Column: Kart Focus - On The Technical Side
24/02/26
In the world of karting, engines, theoretically, should last for the three-year homologation period and then be ready for the scrapyard , sold to hobby drivers or used for training in rentals. But it doesn't always go that way… (by Pierluigi Mancini)
The life of a kart engine, according to regulations, should be 3 years, namely those of homologation. Unlike what sometimes happens with chassis, in the engine sector this almost never occurs: the...
16/02/26
Japanese manufacturers have tried on several occasions to break into the European karting world, but they've never succeeded. The reasons for this failure are many… (by Pierluigi Mancini)
It seemed easy: 4 little wheels, some tubes and a 2-stroke engine... how hard could it be to outdo the Italian artisans? That's what many must have thought, starting with the big Japanese...
18/01/26
For many years, fixed advance ignition modules have been used in karting. Let's analyze the reasons behind this choice. (pm)
It's been decades since karting federations mandated fixed advance modules instead of variable ones. What are the reasons for this choice? To fully understand them, we need to examine the...
04/01/26
It's been over 20 years since rotary valve kart engines vanished from the scene in favor of reed valve ones. Here are the reasons behind this technical choice. (pm)
Anyone who's no longer a kid and started racing more than 20 years ago will remember engines with rotary valve intake. This solution, introduced in the 1930s and later revived and developed by...
12/02/25
The first cup in the 2025 season is a good opportunity to warm up for the upcoming season for Julia Angelard, driving for JSTR by Jastrzębski Racing. The Polish driver qualified for the final race in the OK Junior class in 19th place, but unfavourable weather conditions, leading to minor mistakes on the track, resulted in finishing the final race in 26th place.
Although most of the competitors gathered at the South Garda Karting track in Lonato were not lacking in optimism, the weather accompanying the ROK Cup Winter Trophy 2025 made it clear that the first...
28/01/25
Zack kicked off his 2025 season at the WSK Super Master Series, making his debut in the OKNJ category at La Conca.
Despite it being his first qualifying session in the Junior category, he achieved an impressive P5 classification, demonstrating his strong single-lap pace. Unfortunately, a mechanical problem forced...
14/02/24
In anticipation of the launch of the Italian series, Tillotson organized a media day to present the new engines to the press and various motorsport Italian influencers. (fm)
Sales figures are proving those at Tillotson who bet on the T4 launch right, a kart that bridges the gap between the 'advanced' rental world and the 'reasonably priced racing' world,...
08/12/23
Starting from behind is always a lottery, and every comeback is a story in itself, but we give it a try until the very end
I ended my fifth day of racing with a bad taste in my mouth. Today I had two heats in which I had to recover as much as possible to guarantee access to the final. In the first heat, I managed to...
07/12/23
Some technical problems and a bit of bad luck didn't allow me to qualify as I was hoping for, but everything is still open...
Today was an intense day which included qualifying and the first heat.
Since the morning I have had technical problems related to the engine, which we were unable to resolve in time.
Due to...
06/12/23
I was finally able to drive on this wonderful track with my DD2...
For the entire Grand Finals event the drivers receive a total of two sets of new tires, the first to do the 6 practice sessions and the second to do everything else, from qualifying to the race, so...
05/12/23
Leonardo Principalli, an Italian-Swiss driver specializing in single-brand races, a driver who has won everywhere, with any and all types of kart, in brand Trophies, has accepted a new challenge this year, that of covering the double role of driver and 'journalist inside the race' for the week of the finals in which he will compete in DD2. Let’s follow his adventure in Bahrain directly from the track...
Hi, I'm Leonardo Principalli and I've been racing go-karts since 2013, when I started with rental karts at a track near my home, in Italian Switzerland. After having competed and won some...
10/02/23
Unexpected power and performance for an electric engine, the BSR 2.0 25+ kW power unit by Blue Shock Race balances high initial costs to practically zero maintenance. We have tested in Franciacorta the most performing power unit! (by C. Forni – pictures M. Segato)
Even though many of us love the sound, the aggressiveness, and the “heart” of internal combustion engines, it is evident that the future is electric. No noise pollution, in addition to...
29/01/23
The Brazilian former F1 legend, has been driving the Rotax machines with gearboxes for years. We asked him why this kind of kart can be the right choice for newcomers - especially adult people - on track. (fm)
For several years now you have been driving Rotax karts with the gearbox on the steering wheel, the DD2s: please tell us what the difference is with KZ, the FIA category with the gearbox, to those...
09/11/22
Vroom tests as world premiére the new electric engine by Blue Shock Race (by C. Forni/Photo M. Segato)
Vroom has tested today, as world premiére, the new 33Kw (45Hp) electric engine by Blue Shock Race at the karting circuit of Franciacorta... so much torque was there, but a little lack of...
02/10/22
Mission accomplished. On the third and final day of competition we won the final and experienced the event with all its emotions. (F.M.)
Sunday is the only day that counts in Motorsport as we know, and whether you run to tell the event from within by telling a story or to win the race, Sunday is the day of adrenaline. And this is how...
01/10/22
At the Lucas Guerrero karting circuit the races come to life: qualifying and heats to select the 36 participants in the final (F.M.)
The drivers of the largest category, the Senior, which is obviously the one in which we are enrolled, have been divided into 4 groups that following the qualifying have faced today in Cik FIA style...
30/09/22
We were invited to take part in Tillotson's event of the year driving a T4 kart and we accepted the challenge. In Valencia today the first free practice...(F.M)
When Tillotson's friends texted me a whatsapp to invite me to Valencia to race in the Nations Cup as a guest, in the beautiful setting of Valencia, I couldn't say no, although I consider...
26/05/22
With WS2+, Mapetrol, the Slovenian oil company that in 2022 celebrates 100 years in the world of production and distribution of lubricating oils, makes its debut in the world of karting. The product, characterized by cutting-edge technology, is ready for any challenge (by M. Pierluigi)
Mapetrol, a company with a centennial experience in the lubricant production sector, launches a new line of products dedicated to karting in which the WS2+ blend engine oil stands out. This lubricant...
17/05/22
Fast Adjusters are a brand-new go kart seat adjustment system created by James Golding and John Schena that allows to find the fastest seat position for any kart, driver, and track combination.
The driver is half the weight of the vehicle so if their weight is out of position the kart will be unbalanced, difficult to drive and slow. Many kart manufacturers will supply a set of dimensions...
11/02/22
The subject of ballast "has a certain weight" for those who live in the world of karting.
Not a few think that the ballast should be "reviewed" in many categories, such as the OKJ, where 12-year-olds of 35-40 kg often have to push karts with 20/30 kg of ballast, an impossible...