Announcement

2027 Engine Decision

by Mark August 27, 2026 0 comments

In some respects, it was quite disappointing as we totted up the last of the results from all of the talks I had had during the last two weeks. All that effort and, in some respects, the worst-case scenario, a 50% split. I announced the results of the poll as I said I would at the event, then spent the day with Kelvin talking to as many drivers as we could. Some things became apparent.

Nobody we spoke to was emphatic that a change to 200 engines would be requisite in order for them to take part next year.

Some were concerned that a move to 200’s could and probably would result in some teams leaving the series.

Others observed that, while a wholesale change to 200’s would probably cost each team over £3k, nothing would materially change. Lap times would come down a little, stadium might be more of a challenge, but fundamentally the top teams would remain the top teams and every other team would assume a place in the performance order similar to where they were in this current season. So, expenditure for no good reason or benefit.

Mixed grids came into the discussion sometimes, all with variations on a theme. Here, I have to bow to Kelvin’s greater knowledge and experience of these things, as he has seen many race series come and go over the years. He has been involved in series where amalgamations of classes has been tried, and ultimately they have always failed.

Having then discussed this at length with Kelvin in the days that followed, we came to the following conclusion. If we kept the 160’s for next year, it appeared unlikely that any teams would leave the series in protest. However, if we changed over to 200’s there was the likelihood that some teams might not wish or would not be able to make that additional expenditure, particularly since there would be no realistic opportunity to recoup any revenue in the disposal of their existing and perfectly serviceable race engines.

Since RHPK is currently the largest prokart endurance grid (outside of the military race series), we have concluded that any change would materially damage the grid numbers. We have not consulted Rye House directly but we must not lose sight of the fact that, to them, support for RHPK comes fundamentally as a commercial interest on their part, any significant change in entry numbers might result in a loss of interest on their part, where it could easily be replaced on a Saturday afternoon with more corporate events.

So, we have concluded that the best and safest way forward to ensure the continuation of RHPK is to remain with the 160’s next year.

Kelvin and I are exploring options on how we can continue to keep the top end of the grid next year fair and consistent. We have delayed this news to try and see if we could make any progress – but will take a little longer. We will keep everyone updated as soon as we have any news/feedback. This is thanks to some of the feedback and discussions/ideas we had last month.