Thanks for the comment on the last post. The website is currently undergoing (much needed) updates for 09, and we are preparing to deal with the 4 stroke concept however it plays out. This brings us to the Swiss Auto, as I have been looking into this engine for about a year now, I have yet to see a physical copy of a motor package in the USA, and I believe E4R will have them shortly in this country. I am excited about the lower price; which brings it closer to a Rotax in total package cost, and the weight of the package is supposed to be equal in respect to the Rotax as well. Each of those are large advantages over the Suter Vampire. However, the Vampire is a fairly proven product, both of my engines have over 20 hours with little issues (I have had the engine updated with the latest parts at the beginning of the season). An engine I sold has over 20 as well, with clutch and oil being the only maintenance. I would only hope the Swiss Auto will compare in reliability. Rest assured, I will try to buy one or test one as soon as possible.

Updates soon-Hopefully we have our image for 09 by the beginning of February.

Sorry for the lack of updates since spring everybody......


This can be explained by two things. First, I have been very busy racing both shifter karts and 4 strokes, and fufilling obligations for the year that came before the four stroke in priority.  I agreed to race a season of 4-Stroke in Colorado in the light class with Vampire Power on an Arrow Ax9 Chassis courtesy of BTK Motorsports and Billet Performance-my new sponsors for 08. We won the championship in the state series with 4 wins, and finished second in the World Finals in Grand Junction at the famous Grand Junction Motor Speedway. As far as 4-stroke in California- we will resume testing this winter in addition to bringing more motors out to California. The engines sold this year, although small in number, have all run great all year with no real problems other then minor bugs which have all been fixed. It has been a tough year for Karting, and 4-stroke has been shot down by the CIK and the puppet string pulling, Italian Karting Mafia. The proliferation of 4-stroke had a tough ladder to hold onto this year with the global market crash, and support from within the industry has not been ideal. However we are positive, and will remain dedicated to the concept as long as it is feasable. We believe the Vampire motor, and the concept in general to be the proper path to influence karting.

The recent announcment by Suter about the halting of the Vampire Production has many worried, but we have been told by Brad at Engines 4 Racing that motors will be available as long as there is a demand. As will parts. Suter will produce all necessary parts to build engines, but will not assemble them. Engines 4 Racing states that they will produce Vampire packages for those who will buy them. Although the Euro has come back down some, the last batch of engines produced was during the high note of the Euro Vs $$. The Vampire package now lists 5000.00 USD. Hopefully if the market recovers with the economy (the market downfall that has crippled karting in the past year), the dollar will hold value and Euro built kart products will be more affordable.

Until then, we plan on spending 2009 as a developmental year testing Four-Stroke Tags, researching alternative fuels and enviromental alternatives in karting, researching more cost effective ways of karting ($3000.00 whole kart racing packages for a spec 4 stroke), and hopefully sell some motors and try to get the roots for a class going in California for late 09-into 10. Feel free to contact me via this webiste anytime with questions-please leave a RETURN EMAIL ADDRESS when using the contact feature of www.california4strokeracing.com that way I can return your questions with answers.

The Economy has people down about racing right now-we will be racing the SKUSA Supernationals in S3 with Select Shifter, and will spend some of the weekend in Vegas researching interest in TaG-4. The Supernats at Rio will be outstanding this year, and the best vaction for strapped karters looking to get away and detox from the election, mortgage crisis, gas crunch, and stock market crash. Hope to see you there! find me and lets talk 4-Stroke!!!

March-2008

    Marc Elliott to race Arrow AX9 with engine power from Engines 4 Racing and support from Billet Performance and BTK Motorsports.


It will be a new season in a new class. Colorado is the hotbed for the development of these motors into the American Market. There are now classes popping up nationwide (especially in the midwest)! We still have much work to do to be able to get the concept rooted on the West Coast. However the club series in Colorado is already seeing increased participation then last year just in two races this spring, the Colorado Sprint Championships is going to be ultra competitive across the board this year, and of course the 4-Stroke class is the new hot ticket to karting in Colorado. With laptimes potentially as fast as Stock Honda's, it will be interesting to see how close the racing between the various 4 stroke motors actually is. My own personal experience in the past with 4-Strokes is that the racing is usually always very tight, so I am sure the CSC TaG 4-Stroke will be one of the classes to watch this year.

We decided to return to Colorado this year to support longtime karting friend Barry Lewis of Billet Performance Karting, BTK Motorsports, and Engines 4 Racing in an offer to have a program to contend for the Colorado State Championships. What can this mean for California 4 Stroke Racing?? It will mean more experience with Vampire, Oral, Tech f1, and Biland; also it will mean that we will have access to the latest news, technology, and exciting promotions in 4-Stroke TaG Racing! We will resume testing 4-stroke engines in California once the Colorado Campaign is underway. Also I cannot wait to return to the series that runs 3 awesome kart racing facilities; our first race is at my favorite track ever-Grand Junction Motor Speedway, followed by round two at IMI Motorsports-a track I first drove in 1998, and began racing there in 2003, this track is home to Engines 4 Racing and the 4-Stroke TaG Concept. The series will conclude at the fairly new, modern Track at Centennial facility in the tech-heavy corridor south of Denver, adjacent to Centennial Airport. Each weekend will have Friday practice; and a race each day, Saturday and Sunday, going different track directions each day. This 3 event weekend series will allow for 6 races to be counted for points. There also are prize packages already on board to the victors of the respected classes!!!

2008 will be exciting for TaG 4 Stroke concept-stay tuned for the latest information-possibly regarding an exciting NEW ENGINE PACKAGE!

    For those who have not already seen Suter Racing's newest offering, they would be best advised to look at the following web page: http://www.vampire-engine.com/vampire_r_inj.html. This fuel injected beast of the Vampire "R" is the latest offering from Switzerland's Suter Racing. Although it should be noted that these engines nor conversion kits for existing Vampire engines are available yet, but when they are it will be very apparent.
    This engine is only the next step toward the future of Kart engines, but the fuel injected Vampire is set to have drastically better fuel mileage then any other engine close to it in peak horsepower; as well as a more tractable and drivable powerband with a colossal peak 29nm of torque over a flat power curve. The advantages of these systems over existing carburetors are evident, eliminating the need for jets, needles, and tuning; as well as easier starting, and the potential for alternative fuels makes fuel injection the wave of the future. These new Vampire engines are going to be able to put down some serious lap times, with very little hassle fueling and keeping the engine tuned and running properly.
    Again, it might be some time before California 4-Stroke Racing gets its hands on one of these Marelli Injected monsters, but when it happens it will be noticed! This Formula 1 rooted titan is  sure to set some track records around the world, still keeping in mind the Vampire's original reputation for power, reliability, and ease of use and maintenance at the track.

With modern 4-Stroke engines becoming an even larger percentage of the karting Market worldwide through 2007, 2008 promises even more substantial growth. The unveiling of two entirely new, ultra high tech 250cc race engines specifically adapted for kart racing has shown that the 4-Stroke concept is proliferating and becoming more diverse
and popular. With the cat out of the cage about the reliability and performance of engines like the Vampire and Oral; it is no question these new motors, which are known as the TechF1 (in production) and Swiss Auto 250 (in testing), will likely find success in the similar ways.
     No one really knows for sure (at least in the United States); how the Vampire, Oral, Biland, Tech F1, and eventually the Swiss Auto will compare on the track with controlled standards, but I am confident based on my 4-Stroke racing experience of the past that it will be very competitive and cost effective to run. Monte Carlo and the 4-Stroke race this year will likely be an indicator as potentially 2-3 engine packages could be available to run, possibly even more. The 6hour annual enduro this year will be spec Suter Vampire engines instead of two strokes from years past. 20+ teams on identical Vampires will exhibit one hell of a show. I imagine the 4-Stroke cup will be even more competitive this year and even more captivating to the audience as an event (this race is on TV in Europe).
    4-Stroke Packages are popping up nationwide, and soon enough classes will too. With even more 4-stroke packages available to jr and intermediate levels, it is becoming easier to change over. Vampire, Biland, and Oral have jr packages which can be converted to SR motors at anytime, and the TKM 200 could probably race in this class with slight adjustments. All of these engines as well as Jr 1 air cooled spec Honda and Kid Kart 4 strokes are available from Engines4racing.com. California 4-Stroke Racing is the west coast distributer for Engines4Racing.com supplying engine packages and parts to consumers.
      Those considering moving over to 4-Stroke should contact me via www.california4strokeracing.com for more detailed information about the class and the concept, as well as what it takes to run these kinds of karts.
   
    

    

Following the Offical creation and start of California 4-Stroke Racing in January 2008, the young venture rolls into the new month with momentum. The offical launch of www.california4strokeracing.com at the very end of January kicked things off. Now having made multiple trackside appearances at Infineon Raceway; a strong debut demo at Fontana, and brief appearance at the San Diego SKUSA race, the word is out there that I am selling these powerplants. Especially since news travels fastest through word of mouth; those who have driven my Vampire now can testify of its power, simplicity, and its torque stomping, horsepower trashing roar that can leave one in an altered state of euphoric driving conciouss. I can attest to the little maintance involved, the costs associated so far, and the more fun I have the more I drive it.
 
Although facing an unpredictable market; a turbulant economy, and poor exchange rates, I am 100% confident that these engines that are available, and others soon to be like it, are the future of kart racing engines. This is not a short term fling, this concept is here to stay. Enviromental concerns have been hovering over two strokes for some time; and kart racing is probably the most excempt from crackdowns, and most isolated from mainstream attention in the past (and most dependant on two stroke technology) . However, that alone will not keep karting from undergoing huge technological transformations as the young new century progresses. These changes are inevitable as these said technologies  become  more cost effective, tested, and developed.

As it sits now, the first California 4-Stroke Vampire sets to leave into the Northern California racing world within the next week. Many have tugged the baited line I have thrown out, a select handfull have driven and experianced, and hopefully soon more will buy as the concept becomes proven rock solid.

I happen to think once the first legit 4-Stroke TaG racing class in California starts to run, the concept will proliferate and explode in the State that leads the Nation.

But February 08 holds more updates to the custom accessories page on the website, more pictures and information, and small improvments within the main site. Hopefully by March, networking will allow me to expand the coverage of both blog.california4strokeracing.com and www.california4strokeracing.com. The Vampire will continue to be shown and driven by those interested, and hopefully joined by a twin brother Vampire tearing up the tracks before the months conclusion.

The Vampire VT-250 continues to get driven, following a successful visit down to Cal-Speed last weekend. On a beautiful Friday afternoon, I tested the engine back to back with various different jetting configurations and a new gear ratio. Following some minute maintenance at the KLS Racing shop to get ready, the kart was run all day. The Vampire continues to run smoother and more consistent  as it is finally broken in all the way, now having exceeded 10 hours of successful run time (authors note: consider this is myself driving it as well, anybody who knows me, knows thats ten brutal hours of running the $#!^ out of an engine).

Actual maintenance to date after test days-

First time driving-Clean kart, charge battery. Re-gear drive train

Second time, 2hrs on motor- clean kart, battery tender, clean chain lube from bendix housing.

Third time 3-4hrs: Add airbox  for track rules (even though it is well under decibel) rejet, re-gear. Add Oil-Clean and charged.

Fourth time 4-5hrs: Changed oil/filter, cleaned airbox, clean bendix housing, check cam chain (perfect) Valve lash also
checked, within minimum tolerance, clutch cleaned and lubed and updated with new factory plates, updated factory oil pump gears.

Fifth- 7hrs-cleaned fuel pump-charged battery-Jetting for high desert.

6th-9-hours-Oil/filter-Battery charge-clean kart. Rejet for sea level.

7th-10+hours-check engine package over-clean kart


The Website- www.california4strokeracing.com -should be launched before February First!

January 14, 2008
              Despite the lower turnout due to postponment, the SKUSA Winternats of January 11-13 was a successful and beautiful weekend in Southern California. It also saw the debut of a different beast in the pits, as well as on the track-the VAMPIRE! I brought my GP-8 VEN 05 Ceramic chassis with a trusty and strong Vampire VT-250 and ran throughout the weekend at California Speedway. Faster then some shifter karts in my S1/G1 class, as well as the Honda Class, the Vampire engine scored some big points as the hardcore crowd in attendance saw the blood of the Vampire for the first time. Many were impressed by the performance, drivers like Phil Giebler, James Kennedy, and Lorenzo Mandarino drove and sampled the engine as fast as other shifter karts. Many people also seemed to materialize out of thin air once they heard the throaty roar of the Vampire warming up on grid, and many flocked to the grandstand to see it scream around the abusive California Speedway parking lot. The engine performed flawlessly and will more then likely be back at the next Winternats, with an even larger debut  of California  4-Stroke Racing  coming soon. 

Look for California 4-Stroke Racing to be an even larger presence as the year progresses.

So now one would wonder why I would be so into the 4-stroke engine program? I will even admit my own scepticsm to the concept in the beginning, but once the throttle went down along the harbor in Monte Carlo-things changed. Like I mentioned in my introduction, my 4-stroke experience was limited until just a few years ago when I ran in Las Vegas with an old outdated Biland. Following that was Monte Carlo, in which the upgraded Bilands were run by half the field in the 30 kart Monte Carlo 4-Stroke World-Championship race against the newer Oral motor (most famously campaigned by Giorgio Pantano). With some 4-Stroke experience under my belt from the past, I began working with the 4-stroke engines again this past October in Colorado, in which I ran an Oral competitively against the more seasoned Vampire. Since then, I have run both the Oral and the Vampire more extensively, and these are the bonuses I have found so far against the most obvious chagrin against these engines-the initial price!

Keep in mind-I do have good experience with Leopard/Sonik TaG engines- I have blown the $#!T out of every one of the engines I have ever had for every reason you could and rebuilt them in a trailer, one learns crash course.

1. Fuel and mileage-I am burning less fuel then I ever did with ICC's, as well as with two stroke TaGs. I only have to by 1 liter of oil to lubricate the motor, which lasts up past 5 hours of hard run time. No more premixing,  any 95+ octane fuel will power these monsters. Less fuel burned means more time on the track and less cash every time you go karting.

2. Maintenance-The maintenance on a 4-stroke engine is pretty cut and dry as well as universal. Frequent oil and filter changes, a clean air and fuel filter, as well as a cared for drive sprocket and clutch are the basic norm. Checking the Cam chain and the valve clearance is most critical, that is the weakest link (literally) in any 4-stroke motor. If said actions are taken and the motor is always cared for the way it is supposed to; the owner will buy less parts to keep the motor running long and fast, only having to do minor care to ensure it runs with harmony. Major rebuilds are long down the road; between 50-100+ hours are norm in Europe, Colorado, as well as the rest of the US where they are popping up- California is no exception. In the long run, less maintenance and cost saves and compensates for higher cost.

3.  Qualty-The quality of both the Oral and (especially) the Suter Vampire set apart from other Kart engines. Incredible wealth of knowledge from motorsports worldwide went into the development of these new engines and it pays off at the track. The highest quality parts are used inside these motors, which allow them to run like thoroughbred racing machines, and still be cost effective to run. No more changing starter brushes every 2-4 starts, or always having to charge the battery between sessions, and many other features which make karting more convenient.

4. Most important I would say is Speed. Without speed, there would be no point in spending $4300-4600 on a kart engine, which mind you does not need to ever be modified or built unlike many others. So what is the speed? Comparable (and even faster at many tracks) on the watch to Stock Honda shifters, the 34hp/20+ lbs ft torque engines do not require gearboxes to go fast in every corner on the track. The technology of the engines and the sophistication of the clutches allows a 219 pitch chain to be effectively and reliablely used for hundreds of miles to put the power to the ground(provided the user has a clue about chains and sprockets). Raw torque that two strokes do not have also makes the handling of the chassis more manageable, and easier to go deeper and harder to challenge your driving skill more so.

What about Parts costs?
Although from Europe, and unfortantley against Euros like all other Kart products- these engines have very similar parts costs to standard TaG engines, and even less in some cases, more in others. Considering you'll need less parts and be doing less maintenance it works out better in my opinion.

Any testimonial comments on 4-Stroking it??

    Welcome to the official blog of California 4 Stroke Racing, a business that I created in late 2007 to sell the www.engines4racing.com line of high-performance 4-stroke Kart Racing engines, as well as many custom kart accessories. This blog site will allow me (Marc Elliott) to further network and expand the influence of my new business and my website www.california4strokeracing.com. I intend to journal many of my experiences that I encounter while racing the 4-Stroke engines both in the United States and abroad in Brazil, and Monte Carlo, for the 4-Stroke World-Championships in October. Also I will use this blog site to connect with customers and potential customers on a more personal basis online; who can use the blog to learn more about the engines, the experiences, as well as another way to communicate with me and network within the Karting community. California 4 Stroke Racing is a Northern California based Karting business that intends to grow and proliferate the high-performance 4-Stroke TaG engines over an extended period of time within the whole state of California. By the end of 2008 I hope to have a running class in Northern California, as well as down south for late 2008 or early 2009 as negotiations are soon in the works.
    Unlike older 4-Stroke kart engines of the past; which are slow, loud, air-cooled, and high maintenance, the new modern ones are on the cutting edge of racing technology. Not only has motocross, MotoGP, and car technology  been adapted, but even design principles directly from Formula 1 have advanced these lines of engines to the peak of karting technology. The engines I carry at the moment are the Suter Racing Vampire VT-250, and the Oral Engineering OR-4TK. Both of which are 250cc, DOHC 4-valve, 13,000 rpm engines, with 34hp, and 50hr plus rebuild intervals. These engines also feature sealed digital ignitions, recharging electric starters, advanced anti hopping clutches, in the effort to reduce maintenance between rebuilds. Choosing to sell the two 34hp TaG 4-Stroke motors of engines4racing.com's line of 4-stroke kart engines; the Vampire and the OR-4TK have further impressed me with the latest 4-stroke karting technology that can be felt only from driving one of these monsters on the track.
    My karting experience itself dates back to 2002 when I first started with two-stroke TaGs, and in 2003 ICC shifters. Both of these formulas are fast and fun, but proved more money and maintenance in the long run then expected.  I have been racing high performance 4-Stroke kart engines off and on since 2005 when I first raced a Biland at the Supernationals, lets just say it was a great, tough learning experience, but much less work on the motors themselves.  Things really took off in fall of 2006 when Brad Linkus from www.engines4racing.com offered me (and a few other drivers) a race arrive and drive in the streets of the principality for the Kart GP 4-Stroke World Kart Championships in Monaco. Our track consisted of the lower harbor streets and mezzanine of the world famous Monte Carlo Yacht Club, and lower F1GP circuit. I ran my Biland powered kart within the top ten all weekend save for a crash at the beginning of the final which ended the on track portion of the most amazing weekend of my life. I went with a good group of racer friends from Colorado; and we all were very competitive against the more experienced Europeans (including a top 5 final finish by Kyle Ray). But most importantly this planted the seed for the 4-Stroke program in my head, as I fell in love with the formula. What impressed me the most was just how fast (34hp) and how amazing they were to drive, and how much less work was involved with the motors.
    This past year, my teammates from 2006 (Kyle Ray and A.J. Noud); raced in Monte Carlo again and finished Second (Ray) and Fifth (Noud) against 30+ mad racers from all over the Europe. I intend to return in 2008 for to fight for the victory in Monte Carlo.
   This blog will be another creative and interactive portion of the website www.california4strokeracing.com, and will be updated with the latest in the world of the 4-Stroke engines.

Any questions?
info@california4strokeracing.com

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