KF2 engine, no carb, no radiator |
R26 680 |
| Ibea Carburettor to suite KF2 |
R2 344 |
| Radiator kit to suite KF2 |
R3 270 |
| Intake silencer, accel cable, fuel line, cable ties
etc. |
+- R500 |
| Mater MX Kf2 engine complete ready to run |
R33 584 |
We then had a look at the price of spare
parts of the Rotax Max engine compared to the Iame Reedster
KF2, compared to the Vortex Super Rok. Rotax and Rok prices
are official South African prices, and KF2 prices are
based on UK prices, adjusted to accommodate the South
African duties, as well as the air freight.
SOUTH AFRICA
| |
Rotax
Max |
Iame Reedster
KF2 |
Vortex
Super Rok |
| Complete Engine |
R18 600 |
R32 914 |
R24 003 |
| Cylinder |
R3 528 |
R6 670 |
R9 674 |
| Conrod Kit |
R1 794 |
R3 062 |
R4 096 |
| Complete Crank |
R3 829 |
R8 626 |
R7 871 |
| Piston |
R860 |
R1 167 |
R1 150 |
| Cylinder Head |
R731 |
R1 508 |
R2 885 |
| Radiator and support kit |
R2 337 |
R3 839 |
? |
It should also be noted that due the
fact that the KF classes are multi-marque, manufacturers
are constantly updating their engines, meaning there will
be new faster cylinders, amongst other parts available
every few months. One will need to purchase these each
time to remain competitive.
CIK KF2 also allows front brakes to be
used. Judged on the Japanese prices, a Tony-kart rolling
chassis for Rotax Max would cost R32 634, whereas the
KF2 version would cost R40 119.
With all this information in mind, once
introductory offer are over, a complete KF2 kart will
cost anything between R22 000 and R30 000 more than the
Rotax Max equivalent. The KF2 spares are on average 90%
more expensive. The Super ROK spares are on average 139%
more expensive than the Rotax Max equivalent.
Performance comparisons are difficult
given the very different power curves, but provided they
run the same tyres and weight, the KF2 will be approximately
0,5 sec quicker than a MAX and similar to the Super Rok.
So what is the way forward?
Several countries run more than one karting
national series very successfully. Recent experience in
South Africa would indicate that forcing two ’one
make’ national series to share the same arena has
not been succesfull. Karting numbers are declining sharply
while South Africa has enjoyed a serious economic boom.
Karting in the UK is strong despite the
fact that they have three separate National Championship
Series. All three are well supported. Rotax, CIK (KF2
& KF3 etc) and TKM (a Brittish one make series) all
run seperate road shows. TKM is the most affordable (like
Formula Vee), Rotax more professional (Formula Ford/ Formula
Renault) and CIK the top level (Formula 3 or GP2).
KF 1 remains the ONLY drivers and manufacturers
World Championship. However one should not under estimate
the value of the Rotax Max Challenge which, by being affordable
and popular in over 70 countries, is still the clear choice
for many competitors.
More exiting news soon.
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