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FYI ARCHIVES
11-26-2000

NEW McCULLOCH KART RACING ENGINES

Henderson, Nevada - McCulloch Racing Corporation says it has been swamped testing the new Mc94 engines and are making some refinements to the porting. Wayne Haviland, owner of McCulloch Racing Corp. said that they will attempt to get their new Mc102 homologated by World Karting Association and International Kart Federation to compete with the US820 classes and to hopefully get this category of kart racing changed back to its original name - American Reed. The Mc94 is of course just an extension of the Mc93 and in fact, McCulloch is working on a government contract to get the Mc94 on the ”Jaws of Life” equipment, which currently utilizes a version of the US820 engine, manufactured by U.S. Motorpower.

In the third quarter of 2001, McCulloch Racing intends to release the Mc2000, which is an extension of research and development that was going on with McCulloch Corporation when they were shut down. The new engine we received from the McCulloch Research and Development is a 6.1 cu.in. engine, not unlike the Italian engines of today. It has a split crankcase, full circle crank, removable cylinder jug, and center spark plug. The porting arrangement is rather unique, as is the induction that was initially slated for this engine which had twin carb manifolds cast onto the crankcase halves.

McCulloch Racing will be experimenting with the Selectric ignition and electronic advance curve. They hope to get Texas-based MDS Ignitions involved in this development in order to keep 90% of all products, U.S.-manufactured. At that time, McCulloch will seek homologation from Switzerland-based CIK/FIA to compete against the Reed and Rotary engines on an international level.

McCulloch Racing says they have some of the best minds in two-cycle development behind them and some good third-party advice from PRD in Taiwan in what to do and not to do concerning homologation. McCulloch hopes to see American engines reigning again as the World Champions that they once were.

McCulloch Racing Corporation is headed by Wayne Haviland, with Sean Haviland, Chief Engineer. Their address is 2120 Ramrod Ave. #518, Henderson, Nevada USA. Telephone: 702-480-2052.

ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN PUERTO RICO

San Juan, Puerto Rico - The Rotax Kart Center, a Division of Bombardier LTD, presented the first annual Rotax Max Challenge World Championships on November 14-20 in beautiful Puerto Rico. This Championship brought together 80 of the best Rotax Max Challenge kart racers from 26 countries around the world. All had earned the invitation by becoming champions of their respective countries.

All the World Champion participants drove identical Rotax powered karts, the same as they used to qualify for this event in their respective country’s championship. These karts were powered by Rotax F125 Max engines that were prepared and sealed by the factory for identical performance.

The champions were invited to Puerto Rico from their home countries courtesy of the Rotax and Bridgestone Tire Company. Airfare, transportation and accommodations at the 4-star San Juan Grand Beach Resort and Casino was provided for by Rotax.

The activities commenced on Wednesday, November 15th, with driver registration and distribution of identical engines, fuel, tires and oil. On Thursday, November 16th , competitors had open practice with the final inspection at the conclusion of their runs. Qualifying, consisting of several heat races was held on Friday, and determined the qualifying grid for the Championship and the participants in the pre-final (semi-main) race.

On Saturday, the Rotax Max Challenge World Championship was held among the top 26 qualified drivers in the world. Awards presentation and party followed the race event. Race results were unavailable at press time.

The 2001 Rotax Max Challenge World championship will be held in Malaysia.

WOMEN IN KART RACING

Harrisburg, North Carolina - Competition is the greatest element of any sport. But it’s not the same as it used to be. World records are being broken and athleticism is on the rise. Competition is ever changing, and one significant factor is the emerging dominance of women in otherwise male-dominated sports. Many women are stepping onto the playing field and making a name for themselves on soccer fields, basketball courts and even race tracks.

Indy Racing League (IRL) driver Sarah Fisher, 20, has achieved impressive accomplishments as the youngest driver to pass the IRL rookie test and the youngest person to compete in the league. Expanding on her love for the sport, Fisher’s path to success was jump-started at the age of eight when she joined the North Carolina-based World Karting Association (WKA).

“Karting was the basis for all my racing,” said Fisher, who participated in WKA until she was 14. “It taught me the basic elements of a race car. It was an inexpensive way to get out there and learn about racing first-hand.” Her involvement in karting led Fisher to gain many accolades including WKA Grand National champion in 1991, ’93 and ’94 and Circleville (Ohio) Points Champion in 1993.

WKA offers an organized outlet for aspiring drivers to race in different classes - regardless of gender. “Karting allows a young person to display their driving abilities,” said Randy Kugler, president of WKA. “When someone is in one of those karts with a helmet on, no one knows whether it is a female or male. They see the skills and ability of the person on the track. It makes for an even playing field.”

Fisher recalls only two other females who competed in karting in her six-year involvement. Over the years though, the number of female competitors has increased and isn’t slowing down. “There has always been a fair amount of female drivers, but recently there has been more,” Kugler stated. “I predict you are going to see more females moving through the ranks of racing and more ‘Sarah Fishers’ coming through. I like to think WKA can help start their careers in racing.”

Young women aren’t timid about maintaining Fisher’s successful karting legacy either. Amanda Holewski, 20, has been racing in WKA since 1992 and captured a national championship in 1999. “I feel like I am still learning about the mechanics of the car, and I sometimes have to prove myself as a girl,” Holewski said. “But, last year I was the girl to beat.”

Like Fisher, Holewski recollects being one of the only females in kart racing when she started. With more women getting involved in sports, she thinks people are realizing girls can win, too. “There is more acceptance now in sports overall,” Holewski said. “I am really happy to be involved in a sport where my skills and abilities matter most.”

Athletic contests have intensified and changed, but these women, and the many more involved in sports, aren’t letting anything get in their way of a victory - not even the competition.

End

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