TRACKMAGIC KART

TRACKMAGIC KARTS

Trackmagic was founded in 1991 by Fausto Vitello. The early Trackmagic chassis were designed and manufactured at Fausto's San Francisco shop and initially used weldments purchased from G.W. Nelson Manufacturing (Invader) until they designed their own. Because of this, the very early Trackmagic chassis's can be mis-identified as Invader karts, but closer inspection reveals a completely different chassis design. From 1997 to 2006 the American made Trackmagic went on to win many championships, including the 1999 SKUSA Supernationals and was a major force in shifter kart racing, beating the top European chassis and teams who had decades of experience. Unfortunately, on April 22, 2006, Fausto Vitello passed away and Trackmagic began a slow decline.

In 2008 Trackmagic was purchased by Andrew Alfonso and the new flagship chassis, the Hornet, was outsourced to and built by Intrepid of Italy. The primary reason for outsourcing was due to the liquidation sale of all Trackmagic tooling and fabrication equipment after Vitello's death and the high cost of replacement tooling and personnel to run it.

As with any company, profitability must be priority one to survive. It has been questioned by many if Trackmagic was ever a profitable company, since Fausto had made millions from his highly profitable skateboard truck company and Thrasher magazine, he had plenty of money to pour into Trackmagic without having to worry about losses. Trackmagic became not only a fantastic kart chassis but with the hiring of the best drivers and using marketing skills gained from years of promoting his products to the skateboarding subculture, Vitello was able to create and promote an image and a highly recognized brand for his company, (the skull & tophat) which had a strong appeal to the karting culture of the time. I believe that no matter what, Trackmagic would have survived and continued to be a major force in karting with Fausto at the helm.

In 2009 Trackmagic was sold yet again, Mike Pickman took the helm and plans were made to have karts (the CR-1) manufactured by Wild kart of Italy. Unfortunately, after a lot of fluff and puff, PR, and marketing announcements, Trackmagic faded off into the dustbin of karting history.

1992 125cc Stinger, 80cc Super Bee, ST2 (open tire), SL2 (spec tire) CT-2 Dirt Kart, CTA-2 Asymmetric Dirt Kart
1993 125cc Stinger, 80cc Super Bee, ST2 (open tire), SL2 (spec tire) CT-2 Dirt Kart, CTA-2 Asymmetric Dirt Kart
1994 125cc Stinger, 80cc Super Bee, ST2 (open tire), SL2 (spec tire) CT-2 Dirt Kart, CTA-2 Asymmetric Dirt Kart, Road Race Sprint Sit up 42' wheelbase
1995 125cc Stinger, 80cc Super Bee, ST2 (open tire), SL2 (spec tire) CT-2 Dirt Kart, CTA-2 Asymmetric Dirt Kart, Road Race Sprint Sit up 42' wheelbase
1996 125cc Stinger, 80cc Super Bee, ST2 (open tire), SL2 (spec tire) CT-2 Dirt Kart, CTA-2 Asymmetric Dirt Kart
1997 Demon, Dragon, Spitfire (open tire), cadet Lightning
1998 Demon, Dragon, Spitfire (open tire), cadet Lightning
1999 Demon, Dragon, Spitfire (open tire), cadet Lightning
2000 Diablo (basically a demon w/frt torsion bar
2001 Diablo II (TM logo steering wheel)

2002 Diablo III, Dragon, Sorcerer, Slayer, Cadet, Kid kart
2003 Diablo IV, First year for Memo Gidley signature model, first year for all monochromatic (blacked out) components.
2004 Diablo IV, Sorcerer 4 cycle, Dragon 80cc, Cadet
2005 FTR 125 (four torsion bars, 2 rear, 2 front) w/hybrid tube technology
2006 FTR 125, DTR, DTR-4 (4 cycle)
Vitello passes away on 4/23/06
2007 FTR 125 (one front torsion bar), DTR, DTR-4
2008 New owner Andrew Alfonso
Trackmagic Hornet (Chassis built by Intrepid)
2009 New owner Mike Pickman
CR-1 (Chassis's built by WildKart)
2010 S-125 GLIA, S-125A, S-125B, W100 (World Formula)
2011 Trackmagic liquidates all assets and ceases operations

Note: Invader, Emmick, & Trackmagic used 1 3/8" axles from approximately 1997-1999 before moving to the more popular 40 mm axle.

Link to Trackmagic website, excellent inside information from the guys that built and drove Trackmagic karts

Bob Iriks, of Trackmagic Owners Group, TMOG,
presents his beautifully restored
2001 Trackmagic Dragon

"I Purchased at the factory shop on Underwood, San Francisco. 2001. Tom Dyer took my order. I had an old mid 90's Trackmagic Stinger that I retro fitted the butterfly shifter to the 2001 Dragon. Raced only twice with the first race on the podium in 3rd place. Stored for the next 16 years to rust away. Pulled it out of the corner of the garage and began restoration in November 2017. Ready to rock next Thursday."