[F500] NEW ROTAX 494 ENGINES NO LONGER AVAILABLE

[O.S. Brannon]

Well said, Chuck.

The only problems we have had with the Rotax is when we did something stupid.
The bottom end has never been apart after thirty something races.
>-- Original Message --
>From: "McAbee, Chuck " <Chuck_McAbee at csx.com>
>To: "'f500 at www.f500.org'" <f500 at www.f500.org>
>Subject: RE: [F500] NEW ROTAX 494 ENGINES NO LONGER AVAILABLE
>Reply-To: f500 at www.f500.org
>Date: Mon, 22 Jul 2002 23:43:54 -0400
>
>
>Having run all the prior legal F440/500 engines (Chaparral, Kawasaki, AMW
>and now the Rotax). The reliability of the engine and the service and
>support provided by Tony Murphy are unequalled by any of the prior engines.
>Those of us who survived through the AMW experience know that it almost
>killed the class.  The reliability and economy of the ROTAX has brought
>class participation back to healthy numbers.
>
>While I have no idea of what Tony intends to charge for the 493, if the
cost
>is comparable to the 494, we have the best engine deal in SCCA racing.
>
>In the for what it's worth category (and it ain't worth much).  I'm still
>running the first ROTAX to compete in National Competition (Sebring 1997).
>If not for my mechanical incompetence in attempting a top end rebuild for
>the 2000 Runoffs - the engine would be totally original....as it was the
>piston pin circlips that I didn't get properly installed trashed the jugs,
>pistons and rotary valve....the bottom end is still original and still
going
>strong.
>
>Tony Murphy and ROTAX are the best thing to happen to the F440/F500 class
>since I began participating in 1988.
>
>
>Chuck McAbee
>SEDIV #16
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From:	Brannon, Greg [SMTP:gbrannon at national.aaa.com]
>> Sent:	Monday, July 22, 2002 12:46
>> To:	f500 at www.f500.org
>> Subject:	RE: [F500] NEW ROTAX 494 ENGINES NO LONGER AVAILABLE
>> 
>> Due to the reliability of the Rotax, and the help that Tony has
>> provided, I for one would not be in favor of looking at other
>> alternatives at this point.
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Dave Riddle [mailto:dave at microworks.net] 
>> Sent: Monday, July 22, 2002 12:20 PM
>> To: f500 at www.f500.org
>> Subject: Re: [F500] NEW ROTAX 494 ENGINES NO LONGER AVAILABLE
>> 
>> 
>> If the 494 is going the way of the Chaparral and the Kawi and if the
>> door 
>> has to be opened to look at the 493 should we petition to have any other
>> 
>> motors looked at?  Maybe some that are less expensive to repair than
the
>> Rotax.
>> 
>> 
>> At 04:41 PM 7/21/2002 -0400, you wrote:
>> >The Tony Murphy Company, importer of the Rotax engine used in Formula
>
>> >500, announced today that new Type 494 engines are no longer available.
>> 
>> >When the Type 494 engine was discontnued in Ski-doo snowmobiles in 
>> >1988, Rotax continued to produce limited numbers, approximately 20 per
>
>> >year, exclusively for use in the SCCA Formula 500 class. Rotax has now
>
>> >completely ceased production of the Type 494. Replacement parts will

>> >continue to be available.
>> >
>> >The mass produced Type 493 that is currently used in Ski-doo 
>> >snowmobiles will now be the only 500cc engine available from Rotax.
The
>> 
>> >bore and stroke is the same as the Type 494, and the performance on
the
>> 
>> >dynamometer is almost identical. The carburetors and clutch are 
>> >interchangeable. The engine mount bolt pattern is the same. In 
>> >addition, the Type 493 is available with an electronic reverse, a 
>> >feature that is both a convenience and a safety feature.
>> >
>> >In the coming months, the Type 493 will be fitted to a Formula 500 
>> >chassis to determine on-track performance differences, if any. The 
>> >results will then be submitted to the SCCA with a request that the Type
>> 
>> >493 be approved for future use in the Formula 500 class.
>> >
>> >
>> >Tony Murphy
>> >_______________________________________________
>> >F500 mailing list - F500 at www.f500.org
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>> 
>> |-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>> |
>> | David W. Riddle        | www.microworks.net   | www.poolwizard.com
>> |
>> | (O) 480-610-8234       | www.riddlefamily.org |
>> |
>> | (F) 480-649-9231       |                      |
>> |
>> |====================== Riddle Formula Racing
>> ==========================|
>> | 1958 TR-3A TS34575L    | T-83 Red Devil  | 1988 Porsche 944
>> |
>> | E Production           | Formula 500     | ES Solo2
>> |
>> | www.vararacing.com     | www.f500.org    | www.scca.org/amateur/solo2
>> |
>> | www.azsportsracing.org | www.scca.org    |
>> |
>> |                        | www.nasa-az.com |
>> |
>> |-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>> |
>> 
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O.S. Brannon
Manager, AAA Auto Club South
Heathrow Service Center
Phone (407)444-4360
Fax (407)444-4070