Under Review | KR1, the new chassis designed by Dino Chiesa for the shifter categories

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KR1, THE NEW CHASSIS BY DINO CHIESA FOR KZ CATEGORIES.

Max Bernardi

16 July 2019

CIK-FIA 2018 - 2020

HOMOLOGATION
The KR1 homologation which is from 2018 expires in 2020 and is valid for all categories.

CONFIGURATION
The chassis is especially designed for shifter engines but it can also be used for non-shifter engines. The model in the photos is the KZ version.

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 KR1 all have a diameter of 32 mm.

ROBOT

WELDING
Two “schools of thought”: By Hand or Automated. The Kart Republic chassis are manufactured by Breda Racing utilizing a robotic system.

MAGNESIO

ACCESSORIES
Magnesium accessories are the standard for the Kart Republic chassis. Aluminum is not used in this category.

Amongst the most relevant news of the 2018 homologation session, the Kart Republic chassis, the new brand founded by Dino Chiesa undoubtedly stands out. This Italian technician and talent scout is amongst the most representative men in the world of karting, both for the titles won and for having discovered and coached some of the greatest drivers in recent years (Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, just to name a couple). Hence, it is inevitable that his new sporting and professional outlook will increase interest in the sport.

The homologated KR chassis are 3 and follow common guidelines which focus on reduced weight and technical solutions that simplify setup adjustments. KR1 is the model designed for the shifter categories, although its approval is valid for all classes. The frame, born from the experience gained by Dino Chiesa with the Zanardi and CRG brands, is produced by Breda Racing and utilizes a robotic welding system. All tubes are 32 mm in diameter, a typical size for a category like the KZ which needs greater rigidity and grip in which the weight is greater. The chassis color is chrome gray, a color already adopted by Chiesa while at the helm of Zanardi Karts.
The design of the chassis is classic although there is no shortage of solutions designed to optimize performance with shifter engines. For example, the longerons tilted inwards at the fuel tank height move the torsion point towards the front. On a more practical item, they ensure a better approach/greater cornering, which is important for the driving style required by the shifter categories.

The KR frames are manufactured by Breda Racing, an Italian company with 30 years of incredible extensive experience in the world of motorsports and specializing in the production of accessories and equipment for racing vehicles

Karts by Kart Republic mount the Dynamica by Eurostar fairing kit developed in the wind tunnel

The frame tubes tilted inwards at the tank height make the kart more responsive when cornering

The footrest is adjustable to nine positions through the holes created on the steering shaft support

The floorplate is made of resin, a distinctive feature on all KR chassis. Below, the Easy Caster Geometry Adjustment System which allows the modification of the caster independently in just a few seconds

At the rear, the crossbar is in a position further back on the kart, which is useful for providing the chassis a much greater grip and traction control while exiting turns.
Casings are placed at the steering shaft attachment and the master cylinder support. A solution that increases rigidity and reduces weight. The weight issue is extremely important in the new KR1 design. The in-depth and experienced research aimed at obtaining a lighter kart has involved every detail of the chassis and the accessories, achieving an improvement of 2,5 –3 Kg compared to the Zanardi chassis, used for 12 years by Chiesa Corse, the previous team of Dino Chiesa.
The pedals are made from solid aluminum and characterized by a careful boring out operation which reduces overall weight without affecting their strength or safety. The brake rod or the throttle cable can be adjusted to three different positions. The footrest is made out of aluminum as well and utilizes 9 holes on the steering shaft case support to adjust the driving position.
At the front the resin floorplate stands out. Dino Chiesa emphasizes: “The resin floorplate is part of Kart Republic DNA. It is standard equipment on all of our KR1, KR2, KR3 and Minikart chassis!”. It has several advantages, starting from the lower weight of about 700 -800 gr compared to aluminum, the flexibility is greater, and it varies according to the thickness and the different weaving of the various resin filaments. Additionally, the resin floorplate is stronger, and it does not scratch at the bottom when the kart goes over rumble strips and curbs. Interesting is the position of the fuel tank (further back on the kart) which shifts the weight to the center of the chassis which improves the center of gravity of the kart.