Just curious why this isn’t a popular engine at dirt tracks. I look at a lot of the classes and they’re either clone, flathead, or predator. Can someone explain why please?
Because it was an after thought to late to the dance.Just curious why this isn’t a popular engine at dirt tracks. I look at a lot of the classes and they’re either clone, flathead, or predator. Can someone explain why please?
No the LO 206 was in response to the clone as an entry level engine, After they blew there chance to help introduce the clone.
I race predator to our local rules. Notice I said local rules. We all know that everywhere you go has a different set of rules for what most consider a "spec" class. I got my predator ready to race for just under $300. Aside from weekly oil changes and 3 race plug swaps, its pretty low maintenance, I'm not planning a rebuild any time soon.Could it have been that the EPA made offering complete Raptor 4 engines not a possibility, and the Briggs corporate push was for a product that reflected their current engine line?
My belief is that the animal was not embraced from the beginning because racers had few/no other options. That, and the price-tag was a lateral move for racers at the time $1000-$1200 flathead vs $1000-$1200 blueprinted animal. Most thought "why should we make the change when we have so many good flatheads around," and refused to do so. Couple that with some holes in the road, so to speak, for the 1st 2-3 generations of animal engines, and a lot of racers were rightfully gun-shy. Then, due to the increasing price of flathead engines, folks were looking for a cheaper alternative. Along comes the $99 HF clone in Jamie's neck of the woods, and quickly things escalated pricewise - first $300, then $600, now, $1200+) The rules were all over the place from track to track across the country to the point where Briggs stepped up and produced a set of rules independent of the sanctioning bodies for their engine package, the LO206. From the beginning, it has been designed to be an affordable, reliable, level playing field, requiring no engine builder involvement such as blueprinting. Being that the rules were written by the manufacturer, tolerances have been kept in check (for the most part) from that very first set of rules, rather than changing rules as each manufacturers' tolerances vary as is the case with most sanctioning body's rule sets.
And that's where we're at now.
Like I said, spec engine class racing is not everyone's cup of tea.
As an engine "builder" I find it a bit boring, and not very profitable.
As a kart shop, I love the increase in consumable sales as more and more people can afford racing again.
With yearly LO206 rebuilds @ $135 (parts AND labor,) you will not find cheaper maintenance with any other engine currently being used in karting.
As a racer, it's sure a lot more fun to compete in a full class of karts that are on an equal playing field with no unfair advantage, and know that you are competing with your talent over your wallet.
Some take it, some leave it.
LO206 racing is not for everyone. It is for anyone.
Once track in western NC runs them on dirt
I'd love to know who.... I was going to put together a program, then COVID. Sold back out. Would jump back in if the track was local...
LOL you mean when we were buying pallets full of stock clones and hand picking stock parts ? no we wasnt, thats my story and im sticking to itCould it have been that the EPA made offering complete Raptor 4 engines not a possibility, and the Briggs corporate push was for a product that reflected their current engine line?
My belief is that the animal was not embraced from the beginning because racers had few/no other options. That, and the price-tag was a lateral move for racers at the time $1000-$1200 flathead vs $1000-$1200 blueprinted animal. Most thought "why should we make the change when we have so many good flatheads around," and refused to do so. Couple that with some holes in the road, so to speak, for the 1st 2-3 generations of animal engines, and a lot of racers were rightfully gun-shy. Then, due to the increasing price of flathead engines, folks were looking for a cheaper alternative. Along comes the $99 HF clone in Jamie's neck of the woods, and quickly things escalated pricewise - first $300, then $600, now, $1200+) The rules were all over the place from track to track across the country to the point where Briggs stepped up and produced a set of rules independent of the sanctioning bodies for their engine package, the LO206. From the beginning, it has been designed to be an affordable, reliable, level playing field, requiring no engine builder involvement such as blueprinting. Being that the rules were written by the manufacturer, tolerances have been kept in check (for the most part) from that very first set of rules, rather than changing rules as each manufacturers' tolerances vary as is the case with most sanctioning body's rule sets.
And that's where we're at now.
Like I said, spec engine class racing is not everyone's cup of tea.
As an engine "builder" I find it a bit boring, and not very profitable.
As a kart shop, I love the increase in consumable sales as more and more people can afford racing again.
With yearly LO206 rebuilds @ $135 (parts AND labor,) you will not find cheaper maintenance with any other engine currently being used in karting.
As a racer, it's sure a lot more fun to compete in a full class of karts that are on an equal playing field with no unfair advantage, and know that you are competing with your talent over your wallet.
Some take it, some leave it.
LO206 racing is not for everyone. It is for anyone.
The LO 206 is by far the cheapest racing there is. IF you plan on racing more than 1 year. And it does put the winning advantage on Setup, tires, driver ability. Not on buying illegal parts to gain an advantage.They didnt blow a chance to help introduce the clone. Those chinese knock off hondas were in response to the outrageous prices the animals at the time. And now look the clone and animal are only a couple hundred apart from any major builder. Now that the clones have gotten oit of hand the predator is filling the shoes. Everyone wants the cheapest bang for their buck.
Comes down to longevity, power, and acceptability. Pick 2
I think that the route we are heading. A track around here is doing sealed predators & they’re have a great turnout & good racing tooI race predator to our local rules. Notice I said local rules. We all know that everywhere you go has a different set of rules for what most consider a "spec" class. I got my predator ready to race for just under $300. Aside from weekly oil changes and 3 race plug swaps, its pretty low maintenance, I'm not planning a rebuild any time soon.
The idea that everybody in the country is running the same thing would be nice for sure.
How does the 206 compare to a predator? What about to a moderately modified predator?