Registrations open for the CRG Rental Kart World Contest
Registrations open for the CRG Rental Kart World Contest

Registrations open for the CRG Rental...

Registrations open for the CRG Rental Kart World Contest

Registrations open for the CRG Rental Kart World Contest

In just over 10 days, many rental kart drivers have already registered for the Sprint Cup and several teams have signed up for the Endurance Cup, the two main events of the Rental Kart World Contest...
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

A brilliant start to the International season for Modena Kart

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...
Carr drives towards glory as KZ King equals record
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

Carr drives towards glory as KZ King equals record

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

A helmet for Gabin – Team WRT’S ‘ACO...

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

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

As part of their 2025 ‘ACO Challenge’, Team WRT continues its commitment to meaningful, human-driven initiatives. After winning the 2024 ACO ‘Coup de Cœur’ Award for its...
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...

Preston and Burke win at Australian Kart Championship round two

Preston and Burke win at Australian Kart Championship round two

Jac Preston has taken his first ever SP Tools Australian Kart Championship round win in KZ2 at Murray Bridge, South Australia, while Ky Burke broached the top step of the podium in KA2 for the first...
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

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

IPK strengthens its presence in...

IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition

IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition

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

Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as...

Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as Italian flies in Melbourne

Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as Italian flies in Melbourne

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

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...
Italian Champion to line up in Australian Kart Championship opener
Italian Champion to line up in Australian Kart Championship opener

Italian Champion to line up in...

Italian Champion to line up in Australian Kart Championship opener

Italian Champion to line up in Australian Kart Championship opener

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

Stars of Karting take centre stage in...

Stars of Karting take centre stage in Melbourne

Stars of Karting take centre stage in Melbourne

Melbourne’s Grand Prix week started off with a bang with the Stars of Karting Event at Port Melbourne’s Todd Road facility on Monday. The short and sharp format saw qualifying followed up...
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...

Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double round weekend at K1 Circuit

Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double round weekend at K1 Circuit

The first event of the 2025 ProKart Challenge program was held on the February 28-March 2 weekend at the new K1 Circuit. The Winchester, California facility welcomed the Superkarts! USA regional...
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

Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy

Karting Australia is proud to announce that Annabel Kennedy (Brisbane, QLD) and Hamish Campbell (Gold Coast, QLD) have been selected to represent the nation in the 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy...
WKA Realigns National Road Racing Schedules for 2025 and 2026
WKA Realigns National Road Racing Schedules for 2025 and 2026

WKA Realigns National Road Racing...

WKA Realigns National Road Racing Schedules for 2025 and 2026

WKA Realigns National Road Racing Schedules for 2025 and 2026

With a very busy Road Racing Calendar and events so close to each other throughout the year, racers have expressed their concerns that some events are simply not feasible to attend.  Responding...
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

2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga

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

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

More than 100 of Australia’s top kart racers will take centre stage at the Go-Kart Club of Victoria on Monday, March 10, as the Stars of Karting event launches "Race Week" for the...
2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon
2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon

2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the...

2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon

2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon

Fresh off a record setting campaign in Florida, the Superkarts! USA organization is turning its focus on the 2025 SKUSA Pro Tour. Set for its 16th straight season, the championship will again be...
Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!
Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!

Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the...

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

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

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...

CIK-FIA Pays tribute to Angelo Parrilla

CIK-FIA Pays tribute to Angelo Parrilla Read more

With the recent death of Angelo Parrilla at the age of 77, the karting community has lost one of the most influential and respected figures in the development of the discipline worldwide.

WSK Super Master Series: Two new titles for the KR brand

WSK Super Master Series: Two new titles for the KR brand Read more

The international events continue week after week, and the trophies pile up on the shelves of the drivers and teams using KR Global Motorsport Company equipment. After successes in IAME and Rotax in the previous days, the WSK Super Master Series ended in Cremona with no less than 13 podiums in the Finals and in the general classification.

California ProKart Challenge Returns to Action This Weekend

California ProKart Challenge Returns to Action This Weekend Read more

The month of May is here and so is the second round of the 2023 California ProKart Challenge. The Superkarts! USA regional series returns to the Buttonwillow Raceway Park to complete the back-to-back trips to start out this year’s championship program. The 19th season of the series began in March at the Buttonwillow, California facility and during this return, the drivers will run in the clockwise direction for the two-day Round Two event.

Sodi World Series - The first Electric Final goes to Sweden

Sodi World Series - The first Electric Final goes to Sweden Read more

This year, the SWS Final will be split into two. As a sign of the times, in parallel to the "classic" SWS International Finals scheduled in Slovakia in July, Sodikart is organising the first SWS e-Sprint International Final in Sweden. On 28th and 29th April, Gothenburg will welcome the first SWS finalists at the wheel of electric karts on the two GoKart Centralen circuits.

Hometown Heroes take Australian Kart Championship wins in Perth

Hometown Heroes take Australian Kart Championship wins in Perth Read more

West Australian competitors have taken the challenge to the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship regulars winning several classes on home soil in Perth on Sunday afternoon, the biggest win going the way of Jake Klarich, who took an emotional victory in KZ2.

Australia’s best kart racers set for the West this weekend

Australia’s best kart racers set for the West this weekend Read more

Australia’s top young drivers will be on show at the Wanneroo International Kartway this weekend, for round two of the 2023 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship presented by Castrol EDGE.

Rok Cup Italia, Round 1 - Race Report

Rok Cup Italia, Round 1 - Race Report Read more

The Franciacorta Karting Track in Castrezzato (BS) inaugurated the new ROK Cup Italia season with an extraordinary participation of 215 drivers in the six racing categories. At the end of the day on Sunday, the following championship leaders emerged: Zsebo Marcell (Mini ROK), Marchesi Nicolas (Junior ROK), Dragan David (Senior ROK), Bal Antoni (Expert ROK), Cicognini Domenico (Super ROK) and Rigodanza Riccardo (Shifter ROK).

California ProKart Challenge opens 2023 season at Buttonwillow

California ProKart Challenge opens 2023 season at Buttonwillow Read more

The opening weekend for the 2023 California ProKart Challenge took place over March 11-12 at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park. Nearly 100 competitors participated on the weekend at the California facility with two full days of action for the first event of the six-round championship program. The 7/10-mile circuit in the counter-clockwise direction welcomed nine drivers earning their first victories on the season at the Superkarts! USA regional program.

Kart CRG: Everything is ready for the 2023 edition of the 24 Hours Karting of Italy

Kart CRG: Everything is ready for the 2023 edition of the 24 Hours Karting of Italy Read more

The countdown for one of the most awaited events of the Endurance Karting season, the 24 Hours Karting of Italy organized by CRG, has started. The event will take place on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th March on the 7 Laghi Kart track in Castelletto di Branduzzo, Italy.

Livestream: Rotax `O plate` British Open Kart Championship at Whilton Mill

Livestream: Rotax `O plate` British Open Kart Championship at Whilton Mill Read more

The Wera Tools Rotax British Open Kart Championships [17-19 March] is all set to be one of the largest `O plate` meetings in decades, as over 220 entries will head for Whilton Mill for the prestigious event.

Live timing: 34th Trofeo Andrea Margutti at South Garda Karting in Lonato

Live timing: 34th Trofeo Andrea Margutti at South Garda Karting in Lonato Read more

After the first two days dedicated to qualifying practice and heats, the 34th Trofeo Andrea Margutti organized by Parma Motorsport is ready for the final stages on Sunday, March 19th at South Garda Karting in Lonato. The live streaming will start at 11:20 with the Prefinals, and from 14:20 with the Finals of OK-Junior, MINI Gr3 Under 10, MINI Gr.3, KZ2, X30 Senior and X30 Junior.

Livestream: 34th Trofeo Andrea Margutti at South Garda Karting in Lonato

Livestream: 34th Trofeo Andrea Margutti at South Garda Karting in Lonato Read more

After the first two days dedicated to qualifying practice and heats, the 34th Trofeo Andrea Margutti organized by Parma Motorsport is ready for the final stages on Sunday, March 19th at South Garda Karting in Lonato. The live streaming will start at 11:20 with the Prefinals, and from 14:20 with the Finals of OK-Junior, MINI Gr3 Under 10, MINI Gr.3, KZ2, X30 Senior and X30 Junior.

Rotax classes return under Karting Australia approval and sanction

Rotax classes return under Karting Australia approval and sanction Read more

Karting Australia and BRP-Rotax are pleased to announce they have signed a multi-year agreement with option that will see the most popular Rotax MAX engines re-Homologated, supplied and Approved for use in Karting Australia sanctioned Competition with immediate effect.

Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix adds 3 new classes for Sept. 2-3 street race

Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix adds 3 new classes for Sept. 2-3 street race Read more

It’s been almost 30 years since planning began for the first Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest and most prestigious karting street race. This will be the 28th year. The sport has changed a lot in that time and sometimes it’s hard to notice changes when you host one race a year. Rock Island organizers have taken a look at how they are doing and what might need to change. There are 2 major challenges and, in a sense, they go hand in hand: the racing needs to be safer; more support is needed from karters and sponsors due to growing costs to keep the event thriving.

Young Henry Dusts the competition in South Australia

Young Henry Dusts the competition in South Australia Read more

Henry Johnstone has completed one of the most dominant SP Tools Australian Kart Championship final appearances to win the first round of KZ2 at Monarto in the river city of Murray Bridge, South Australia. He was not headed in the final and took the win by over six seconds in his BirelART machine. Emotional scenes ensued as he celebrated the victory. Second was defending Australian Champion, Joshua Fife who started his campaign well. Grabbing his best finish in KZ2 was Championship stalwart, Reece Cohen, who had put in a summer of hard work off-track to finish third. Another to record his best finish was New Zealander Nathan Crang.

California ProKart Challenge begins 19th season next weekend

California ProKart Challenge begins 19th season next weekend Read more

The 2023 California ProKart Challenge will begin on the March 11-12 weekend at Buttonwillow Raceway Park. The 19th season of the Superkarts! USA regional program visits the California facility for the first round of the six-round championship series. The race will be the first major event within the state on the season, with big numbers anticipated for the two-day event.

ROK Cup Winter Trophy – Race Report

ROK Cup Winter Trophy – Race Report Read more

The ROK Cup Winter Trophy opens the new single-brand season by Vortex in the best possible way, with a total of 144 entries from all over Europe (and beyond) at the South Garda Karting in Lonato (Italy). A two-day competition that crowned the 2023 champions: Shen Zeyu (Mini ROK), Maksymilian Rafalik (Junior ROK), Patrik Fraboni (Senior ROK), Martin Hudec (Expert ROK), Davide Cicognini (Super ROK) and Marco Tormen (Shifter ROK).

Livestream: ROK Cup Winter Trophy 2023 at South Garda Karting in Lonato

Livestream: ROK Cup Winter Trophy 2023 at South Garda Karting in Lonato Read more

The ROK Cup Winter Trophy 2023 will be held on February 25th and 26th once more on the South Garda Karting circuit of Lonato. This early season event is an attraction for the many ROK Cup drivers from all over Europe and beyond, as always divided into the six categories: Mini ROK, Junior ROK, Senior ROK, Expert ROK, Super ROK and Shifter ROK. The regulations applied are those for the ROK Cup Trophy approved by ACI Sport, which can be found in the appropriate section on this site, available through the link on this page. As for all other ROK Cup competitions (ROK Cup Italy, ROK Cup Superfinal, ROK Cup Festival, etc.) the livetiming service and the engine rental service (provided directly by the Promoter) will be active.

Results: ROK Cup Winter Trophy 2023 at South Garda Karting in Lonato

Results: ROK Cup Winter Trophy 2023 at South Garda Karting in Lonato Read more

The ROK Cup Winter Trophy 2023 will be held on February 25th and 26th once more on the South Garda Karting circuit of Lonato. This early season event is an attraction for the many ROK Cup drivers from all over Europe and beyond, as always divided into the six categories: Mini ROK, Junior ROK, Senior ROK, Expert ROK, Super ROK and Shifter ROK. The regulations applied are those for the ROK Cup Trophy approved by ACI Sport, which can be found in the appropriate section on this site, available through the link on this page. As for all other ROK Cup competitions (ROK Cup Italy, ROK Cup Superfinal, ROK Cup Festival, etc.) the livetiming service and the engine rental service (provided directly by the Promoter) will be active.

Live timing: ROK Cup Winter Trophy 2023 at South Garda Karting in Lonato

Live timing: ROK Cup Winter Trophy 2023 at South Garda Karting in Lonato Read more

The ROK Cup Winter Trophy 2023 will be held on February 25th and 26th once more on the South Garda Karting circuit of Lonato. This early season event is an attraction for the many ROK Cup drivers from all over Europe and beyond, as always divided into the six categories: Mini ROK, Junior ROK, Senior ROK, Expert ROK, Super ROK and Shifter ROK. The regulations applied are those for the ROK Cup Trophy approved by ACI Sport, which can be found in the appropriate section on this site, available through the link on this page. As for all other ROK Cup competitions (ROK Cup Italy, ROK Cup Superfinal, ROK Cup Festival, etc.) the livetiming service and the engine rental service (provided directly by the Promoter) will be active.

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Champions of the Future: James Wharton among the best at Portimao
Mitchell Koolen
/ Categories: News, International

Champions of the Future: James Wharton among the best at Portimao

Between the two events of the 2020 Champions of the Future series held three months apart, James Wharton's progress has been spectacular. In the south of Portugal, the Australian hopeful showed he was capable of competing with the best in the difficult OK category. Despite an obvious lack of success in the final phase, the driver from the Parolin Racing Kart team was reassured about his level of performance a few days before the World Championship.

James Wharton, who is competing in the OK class this season, is getting ready to take part in the most important competition of the season: the World Championship. Once again, the World Championship promises to be very difficult and challenging, with a large number of competitors. 77 drivers are expected to take part at the Portimao circuit from the 5th to the 8th November."It is important to prepare as well as possible for this event," says the young Rookie, just out of the Junior class. "The second and final round of the Champions of the Future series was an ideal opportunity to check the competitiveness of the equipment and to test myself against the competition, as it took place on the same track in the south of Portugal."

MAGNIFICENT PERFORMANCES IN THE HEATS

In Timed Practice, James Wharton confirmed his speed by setting the 3rd fastest time of his group, which put him in 8th position overall. After that, his progress in the Qualifying Heats proved to be remarkable, with a clear round during these four races. "The Parolin chassis, our technical team, the TM Racing factory as well as our engine tuner did a very good job and it was great to fight at the front in all of the heats. I even won one of them with an excellent start, but unfortunately I fell back three places due to a penalty for a bad position of the front fairing." James Wharton found himself in an excellent 4th place after the heats.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE LINE OF FIRE

At the beginning of the Prefinal, James quickly managed to get ahead of his team-mate Lorenzo Travisanutto, a reference in the OK category with his two World Championships and a European Championship. Unfortunately, a few laps later, he retired, the consequence of a crash in the middle of the leading group. He had started the Final with the firm intention to move back up, but this time, he had a mechanical problem, forcing him to retire with many regrets.

"In this race, the possibility of getting on the podium really existed. This incident in the Prefinal really frustrated me, because I had saved my second set of new tyres for the Final. But we have to stay positive. Both Lorenzo and myself proved that the Parolin team was working in the right direction in Portimao. The equipment we have developed together in the last few weeks is performing well and this makes me optimistic for the World Championship. We will have to be determined and ambitious, but without making mistakes."
    
ABOUT JAMES WHARTON

James Wharton is a 14-year-old Australian kart driver currently competing internationally in his first season in the premier class, OK, with the official Parolin Racing Kart factory team.

James started racing karting in Australia at the age of seven. He then shone in the most important single-brand world challenges before making his debut in FIA Karting competition. 13th in the World Junior Championship in his first season in 2018, he also won the KA 100 Junior class in Las Vegas at the SKUSA SuperNationals.

In 2019, in his first full season in OK-Junior, he achieved top results: 9th in the European Championship, 4th in the Italian Championship and 2nd in the legendary Winter Cup in Lonato. Despite an injury, he was fighting for victory in 2nd place in the World Championship when he was stopped by a mechanical problem. He was again victorious at the SKUSA SuperNationals in Las Vegas in the X30-Junior category.

An official Parolin Racing Kart driver, James is involved in the development and tuning of the equipment thanks to a very good rapport with Albino and Marco Parolin. His discovery of OK, the top category in karting, was interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. He restarted competition in July 2020 with the aim of making it into the international top five.

James Wharton plans to continue his career as a single-seater driver with a first step into F4 as soon as he reaches the required age.

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