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RACER 401R. THE TOP TONY KART MODEL IN THE KZ VERSION

TKART Staff

02 May 2020

2009-2021

HOMOLOGATION
The first approval of the Racer 401 model dates back to 2009, renewed several times and currently valid until 2021

CONFIGURAZIONE
The chassis is suitable for use both with single-speed and shifter engines. The one analyzed in this article is in version KZ-KZ2

TUBE DIAMETER
Typically, 30 mm and 32 mm tubes are used. Either all the same size or a mixture. The Racer 401R's tubes are all 30 mm

ROBOT

WELDING
Two "schools of thought": by hand or robotised. OTK welds in fully automated mode

MAGNESIUM

ACCESSORIES
Standard accessories in magnesium, for the chassis of the OTK group

The Racer has been the main kart of the OTK house since 2000: over 20 years, this chassis has managed to win seven world titles. Among these there is also the 2014 CIK-FIA World Championship KZ dedicated to karts with gears and won by Marco Ardigò. The same Ardigò that, in his last racing year, 2019, won the WSK Euro Series with the latest evolution of the chassis: the Racer 401R.

In fact, the letter "R" marks the most recent version of the long dynasty 401, which appeared on the market in early 2019. However, the base is the same chassis whose approval cycle, which began in 2009 and was renewed in 2014, will now end in 2021. Like all the chassis of the OTK Kart Group, the 401R is the result of a fully automated welding process, which makes it possible to ensure the same high quality standards for each body that leaves the production line.

The 401R confirms the geometries of a body highly appreciated by the public and capable of achieving numerous victories in the international arena: that of the 401S model. However, compared to the latter it introduces important developments: the most evident, certainly, concern aerodynamics.

Simo Puhakka (above) and Paul Evrard in action on the track with the Racer 401R chassis

Research and development work to reduce drag (see box in the following slides) has been one of the aspects on which OTK has concentrated its efforts for years, without letting go even after the introduction of the futuristic M6 fairing kit. This is how a new number plate, called M7, was introduced on the Racer 401R. The main feature of this new component is the long convex central channel for channelling the air upwards, deflecting it and thus avoiding the formation of turbulence created when the flow directly hits the pilot.