Gunskirchen, Austria, March 23rd, 2004 - Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. ("BRP") announces that Bombardier-Rotax started serial production of the revolutionary ROTAX® Karts RM1TM in Gunskirchen, Upper Austria. The RM1 is the first chainless direct drive kart in the world.
It is planned to produce up to 1,000 units by the end of the year. Bombardier-Rotax has the capacity to produce as much as 3,200 karts per year in Gunskirchen.
"The RM1, the only chainless direct drive kart in the industry, constitutes a significant milestone in the evolution of Bombardier-Rotax," said Mr. Yves Leduc, Vice President General Manager of Bombardier-Rotax. "We are confident that this new venture will add to our already solid reputation in the marketplace," he added.
The RM1, which was officially launched in January 2002 during the Grand Finals of the ROTAX MAX Challenge in Malaysia, generated overwhelming media interest. The installation of the ROTAX 125 MAX DD2 engine in the RM1 chassis has until now been carried out by the French company Sodikart, which has developed the frame in cooperation with Bombardier-Rotax. Starting this month, the full assembly process takes place in Gunskirchen - from engine production to the complete assembly of the kart.
The RM1 brings together, for the first time in karting, engine, gearbox, brakes, chassis, tires and bodywork in a finely tuned system. Unlike other current karts, this innovative chainless two-speed direct drive train does not require any service, such as lubrication or chain adjustment and provides safer and cleaner operation. The RM1 is distributed via an authorised worldwide distributor network.
Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. is a world leader in design, development, manufacturing, distributing and marketing of Sea-Doo® watercraft and sport boats, Ski Doo® and Lynx® snowmobiles, Johnson® and Evinrude® outboard marine engines, direct injection technologies such as Evinrude E-TECTM, Bombardier* all-terrain vehicles (ATV), RotaxTM engines and karts as well as Bombardier* utility vehicles.
®,TM Trademark of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its subsidiaries.
* Trademark of Bombardier Inc. used under license.
For information:
Elisabeth Ruschak
Public Relations and Communications
Bombardier-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG
(43) 7246 601 202
elisabeth.ruschak@brp.com
http://www.rm1-kart.com
http://www.maxchallenge-rotax.com
http://www.rotax.com
http://www.brp.com