Spec class that includes the engine …
Rentals are great better than any other out there !!!
Kris and I are good friends but we differ on this path greatly. The only purpose of the Tillotson is to divide and take market share from the undeniable best entry/budget engine package in the last 20+ years of karting.
The cost is not any cheaper, period. And that’s a properly prepped 206 vs a Tillotson out of the box.
Without the Tillotson, they start off with 50-75 206 racers easily across cadet, junior, senior & masters. With the Tillotson they start out with 50-75 206 and Tillotson racers with twice the amount of classes to accommodate and half the number of racers in each class.
Just can’t support the answer to the question that no one ever asked.
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You can’t have your cake and eat it. You can’t complain about too many classes and support spec-racing. Those two things can not exist together as a single position because you can’t say to companies “OK, you’re not allowed to sell engines”.
So it’s either spec-racing with lots of classes or multi-make racing with some kind of division system. The latter can only exist with a very very very strong regulatory/governance system, of which none exist really. So you’re left with the former.
You might get phases of dominance by one company, but in th e end someone always comes along to offer an alternative. L206 have no more right to sell engines and make money than Tilly.
There is an aspect of this that is barely being discussed. For me, and for almost everyone I have talked to at Orlando (where the tillotson sr class is 20+ on club race weekends), the main reason for the switch from 206’s is that the tilly is way more fun to drive. It has nothing to do with money, availability, etc…
It is about the driving experience. Driving them back to back, the 206 feels like a rental and the tilly feels like a racer. I have yet to talk to a single person who’s driven both and prefers the 206.
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While I do not like it, I believe what Alan says is true
If everything works out with LOK T4 series . I believe we will getting one. I like the more H.P. than the L206 and closer to KA performance without all the maintenance and cost of a KA. Can always put a L206 or KA motor on it and run in those series and LOK is very close to our house and Grandson doesn’t like to travel too far .So it will be our home track. I have a full machine shop with that anything is possible !!! Just was trying to get a opinion of both NOT trying to stir up any crap. Thanks for all the opinions thou…
Way less parity in Tillotson, They require more maintenance, drop off faster and most importantly require more development. I can send my 206 engine to 10 different builders and get a good competitive engine back. I did my own engines and won alot of races without a builder as well.
206 is the best class for beginner racers hands down. Its not even close and if you want to race against the best in the world you dont even have to leave the class.
At least you have the bragging rights to say
“I’m a world champion” 
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Anyone has the right to make or do whatever they want. Essence of the free market.
That wasn’t my point though.
We are in a specific regional market with a limited amount of racers but with a strong 206 and decent KA base. Not so many though that there needs to be a step in between. The decision to add the Tillotson will only divide the already decently attended (but not great) classes and take track time away from other classes.
If we are pegging the meter at all the local tracks in our region with 40-50 206 entries and 20-30 KA entries then by all means, capitalize on a strong market with another offering. But we aren’t there yet. And 12 classes in an eight hour day means less track time than 9 for the $$.
Less about generalities and more about a specific market.
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It was great to see the responses on the TILLY 225cc . I will see how the whole thing goes down at LOK before buying one . But I like the added power and the Kart thou…
Clones disappeared in RR/Sprint because of the Lo206, which is a reliable engine and gives some confidence with the seals. L0206 engine can be used in several different classes/age groups with the change of a slide and exhaust (some track rules). Tilly on the other hand has 3 engines 102cc,196cc, and 212cc (Junior has a restrictor). So the goal is to eliminate all Lo206, Honda/Comer 50cc, and maybe take a few away from Ka100? I am having a hard time believeing that Tilly just want to live in harmony.
The different Tillotson engines between the 196 and 225 range was confusing at first, but I was under the impression that the 225 is now the primary engine for Tillotson? Is that no longer the case.
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The 225cc motor with a different slide for junior and 225 cc standard motor for senior T4s from my understanding…
And Tilly has a 212 cc motor to compete with the L206. And some kart sanction bodies are accepting it ??? From what I read…
105cc engine is for 5-8 years old 3 Horsepower (Comer and Honda GX50 2-3HP Lo206 Red Rookie 3.10HP)
196cc engine is for 8-12 years old 5.5 Horsepower (Lo206 Blue Rookie 3.5 HP)
212cc engine is for 11-16 years old With restrictor 9 Horsepower (Jr Animal 5.0 HP 2.50 Black Plate)
212cc engine is for 15+ years old 15 Horsepower (Standard Lo206 9.5 HP)
The 212cc is a 5 HP and 1-1.5 second advantage on track over the lo206, if they are running together they must be classed different. If the scenario was to all run together there would be a need for rule changes. I would guess that Tilly’s plan would be to take over the market as they are offering more HP and the new tracks seem to be going the tilly direction. Head to head the Margay Ignite w/Lo206 is $5195 compared to Tillotson T4 chassis W/225rs is $5000. It will be interesting what tracks will be accepting and not to the Tilly.
I think the T4 kart class is just a great updated kind of change for the sport. Thats run the same HP and Engines for years. And for people who cant afford the KA motor. And not have as much cost for rebuild work … Can run the 225 cc motor and come close to the performance of the KA. Also if you own a T4 and you want to get into L206 class all you have to do is change motor… I hope the T4 class takes a hold in America more… Especially at the new LOK track in Lorain Ohio…
I also think 15 hp from 225 cc motor is more torque and speed . That makes a better 4 cycle kart. My grandson runs electric karts and goes 50 mph. And L206s are not much better performance than a rental 15 HP would make it better I think ??? Whats a matter with change ??