IPKarting kart braking systems (Praga Kart, Formula K, RS Kart and OK1): complete technical analysis

COMPLETE ANALYSIS OF IPK ENGINEERING BRAKING SYSTEMS BY IPKARTING (FOR PRAGA KART, FORMULA K, RS KART AND OK1)

Gianluca Covini

28 March 2026 • 15 min. read

For the FIA Karting 2025 homologation cycle, the Italian manufacturer carries over its RBS.V3, STR.V2 and MKB.V2 braking systems, developed respectively for single-speed, Shifter and MINI categories. There is, however, one key update. It’s called Carbotech. Here’s what’s changed

Founded in 2011, IPKarting has quickly established itself as one of the leading racing kart chassis manufacturers worldwide. At the company’s Italian headquarters in Salizzole (North-East Italy, around 150 km east of Milan), both the chassis for the Praga Kart, Formula K, OK1 and RS Kart brands and their related components are designed and manufactured, and marketed under the IPK Engineering name. With the FIA Karting homologation cycle 2025–2027, dedicated to chassis, bodywork and braking systems, IPKarting has chosen to confirm its IPK Engineering braking systems range already introduced during the previous 2022–2024 homologation period. The RBS.V3 system (006-B2-50) for single-speed categories (Junior and Senior), the STR.V2 (006-B4-45) for Shifter categories and the MKB.V2 (006-B2-17) for the MINI category therefore remain homologated. According to IPKarting, these systems have demonstrated a high level of reliability over time, ensuring powerful, progressive and easy-to-modulate braking. This is confirmed by feedback collected in international competitions, both through official IPKarting teams such as the IPK Factory Team and the Formula K SRP Factory Team, and through numerous private teams and drivers competing in major single-make and multi-brand championships. For this reason, no radical redesign of the systems was undertaken. However, some updates have been introduced, without affecting homologation parameters. Chief among them is the new surface treatment known as Carbotech.

Editor’s Note
To better appreciate the themes explored in this Tech Focus, we recommend reading the article “Tech Talk | Kart braking system: the different technical and manufacturing approaches compared” It offers a comprehensive overview of the main design philosophies in karting and provides useful context for understanding the technical choices made by Parolin Racing Kart.

Editorial note 2
As mentioned, IPKarting manages the entire production cycle of its components in-house, from design to manufacturing through to research and development. This allows the company to maintain direct control over quality and production processes. To learn more about the company’s organization, read “Special | IPK, journey into the secrets of the company which manufactures chassis for Praga Kart, FK, OK1 and RS”.

All brake master cylinders and calipers, both front and rear, produced by IPKarting now undergo a dedicated surface treatment called Carbotech, applied at the end of the production process. From a visual standpoint, the treatment also gives them a distinctive dark, high-tech finish. By scrolling the slider above, you can clearly see this evolution by comparing the rear brake caliper of the STR.V2 system in its previous configuration, fitted to a Formula K EVO 30 chassis in Shifter configuration (model year 2021), with the latest version, as of March 2026, on a Formula K Dragon EVO XS1 chassis in Shifter configuration (model year 2025).