Lately, the Chonda class (or Chinese Honda) has gained some interest here in the North Texas area.
It’s an overhead valve four stroke engine replica of the Honda and so far appears to be near the quality of the Honda at a fraction of the cost. I found this engine on sale at Harbor Freight for $79 and for an extra $20, you get a warranty! I couldn’t believe it when I saw it! For the first time I can remember, the stuff you connect to the engine costs more than the engine itself!
OK, just how nuch does it really cost to manufacture this engine in China? Surely it can’t be more than $5-$10? Despite the manufacture cost, this engine could possibly be used as the “starter package” for the new racer in karting. While it’s not my cup of tea, the Chonda might be an ideal way to ease novices into kart racing. It might make it affordable enough to ensure they show up (and keep showing up) at the race track, hone their skills and possibly graduate to a TaG, Rotax or shifter class later. You know, actually have some FUN before they start getting “serious” and selling their 1st born to pay for their racing fix!
Instead of getting frustrated trying to learn and also cope with the cost of racing at the same time, the novice might now have time to really develop their driving. While I’m still trying to figure out if these “disposable” kart engines are good for the sport (and my business), I’m also willing to admit that the opposite approach hasn’t done much for the race grids lately… We’ve all seen the used karting market flooded with expensive (and nearly new) Rotax and shifter karts (with all the bells and whistles), being sold by someone who was in the sport for a whole 2 months!
OK, so it sounds like your Grandpa’s lawnmower on a hot summer day. But, it’s cheap and apparently cheap to run. Let’s face it, why even spend the extra $20 on the warranty. When the thing blows up, throw it away and go get you a new one. I certainly wouldn’t waste my time with mechanical issues for that kind money. In fact, I’ll say that the class is doomed for failure the first time someone does “worry” about the mechanicals, opens one up and tries to make it “better”. Buy it, bolt it, race it.
Will I personally race in this class? Never say never, but probably not anytime soon. I know the speed and power is relative, and as long as everyone else on the track is equal, the racing will be fun, but after all these years of racing, my brain (and heart) need a LOT more speed. However, I do think it’s worth looking at, and it also gives me an excellent way to get rid of all these used, bare naked chassis around the shop!
