Norton RCW588

[3] Crighton confirmed the usual method of modifying a road engine for racing was to replace the essential components of crankshaft, conrods, pistons and camshafts – but the rotary had none of these.

Instead, modifications were made in similar style to two-stroke engines, by changes to the internal ports controlling intake mixture and waste gases, in conjunction with enhanced carburation and exhaust gas extraction.

[3][2] Initially the team raced with a limited budget in 1988 with riders Trevor Nation and Simon Buckmaster,[9] having some sponsorship from Dunlop tyres, Duckham's oils, Renold chains and Amal carburettors.

[8] Crighton subsequently developed a shadow-project which he named Roton, again with Spray, which competed in the Australian GP held at Eastern Creek circuit, placing 15th with one World Championship point.

[13] Ian Simpson won the British Superbike Championship in 1994 on a Team Crighton Norton rotary machine with Duckhams sponsorship, an oil brand name owned by BP.

[11][16] Crighton has further-developed his own machine, designated CR700P,[17] with engine chambers enlarged to 700 cc, and using a sealed, pressurised-gas cooling system powered by an external, belt-driven pump circulating the gas through an intercooler mounted in the seat-tailpiece.