Resulting from a long and close collaboration between the CIK-FIA and the major manufacturers, the new specification of the 2016 kart engines will be officially presented at the second Competition of the 2015 CIK-FIA European Championship for KF and KF-Junior in Great Britain at the PF International circuit. Simplicity, lightness, performance and cost were the main concerns of the designers of the new OK and OK-Junior engines. The aim is to extend the use of these engines in the various national championships around the world.
The introduction in 2007 of KF engines has caused a restriction in the international categories at high-level Competitions over the years, while reducing the number of drivers involved in international Competitions. The new team at the CIK-FIA, behind the Vice President Mr. Kees Van de Grint, decided to work to broaden the base of competitors as was the case in the time of the ICA and FA engines. Thus, the new OK regulation was born which will come into force in 2016.
For obvious economic reasons, the new OK engines rely on the work already done with KF, while being distinguished by essential points. Therefore, the clutch, the electric starter, electric wiring and the battery will go, and the result of this simplification will be less weight and greater reliability. OK engines will have direct drive in line with the origins of Karting. The Karts will have a decompression valve for easy starting.
Numerous tests carried out in close collaboration with several manufacturers since 2013 have guided the development of the new regulations. The engine capacity of 125cc is maintained as well as the internal balancing system, and the water pump can be either internal or external. It was also decided to use the same type of butterfly carburettor as before, with a diameter of 24mm for OK and 20mm for OK-Junior. The respective maximum revs are fixed at 16000 RPM and 14000 RPM. The exhausts for OK and OK-Junior are specific monotypes and must be homologated. The specific monotype power valve must be homologated with the OK engine.
In line with the recommendations of the FIA Safety Commission, the weight scale has been revised downwards: minimum 145kg, including driver, for the OK category and 140kg for the OK-Junior.
Last but not least, the manufacturers have committed to provide new OK engines at a retail price of around €2,000.
With this new regulation, the CIK-FIA wants to reintroduce international categories in the National Championships with a broader base of drivers. Many ASNs, including the largest, have already indicated their readiness to follow this path.The OK engines will be presented at PF International on 20th and 21st June 2015 during demonstrations on the track with the possibility of trials by a few members of the press.
