Parolin: Unique Field Experience

Parolin and FIM Motors have been key partners of the World Championship as well as of the CIK/FIA Academy Trophy since their establishment in 2010, constantly improving the quality of their products and services, competition after competition, to consolidate their leading position. The second 2012 round held at Angerville confirmed once again the Italian manufacturer’s expertise, capable of providing as many as 50 chassis and 170 engines, fully reliable and with identical performances. This extraordinary effort has been repeated several times and confirms the high quality of the work carried out by Albino Parolin’s team.

Providing a large number of one-design karts is a great effort that sometimes can go unnoticed. It involves excellent original design, careful implementation, constant control and rigorous organisation as far as races are concerned. Although Parolin’s know-how in chassis manufacturing has been unanimously recognised since 1986, it is worth recalling that in 2002 Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg competed on chassis manufactured by this company.

The production of a large number of modern and reliable engines by its subsidiary FIM Motors has been a major challenge. FIM has relied on the skills of very experienced technicians as well as on its own manufacturing know-how. FIM engines in the Academy Trophy and WKE engines in the U18 World Championship were awarded the CIK-FIA tender thanks to their quality as well as to the company’s ability to manufacture them at a reasonable cost, which is a key element for the future of karting.

“We manage perfectly all the manufacturing and use phases of our engines”, Albino Parolin explained. “The field experience we have gained thanks to this special competition gives us a significant head start. Our original engine was already excellent; we simply adapted it to the format of events. With our three seasons’ experience, we know exactly what to do to meet strict specifications, thanks to a highly efficient team and organisation. The U18 as well as the Academy Trophy concept could provide a simple and effective solution for budget increase issues that currently hamper karting growth. I cannot help thinking that these categories could have their place in national championships in many countries, with CIK competitions to reward the best drivers. Karting would thus regain its true role of revealing talents and providing a low cost springboard to the top”.

One-design racing is not an empty concept for Parolin. Without regular and identical performances by all karts, it has no meaning. Parolin has fully proven its reliability on this point, and results are there for everyone to see. A convincing example proves this point. During competitions, the CIK-FIA switches engines randomly between drivers. At Angerville, the engine of one of the fastest drivers was changed before the final race, but the performances of each of the two drivers involved were not affected, in one way or the other. This situation, which was seen several times during the weekend, conveys the image of a serious formula.

“We are determined to fully exploit our technical expertise”, Albino Parolin concluded. “We believe that the quality of our performances has an important role to play in tomorrow’s karting, a sport that deserves much greater popularity”.