They are right, Yow did run a Wankel. Many top drivers drove a Wankel for Stoffa and won because that was the engine to beat. Yes, that "crap" as some say had to be penalized with weight because at one point it was unbeatable. Big or small tracks, it didn't matter. I am not sure but I think Seay also tried the Wankel. As long as it is competitive Chris never had that drama people have about 2 strokes, 4 strokes, Wankel or whatever, neither do I. I love 2 strokes but IMO the Wankel is the best engine i have ever tried or owned and I have owned a bunch, tested a few more for other people here and in Europe, and still have many. I just do not want to have a 500 lb kart when I majorly travel on my own. Seriously, instead of so much talking try an Aixro and then try to hit the same time on a similar kart with a different power plant. Huge advantage as I said is the lack of vibration compared to a piston engine, and for example on a sprint asphalt track much easier to run fast from the very 1st laps than on a KZ which takes a lot of work testing setups. Obviously as I said there is no wish to promote an engine that has run on top 10 seasons without any issues other than replacing an onboard starter Bendix and a spark plug, right?O k we are all a bunch of old farts I don't want to beat a dead horse but here is what the front page on the Mag says 07 was Bull Dog Ed Schrieflds,08-09 was Yow, 10 was Gilbert, The only one I know for certain on a wankel was Gilbert . Bob I never mentioned Seay winning the National Championship on the GM . Bob either the Mag is wrong or you got the years mixed up hey no big deal lets all get back to racing later Chuck.
Paul the unreliability issues are a myth, unless you are unable to check the temps and set the radiator as it should. My Wankel is a proof, as i say 10 years and just replaced the onboard starter Bendix and spark plug, ran on Premium pump gas, 2% oil and only issue you can have is that pipe gets so hot than can even melt the plastic bumper on a sprint if not at the right distance or wrapped. Of course as we who have run it know it is not an engine for enduro-road racing because it is not supposed to be run full throttle for over 10 seconds, but even on an oval you lift enough to prevent that, and on a sprint asphalt track you won't have any straight this monster doesn't cover in 10 second. The GPS on mine read 86 mph in the main straight at CMP sprint kart track, and that was on the wrong gear with old tires, which made me lose a lot of speed coming off the turn before that straight.So... did the Wankel get a lot of weight dumped on it because those who used it were good or did the Wankel because it's a Wankel out accelerate 2 and 4 strokes at crucial racing location on the track?
Racers will use them if there is an advantage to use them and not use them if there is not and something cheaper will do as well.
Who's fast UAS or out of the box Box Stock is still about who can get around the track the best, and always will be.
I think I remember being an old fart too racers quit using them because they cost too much and many rumors and statements true or false about their reliability and cost.
Electric should be able to outperform all that's now used on karts and it's just a matter of time until it does..