WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT ENGINEERING - THE BOSS AT WORK [me]
MICO FOUNDRY LIMITED
SWIFT MARINE ENGINES LIMITED.
THE SHOP - FAMILY'S MOTORCYCLE BUSINESS-[Pictured 1940's ]
"SWIFT"
THE BABY IS BORN
In the early 1970's the Swift kart engine was the only British made racing engine Homologated by
the RAC for competition.
This 100c.c. rotary valve over square bore engine held its own against the exotic Italian products.
All castings were produced in our foundry and parts machined in our engine shop.
Production was limited to batches of ten because of heavy demand for our other products keeping
our small work force fully occupied.
It was not until the end of the 70's that the other British company, TALKO began making their
range of engines. TALKO is still producing engines today and their newest OHV engine looks to be
a winner.
As the 1980's opened my involvement in turbine parts repair and manufacture took off and the
kart engine side of the business began to suffer. Now spending a lot of my time in the U.S.A. and
traveling the world for the turbine business I reluctantly decided to sell Swift to a company in the
North of England and they took over all the many drawings, patterns and tooling which goes in to
the making of an engine.
Situated permanently in the USA I once again became heavily involved in karting. In 2007 decided
to advertise in the U.K. for a Swift engine for my collection. Luckily I received a response and I now
have one of the earliest K100's in my workshop. We ran it on the dyno. and it produced impressive
power!
This year [2010] look for the SWIFT team racing their "Chondas"
Blake Kruger will still road race his Intrepid Suzuka--SRS Honda CR85 with SWRA plus a Chonda
powered Fullerton st local races.
Mike Range - when available - will race the Gold Kart Yamaha YZ85 that Blake was so sucsesfull
with
Colin Walker Will have a Chonda powered kart for local races and a second Fullerton with a Komet
K80 rotary valve for SWRA road racing.
Thats all for now see you at the races.