Thanks to Matteo Zamboni: A Day of Karting Tests
Updated: Oct 8
An Introduction to Our New Format
I want to start this blog — and this new format (which we’ve yet to name 😄) — with a sincere thank you. A heartfelt thank you to Matteo Zamboni. As well as being a brilliant driver (you only need to take a look at today’s lap times to realise that), he is, above all, a true motorsport enthusiast. But, more importantly still, he is a truly helpful person.
We spent a truly wonderful day of testing together – one of those days that reminds you why you love this sport. With practice sessions, a bit of a natter and a few laughs, it was one of those moments worth sharing here. And it’s days like these that inspired this space.
A Planned Meeting
It was no coincidence that we met on Saturday 18 May at the Riccardo Borile circuit (polenta and motors) in Vò Euganeo. We had planned to meet with a specific aim in mind: to put new products through their paces and see how they perform on the track. Matteo had already tested some of the parts, so it was the perfect opportunity to fine-tune things, compare notes and take things a step further.
Because, yes, our work doesn’t stop at the office. In fact, the most important part takes place right here: on the track. That’s where you realise what really works, what needs improving and, above all, what a driver needs.
Temperature Sensors: The Focus of the Day
The main focus of the day? Without a doubt, the new rear tyre temperature sensors. The idea is simple: to get an immediate indication of how the tyres are performing. The sensors measure the temperature and, thanks to an LED, provide a clear indication: blue, green or red, depending on the range we’ve set. That way, you know straight away whether you’re within the ideal range or whether the tyres are too cold… or too hot.
But that’s not all. All the data is saved to a microSD card, so at the end of the session you can pause, see exactly what happened on the track and make adjustments for the next lap. Less reliance on ‘gut feeling’, more concrete data to work with.
How Did the Sensors Work?
How did the sensors perform? I’ll tell you all about it in my next article… sorry about that 😜. If you’re curious to find out how it went on the track, all you need to do is sign up on the website: that way, you’ll stay up to date with both new products and the tests we’re carrying out.
The TubeSlime EVO Bumper: Protection and Performance
Another component we put under stress was the TubeSlime EVO bumper, which is perfect for protecting the kart at its most vulnerable points. The height of the kart’s rear axle was set to keep it as close to the ground as possible. As a result, it often scraped against the tarmac. We completed a total of four free practice sessions with the bumpers fitted, and yes, they certainly did the job. The photos clearly show just how much wear and tear they’ve sustained, particularly on the right-hand side of the kart.
The reason is simple: the circuit has far more left-hand bends than right-hand ones, so that side has borne the brunt of the ‘stress’.
In the photo above, you can see one of the pads fitted exactly where the kart has scraped most against the tarmac. As you’d expect, there are signs of wear — in fact, this is precisely the pad that’s been working hard — but it has done its job perfectly in protecting the chassis. And the important thing is this: despite the accumulated stress, it hasn’t reached a level that requires replacement.
KartSkid S Slide Plate: A Necessary Innovation
Another component we tested was the KartSkid S skid plate. Matteo’s kart is fitted with a total of four skid plates, which protect the central area beneath the chassis. This type of skid plate is perfect for all kart drivers who want to race with the lowest possible ride height, protruding just 4 mm below the chassis. Particularly in the KZ class, where drivers seek maximum performance by lowering the kart’s ride height as much as possible, these skid plates allow for numerous practice sessions using the same race set-up, without damaging the chassis tubes.
Matteo has found these shims really useful, especially in a situation that’s very common amongst kart drivers. It often happens that you move from a circuit with very smooth tarmac, where you can race with a very low ride height, to another that’s a bit bumpier. And that’s where the classic dilemma arises: should you raise the ride height just for a few laps of free practice, or risk damaging the chassis? These shims significantly reduce this problem. They allow you to maintain a very low ride height without having to compromise the kart’s protection against scraping on less-than-perfect tarmac.
Conclusion and Acknowledgements
CIn this short video by Matteo, I’d like to thank you all for your attention and invite you to sign up to our website to stay up to date with new products and upcoming promotions. Thanks again to Matteo for a wonderful day: we had fun, we worked hard, and we’ll definitely be back on the track soon to test some more new components!
If you’d like to follow him on his social media channels, here are his details:
Facebook: Matteo Zamboni
Instagram: zambattak
Thanks again and see you next time! 👋
Federico
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