KartSport New Zealand and OTK Kart Group are pleased to announce a one-year extension to its Cadet ROK and Vortex Mini ROK supply contract. 

The current contract between both parties ends December 2025.  The extension will see current trade pricing and supply continue for 2026.

KartSport New Zealand has formed an Engine Review Committee, which is currently conducting a ‘whole of sport’ engine and class review. The committee is made up of experienced karting personnel, including: Brent Melhop, Dean Sinton, Warrick Parkes, Matthew Hamilton, Matthew Kinsman, Daniel Bray.

The first recommendation of the Committee, endorsed by the KartSport New Zealand Board, has been to secure consistent supply of the Mini ROK engines and parts into the New Zealand market while it continues to evaluate the engine classes we run in the future.  

As part of this exciting new phase, OTK Kart Group is strengthening its commitment to the New Zealand karting community. "New Zealand has always been a valuable market for OTK—consistently producing talented drivers and a passionate motorsport culture—and we’re dedicated to supporting that growth even further. With the addition of a new warehouse in Sydney- OTK Kart Australia-  we’re now able to deliver increased stock levels, faster supply, and more responsive technical support to the Vortex customers in New Zealand. This expanded infrastructure means better availability of engines, parts, and accessories, ensuring Kiwi drivers and teams have what they need, when they need it."OTK Kart Group has also appointed Troy Hunt as Director of the OTK Kart Australia office, a move that will directly enhance OTK support for KartSport New Zealand. “Increasing stock and offering extra support directly from the factory is our focus to better service the New Zealand market,” said Troy Hunt. "These changes mark an exciting step forward—one designed to strengthen our partnership with New Zealand karting and help fuel the next generation of drivers."

As New Zealand is a small market, with limited resources, KartSport New Zealand can only commit to a limited number of engine classes for our sport to be successful.  However, before a commitment is made to an engine for a prolonged period of time, KSNZ will receive an evaluate competitive contractual offers from engine suppliers that will be binding over that commitment period.  That way KSNZ can ensure that is it getting the best pricing and general package for its drivers over that commitment period.

The engine review committee will be seeking competitive contract proposals from engine suppliers, with a view to marking  recommendations to the KartSport New Zealand Board as to which engines should run from 1 January 2027. The committee is already expecting a number of competitive offers from international engine suppliers, from which it will make recommendations.

KartSport New Zealand thanks OTK Kart Group for their continued support and strong working relationship with our sport and looks forward to another great year of competitive Mini ROK racing in New Zealand.

Article added: Friday 28 November 2025