2015 EKN Chassis Showroom: Parolin

Successful Italian chassis manufacturer continues development of family-owned brand

January 22, 2015 by David Cole

EKN is excited to offer a new editorial series for our readers – our ‘Chassis Showroom’. Over the next couple of months, we will be highlighting many chassis manufacturers and the importers / dealers who are responsible for making these karts available to the North American karting community. The market is filled with models for all levels of competition, from four-cycle to shifterkarts, and the new offerings are really great looking.

Importer: Russell Karting Specialties
For five decades, Russell Karting Specialties has been one of most iconic names in the sport. RKS has served millions of karters, from a facility located in the center of the country, just outside the metro Kansas City area. The family-owned business began with George Russell in 1959, when he and son Jim Russell entered the sport in the late 1950’s. Jim took over the business in 1982 until his untimely death in 2007, handing it over to his son, Jim Russell Jr. The company has supported the sport for a number of decades, and they provide support and compete personally in all its forms, including dirt oval, pavement oval, road racing and sprint racing. Jim Russell Jr. continues his family legacy of on-track success, as well, as in additional to countless road racing wins and titles, he scored the 2013 Superkarts! USA SuperNationals TaG Master win, piloting a Parolin chassis.

Chassis: Parolin
The Parolin name has been a part of karting since the early 1980s, when Albino Parolin began his career behind the wheel. After establishing a successful CV as a driver, he began honing his skills building frames. Success came quickly, and in the 1990s, the first Parolin-branded chassis gained relevant victories on the international stage. Parolin Racing was formed in 1994 and has continued to grow. The Parolin name expanded into North America and Asian markets, developing a number of brands over the past two decades. Eurostar Kart Components was created out of the growth, providing a number of different products for all brands of karts. Most recently, Parolin has been the official chassis partner for the CIK-FIA Academy Trophy series.

The latest chassis homologated for the 2015-2020 period is the Le Mans frame. This is a three-rail chassis this is a combination of development from the Monza and Invader models. The front-end is similar to the Monza, while the rear is similar to the Invader, but each end developed differently. It has worked well at the club and international level, and is the chassis used for the CIK-FIA Academy Trophy, and here in the United States, as well.

The Monza (homologated 2009-2020) is a three-rail frame designed for low grip situations and hard tires, something that club racers are very familiar with. The Invader (homologated 2006-2017) features a square end to the frame unlike the Monza and Le Mans, where the torsion bar connection is curved. It is designed for high grip conditions with medium to soft tires, and also available in an all-32mm option.

Model: Le Mans
Frame tube size: 30/32mm
Wheelbase: 1046mm
Spindle size: 25mm
Front width: 636mm
Rear width: 718mm
Length: 1530mm
Front hub: 75mm
Rear hub: 85mm
Front Wheels: 130mm Magnesium
Rear Wheels: 180mm or 210mm Magnesium
Brakes: Eurostar 214-1/FR/08; Ventilated disk (194x18mm)
Seat: Eurostar fiberglass
Steering Wheel: 320mm aluminum
Bodywork: Eurostar Fly / Wings

Model: Monza
Frame tube size: 30/32mm
Wheelbase: 1046mm
Spindle size: 25mm
Front width: 636mm
Rear width: 718mm
Length: 1530mm
Front hub: 75mm
Rear hub: 85mm
Front Wheels: 130mm Magnesium
Rear Wheels: 180mm or 210mm Magnesium
Brakes: Eurostar 214-1/FR/08; Ventilated disk (194x18mm)
Seat: Eurostar fiberglass
Steering Wheel: 320mm aluminum
Bodywork: Eurostar Fly / Wings

Model: Invader
Frame tube size: 30/32mm
Wheelbase: 1050mm
Spindle size: 25mm
Front width: 636mm
Rear width: 720mm
Length: 1530mm
Front hub: 75mm
Rear hub: 85mm
Front Wheels: 130mm Magnesium
Rear Wheels: 180mm or 210mm Magnesium
Brakes: Eurostar 214-1/FR/08; Ventilated disk (194x18mm)
Seat: Eurostar fiberglass
Steering Wheel: 320mm aluminum
Bodywork: Eurostar Fly / Wings