Registration now open for  30th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix
Registration now open for  30th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix

Registration now open for 30th annual...

Registration now open for 30th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix

Registration now open for 30th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix

Registration is now open for the 30th annual The Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest and most prestigious karting street race. This year’s race is August 30-31, 2025 and...
ROK Cup Italy, Round 5 – The race report
ROK Cup Italy, Round 5 – The race report

ROK Cup Italy, Round 5 – The race report

ROK Cup Italy, Round 5 – The race report

ROK Cup Italy, Round 5 – The race report

One month after Jesolo, the ROK Cup Italy is back on track for the fifth round of the season, on the occasion of the "night event" in Lonato del Garda. In total, 262 drivers livened up the...
A brilliant start to the International season for Modena Kart
A brilliant start to the International season for Modena Kart

A brilliant start to the International...

A brilliant start to the International season for Modena Kart

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Carr drives towards glory as KZ King equals record

Carr drives towards glory as KZ King...

Carr drives towards glory as KZ King equals record

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A helmet for Gabin – Team WRT’S ‘ACO Challenge 2025’ initiative
A helmet for Gabin – Team WRT’S ‘ACO Challenge 2025’ initiative

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A helmet for Gabin – Team WRT’S ‘ACO Challenge 2025’ initiative

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Preston and Burke win at Australian Kart Championship round two
Preston and Burke win at Australian Kart Championship round two

Preston and Burke win at Australian Kart...

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Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with Round 2 held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo
Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with Round 2 held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo

Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with...

Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with Round 2 held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo

Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with Round 2 held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo

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IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition
IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition

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IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition

IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition

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Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as Italian flies in Melbourne
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Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as...

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Young Queenslander, Cooper Folley has stunned the field in his first KA2 Junior round at the opening SP Tools Australian Kart Championship, presented by Castrol event sweeping to the win at the...
Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy
Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy

Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy

Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy

Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy

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Stars of Karting take centre stage in Melbourne
Stars of Karting take centre stage in Melbourne

Stars of Karting take centre stage in...

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Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double round weekend at K1 Circuit
Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double round weekend at K1 Circuit

Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double...

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Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy
Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy

Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025...

Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy

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WKA Realigns National Road Racing Schedules for 2025 and 2026

WKA Realigns National Road Racing...

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2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga
2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga

2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury...

2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga

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Stars of Karting to kick off Formula 1 race week in Melbourne
Stars of Karting to kick off Formula 1 race week in Melbourne

Stars of Karting to kick off Formula 1...

Stars of Karting to kick off Formula 1 race week in Melbourne

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2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon

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Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!
Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!

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Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!

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Back in 1978, The Blues Brothers took the world by storm with a skit on Saturday Night Live. A movie followed in 1980, then a sequel and some albums as Dan Aykroyd (Elwood) and John Belushi (Joliet...
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Kalì Kart: Zvarich brothers confirmed...

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Registration now open for 30th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix

Registration now open for  30th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix Read more

Registration is now open for the 30th annual The Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest and most prestigious karting street race. This year’s race is August 30-31, 2025 and features classes for 2 cycle, 4 cycle, shifter and Vintage racers.

ROK Cup Italy, Round 5 – The race report

ROK Cup Italy, Round 5 – The race report Read more

One month after Jesolo, the ROK Cup Italy is back on track for the fifth round of the season, on the occasion of the "night event" in Lonato del Garda. In total, 262 drivers livened up the races of the seven categories running at South Garda Karting. Kralev Leo (Mini ROK U10), Verde Marco (Mini ROK), Melis Matteo (Junior ROK), Gaglianò Giuseppe (Senior ROK), Sorbello Andrea (Expert ROK), Ferrari Riccardo (Super ROK) and Pasiewicz Karol (Shifter ROK).

A brilliant start to the International season for Modena Kart

A brilliant start to the International season for Modena Kart Read more

Drivers in the colours of the Modena Kart team have become regulars on the podiums of the biggest events since the start of 2025, in the WSK Promotion series as well as the ACI Karting Italian Championship. At the wheel of their OK-N Junior Parolin / TM Karts, the Italian team has just put together a sensational all-round performance at Sarno, with Albert Tamm taking victory, Gioele Girardello 3rd, and Nojus Stasionis 5th.
 

Carr drives towards glory as KZ King equals record

Carr drives towards glory as KZ King equals record Read more

Liam Carr is knocking on the door of a maiden KA2 Junior SP Tools Australian Kart Championship after an immaculate weekend in Newcastle, while double KZ2 Champion, Troy Loeskow, recorded a record-equalling career round win.

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A helmet for Gabin – Team WRT’S ‘ACO Challenge 2025’ initiative Read more

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Preston and Burke win at Australian Kart Championship round two

Preston and Burke win at Australian Kart Championship round two Read more

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Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with Round 2 held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo

Race Report: The ROK Cup Italy with Round 2 held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo Read more

The ROK Cup Italy continues its seasonal journey with the second round held at the 7 Laghi Kart in Castelletto di Branduzzo (PV). Almost 200 are the attendants in the seven categories competing, in a weekend featured by good weather. At the end of Sunday, we have the following championship leaders: Almekdad Ghazi (Mini ROK U10), Bissa Patrick (Mini ROK), Cichoracki Tomasz (Junior ROK), Giudice Andrea (Senior ROK), Sorbello Andrea (Expert ROK), Ferrari Riccardo (Super ROK) and Pasiewicz Karol (Shifter ROK).

IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition

IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition Read more

Since its creation in 2010, the IPK factory has rapidly established itself as one of the leading companies in the global karting market, thanks to its innovative technology and the quality of the products it sells. In 2025, IPKarting will rely on its extremely competitive chassis brands - Formula K, Praga, OK1, RS Kart and Tillotson - but also on a renowned Racing Team which has been reorganised during the off-season and which its managers are pleased to officially present.

Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as Italian flies in Melbourne

Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as Italian flies in Melbourne Read more

Young Queenslander, Cooper Folley has stunned the field in his first KA2 Junior round at the opening SP Tools Australian Kart Championship, presented by Castrol event sweeping to the win at the opening round in Melbourne.

Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy

Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy Read more

Great weekend for Kalì Kart colours at the 36th Margutti Trophy that took place this weekend in Lonato. In the OK Junior category, Ilia Berezkin dominated the OK Junior by winning all 3 qualifying heats, the Prefinal and the Final, always with an impressive race pace.

Italian Champion to line up in Australian Kart Championship opener

Italian Champion to line up in Australian Kart Championship opener Read more

Italian Champion Moritz Ebner is set to make his Australian debut at the opening round of the 2025 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship presented by Castrol in Melbourne next weekend (March 28-30).

Stars of Karting take centre stage in Melbourne

Stars of Karting take centre stage in Melbourne Read more

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Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double round weekend at K1 Circuit

Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double round weekend at K1 Circuit Read more

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Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy

Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy Read more

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WKA Realigns National Road Racing Schedules for 2025 and 2026 Read more

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2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga

2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga Read more

Karting Australia can confirm that the 2025 Rotax National Cup will be hosted at Albury Wodonga Kart Racing Club on September 13-14.

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Stars of Karting to kick off Formula 1 race week in Melbourne Read more

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2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon

2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon Read more

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Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!

Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party! Read more

Back in 1978, The Blues Brothers took the world by storm with a skit on Saturday Night Live. A movie followed in 1980, then a sequel and some albums as Dan Aykroyd (Elwood) and John Belushi (Joliet Jake) rose to fame and stardom. The back story is that Jake and Elwood were raised in a Catholic orphanage in Rock Island and learned the blues in the basement from the janitor, Curtis, who wore sunglasses, a thin black tie, and porkpie hat. The brothers went on “a mission from God” to raise money (and create mayhem) so the orphanage could pay its taxes.

Kalì Kart: Zvarich brothers confirmed for 2025

Kalì Kart: Zvarich brothers confirmed for 2025 Read more

In the last few days, Kalì Kart has confirmed the extension of the agreement with the three Zvarich brothers also for the 2025 season. Max, Marat and Mark, therefore, after the first contact with karting in Italy in the final part of the last season, have confirmed their commitment with the Factory team of the CRG Group, with the aim of capitalizing on all the experience gained in the Iame and Rotax Championships in Asia and, above all, the positive experience gained in the end-of-season events last year in Italy, when they made their debut in the WSK meetings and in the Italian Karting Championship.

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The Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy starts strong at Le Mans
Heert-Jan van Keulen
/ Categories: Rotax

The Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy starts strong at Le Mans

For its first edition, the Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy is already attracting drivers, teams and coaches from around the world. While the Qualifying sessions have just finished, the pleasure of participating in the new world-wide Rotax event is obvious in the Le Mans paddock. The organisation by 3MK Events, in close collaboration with BRP-Rotax, set the bar very high by giving the Le Mans International Circuit Karting a stature it had not yet reached.

In warm summer sunshine, the battle for the Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy began with Qualifying Practice for the six categories in the presence of 296 drivers. The biggest international teams found a great arena to show their skills in a very competitive environment. It is already clear that the winners on Sunday night will be champions to watch. Drivers and teams began to compete under the ruthless eye of the clock on Wednesday night in the Senior and Junior categories after nine Free Practice sessions.

 

Gazeau on pole in the Senior category

The 91 drivers entered in Senior were divided into three groups. It was the third session that proved to be the fastest with César Gazeau (FRA - FA Kart) taking pole position with 52''932 ahead of Illian Bruynseels (BEL - Tony Kart). Oscar Pellemele (FRA - Sodi) completed the top three ahead of Matilda Olsson (SWE - Tony Kart), Dylan Léger (FRA - OTK) and Guilherme De Oliveira (PRT - Kosmic), the top six overall. Leader of the first session, Lachlan Robinson (ARE - OTK) was 8th while Vincent France (DEU - Exprit), 1st in session 2, was 9th.

 

Van Vugt impresses in Junior

With 84 participants, the Junior category also needed three sessions for their Qualifying. The performances improved up until the third group in which Mike Van Vugt (NLD - Exprit) ended up achieving a benchmark of 53''452, relegating his direct pursuer, Ryan Shehan (USA - OTK), by more than three tenths of a second, not far from Dani Van Dijk (NLD - Exprit). In the second group, Oli Pylka (POL - FA Kart) had a fastest lap of 53''984 ahead of Florian Rousseau Ricci (FRA - Kosmic) and Callum Voisin (GBR - Tony Kart). The third session was dominated by Sacha Clavadetscher (CHE - Tony Kart), who posted 54''470 on the very last lap, against Theo Antonio Kekati (ARE - Tony Kart) and Miska Kaskinen (FIN - Exprit).

The gap of more than one second between the three sessions led to the application of the 101% rule, which in this case allows the respective positions of the groups to be alternated instead of a ranking on the basis of the clock. Van Vugt was on pole position, followed by Pylka and Clavadetscher.

 

Cleirbaut fastest of the DD2 Masters

Carl Cleirbaut (BEL - Tony Kart) was ultimately the fastest of the 24 drivers aged 30 and over with a time of 53''095. Primoz Matelic (SVN - Praga) followed by less than a tenth while Scott Howard (AUS - Sodi) was 3rd by 0.171''.

 

Pole Position in DD2 for Munaretto

Paolo Besancenez (FRA - Sodi) fought with Daniel Machacek (AUT - Tony Kart) at the top of the table, then Lucas Munaretto (ITA - Birel ART) joined the fight, while Xen De Ruwe (SVN - Intrepid) did not finish the session. Munaretto finally secured pole position with a time of 52''392, Besancenez took 2nd place by 37 thousandths and Machacek finished 3rd by 0.129''

 

Hervas the poleman in Mini at the finish

The young French competed against each other in the Qualifying, joined by Andres Cardenas (PER - Flandria Kart) and Simon Birch Kristensen (DNK - Birel ART). Arthur Poulain (FRA - KR) was for a long time the fastest in front of Jolan Raccamier (FRA - Birel ART), but Valentin Hervas (FRA - Birel ART) clinched pole position in the very last seconds with a last lap of 58''220.

 

Micro: perfect equality between Strauven and Nijs

Thomas Strauven (BEL - Exprit) and Lenn Nijs (BEL - Exprit) competed for several laps before finishing in the lead with an absolutely identical time of 1'00''949. Christopher El Feghali (LBN - KR) reduced the gap to 59 thousandths and took 3rd place in the closing seconds.


The Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy continues with the Qualifying Heats until Friday evening and a Saturday dedicated to the Finals.

 

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