Good day Mr. Lamar,

As you may be aware, the new Norton Motorcycles Ltd. (UK)
is back in the rotary business, taking off where the
former Norton company left off in the mid-90's after
being effectively banned from UK motorcycle road racing
for being too successful in winning against reciprocating
competition. Sorta got "Mazda'd" I guess. The current
NRV-588 twin-rotor liquid-cooled motor making 170 BHP
at 11,500 RPM according to website.

That being said, I'm curious as to whether you've kept
up with events at the past and present Norton organizations
and rotary development there. The past Norton organization
manufactured until the mid-nineties very desirable street
versions on their rotary which were unfortunately never
sent to our shores, although I know of a couple acquired
illegally thru Canada. Until the time the new batch of
rotaries are available here, I'm stuck with my two '72 Norton
Commandos with their 1947 design motor. Still cool though!

I enjoy your site, especially the Jim Hall/Chapparal conversation.


Sincerely,

Al Koivisto

Yes I have heard about the new Norton.

That is good news indeed. From the RPM numbers
I assume they are running silicon nitride rotor bearings:)

The AIXRO engine is the same size and weighs only 24 Kg
or 52.8 pounds for a remarkable power to weight ratio
of 3 pounds per HP!!!!

Norton should start their own rotary only road racing series :)

Mazda should do the same demonstrating to the world lap time
advantages on the same road courses the piston engines use.

If it were not for the artificial rev limit in Rolex GT
and the artificial and arbitrary minimum race car weight,
Mazda rotaries would dominate any road racing series.

Who needs piston engines :)

Paul Lamar


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