New Vortex ROK VLR 100cc for Karting

I’ve been less than impressed with Rok’s manufacturing quality lately.

Wonder if the KA price will drop in response to this. Seems like IAME has already sort of taken off and run in this segment for the time being…

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I came here to post this and @MSchu1 is in like lightning :laughing:

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 :smiley:


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?

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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.

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Very different engines to the VLR though to be fair. I’m still thinking about that head to head, but we’ll need someone who can drive :smiley:

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.

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Port specs, IAME KA100 and Vortex RoK VLR

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.

KA100_VLR%20Port%20Fiche

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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?
:roll_eyes:

It comes strong out of the gate about it being for club, then goes on to say…

So I guess the answer is no? :confused:

Ugh, I guess after a long night shift, my reading comprehension suffers.
:sleeping:

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17 posts were split to a new topic: Combined 100cc Class: KA100, VLR and KT100

Found out today the carb is going to be a new model from Tillotson:

HW-38A

Two Jet, pump diaphragm.
24mm Venturi.
28mm throttle bore.

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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!

IMG_20180430_134650_Bokeh-01

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It looks like a neat package.

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…

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The carb is meant to be a model specific and exclusive to the VLR although I’m sure there will be some similarities with other 24mm brethren.

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.

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^^^
This.

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…

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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.

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Do we know what’s different on the carb on the VLR vs KA yet?

Same carb, different part number stamped on each.

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