IAME Replaces Comer For British Cadets
TweetThe governing body of motorsport in Britain, the Motor Sports Association (MSA), has announced the IAME Parilla Gazelle 60cc engine will be used to power the MSA British Cadet Kart Championship for a minimum of five years from 1 January 2013.
IAME’s appointment brings to an end the era of the Comer W60 – and its predecessor the S60 – as the MSA British Cadet Kart Championship engine. Comers have successfully served the class since it was established by late karting legend Martin Hines.
Above: The 60cc IAME Gazelle. The Brits will use the pull-start model, not the electric start TaG version.
"To many people this may seem like a hard act to follow" said John Mills Engineering (UK importer) Director, James Mills.
"However, I feel there is no better time to introduce a new product and feel positive that the combination of the un-sealed IAME Gazelle, simple fixed jet carburettor and IAME’s new, compact recoil start mechanism will step up to the mark and be a successful predecessor."
"This whole vision started several years ago when we learnt that the tender for the Cadet class would be renewed from 2013. Our main goal was to deliver a cost effective, out and out kart race engine for the UK market. In conjunction with IAME, one of the most renowned engine manufacturers, we have been able to bring this new product to the market and introduce a new era of Cadet racing into the UK.
"We have several plans that will benefit drivers at all levels – from the Let’s Go Karting scheme, club racing, through to championship racing. Our aim is to make the transition period as seamless as possible and offer supporting incentives along the way”.
In recognition of the large number of Comer engines in circulation, the MSA intends to sanction a National Comer Cadet Championship until the end of 2015, while the W60 will also remain eligible at club level.
Comment - IAME Technical Director, Andrea Bossaglia: “IAME are delighted that the MSA have chosen our Parilla Gazelle 60cc to be the next generation Cadet engine for the UK. We are really looking forward to continuing our close working relationship with John Mills Engineering, who we are proud to have as our sole UK importer for this product. We feel this partnership will help take the MSA British Championship and club Cadet racing into a new era that builds on their current success. We have several initiatives to support the class and the transition. We would like to thank the MSA for undertaking what was a very rigorous selection process.”
Comment - MSA Chief Executive, Colin Hilton: “The MSA’s objectives in this process were to deduce the best engine package for the British Cadet class to ensure its on-going health and success. It was a very difficult decision to leave the Comer engine that has served the sport so well for the past 20 years and we will always be indebted to Martin Hines and Zip Kart for creating the class in the first instance, but the panel felt that it was time to begin a new era of cadet karting.
“The IAME engine is an exciting step forward and we were impressed by both their technical and sporting proposals. We are also excited that the excellent manufacturing tolerances in the IAME engine will allow unsealed engines that will encourage competitors to look after their own units rather than having to use designated engine tuners. Not only does this potentially reduce costs but it also promotes the engineering element that many competitors enjoy. We look forward to working closely with IAME in the coming months to ensure that the introduction of the new engine is as seamless as possible.”
The decision follows a long and exhaustive competitive tender process that was launched in May 2011 and contested by several leading manufacturers. The process consisted of detailed technical and sporting presentations by the tenderers, followed by extensive on-track testing at Shenington and Whilton Mill, as well as dynamometer evaluation.
The findings of these tests were considered in depth by a specially formed Cadet Engine Selection Panel – comprising independent industry experts and the relevant MSA Executives – which made its recommendation to MSA Chief Executive Colin Hilton.
IAME Parilla Gazelle 60cc UK air-cooled engine Q & A (from remoracing)
When will the new units be available to buy?
Competitors and teams will be able to purchase the new engine from 1 October 2012.
What will the new engine cost?
For 2012/2013 the engine and carburettor package cost is fixed at £846 (AUS$1330) plus VAT.
How long does the contract run for?
The new contract is for an initial five-year period, with the MSA having the option of granting a two-year extension.
Will the units be sealed?
No, although the MSA is considering pooled engines for championships.
Who will supply the engines?
The engines will be supplied by IAME via their appointed UK dealers.
What will happen to the existing Comer W60 engines?
The MSA intends to sanction a National Comer Cadet Championship until the end of 2015 to ensure that the Comer engines are not made obsolete by the new IAME unit, and the Comer W60 will also remain eligible for club karting. However, from 1 January 2013 all existing Cadet engines, including Honda WTPs and Comers, will have their performance restricted to a level that does not exceed the new IAME engine.
Which championship will run the IAME engine?
The IAME engine has been selected for the MSA British Cadet Kart Championship, but club championships can also choose to use this engine.
Who will promote the MSA British Cadet Kart Championship when it switches to the IAME engine?
The MSA will launch a tender process for a new contract to promote the MSA British Cadet Kart Championship, running from 1 January 2013 to coincide with the introduction of the new engine.
The Motor Sports Association (MSA) is the national governing body, responsible for the regulation and administration of four-wheeled motor sport in the UK. The MSA is a member of the world governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and holds a seat on the World Motor Sport Council. The MSA represents 32,000 licence holders, 15,000 volunteer marshals and officials, more than 750 member clubs and issues permits for 4,500 motor sport events every year. As a result of its commitment to developing the sport, the MSA makes significant investment in the three elements of its Whole Sport Plan: ‘Grow’ targets an increase in participation levels, ‘Sustain’ invests in the infrastructure of the sport, its clubs and its people, and ‘Excel’ focuses on training future world champions and educating their peers