RICCIARDO, A CHAMPION KART

TKART Staff

18 October 2016

CIK-FIA 2015-2020

HOMOLOGATION
Born in 2015, the first Ricciardo Kart model is logically called DR01

KF - KFJ

CONFIGURATION
The kart is homologated for all categories. The one under review had a non-shifter configuration

TUBE DIAMETER
Crossbars and stringers are all 30 mm in diameter, the “standard” for KF and KFJ chassis

ROBOT

WELDING
Birel ART produces Ricciardo Kart chassis using innovative automatic welding machinery

ALUMINUM MAGNESIUM

COMPONENTS
Magnesium is used only to make hubs and rims. All other components are made of aluminum

“Made in Birel ART” expertise and technology, with the name of a great champion. Let’s discover the Ricciardo Kart product in detail

Daniel Ricciardo lent his name, enthusiasm and... face; but behind strong>his” kart there is the famous Birel ART factory.
The legendary Italian company based in Lissone proposed, the Australian driver accepted, and voilà, the Ricciardo Kart brand now stands for a full line of vehicles covering a broad range of racing categories: KZ, KF, KFJ, Rotax and Mini.
The model we analyze is the DR01 with a non-shifter configuration, so without shift lever or front brakes.
Let’s start! For the front end of the DR, the company opted for an elongated solution compared to previous models, which proved to be well-performing with any kind of tire, especially at corner entry.
As a consequence, the kart also features a reinforced steering shaft support .
The adjustable heel rest system, aluminum pedals, and the camber and caster setting system with eccentric bushing, instead, are the same as previous Birel products.

The multiple-hole bracket to connect the steering rods to the stub axles and the replaceable stub axle shafts yield a broad range of set-up options

Above, another view of the new stub axle with interchangeable shaft. Below, the adjustable steering column support.

The side and rear fairings of Ricciardo Kart vehicles are by Freeline, while the front spoiler is a KG model. Side pods are connected to the relative frame supports by way of springs

The other huge innovation are stub axles with multiple-hole brackets for variable attachment of the steering rods (when we tested, they were still in the experimental phase): the farther out you attach the rod, the easier to drive, especially going into corners.

Vice versa, if you shift towards the inner holes. What’s new about the unit, though, isn’t just the multiple-hole bracket solution. In fact, the stub axle itself comes with a removable hollow shaft: unscrew the bolt and you can replace it with a different one (choosing between different material, diameter and rigidity options).
Innovation is also the name of the game when it comes to wheel hubs, featuring bigger bushings than past Birel ART models and an additional internal bushing that forms a “compact unit” with the stub axle.
Going back to the steering unit, instead: besides being reinforced, what’s new here is the three-way shaft adjustment system (the higher the slot, the less the kart steers and vice versa) and the two-way adjustable steering hub (normal position or angled).

"YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS TO CONVINCE ME I SHOULD BUY YOUR KART"