Marin Karting goes to karting mecca

We received an email from SSC West a few months back inviting Marin Karting to join SSC East, and top CRG/Rotax dealers to visit two of the largest karting companies in the world as their guest. Naturally we jumped at the opportunity to learn what goes into the products we sell and be able to share more information with our customers. Timing was also on our side as a WSK International kart race was scheduled to take place at the track located very close to CRG so we could see how the Europeans put on a race event and top drivers compete at the highest level.

Our first stop was BRP Rotax which is located just outside the small city of Wels in Northern Austria. . Wels is a beautiful town and human settlements in the area of the present-day City of Wels date back to the Neolithic Period, that is to around 3500 BC!

This BRP Rotax facility manufactures many types of engines including the Rotax kart engines. Kart engines are made on the same manufacturing lines as the Rotax engines that power Sea Doos, Snow mobiles, ATV, light aircraft and motor bikes (including engines for BMW and Aprilia). The factory produces about 1000 complete engines a week.

After being greeted by Helmut and Christian, who would be our hosts we were taken on a facility tour. No photos were allowed in the facility as BRP Rotax continues to do development work not only on all the motors produced but also in the machinery and processes used to manufacture them. We visited a large warehouse which is the logistics center for all parts used in manufacturing and also for spare parts. It is totally computerized and allows staff to pull parts just in time as needed in the manufacturing plant. Shipping of spares parts for kart engines is also shipped from this facility.

Next up was the actual manufacturing plant. It is vast, impressive and kept spotlessly clean. There are various assembly lines where engines are assembled largely by hand. On the day of our visit, BMW motorbike engines where being produced so we were able to see the process from start to finish. A large area was devoted to cutting, grinding and robotic machines that were finishing forged crankshafts. These were also being heat treated and cleaned up by robots. Several hundred people work in this building with many more in other R&D buildings which we could not visit.

After a traditional Austrian lunch of dumplings and schnitzel at the Rotax cafeteria, we met with Helmut and Christian to discuss the Rotax kart program in more detail. This was a great session of information exchange. We discussed how the Rotax program had grown in Northern California and also pointed out some of the issues we have seen with motors. As there have been 50,000 Rotax kart engines sold throughout the world, there is no issue that Rotax in unaware of. Thankfully, Rotax is working on rectifying everything we mentioned. A new style clutch is under development testing and new exhaust pipe welding techniques are being implemented all in an effort to keep the maintenance costs down for the Rotax owner.
At the end the day with BRP Rotax, Helmut and Christian presented us with a generous gift of Rotax jackets and some new Rotax marketing materials that we have already used in the shop.

CRG visit

After a 5 hour drive South from Wels, we arrived in Desenzano del Garda, Italy. This is the home on CRG, the largest kart manufacturer in the world. CRG also own Maxter kart engines and this facility is here as well.

We were greeted by Francesca who manages all sales outside of Europe. Francesca gave us a factory tour to see how the chassis where put together. CRG is the last hand welded chassis. CRG had implemented robots to weld the chassis but they could not produce the quality and finish that CRG demand. Look at the welds on a CRG chassis and you can see the difference.
CRG is expanding and constructing two brand new buildings next door to their current location. One building is already open and houses Maxter engine manufacturing and development. The new buildings are impressive and demonstrate the commitment of CRG to produce the highest quality and performing products in the karting world. Their dedication is evident. We had a chance to see some of the new developments. An Electronic paddle shifting ICC system, fuel injection, new rear hubs (we hand-carried a few sets back), front hand break controls and aerodynamic battery cover for TaG. Giancarlo Tinini, owner of CRG, is investing time and money in Maxter engine development and the results are starting to show.

Giancarlo, Francesca and everyone at CRG were gracious hosts and really looked after us.

A weekend of racing, European style

Our trip coincided with a WSK International kart race being held at the South Garda Karting track close to CRG so we decided to stay the weekend and get a firsthand look at top level karting in Europe.

This series comprises of 4 or 5 classes, only 3 are raced at the event. Even with just 3 classes, over 240 karts competed, about 80 per class. Drivers come from all over Europe and other parts of the world to compete in this series. This is top level karting and it shows. Everyone participating is either a factory driver or an arrive and drive driver with a factory team. The arrive and drive drivers pay upward of $25,000 for the 4 day race with a team. For this, they get use of a new chassis, new engine, team mechanic, fuel, tires and parts. Basically, show up with suit and helmet (neck collars are not required in Italy).
The scale of the factory pit setups is impressive. CRG had 3 big rig trailers where a pit tent setup is attached to the trailer. There are viewing platforms on top of the trailers which provide a great view of the track.

This event consisted entirely of 125cc electric start engines which conform to the CIK KF1, KF2 and KF3 class specifications. They run soft tires. KF3 (juniors) use what is equivalent to a YHB. KF2 and KF3 use even sticker tires. This makes for very fast racing. With only 3 classes running, racers get plenty of track time at these events. I can only imagine what the tire bill must be. Classes are split in half for practice, qualifying and heat races with only the top 36 or so qualifying for the final, so some racers go home early. In the KF1 and KF2 classes, all karts used an independent hand operated front brake and foot operated rear brake. This enables drivers to only apply front brakes or rear brakes at any time. This proves to be very effective and is now the standard setup.

At lunch time there was a driver presentation of all finalists.
The racing was fast, very competitive and with a style you don't see here very much. Much more contact between karts and lots of clean quick passing maneuvers. Rear bumpers are mandatory and it's a really good safety addition. I am sure the US will follow shortly.
As it turned out, CRG/Maxter won the premier KF1 class and also picked up 3rd place. A great result for the CRG team. The trophy presentation was F1 like with flags being raised and the national anthem of the winner being played.

The trip was very enjoyable and well worthwhile. Our special thanks to SSC West, SSC East, BRP Rotax and CRG for making the trip possible.

If you would like to see more photos from our trip, follow the following links:

http://picasaweb.google.com/marinkarting/RotaxFactoryVisitMay2008
http://picasaweb.google.com/marinkarting/CRGVisitMay2008

Adrian and Kit

Posted on May 27, 2008 4:17 PM [Permalink]