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...

Return to Buttonwillow for second event of 2022 California Prokart Challenge

Return to Buttonwillow for second event of 2022 California Prokart Challenge Read more

The racing season is underway for the California ProKart Challenge with a quick turnaround to host the second event of the 2022 season. On the May 14-15 weekend, the Superkarts! USA regional series returns to the Buttonwillow Raceway Park, site of the opening round last month. The Buttonwillow, California facility will welcome back the racers, this time taking to the 7/10-mile circuit in the clockwise direction. Portions of the $70,000 prize package for the season were handed out last month at the opener, with more to be presented at the popular podium ceremony following the Round Two action as drivers push forward in their championship chases.

Nine victories for OTK products at USPKS Carolina Grand Prix

Nine victories for OTK products at USPKS Carolina Grand Prix Read more

The second event of the United States Pro Kart Series was held over the weekend (April 28-May 1) as OTK USA continued its success during the first half of the 2022 season. The Carolina Grand Prix was contested on the GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, North Carolina with perfect racing weather greeting the over 300 entries in the seven categories offered. Of the 14 main events on the weekend, OTK drivers and teams grabbed nine victories with 25 standing on the podium steps in addition to 53 finishes inside the top-five.

DEKM takes a break in 2022 after four successful seasons

DEKM takes a break in 2022 after four successful seasons Read more

The Corona pandemic has already made life difficult for motorsport for the last two years, now there are additional global circumstances that complicate the current situation. Unfortunately, this is also noticeable in the DEKM. Despite a high level of commitment, the championship does not have an adequate field of participants for this year and is sitting out the coming season.

Karters invited to ‘Return to The Rock’ Sept. 3-4, 2022

Karters invited to ‘Return to The Rock’ Sept. 3-4, 2022 Read more

As the Covid pandemic hopefully moves into the rear-view mirror, the Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest go-kart street race, is preparing for its 27th year by inviting kart racers to “Return To The Rock.”

Rok Cup Euro, will take place on 16-17 July at the Kartarena in Cheb, Czech Republic

Rok Cup Euro, will take place on 16-17 July at the Kartarena in Cheb, Czech Republic Read more

The European Challenge, at its second edition, will take place on the 16th-17th of July at the Kartarena in Cheb, Czech Republic, just a few kilometers from Germany.

MP Motorsport to continue in Spanish F4 with Pingasov, Ho, Rinicella, Zanfari and Inthraphuvasak

MP Motorsport to continue in Spanish F4 with Pingasov, Ho, Rinicella, Zanfari and Inthraphuvasak Read more

Leading Formula 4 team MP Motorsport will contest the 2022 Spanish F4 Championship with five drivers that raced with the Dutch outfit in the United Arab Emirates F4 Winter Series

New driver lineup for Charouz Racing System for Round 2 of the 2022 FIA Formula 3 Championship at Imola

New driver lineup for Charouz Racing System for Round 2 of the 2022 FIA Formula 3 Championship at Imola Read more

After a very positive double testing session at Jerez de la Frontera and Barcelona, Charouz Racing System is ready to resume its 2022 FIA Formula 3 campaign at Imola.

Pablo Sarrazin completes promising French Formula 4 debut

Pablo Sarrazin completes promising French Formula 4 debut Read more

KCMG Driver Development Project (KCMG-DDP) member Pablo Sarrazin showed strong race pace on his single-seater debut

Cody Gillis takes maiden KZ2 win in Adelaide

Cody Gillis takes maiden KZ2 win in Adelaide Read more

Cody Gillis has finally got the monkey off his back taking his maiden SP Tools Australian Kart Championship KZ2 final at Bolivar in South Australia on Sunday afternoon, extending his Championship lead. The lights to flag win coupled as the first for the WP (Will Power) Kart in the category in Australia - a chassis that Gillis has developed with the TWM team in this market.

California Prokart Challenge readies for 18th season

California Prokart Challenge readies for 18th season Read more

The 2022 California ProKart Challenge is set to begin on the April 23-24 weekend at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park. The 18th season of the program kicks off at the Buttonwillow, California facility, welcoming the Superkarts! USA regional competitors for the opening round of the six-round championship.

Challenging weekend for Lennox Racing at the 33° Margutti Trophy in Lonato

Challenging weekend for Lennox Racing at the 33° Margutti Trophy in Lonato Read more

Hard weather conditions and some unlucky situations made everything complicated for Kacper Nadolski and Axel Bengtsson in KZ2 and Andrew Torti in X30 Senior.

Helmut Marko puts his trust in French F4 and was keen to explain the purpose of the presence of two Red Bull Junior Team drivers

Helmut Marko puts his trust in French F4 and was keen to explain the purpose of the presence of two Red Bull Junior Team drivers Read more

Helmut Marko puts his trust in French F4 and was keen to explain the purpose of the presence of two Red Bull Junior Team drivers in French F4

Max Verstappen launches Verstappen.com Racing

Max Verstappen launches Verstappen.com Racing Read more

Max Verstappen, the Formula 1 world champion, has officially launched “Verstappen.com Racing” as the combined force consisting of all racing initiatives supported by Verstappen.com, the official platform of Max Verstappen

Brando Badoer races for VAR in 2022 F4 Championship

Brando Badoer races for VAR in 2022 F4 Championship Read more

Van Amersfoort Racing is pleased to announce the joining of Brando Badoer. The young Italian will join Van Amersfoort Racing for the 2022 F4 Championship.

Alex Connor confirms GB3 comeback with Arden Motorsport

Alex Connor confirms GB3 comeback with Arden Motorsport Read more

Podium finisher Alex Connor will return to the GB3 Championship with Arden Motorsport in 2022.

Tricky weekend for Lennox Racing Team in the 1st stage of Champions of the Future Euro Series in Portimao

Tricky weekend for Lennox Racing Team in the 1st stage of Champions of the Future Euro Series in Portimao Read more

Team and drivers worked really hard on the historic Portuguese track, in order to collect some useful data before the European Championship.

Hamda Al Qubaisi steps up to Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine with PREMA Racing

Hamda Al Qubaisi steps up to Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine with PREMA Racing Read more

Hamda Al Qubaisi will enter the 2022 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine under the PREMA banner.

Australian Kart Championship bound for Emerald in July

Australian Kart Championship bound for Emerald in July Read more

Karting Australia has confirmed that round four of the 2022 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship will be hosted by the Emerald Karting Club on July 15-17. Having most recently hosted a round of the Championship in 2019, the Central Queensland town has been selected by Karting Australia as the host venue for the penultimate round in the 2022 schedule.

Nikolas Taylor completes Fortec Motorsport’s three-car GB4 entry

Nikolas Taylor completes Fortec Motorsport’s three-car GB4 entry Read more

British-Malaysian driver Nikolas Taylor will race for Fortec Motorsport in the inaugural GB4 Championship season, which commences this weekend at Snetterton (2/3 April). 

Dilano van 'T Hoff stays with MP Motorsport for full FRECA campaign

Dilano van 'T Hoff stays with MP Motorsport for full FRECA campaign Read more

Talented Dutch racer Dilano van ’t Hoff will remain with MP Motorsport as he steps up for his first full season of the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA).

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From Brazil to Europe with winning ambitions
Bas Kaligis
/ Categories: CIKFIA

From Brazil to Europe with winning ambitions

A 14-year-old Brazilian, Rafael Câmara has a passion for racing. He is currently competing at the highest level of world karting in FIA Karting competitions. After early beginnings in his native country, he moved to Europe to make progress alongside the top drivers. He is preparing to move into the top category of karting next year before thinking about his future in motorsport.

From a competitive family
Rafael discovered karting at the age of five after his older brother tried this sport without feeling enough motivation to continue. Too young to get behind the wheel, Rafael insisted that his family keep his brother's kart until he could start racing. This is how he completed his first laps at the wheel once he had reached the required age of six years. He then followed in the footsteps of the drivers of the family: his great-grandfather and his uncle, but perhaps even more so of his grandmother, a young woman passionate enough to become one of the first drivers in Brazil between the ages of 17 and 19.

Passion in the blood
Once he discovered driving a kart, Rafael never wanted to stop. From his first racing season in 2011, he became Vice-Champion in the north-east region of Brazil where he lives. He won several Brazilian Championships then participated in the Florida Winter Tour in Rotax Micro Max to increase his experience.

Focus on Europe
On the old continent, karting competitions are of the highest standard, especially in Italy, a true nursery of champions. This is where Rafael discovered, thanks to the encouragement of his parents, the famous 60 Mini category, the school of champions. He then met a man who would play an important role in his young career, Giorgio Pantano. A World Champion and double European Champion in karting, the Italian driver had managed to climb to Formula 1. He is now a team manager recognised for his talent in finding and training young hopefuls.

A real driver
With Pantano, Rafael really started to learn the driving profession on the Italian tracks. In his Birel ART, he quickly progressed at the age of 11 years. In 2017, he won his first victory at the Sarno circuit and finished 5th in the WSK Super Master Series. He was ready to take an important step and make his debut among the best Juniors in the world.

Overcoming challenges
Racing remains a very demanding environment. Rafael had to use all his strength of character to continue learning in OK-Junior. His natural combativity both behind the wheel and in everyday life gave him the strength to continue despite the inevitable disappointments. Particularly consistent, and able to quickly adapt to different situations, he constantly enriched his experience as the races continued while making it a point of honour to continue to obtain excellent educational results.

Towards new horizons
In 2019, he again joined his mentor Giorgio Pantano for an early season with the Birel ART team, again in the OK-Junior category, an important moment in his career. In search of more performance, Rafael then joined the British team Forza Racing, the World Champion in 2017, with the goal of continuing among the specialists of the OK category next season to the heights of the discipline.

In search of success
His grandmother can be proud of Rafael. The young Brazilian has already managed to stand out among the best hopefuls in international karting. He now dreams of developing all the elements necessary to be able to win. With his talent, will and experience, he now has all the cards in hand to achieve his goal, guided by the only role model that inspires him, the great Ayrton Senna.

 

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