RS karts Interview with Ralf Schumacher and Petr Ptáček

KARTS

Interview with Ralf Schumacher and Petr Ptáček

Ralf Schumacher partnered with IPK Factory and created RS Karts, that are already claiming podium results around the world.

RS karts are also known for its unique re look and they could not be missing in the CIK FIA Karting World Championship. Petr Ptáček represented RS karts at the World Championship in his KZ1 debut. We wanted to find out more about their co-operation and future plans.

How would you evaluate Petr‘s World Championship performance and results?

Petr: I believe that my World Championship was positive, on the whole.After two years in the KZ1 class I would say I did a decent job in reaching the final. I wanted to have fun before the end of my Formula Renault Championship and get some practice too.

Ralf: Petr already took the next step in his motorsport career by taking part in the Formula Renault Championship. That means he’s taken part in high level kart races for long time. In the KZ1 there are factory drivers who are almost professional, racing more or less every week. Because of that he did an amazing job during the whole event with a fantastic result at the end.

What do you like about the RS Karts in terms of quality and design?

Petr: It looks really aggressive which is really nice. Due to Ralf‘s uncompromising insistence on quality I believe the kart is amazing - and it’s fun to drive. Ralf: I always prefer a clear and simple design. In general every team has their own design. I wanted to have an outstanding look from the outside. In IPK we found a partner who also has a passion for developing a high quality product, in detail, to guarantee a consistent performance for every customer in all categories in karting.

didn‘t start their career in karting. How important a role in a driver‘s career does karting play, and what are the most valuable things young drivers can learn in karting?

Petr: In karting you learn all the basics, and even for an experienced driver it’s good practice, since everything happens so quickly.

Ralf: Karting should be the foundation for everyone who wants to become a professional motor-sport driver. At the age of 8 you can already take part in karting races. That means you are able to get used to all of the processes around racing. During the karting career of a young talent, which in my opinion should last until the age of 16 years, you get a very useful education which is the best preparation for taking the next step, into car racing.

What are your future plans with RS karts?

Petr: I keep one of my World Championship karts for practice. I will definitely do some kart races next year. My manager and I will decide which races I will do and on which chassis. My priority next year will be the Formula Renault Eurocup.

Ralf: After one year of development we’ve established a high quality product on the market. With constant improvements, and together with our partners all over the world, we would like to make the RS Kart even more successful.

PRAGA

is changing the rental kart business

In a move designed to revolutionize its karting division, Praga is introducing innovative solutions together with a brand-new line of rental karts. The two families of karts, the competition-derived Race Line and the more traditional RTK line, will come with a complete package of services for rental kart operators.

In the past, Praga’s activities in karting focused chiefly on racing equipment. Together with IPKarting factory, Praga produces and sells racing go-karts both under its own name and several other brand- -names, such as Formula K, OK1 or Ralf Schumacher. The overall production of racing karts is around 2,000 units per year. This has allowed the company to gather considerable knowledge and experience in designing and building go-karts.

A couple of years ago, we at Praga and IPKarting decided that we want to make this expertise available to the world of leisure karting as well. As a result, we have begun development of a brand-new, complete range of leisure and rental go-karts, followed by extensive testing.

Going into the rental kart market has required Praga to adapt to a vastly different set of requirements. Rather than outright speed, the rental karts have to be built with their mission – to bring the joy of karting to the paying customers – in mind. Unlike their racing brethren, these karts are not pampered by race mechanics; they are driven hard, crashed often and serviced only as necessary.

To make a successful rental kart line, we had to focus on making them durable, easy to adjust and maintain, and of course, with untrained customers behind the wheel, safe. Using our expertise and the latest technologies, we were able to develop two separate lines of rental go-karts. The Race Line karts are essentially the racing karts modified for rental purposes, while the RTK line is focused more towards typical leisure riders.

We wanted to do more, however, than just build a great kart. Praga and IPK are aiming to offer a full range of services to the kart operators. The business doesn’t end with the delivery of karts - quite the opposite; we see it as the beginning of a long term relationship. Besides the product itself and our comprehensive financing services, the most important thing is the continued support to our operators.

The new Rental Kart programme is specifically aimed at go-kart rental centres and provides them with everything they may need when operating the IPK go- -karts. From buying and financing the fleet of karts, to their maintenance, and also to completely equipping the track itself - barriers, timing, even asphalt. Praga’s experts are always on hand to help or provide advice, ensuring that operators of Praga go-karts are always able to provide the best services to their customers.

With the new offer of Turn-Key solutions, opening a kart centre is now something anyone can do. Just ask Praga and IPK and let the experts solve everything for you!

Ipkarting divides leisure / rental go karts into two different families - RTK and Race Line.