Rotax Max

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The Rotax Max group of classes were designed by Bombardier to provide cost-effective but high speed kart racing. The engine used is a fixed-gear 125 cc reed valve engine which is sealed, and only authorised "Service Centres" are allowed to carry out maintenance. Rebuilds are recommended after 40-50 hours compared with 10-15 for other two-stroke engines. The engine is built in Austria, it is a so called TaG engine, with electric starter and centrifugal clutch.

There are several different versions of the engine. The original has a power valve and produces around 28.5 hp, and is used by racers aged 16+. The Junior engine has no power-valve and produces 21.5 hp (age 13-16), and the Minimax has a restrictor plate in the carburetor which restricts it to 13 hp. There is also the RM1, also known as DD2, which has two gears and is direct drive in that the axle goes through the transmission without need for a chain.

The concept was introduced to karting in 1998 and almost immediately began to gain market share from other slower and more expensive classes.

Rotax organises the Rotax Max Challenge for racers all over the world, who compete at a national level. The top drivers in each national series are invited to compete at the World Finals in a holiday destination such as Lanzarote with all their expenses paid.

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