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TACHO EVO, ALL THE QUALITY OF PRAGA KARTS

Max Bernardi

01 February 2018

CIK-FIA 2018-2020

HOMOLOGATION
The Praga Tacho Evo has just obtained CIK-FIA approval. It is valid for 3 years as of 2018

KZ - KZ2

CONFIGURATION
The chassis is suitable for use with both non-shifter and shifter engines. The photos in this article show the KZ version

30-32

TUBES DIAMETER
In general, 30 and 32 mm tubes are used. Either all of the same size or a combination of the two. The Praga Tacho has only one 32 mm diameter tube, while all the others measure 30 mm.

MANUAL

WELDIND
There are two "schools of thought": by hand or robotised. IPK, the manufacturer of Praga chassis, performs welding by hand

MAGNESIUM

ACCESSORIES
The IPK group chassis has magnesium accessories as standard

A new braking system, significant technical modifications and a new livery: these are just some of the changes that distinguish the 2018 approved version of the Tacho Evo Praga chassis. One of IPK group’s flagship products and protagonist in the main competitions around the world

The frame has a traditional design and uses 30 mm diameter tubes, with the exception of the central crossbar, which is 32 mm in size and is tasked with increasing the rigidity of the central and rear areas of the kart.

IPK has invested heavily in tube bending, a fundamental step that the company performs with an automated bending machine that uses an electrically operated system, thereby excluding hydraulic systems that depend on the temperature of the oil (colder at the beginning of processing, especially in the winter months). The bending machine also has an energy recovery system (a bit like electric and hybrid cars), works on 11 axes and various jigs (female housings) for 28-30-32 mm diameter tubes. The automated machinery allows absolute precision, with a tolerance within a tenth of a degree in the angle of a bend.
The next phase is welding, for which IPK relies on the hands of expert operators
and not on robots that weld automatically.

The most obvious innovation, introduced on the 2018 approved version, concerns the support of the steering column, which now includes a housing instead of the old support consisting of two small diameter tubes.

The new Praga Tacho Evo has several technical innovations, but the new graphics provide the initial aesthetic impact

The traditional lion, the symbol of Praga Kart, stands out on the new livery

The fairings kit is the new 506 model by KG

The new hexagonal-shaped shift rod is stiffer and ensures improved shifting. Laser engraved lengths facilitate assembly

As explained by Cash Van Belle, the IPK group racing team’s experienced Team Manager, the modification was made to reduce vibration on the steering and increase the rigidity of the area. The aim is to make steering easier for drivers and reduce the number of corrections during fast changes of direction. Thanks to the new support, the chassis now also has two options for attaching the footrest, which is useful when adjusting the driving position, especially in the Junior categories. Another significant modification is found at the rear and concerns the chassis attachment points for the bearing housings of the axle, the seat of which is now an open housing. This allows a less rigid rear end, improving the ability to adapt to different set-ups, such as varying the hardness of the axle. Another advantage is that the rear end of the kart can be disassembled more quickly, removing the axle without having to slide it out.
The new Praga Tacho Evo has a wheelbase of 1050 mm, 5mm less than the previous version. Van Belle underlined the importance of the change, carried out after testing several wheelbases with the official Racing Team in major international competitions, in order to have a more responsive chassis on changes of direction.
The adjustment of the front end geometry is performed by the proven CCS system (Camber Caster System) made by IPK, which allows variation of the camber and caster independently while maintaining the standard height of the chassis at the front.

Moreover, having 4 and 2 mm spacers, it allows a greater number of height adjustments compared to the previous system which only used 4 mm spacers. The Cs of the chassis are cut using a bar and folded subsequently, as can be seen by the edges. This choice results in an advantage from the point of view of rigidity, which is always crucial to the performance of a chassis. Varying the Ackermann angle is facilitated by the new steering column: the 4 adjustment holes on each side allow greater adjustment, while the increase in thickness has strengthened the structure and resulted in greater rigidity. The laser-engraved IPK brand on the steering column emphasises the attention to detail.

PRAGA

An historical name in motorsport, since 1907.

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The steering column support is now a housing, to ensure greater rigidity and less vibration on changes of direction

The new "cassette" where the bearing housings are attached (above, compared to the old model, below), is open and allows the frame to have greater sensitivity to set-up variations, as well as making the axle easier to change