Club100 switches to Rotax for 2019
If you haven’t heard of Club100, where have you been? The Club run what is regarded as the fastest and most professional arrive and drive karting series in the UK and Europe.
Since its inception back in 1993, the series has used air cooled TKM engines to power its karts. The engines are direct drive, rev to 15,000 rpm and produce around 18hp. Add that to the custom Birel N35X chassis and Bridgestone YDS tyres used in recent years, it makes for quite a package.
For 2019, the series will see a massive change. The move to the Rotax Evo package. That will see the introduction of clutched engines with electric starters for the first time. The engines used won’t be full senior spec, as they won’t have the powervalve fitted.
It hasn’t been a quick decision, managing director John Vigor admits its been a long time coming. “We’ve been considering moving over to clutched engines and electric start and moving away from the direct drive for some time now. It’s just that the moment hasn’t arisen until now.”
Alongside test driver Nicky Richardson and veteran competitors, many hours have been logged on the package to make sure it meets the Club100 standards. The move wasn’t initally met with a warm reception. “When JV mentioned it, that we were potentially going to Rotax I though ‘hmm ok, we’ll give it a go'” Niki said in their launch video. “We’ve done alot of testing, back to back with the TKM trying to get them both even.”
It wasn’t until a eureka moment when testing at Whilton Mill that it all came together. “We back to backed them and there was one session were we finally got the setting perfect. Little quicker than a Club100 kart and it felt really nice to drive.”
Parity of engines is a huge part of the Club100 series. The series is supported by George Robinson, technical consultant for JAG, who oversees the engine programe. To ensure parity, the engines will be dynoed every 30 hours along with the carbs. That schedule will see this getting done between 4 and 5 times during the season.
Club100 will offer its usual sprint and endurance championship for next season, alongside a new ‘Sprint 60’ format. More details on the series can be found here.
Its looking like Club100 will be in for another bumper season next year. We may have to go and check them out ourselves.
Image: Club100
