July 14, 2005 TaG USA and IKF Rules regarding Parilla Leopard exhaust port timing

In light of recent events regarding the issues surrounding the legality of Leopard engines we (Italian Motors Ltd., Russell Karting Specialties Inc. and IAME s.p.a.) would like to make the following statements.

• The Leopard engine specifications have remained unchanged since their release in 2000, as presented to the IKF by Italian Motors. The exhaust port timing value has always been published as maximum of 171 deg.
• In 2004 the IKF rule book stated an exhaust port timing value of 1.380” in section 622.60.1.1 which corresponds to 171 deg.
• The 2004 TaG USA rules made no mention of an exhaust port height so the 171 deg would have been in effect by virtue of the fact that no other written measurement was present. The Leopard specification was also posted on their website at that time.
• The 2004 SKUSA TaG rules also had no mention of exhaust port height so the 171 deg would also have been the rule in place.
• If TaG USA intended to change the port timing in their rules from what is written in the specifications they should have send a written notice to the importers making them aware of this. No such report was given and no request for an engine to retest was received by either importer.
• In January of 2005 TaG USA released rules adding a rule for exhaust port duration that had a value of 1.415”. The source engine for this measurement is unknown to the importers and manufacturer.
• By virtue of adopting the TaG USA rules in January of 2005 IKF did, in effect, change their previous rule for port height from 1.380” to 1.415”.

In light of these facts and the fact that IAME has never produced an engine that has exceeded the 171 deg exhaust duration as originally specified we feel that the current rule in place is in fact incorrect. This rule is clearly a change form what was in place prior to January 2005 and should revert back to the measurement in the original specification provided by IAME in 2000.

Italian Motors Ltd. and Russell Karting Specialties, Inc. are the sole North American importers for the parilla Leopard engine and fully understand the rules and specification for the Leopard engine that have been in place since 2000. We have made every effort to maintain the stability and integrity of the Leopard engine package and cannot be held responsible for rule changes that deviate from the original manufacturer’s specification, thus causing some engines to be considered illegal by some organizations.

It has always been our position that the original specifications provide more than enough information to tech an engine and do not need to be superseded or added to with other measured values.

Italian Motors Ltd.
Russell karting Specialties, Inc.
IAME s.p.a.