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Its an interesting move IMO. Apparently TKG has been involved with Birel in the past, so the connections are/were readily there. It took me by a bit of a surprise since TKG had been with KR for some time, and only this season got factory backing from KR.
Thoughts?
I agree with the assessment. Very weird. Just got factory backing and were doing very well.
Purely internet speculation here but: Maybe better financial support or incentive?
Drivers/Team usually move brands for a competitive advantage or for a better financial situation. KR chassis have been pretty competitive . . . .
Also SRP moves to Formula K
https://www.instagram.com/p/DDHW1zPN4Xs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Yeah it sounded like Maranello is bringing their factory effort in house instead of SRP running it. Who knows which happened first.
Excellent move if they were able to move in to an importer role. A role they weren’t able to have with KR since that is a successful part of the Kartsport umbrella.
This is a great way to build a legacy brand that can support multiple households should the boys stay in the family business. A team, a track and an importership of a major brand - that’s a heck of a platform.
Congrats to all of them!
PSL imports very successfully for US and Canada. I don’t see Birel interrupting that dynamic nor do I see PSL letting someone else handle distro for the US.
Maybe KR is getting more official in the US just like SODI USA…
Does PSL distribute out of the US anywhere or does the product come from Canada in to the US? Genuinely don’t know.
Product comes from Canada to the dealers here.
I’ve speculated two possible scenarios:
1 - BirelArt/PSL offered a significant financial incentive which isn’t the sort of thing i’d expect KR to do.
2 - At Supernats Turney was under their tent and they saw what the good kart looks like and realised they aren’t going to get it.
Are there really “works” karts at the highest levels like that in karting? And if so we’re talking custom frames mostly?
To be clear, Turney won both single speed classes right? I cant fathom a scenario where this is performance based.
I tend to agree what I think you’re getting at which is Turney is a great driver and would probably be up there on a mattress with wheels.
But…
Drivers and especially parents like to believe they are the best and if some guy turns up and wins many believe its the equipment.
Does make me curious which of the few KR teams Turney will run with next when he does come over.
Yes.
Good reading on it here.
I have learned so much this past year about chassis building from the BestKart guys. There are lots of ways to make a “special” kart. As I mentioned in many posts from this year, we tested 4 different specs of material in the chassis this year. Same geometry, but different material and there was noticeable difference in how they handled. I drove the medium-stiff at the start of the year, the soft for most of the season, and the medium-soft at SuperNats.
I would guess MPG will be leveraging for that position. They are already established, albeit not giant, and running well in the national series.
Probably depends on if there’s some sort of perks from KR to house Turney.
CDR or MPG unless another brand offers him a better deal at that time
They are paying double import duties then - once in to Canada and then again in to the US.
Not to mention this would take some load off PSL in the summer season when they have a big commitment to Canadian events if TKG can rep the brand properly in the US.
I can see a lot of scenarios where it’s a positive for PSL.