[James Leong]

Thank you for all your comments. It is evident that brakedisc has pointed fingers at Kartmore on the sealing of the engines. I would put it as very plainly that either you are doubting my intregity as an engine supplier or you are implying that drivers in a team sponsored by me are cheating. I take offence to this.

I would like to know in the first place if brakedisc is actually racing in this series. If you are not then I think it is not appropriate for you to make comments in this nature.

Secondly, I would like to inform all that this system was started back in 2007 and it was agreed at that time by many drivers that during the engine sealing day, mechanics and drivers can be around to watch the checks and sealing. This is in line with what you have suggested in the forum. During our first and second sealing dates in 2007, apart from a handful of mechanics who were in our factory to do their own engine sealing, NO OTHER PERSON BOTHERED to turn up to witness the sealing. Why you may ask? If you all are so keen to look into someone else engine then turn up and not be a dog in a manger crying out fouls when you dont even take an interest in these things.I have been accomodating all the time as I know someone like brakedisc will come out with accusations on the sealing. I believe Ron also mentioned this in another part of the forum. I have replied and it was agreed to follow the present system.,

All of Kartmore's engines are sealed in the presence of another team mechanic. They have nothing to hide. Likewise, same as Alex Ritchie, all the engines are available for sale immediately after the race. Take your pick.

If you all feel that you want to witness the sealing and checks, it is OK with me. I can arrange for a day for all juniors and another day for all seniors to get their engines sealed. You are all welcomed to the factory to see for yourselves the engines as stripped down. However, I want to make it a point THAT ANYONE MISSING OUT ON THAT PARTICULAR SEALING DATE, will forfeit all rights to have their engines sealed even on race day. If you do not have an engine to race, then it is just too bad. We have to set some ground rules to this. This will apply to all drivers even those from Singapore. They will have to come especially for that particular sealing date. If you run in your engine and it seized you will not be allowed to cut the seal yourself and do the repairs. You will now have to bring the engine to Kartmore and do the repairs in front of them and perhaps another team's mechanic since you doubt our intregrity. If you are prepared to accept all this, it is fine with me to implement what you all suggest. I want to be transparent too and I hate those who accuse me otherwise and doubt my intregrity.

James Leong
Rotax Distributor / Promoter

[Alex Ritchie]

No system is perfect and we have already pointed out the potential flaw in RMC Malaysia's.

The point we are trying to make is that we are reasonably happy with the present system. We go into every race knowing that the Kartmore boys are formidable competitors in the Junior class. They are very good drivers and in the last round they had brand new karts and brand new engines, prepared by Rotax-trained mechanics with the experience, expertise and equipment to build superb engines. So we know their engines are faster than ours. They should be better, with the advantages they have.

We know we have a mountain to climb and we have to be absolutely on top of our game to stick with them. That motivates us to work harder and smarter to beat them. Sometimes we do and sometimes we don't. Does that mean that sometimes they cheat and sometimes they don't?

The second point is that, if some competitor feels that someone else is using an illegal engine, there is an established procedure to check it. All it takes is RM250, a fraction of what a set of tyres cost. Why not avail yourself of this procedure instead of complaining about it after the race is over, when there is absolutely no way of substantiating your complaint?

....

Having said that, there is a very simple way for the Kartmore team to erase whatever doubts there may be. All they need to do is to offer their race engines for sale after every race for the price of a new engine. It is their business to sell engines anyway and this would be one way of boosting their sales...

[RocK]

6 engines x 5 classes = 30 engines to be opened. We'll be at the tracks long after night falls...

didnt Macau have 10 classes and every top 8 open engine.
each class took no more then 20mins. driver's crew open, officer inspect.

the current system is fine, when majority agree on it. so to those having doubts, put down your protest. simply..

[Alex Ritchie]

didnt Macau have 10 classes and every top 8 open engine.
each class took no more then 20mins. driver's crew open, officer inspect.

We were in Macau in December last year. They did not even look at our carb, let alone open the engine.

[RocK]

finish top8?

[Alex Ritchie]

Yeah. Ryan was 4th in Rotax Junior and 5th in 125 Open Junior.

[Alex Ritchie]

Secondly, I would like to inform all that this system was started back in 2007 and it was agreed at that time by many drivers that during the engine sealing day, mechanics and drivers can be around to watch the checks and sealing. ....

All of Kartmore's engines are sealed in the presence of another team mechanic. They have nothing to hide. Likewise, same as Alex Ritchie, all the engines are available for sale immediately after the race. Take your pick.

....

James Leong
Rotax Distributor / Promoter

I think I was writing my post when James replied.

There you go, a simple and elegant solution to the perceived "problem". Now can we please get on with the racing and cease and desist from finger pointing?

[brakedisc]

Bloody hell, someone get the old guy a long cool one quick. He is blowing so much steam my pc might just overheat! Dont take offence James, I am just looking at this thing from one angle and it might really be shared by others, you never know. Here is a good place to voice out what we think without having to pay RM 250 and maybe you can look at it constructively too. I dont really care about your integrity as it really has nothing to do with me but then
I am sure you feel the same way about me too. Chill, you old dog, run a poll here and see what the karters think. At the end of the day, i'm sure it can only make your race series better and stronger and also like Alex said stop all the moaning(me) and groaning(you) once and for all.

[RocK]

Yeah. Ryan was 4th in Rotax Junior and 5th in 125 Open Junior.

ic, last year didnt went. but 05 & 06 ours got open. oh well..

[speed18]

I do hope that you do not mind me posting Mr. James as I do not race in your series but I do race go karts.

I enjoy this discussion as all over the world the sport always benefits from a perception of a level playing field. I do not know enough of your country to comment whether this is true so I use the word perception. You may run a level race in Malaysia and if so the racing in Malaysia can only grow stronger and I hope it does, as fellow karter we want to see the sport grow everywhere.

I think that in this forum there are a few questions on the way it is done in your country and maybe it would benefit the sport if you address those questions. I do not think that it is to question your honor but to question system.

I hope you do not mind me posting as you can say that I do not participate in your race but my comments are purely interest in the sport.

Maybe, you can conduct surprise checks after the race, not every race so everyone is kept on their toes, not knowing if there is check or no check. This is like AKOC and people will think well before trying something funny.

You also demonstrate good integrety by offering to sell your engine after the race and I am sure that you do this not to make extra money. That kind of talk should be kept to drivers of cadet class.

Maybe that is good solution, if all engines the same, then can buy engine for the price of the new one, then everyone can feel satisfied.

Thank you for allowing me to participate in your discussion.

[Alex Ritchie]

I hope you do not mind me posting as you can say that I do not participate in your race but my comments are purely interest in the sport.

.......

Maybe that is good solution, if all engines the same, then can buy engine for the price of the new one, then everyone can feel satisfied.

Speaking purely for myself, you are more than welcome to express your point of view. The more opinions we have the better the forum.

And James has a new stream of income - Kartmore race-tuned engines, one race old, for the price of a new engine!

The bad news is then the Kartmore team starts every race with brand new engines....

[James Leong]

As Alex has mentioned, all my engines are available for sale immediately after the race. You just need to let the Team know if you are interested. Even karts are for sale after an event. No problems with that.

I would like to make it as easy for all drivers to be comfortable with the rules. If you all feel that the present system is not good and want to change, it is OK with me provided majority of the drivers agree with it and not just one or two of the moaners.

Winning a race is not just having a fast engine (or modified) but a good setup on your kart. Having the right tyre pressure also plays a role in being in front. Karts need to be setup and after every race should be checked for any anomalies. Having a front bumper not screwed on the correct way can result in the chassis undergoing tightness on certain parts. All items fitted to the frame has to be "moving freely" and not forced into it. I have seen many a times when mechanics just force the screws in and tighten them. A good example is the seat area.

The driver is the most important thing in the equation. I would put him as 50%, chassis 30% and engine 20%. Some may not agree with me but having a one make engine would certainly make acing more acceptable than cheque racing.

James Leong

[RocK]

The driver is the most important thing in the equation. I would put him as 50%, chassis 30% and engine 20%.

for me:
driver 40%, engineer 25%, engine 25% & chassis 20%..

[James Leong]

Rock, it would appears that your equation is 110% and not 100%. Somewhere it went wrong?

James Leong

[RocK]

No no, when we race, its always 110%