VROOM n.131 APRIL 2012

- News and Previews

As most operators in the business, we too are very concerned by the current situation that sees the top direct-drive categories of our sport being put to test by stagnating numbers – to use an euphemism... We started by taking a look at the state of KF racing in the UK, one of the karting scenes that despite the global economic crisis can still boast decent entries all around, with the exception of KF classes. Also, we feature two interviews with the past and the future of karting, Tony Kart founder Tony Bosio, and Praga owner Petr Ptacek, and a lot more...







Contents





SPECIAL – Racing KF in the UK
If the numbers of participants at international level have never been close to pre-KF standards, the situation of KF racing at national level is dramatic to say the least. 6 years on the introduction of the KF concept, we look into the main national karting scenes that have given KF an opportunity, starting
with the UK.





TALKING TO – Petr Ptacek
Only in its second year in karting, Czech chassis brand Praga is highly competitive in all major international competitions. Petr Ptacek, the man behind the Praga Kart project, heart and soul, and owner of the company, tells us about his enthusiastic approach to karting and the thorough strategic planning behind its success.





TALKING TO – Antonio Bosio
Talking about karting today and yesterday with Antonio “Tony” Bosio, the artifice and founder of the best-known Factory in the world of karting.





RACE REPORT – RMC Asia & Malaysia Series Rnd.1-2
The first two rounds of the Rotax Max Challenge Asia & Malaysia series were held at the Speedway PLUS circuit in Subang, Malaysia. All 6 rounds of the series count towards the final championship standings – consistency will be critically important with the Rotax point system punishing 1 bad result quite heavily.





TECHNICAL SIDE – Overhauling KZ10 Engines by Franco Galiffa
The difference between a skilled job and a “do it yourself” enthusiast remains in small details and in everyday experience that make you immediately focalise on the parts that require most attention. That’s why we went to Franco Galiffa to be able to give you a few tips on how to overhaul a 125cc engine, in this case a TM KZ10.





S.O.S. KARTING – How to do things after the winter break
Winter is coming to an end, even if as I am writing the temperature outside is 3° below zero and blanket of snow...





VINTAGE USA – Making the LMC Swoopster Bandit replica
At a vintage karting get together old friends Ted Johnson from Arizona and Charlie Craibe from Wisconsin discovered their passion for the design of the LMC Swoopster Bandit kart. It wasn’t long after that they decided to undertake the task of reproducing the Swoopster Bandit chassis from scratch. Frank Weir takes into the phases of ‘Making the Replica’.





NATIONAL RACES
With the racing season officially up and running, the Florida Winter Winter RMC series wasted no time and crowned the first national champions of the season, also awarding the first tickets for the Rotax Grand Finals scheduled at the end of the year. Kerpen circuit in Germany was the setting of the second and final round of the Euro Winterpokal. After announcing a safe and sound future for the KF programme in Australia, the CIK Stars of Karting Series hit the Bolivar circuit for the opening round.





COLUMNS – Mondokart, May racing calendar
Not only racing and tech in our April issue. The FIA World Motorsport Council ratified the latest proposals of the CIK. For the 50th anniversary of the CIK, the vintage kart event organized at the end of May in Jesolo to relive the Coppa dei Campioni (Champions Cup) will be sponsored by the CIK. A new app for your iPhone to make it a perfect stopwatch is available. BRP-Powertrain announced the 2012 Rotax Grand Finals chassis partners. Art Grand Prix hits the world tracks. Aussies announce plans for KF future at national level. 23rd Margutti Trophy winners preview. Bahamas Speed Week Revival to include kart race. PRI sold to SEMA.
Plus, you find May national and international racing calendar in our closing column. Over 50 national events taking place in 22 countries around the world, as well as 5 dates from the international calendar.



 

Newsletter

Stay tuned!
Sign up for our mailing list
Follow Us on Facebook