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...

ROK Cup Superfinal, the great event is coming!

ROK Cup Superfinal, the great event is coming! Read more

Just a little bit more than one month to the most awaited event by the Rokkers all over the world, the Rok Cup Superfinal! The event will take place from the 19th to the 22nd of October at South Garda Karting Circuit.

Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix entertains big crowds in 27th year

Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix entertains big crowds in 27th year Read more

The Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, the karting street race that national driver Race Liberante once called “the baddest-ass go-kart race in the world,” once again put on quite a show. This year, the largest crowd since pre-Covid years lined the course and was treated to some great action by some of the nation’s top drivers. Heavy rain late Saturday forced 3 heat races to be moved to Sunday morning, but the rest of the program was right on schedule.

WKA Announces Tentative 2023 Gold Cup Dates

WKA Announces Tentative 2023 Gold Cup Dates Read more

With the second event of the renewed WKA Gold Cup series set for this weekend, series officials are pleased to announce tentative 2023 Gold Cup dates and a new format that will see North and South regions along with a Grand Nationals North/South Shootout.

Motorsport Games Australian Karting representatives announced

Motorsport Games Australian Karting representatives announced Read more

Karting Australia, in conjunction with Motorsport Australia, is proud to announce Australia’s representatives in the Karting disciplines at the 2022 FIA Motorsport Games to be held in France on October 26-30. With the karting disciplines being split into a Senior (15 to 18 years old) and Junior (12 to 14 years old), 2021 Ladies Trophy Winner Aiva Anagnostiadis and 2022 Australian Kart Championship Round Winner Peter Bouzinelos will fly the Australian flag at the event.

Alice Buckley selected as FIA Girls on Track Rising Stars Finalist

Alice Buckley selected as FIA Girls on Track Rising Stars Finalist Read more

Gold Coast teenager Alice Buckley has been selected as a finalist in the FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars program in France on Sunday. Buckley travelled to the Paul Ricard circuit as one of the 14 young drivers to participate in the four-day evaluation program aboard karts and a Formula 4 car at the Paul Ricard circuit last week.

Music, vendors and lots of racing fun at 27TH Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix

Music, vendors and lots of racing fun at 27TH Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix Read more

The 27th running of the Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest karting street race, this year will feature 18 racing classes. Admission is free to this family-oriented event. Racing is schedule for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day with morning practice and afternoon qualifying heat races on Saturday, followed by practice, opening ceremonies and 18 feature races Sunday.

Josh Fife claims second KZ2 Australian Kart Championship

Josh Fife claims second KZ2 Australian Kart Championship Read more

Josh Fife has claimed his second SP Tools KZ2 Australian Kart Championship, presented by Castrol EDGE in Newcastle on Sunday after an epic series of races that saw a three way title fight go right down to the 25 lap final.

WKA Manufacturers Cup Grand Nationals at Motorsports Country Club of Cincinnati Next Weekend

WKA Manufacturers Cup Grand Nationals at Motorsports Country Club of Cincinnati Next Weekend Read more

Motorsports Country Club of Cincinnati is set to host the Summit Racing Manufacturers Cup Grand Nationals next weekend, August 12-14. Crowning Grand National Champions and awarding prize money and gift cards, it is sure to be an exciting event to close the 2022 Manufacturers Cup season.

Fife takes Championship lead in Emerald

Fife takes Championship lead in Emerald Read more

Josh Fife has taken the lead of the KZ2 standings in the 2022 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship after an almost perfect weekend at the penultimate round of the series at Emerald in Central Queensland. The former Champion dominated the 25-lap final on Sunday afternoon in the Championship presented by Castrol EDGE.

Motorsports Country Club of Cincinnati to Host WKA Manufacturers Cup Grand Nationals

Motorsports Country Club of Cincinnati to Host WKA Manufacturers Cup Grand Nationals Read more

It is that time of the year again, time for the World Karting Association (WKA) Manufacturers Cup Grand Nationals. Taking place at the Motorsports Country Club of Cincinnati, teams and competitors will take on the Batavia, Ohio facility in their quest to garner WKA Grand National trophies and a spot in the history books.

Rotax National Round 3 & 2022 RTX African Open - Enter Now

Rotax National Round 3 & 2022 RTX African Open - Enter Now Read more

Get your entries in for Round 3 of the Rotax South African Kart Championships & 2022 RTX African Open at iDube Raceway, Camperdown from 15-17 July 2022.

California Prokart Challenge hosts two-round weekend in Fontana

California Prokart Challenge hosts two-round weekend in Fontana Read more

The California ProKart Challenge traveled to the CalSpeed Karting Center for the lone double-round weekend of the 2022 season. The June 24-26 event at the Fontana, California facility hosted Rounds Three and Four of the Superkarts! USA regional championship program.

WKA Speedway Dirt Plans Announced

WKA Speedway Dirt Plans Announced Read more

Halfway through the 2022 race season and the World Karting Association (WKA) staff is hard at working building a bigger and better program for the WKA Speedway Dirt program.

Double-round weekend in Fontana on the docket for California Prokart Challenge

Double-round weekend in Fontana on the docket for California Prokart Challenge Read more

In just one week, the California ProKart Challenge returns to action and hosts the lone double-round weekend of the season. Competitors from all over the west coast will converge on the CalSpeed Karting Center facility in Fontana, California during the June 24-26 weekend for Rounds Three and Four of the Superkarts! USA regional program.

Registration now open for Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix

Registration now open for Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix Read more

Registration is now open for the 27th running of the Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s most prestigious karting street race, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 3-4.

Kart Lounge to Sponsor Unique 206 Senior Shootout Friday at WKA Gold Cup Charlotte Opener

Kart Lounge to Sponsor Unique 206 Senior Shootout Friday at WKA Gold Cup Charlotte Opener Read more

A special 206 Senior Shootout presented by Kart Lounge will kick off competition at the upcoming return of the WKA Gold Cup Series set for June 24-26 at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s 0.6-mile kart track.

West Aussie wins wet Australian Kart Championship round in Victoria

West Aussie wins wet Australian Kart Championship round in Victoria Read more

Sam Dicker has taken his maiden SP Tools Australian Kart Championship victory in the KZ2 class at Hume International Raceway in Victoria on Sunday afternoon, staving off a series of challenges. Dicker became the first West Australian since Jake Klarich in 2015 to win a round of the Championship’s premier class.

Round two contested for California ProKart Challenge

Round two contested for California ProKart Challenge Read more

The California ProKart Challenge completed the second round of the 2022 season over the May 14-15 weekend at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park. It was the second straight event at the central California facility, with the opening event contested there in April. This time it would be in the clockwise direction around the 7/10-mile circuit. Another chunk of the $70,000 prize package for this season was awarded following the two days of action at Buttonwillow – with all but two drivers earning their first wins of the series this year.

Emerson Fittipaldi jr. and Brando Badoer to make their ADAC Formula 4 debuts in Hockenheim

Emerson Fittipaldi jr. and Brando Badoer to make their ADAC Formula 4 debuts in Hockenheim Read more

The 2022 ADAC Formula 4 season is picking up pace: From 13th to 15th May, the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg hosts the second race weekend of the 2022 ADAC Formula 4 season.

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Felipe Massa: “What happened in Lonato was serious, it is not an example for young kids”
Bart Luijkx
/ Categories: News, CIKFIA

Felipe Massa: “What happened in Lonato was serious, it is not an example for young kids”

Very involved in his role as President of the FIA International Karting Commission, Felipe Massa was determined to meet the different players in the 2020 FIA Karting Competitions, first during the European Championship - OK & Junior in July, then in Italy at the World Championship - KZ. Despite the tight schedule between August and November, the Brazilian was pleased with the success of the current racing season.

This season, almost all FIA Karting competitions were maintained. What do you think of the way the CIK-FIA has dealt with the problems related to the Covid-19 pandemic?

During these last months, which have been marked by an unprecedented pandemic and a lockdown of several weeks, the CIK-FIA has taken the right decisions so that the FIA Karting Championships can resume and take place in the optimum conditions. In collaboration with the various organisers, the changes in dates have been judicious. I think that all the people involved in our Competitions were very happy to see that the four European Championships, the World Championship - KZ, the International Super Cup - KZ2 and the entire Academy Trophy could be organised with the success we have seen. The racing was excellent.

Of course, we regretted the absences of some Drivers. This was most often the consequence of the difficulties encountered by several of them in moving from one country to another. In spite of this, the CIK-FIA was delighted to have welcomed, for example, 75 Junior Drivers at the European Championship in Germany and even 99 Drivers in KZ2 at Lonato. I salute the efforts of all these participants from dozens of different nationalities, who made a point of taking the start of these Competitions. Today I am looking forward to the FIA Karting World Championship - OK & OK-Junior in Portimao.

What feedback did you receive after the release of the 2021 calendar, which was announced as early as last june?

For the organisers and ASNs, it is important to find out quickly whether their bid has been successful, so that they can prepare as well as possible to host an FIA Karting Championship. Even if the situation of Covid-19 is unfortunately not yet stabilised, we must work for the future. The drivers want to continue racing, the factories and the teams want to be able to work and have a future. Enthusiasm for karting remains strong. Of course, it is difficult to predict the evolution of the pandemic and we can only hope for a rapid improvement in the situation. I am thinking in particular of the FIA World Championship Karting - OK & Junior in Brazil in October 2021. For the Europeans, it is a long trip that needs to be planned in advance.

Are you satisfied with the work carried out by the promoter RGMMC?

James Geidel and his team are working hard to ensure the success of the FIA Karting Championships. We all regret not being able to welcome spectators, but RGMMC makes every effort to ensure quality video streaming. As I wanted, we are also improving the karting audience through social networks. The world of communication is changing and we have to adapt.

In addition, our promoter and the CIK-FIA have spent a lot of energy to enforce the strict infection control protocol we have put in place. As soon as the FIA Karting Championships resumed, everyone's health was a constant concern for us. It is our duty to ensure the safety of those present on the circuits.

You wanted to make some changes to the regulations. Have they achieved their goal?

Thanks to the discussions I had with factory and team managers, as well as with Drivers, it seemed important to me to make the Competition fairer. Ensuring the greatest possible sporting fairness is an aspect that is dear to me in this sport. In addition to my role as President of the CIK-FIA, I am also a competitor. I feel very strongly about the remarks expressed by those who experience the competition on a daily basis. At the end of 2019, we changed the management and the quota of tyres used during the meeting. Recently, we have rethought the Qualifying Practice classification, taking into account the differences in time between the groups. These changes have been very well accepted. Among the decisions taken, I also recall the postponement of chassis homologations to 1st January, 2022, to take the Coronavirus crisis into account.

The World Championship - KZ brought together a wide range of drivers: Young talents, drivers who come to enjoy themselves like Antonio Fuoco and the four-time world champion Davide Foré... How does this inspire you?

It proves that karting is a fantastic sport, which can be practised at almost any age, whether as a leisure activity or at the highest level. Some drivers have not had the opportunity to switch to cars or have simply wished to stay in karting. In the 125cc gearbox categories, they have a great opportunity to express their talent. Several young karting hopefuls will become professional drivers in cars, but others have managed to achieve this status in karting. This is also very rewarding. The KZ Final was also very intense thanks to these experienced drivers.

Finally, you witnessed a scene that should not exist on a karting circuit. What was you reaction?

What happened in Lonato was serious. A World Championship should give a positive image of karting. This kind of event is contrary to the spirit of our sport. It is not an example for young people. I immediately wanted the FIA to communicate on this subject and launch an investigation into these incidents. In Italy, ACI Sport has already taken the first sanctions. The CIK-FIA will also be responsive to these facts. In the end, I think it is important to congratulate the Drivers who have been crowned in Italy in 2020 and to remember their names: Frenchman Jérémy Iglesias (KZ), Italian Simone Cunati (KZ2) and American Connor Zilisch (Academy), without forgetting Israeli Ariel Elkin, winner of the last round of the Academy Trophy.

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