GETTING STARTED IN ROTAX RACING

Why MRP?

It's pretty simple. MRP is one of the original Rotax distributors and service centers in the United States. We offer a 9 race series (plus the three events held at the end of the 2007 season that qualifies for 2008 competition) for the MRP Rotax Kart Challenge, track-side support and one of the largest parts inventories in the country. As a result of our years of experience with this growing segment of karting, MRP is able to ensure our drivers have the knowledge they need to maximize their Rotax experience and on-track performance. In addition, MRP Rotax Engines have won local, regional and national races, evidence of our ability to service engines for customers throughout the U.S. You can get a taste of Rotax karting through one of our racing schools available at Michiana Raceway Park.

What is the Rotax Max Challenge?

In the past, karting targeted a loyal following due to the extensive amount of work and money involved in maintaining a kart. In an effort to gain support and notoriety from outside the sport changes had to be made to make it easier and more affordable for the everyday person to own and operate one of these machines. It was in this effort that the Rotax Max Challenge was born. The Rotax Max Challenge is a spec-engine race series. The series was designed for the recreational racer on a budget with limited time to spend as a mechanic.

Rotax Max is more than just a karting class based around a spec-engine, it is the embodiment of a return to the art of racing. In a sport that has always been a combination of science and art, these sealed engines have minimized the role of science by combining maximum performance with 50 hours of running time backed by a 6 month warranty. Support this technology with a worldwide program of local, regional, national and world championships and you have the Rotax Max Challenge.

Rotax Max History

Organized in 1997 by the Rotax Kart Center, a division of Bombardier Ltd., Rotax Max is the fastest growing kart racing class in the world. Rotax Max is now organized by authorized distributors as a national competition in over 41 nations covering all five continents and the popularity for the series continues to grow. Rotax distributors in the various countries organize their national series and during 2004, the Rotax Max Challenge involved over 3,700 competitors.

The Engine

Bombardier's FR-125 Rotax engine is the basis of the Rotax Max race series. The engine will take you from 0-100 MPH in one breath, providing you with the recommended daily allowance of adrenaline. Designed for both the racing and recreational markets, the FR-125 has resulted in the ultimate approach to hassle-free karting, revolutionizing the industry with an easy-to-use and incredibly reliable engine. Its unique simplicity with self-starting "touch-and-go" (TAG) technology, together with longer life between rebuilds has encouraged various levels of karters to participate in the Rotax Max Challenge.

The Series

The Rotax Max Challenge is the perfect series for families and individuals of all ages because it can cover all the bases. It all starts with the MicroMax class, designed for ages 7 to 10 years old. Using the FR-125 engine with a smaller cylinder and Micro restrictors, the MicroMax offers experience in Rotax with an inexpensive motor package that they can utilize throughout their karting career. The next step is the MiniMAX Class at 9 years old. The FR-125 Rotax Engine utilizes a Junior cylinder and MiniMAX restrictors on the intake and exhaust. At 12 years of age, simply remove the restrictors and you have a Junior Class racing engine. At 16 years old, replace the Junior Cylinder with a Senior Cylinder and your engine is ready to race in the Master or International Class. The fifth series is the DD2 class, which is a complete factory assembled kart package powered by the Rotax Direct Drive 2-speed engine (DD2). For the first time in karting, engine, gearbox, brakes, chassis, tires, bodywork are brought together in a finely tuned system. With the DD2 package, Rotax redefines the standards regarding performance, safety and low maintenance. This entirely spec kart and race series is the future and key to advancing karting further down the road of mainstream sports.

Summary

Whether your goal is to compete at the highest level or to just have fun, one of the 6 classes in the Rotax Max Challenge will offer you both. There are over 25 local series racing in the Rotax Max Challenge in the United States, with the MRP RotaxMaz Series being one of the oldest and largest. Top finishers from the Grand Nationals become World Finalists and members of "Team America," representing the United States against 40 other countries at the World Finals held each year. More info regarding the Grand National and World Finals may be found HERE.

With demographics ranging three generations, the Rotax Max Challenge is contributing greatly to widening the customer base in karting. The series targets a wide array of people: young, old, families, individuals with professional ambitions in the racing world. The typical Rotax driver is in his 30's, middle to upper management, well educated, and looking to suffice his need for speed but doesn't want to invest a lot of time or money. Its ability to attract individuals from this wide base is the reason the Rotax Max Challenge has catapulted itself to one of the fastest growing and exciting events in extreme sports.

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