Just to get a clear picture on how do you guys race the Rotax Max.

Is there anybody here run a race as priveteer and if yes whats the cost like per round. Do you guys rebuild the engine after every race or just wait till 50 hours of running time.

Any body here keep your kart at home and do the maintenance by your self?

Sorry for so many question..I am just newbie try to find a right way of karting.

In Malaysia the most common way to race karts is to have a team take care of your kart for you - they transport it to the track and provide a mechanic at races/practice to do some or most or all of the work (depends on the driver really). You pay the bills .

Next most common in Malaysia is that you have a team transport and store the kart for you - but you (alone or with your friend/father) do pretty much all the maintenance yourself (you can have your own set of tools as well).


Pretty rare in Malaysia - but quite common in Europe for example. In Malaysia I had my Rotax kart at home for a few years - did everything on the kart except the engine rebuilds.

For the first year especially this is actually a really good thing to do - you learn a lot a lot faster. But also make sure you have a team that will provide you with all the info you need and can help you out at the track as well when you need to ask questions or need assistance. Failing that if you do run with a team make sure you get your hands dirty and really find out about maintenance and setup + of course driving technique.


It's a good Idea to play it a little safe and have it checked after ~25 hours of run time. You can very comfortably do a full year with lots of practice +5-10 race weekends without a rebuild as long as you take care of general maintenance.


Ask away.

Thanks mikko for your valuable reply...I guess the 2nd action is the best for me...

Im also going to be a newbie in rotax (thailand). I was going to ask pretty much the same question, but found it here.

Good luck Zainy.

Good luck to you too..Aussie

We are currently keeping our kart at home and doing most of the maintenance ourselves - as Mikko says its a good way to learn.
But we have a team mechanic for most practices and race weekends.
That helps keep the cost down and makes good learning.
BUT
One lesson we did learn is - only attempt engine re-builds or major repairs yourself or by your team mechanic if you are 100% knowledgable, you have all the tools & equipment AND your workshop is so clean you can eat off the floor!
Its not like doing a motor bike engine re-build for driving to work.
We now use only Swiss Hutless for our rebuilds and major repairs and did not have an engine pop since we started to do that middle of last season.
G