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KOSMIC MERCURY R, THE 2018 KZ WORLD CHAMPION KART

Max Bernardi

14 December 2018

CIK-FIA 2009-2020

HOMOLOGATION
The Kosmic Mercury was homologated for the first time in 2009. In 2014, its homologation has been extended until 2020

CONFIGURATION
The chassis is suitable both for non-shifter and shifter kart engines. The one analyzed in this article is the KZ-KZ2 version

30 mm

TUBES DIAMETER
Generally, 30-mm and 32-mm tubes are used, some are the same diameter and others are mixed diameters. The tubes in the Mercury R all have a diameter of 30 mm

ROBOT

WELDING
Two “schools of thought”: handmade or robotics. OTK welds are done in a fully automated mode

MAGNESIUM

ACCESSORIES
For the OTK Group chassis, standard components are made of magnesium

The new Kosmic Mercury R is officially the 2019 model. Factually, though, it was already on the track at the end of 2018 season winning the CIK-FIA World Championship in the highest shifter kart category: the KZ. A prestigious success which confirms the quality that has always distinguished the OTK Group products and, at the same time emphasizes innovations, both technical and aesthetics, currently in the new version of the top of the line kart by the Kosmic brand.

The version identified by the letter “R”, is the latest development of the Kosmic Mercury chassis, whose homologation is expiring in 2020. The frame, unchanged from the past, has all the main tubes in 30 mm diameter, a classic design, and two removable bars that can be mounted in the front or the rear. The standard wheel base is of 1050 mm, this variable is accomplished through the optional out of alignment flanges in 5 mm or 10 mm. Like all chassis manufactured by OTK Kart Group, Kosmic Mercury is the result of a completely automated welding process which ensures consistency in production while offering the highest quality chassis.

Although the geometries and dimensions of the tubes are the same, the differences from the previous S version are certainly not lacking. Starting from the seat supports, which in the Mercury R have a small block, welded to the chassis where the bracket is fastened to.

The Kosmic Mercury R, powered by a Vortex RKZ engine, is the 2018 World Champion in the KZ category

The driver who brought the chassis to victory was Patrick Hajek on the renowned Genk karting track

The advantages are many, especially from the set-up point of view: tension generated by the seat fastening are avoided, maintaining an unchanged weight distribution. To underline the attention to details and confirm the authenticity of the chassis, in the fixing blocks we find the embossed OTK logo, used with a particular manufacturing process.

Another modification involves the fastening supports of the floor plate, now the reduced section (a practical method that allows, during the welding phase, to reduce the heat transferred to the chassis) and moved in position so as to raise the floor plate by 7 mm. A change that maintains the screws alignment to the lower part of the chassis tube and the upper nuts, avoiding contact with the track and the relative wear of the self-locking nut, with the potential loss of any screws. The changing of the position of the floor plate has also raised the tank position, consequently, the OTK technicians had to redesign the steering shaft support, adapting the height of the steering. Moreover, the steering shaft no longer has the M10 nut, it has been replaced with a M8 which allows the use of a number 13 wrench, thus facilitating the replacement process.

Amongst the main 2019 innovations there is the steering wheel hub done with forged aluminum and, for the first time, offered in an inclined position as the primary standard. Additionally this improves the driving position, as an added option, now the thickness provided by OTK allows them to bring the steering wheel even closer.
Always in the perspective of improving the driving comfort, the coating on the steering wheels grip area has been completely revised: the use of an ergonomic semi-silicone rubber, allows for a remarkable grip, thus assisting the grasp of the driver’s hands and decreasing driver fatigue.

The new M7 front fairing designed to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the kart

The steering wheel of the Kosmic Mercury R features a semi-silicone rubber in the grip area which improves the stability and overall control needed by the driver’s hands

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