Rotax Max
Encyclopedia
The Rotax Max is a two-stroke 125 cc engine designed by Rotax
, part of Bombardier Recreational Products
(BRP), to provide cost-effective but high speed kart racing
. Built in Austria, the engine is liquid cooled, equipped with a balance shaft, integrated water pump, electric starter and centrifugal clutch. Its combination of onboard electric starter and centrifugal clutch simplifies its operation. This concept is called TaG (Touch-and-go).
The Rotax Max was introduced to karting in 1998, easy to use and very reliable, it almost immediately began to gain market share from other slower or more expensive classes. The engine is offered in different performance configurations.
125 MAX "base" configuration: at 11,500 rpm
125 Junior MAX configuration: at 8,500 rpm
125 Mini MAX engine configuration: at 8,500 rpm
125 Micro MAX engine configuration: at 6,500 rpm
Each of the above configurations can be upgraded or downgraded to any of the other configurations by replacing various accessories and components.
125 MAX DD2 engine configuration: at 11,750 rpm
. This race series is organized in various classes (125 Micro MAX, 125 Mini MAX, 125 Junior MAX, 125 MAX and 125 MAX DD2) in more than 50 countries. Competitors from the national Rotax Max Challenges in the 125 Junior MAX, 125 MAX and 125 MAX DD2 class can qualify to participate at the annual Grand Final of the Rotax Max Challenge, where most of the costs are covered by BRP-Rotax.
To assure the equal performance of the engines, BRP-Rotax has established a very strict technical regulation and a sealing system for the engines. Only official service centers are authorized to check engines for their conformity and to seal them.
Rotax
BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG , commonly known simply as Rotax, is an Austrian engine manufacturer. It develops and produces four-stroke and advanced two-stroke engines for Bombardier Recreational Products products as well as for motorcycles, karts,...
, part of Bombardier Recreational Products
Bombardier Recreational Products
Bombardier Recreational Products or BRP is a Canadian company that traces its roots back to the year 1942 when Joseph-Armand Bombardier founded L'Auto-Neige Bombardier Limitée in Valcourt in the Eastern Townships, Quebec.In 2003, Bombardier Inc...
(BRP), to provide cost-effective but high speed kart racing
Kart racing
Kart racing or karting is a variant of open-wheel motorsport with small, open, four-wheeled vehicles called karts, go-karts, or gearbox/shifter karts depending on the design. They are usually raced on scaled-down circuits...
. Built in Austria, the engine is liquid cooled, equipped with a balance shaft, integrated water pump, electric starter and centrifugal clutch. Its combination of onboard electric starter and centrifugal clutch simplifies its operation. This concept is called TaG (Touch-and-go).
The Rotax Max was introduced to karting in 1998, easy to use and very reliable, it almost immediately began to gain market share from other slower or more expensive classes. The engine is offered in different performance configurations.
Engine versions
There are several different versions of the engine. The original has a power valve and produces around 28.5 hp, and is used by racers aged 15 or older. The DD2 is another fully powered version which has two gears and is direct drive in that the axle goes through the engine without need for a chain.125 MAX "base" configuration: at 11,500 rpm
- recommended as of 15 years
- has a cylinder with exhaust valve
125 Junior MAX configuration: at 8,500 rpm
- recommended for juniors from 13 to 16 years
- has a cylinder without exhaust valve
125 Mini MAX engine configuration: at 8,500 rpm
- recommended for children from 10 to 13 years
- has a cylinder without exhaust valve, and intake and exhaust restrictors
125 Micro MAX engine configuration: at 6,500 rpm
- recommended for kids from 8 to 10 years
- same as previous with a different exhaust and radiator, fitting smaller chassis adapted to kids size
Each of the above configurations can be upgraded or downgraded to any of the other configurations by replacing various accessories and components.
125 MAX DD2 engine configuration: at 11,750 rpm
- recommended as of 15 years
- has a two-speed gearbox operated by shift paddle from the steering wheel, and a chainless drive system
Rotax Max Challenge
BRP-Rotax has introduced for the MAX engine concept a single (engine) brand race series called Rotax Max ChallengeRotax Max Challenge
The Rotax Max Challenge is a kart racing series owned and organized worldwide by BRP-Rotax and its distributors, approved and in compliance with CIK-FIA. Competition takes place on a national, international and continental level which culminates in the Grand Finals once a year.-Concept:The RMC...
. This race series is organized in various classes (125 Micro MAX, 125 Mini MAX, 125 Junior MAX, 125 MAX and 125 MAX DD2) in more than 50 countries. Competitors from the national Rotax Max Challenges in the 125 Junior MAX, 125 MAX and 125 MAX DD2 class can qualify to participate at the annual Grand Final of the Rotax Max Challenge, where most of the costs are covered by BRP-Rotax.
To assure the equal performance of the engines, BRP-Rotax has established a very strict technical regulation and a sealing system for the engines. Only official service centers are authorized to check engines for their conformity and to seal them.