TAL-KO UNVEIL NEW ENGINE
Tal-Ko Racing has unveiled a new 80cc hi-tech kart
engine aimed specifically at the Cadet to Junior
karting age range.
The engine is water cooled
with reed valve technology induction. It utilises a
simple TAG touch-and-go starter system where the
starter operation is separate from the PVL ignition
system. It has a centrifugal clutch and a choice of
make and size of carburettor dependant on market place
and BHP requirements.
The engine was
first designed, developed and manufactured by the WTP
consortium in Italy as a new international engine. But
it was never introduced formally with homologations
into any country, although the engine has been sold
into various countries world-wide.
When the
WTP consortium collapsed the engine was left literally
sitting on the shelf. Now Tal-Ko’s Alan Turney has
bought the global rights to this 80cc engine and taken
delivery of all the components and tooling required to
manufacture and build the engines and supply spares.
The engine will retain the WTP logo and will be
referred to as the TKM WTP80 and sold as a TKM product
world-wide.
Explains Tal-Ko boss Alan Turney:
“This is a well designed compact engine with all of
the latest technology to make it a perfect choice for
that interim sector between Cadet and high power
Junior units.
“We see great potential for the
engine right around the world and for us this was a
perfect opportunity rather than designing a new engine
from scratch. We will be going ahead with giving the
engine TKM branding and manufacturing the engines in
quantity.”
Ironically the
introduction of the engine into UK racing looks likely
to be delayed because of the MSA’s decision to stop
the creation of any new classes. However the engine
will be sold here for hobby use and into the growing
number of circuits offering non MSA racing.
Adds Alan: “We will be talking with dealers &
organisers in many countries to enable the
introduction of this engine and we anticipate strong
interest. While initially MSA racing looks unlikely in
this country, we have little doubt that the unit will
be popular in the non MSA events. It is an exciting
new development for us and moves us into a new age
range market sector with great potential.”
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