Building upon the successful line-up of Vortex ROK engines, ROK Cup Promotions is pleased to announce the launch of the brand new Vortex ROK VLR. The perfect platform for the entry-level driver, the ROK VLR not only offers superior performance over its rivals with lower maintenance, but it also offers some great features like electric start all at a cost racers can afford.
“The new ROK VLR engine was designed solely with club racers in mind, whether it’s a new racer getting into karting, or for those looking to move up from a four-cycle powerplant. Also, for racers that want to update their current 100cc to a state-of-the-art engine package, this engine covers it all,” explains ROK Cup Promotions Director of Operations Garett Potter. “The 100cc air cooled engines have played a big role in the US karting market for many years. This was a must have for us as we continue to work with local clubs to help them build their programs. It is the perfect transition for drivers looking to make the jump into the ROK family.”
The new ROK VLR engine retails for $1550 USD, and comes complete, ready to race minus the engine mount. Orders can be placed immediately however engines will not start shipping until April 23, 2018. Please contact your local kart shop or ROK Cup USA directly if you are interested.
The ROK VLR engine can be utilized in Junior VLR (ages 12-15), Senior VLR (ages 15+) and Masters VLR (ages 32+). With its implementation this year, watch for the ROK VLR to make its way to select national level ROK programs in 2019. Stay tuned for details.
“ROK Cup Promotions continues to work tirelessly with its support and building of clubs and regional programs around the country. If you think your club is ready to take the step into the future, we are here to help,” continues Potter.
I came here to post this and @MSchu1 is in like lightning
For those browsing, we have some topics on the KA100 here as well:
There was some serious talk about this in December '17 (Maybe earlier) IIRC. I guess it was inevitable in a way. For folks who are looking for something that falls into that chasm between the likes of a 206 or can yamaha, and full blown TaG like the FR125, Rok or X30.
Say more about this? I’ve found both Vortex and IAME to be excellent. Not perfect (we’re racing after all), but both excellent over the years.
My main gripe so far is that it doesnt come with those cool looking jackets we had in the 90’s, nor do the nubs that are still present from the old mold has the threads for them
Vortex Aircooled Jacket from the 90’s, this one is a VR98 to be specific
One thing that’s different with the VLR:
The ROK VLR engine can be utilized in Junior VLR (ages 12-15), Senior VLR (ages 15+) and Masters VLR (ages 32+). With its implementation this year, watch for the ROK VLR to make its way to select national level ROK programs in 2019. Stay tuned for details.
Might be time for a KartPulse head to head analysis. My biggest concern here is for the local tracks that have adopted the KA and now will have racers asking for Rok VLR. Can they be raced together?
I always heard complaints about the TT during the TaG years, and the Rok GP engine that saw action around here for a bit was a massive headache for everyone I talked to that raced it. Maybe they’ve fixed some issues now and it’s better.
If the performance is comparable to the KA, I would be really interested in seeing a mixed engine class! I just am excited to see the KA start to pick up and gain momentum and I would be massively disappointed to see this engine come in and split the fields in half again, and kill off both packages.
The issues with the TT were all related to the electrical components. The engine itself was just fine. It was basically an ICA with a big piston, clutch and shafty electronics. The Electronics of the early gen mini Rok utilized the same style wiring that failed. Since then, has been updated and issues have been resolved.
Comparison of the fiches for port timing on the KA and VLR. Looking at the exhaust timing and the width of the intake ports, I suspect they are going to behave differently out on the track, with the VLR overall being more moderate on exhaust port timing which shows as 169.5 deg for the KA100 vs (up to) 166deg on the VLR. For comparison, ICA motors were allowed up to 177deg.
But I am merely an internet commentator, and exhaust port timing is not everything by any stretch.
So, since the PR says that it was built solely for the club racer in mind, this means they won’t want to run it in any regional or national series/events, right?
I got my VLR today. I will fire it tomorrow. I have to say I’m pretty happy with the way everything looks. Simple and very minimal wire harness, one piece pipe, Tillotson carb… I think it’s gonna make the club racers very happy and give them a lot of fun for the dollar!
The Carb looks like the KA100’s HW-33A. I see @KartingIsLife put specs up that look very similar.
Not that it is really a surprise with the bore and stroke being identical.
I realize we live in a capitalist society, but sometimes i just wish we as Karters had less choice.
Watching with interest as Karters shoot ourselves in the foot again…
Competition is generally good in capitalist markets because the consumer usually gets a better product at a lower price than in markets dominated by a hegemonic supplier.
Couple of caveats, it really only applies IF there’s a market large enough to sustain it and the actors at play are not playing a zero sum game.
History has shown that not to be the case with karting
There’s an inflection point, dictated by market size where “competition” results in consumer confusion and market segmentation that ultimately stunts the growth of that market.
“Tripping on its own ***k” I think is a good term for it.
I love capitalism, but historically owner driver karting, as a whole has not benefited from it.
The problem isn’t nessacarily the presence of a monopoly or not… but how that monopoly is executed.
Sometimes you need a benevolent dictator. Emphasis on benevolent.
If the market isn’t demanding a change or a new product, or the new good/service doesn’t generate new demand where there wasn’t before, then it’s just oversaturation.
Karting is classically bad at that. People introducing their new engines/chassis, using a ‘similar to me’ criteria, that “if they like it, that the entire market must like it”.
Then we get too many engines/chassis that confuse customers and leaves things overly fragmented…
We have been running a mixed class of VLR and KA100 where I race and from what I see I would have to agree with @tjkoyen . At least one or more VLR motors have an issue with completing all the heats and mains in every race due to electrical or carb problems. I dont think one KA has had a motor issue yet. Also what I think is strange is when the karts are sitting on the grid all of the VLR engines have a hard time starting their karts. 10-30 seconds trying to crank them over.
