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...

Australian Kart Championship to ignite Ipswich this weekend

Australian Kart Championship to ignite Ipswich this weekend Read more

Kart racers from all across the country are set to converge on the Ipswich Kart Track this Friday and Saturday to begin their campaigns in the 2021 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship presented by Castrol EDGE. More than 260 competitors will be in action across eight classes varying from the youngsters in Cadet 9 through to the elite KZ2 class, where drivers use a six-speed gearbox powerplant.

Manuel Espirito-Santo to make single -seater debut with MP Motorsport in Spanish F4

Manuel Espirito-Santo to make single -seater debut with MP Motorsport in Spanish F4 Read more

Manuel Espírito-Santo, from Portugal, will graduate to the Spanish Formula 4 Championship with MP Motorsport this year - the 17-year-old becoming the latest name added to a strong 2021 F4 line-up at the Dutch team.

Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix 26th running set for Sept. 4-5, 2021

Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix 26th running set for Sept. 4-5, 2021 Read more

After shutting down for a year due to the Coronavirus, organizers of the Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest karting street race, have announced plans for the race to return to its usual Labor Day weekend dates, Sept. 4-5, this year. It will be the 26th year for this popular motorsport event, run through the downtown streets of the city’s Arts & Entertainment District.

New Chairman for Karting Australia Board

New Chairman for Karting Australia Board Read more

Long-time karting administrator Glen Egan has been elected as Chairman of Australian Karting Association Ltd (Karting Australia) at the recent Board Meeting.

Gil Molina joins MP Motorsport for European debut in Spanish F4

Gil Molina joins MP Motorsport for European debut in Spanish F4 Read more

Mexican driver Gil Molina will embark on his first European season in single-seaters this year, having signed to drive for MP Motorsport in the 2021 Spanish F4 Championship.

Birel ART Racing presents its 2021 drivers

Birel ART Racing presents its 2021 drivers Read more

19 names have been confirmed by the Racing department of the Italian company, which will be present in all categories, from Mini to KZ, OKJ, OK and KZ2. They will soon be joined by a driver from the "Richard Mille Young Talent Academy" programme who is still to be nominated.

Motorsport UK searches for young karting talent

Motorsport UK searches for young karting talent Read more

Motorsport UK are seeking applications to represent the UK in the 2021 FIA Karting Academy Trophy – a prestigious international championship for 12-14-year olds. The FIA ​​Karting Academy Trophy is a unique competition designed to pit the best young karters from around the world against each other on equal terms. 

Rotax British Kart classes ready for 2021 season

Rotax British Kart classes ready for 2021 season Read more

Motorsport UK, organisers of the British Kart Championships and JAG engineering, the UK distributer for Rotax, have today announced the calendar for 2021. The schedule has been designed to meet preferences indicated from recent surveys among the Rotax drivers and takes into account the current COVID-19 restrictions.

EMR Rotax and Karting South Africa - note on joining WOMZA

EMR Rotax and Karting South Africa - note on joining WOMZA Read more

There is an incredible amount of excitement and naturally some uncertainty since our announcement to join WOMZA. We feel that some perspective at this point will assist karters, teams, clubs etc to get a clearer picture of what is happening and why.

ROK Cup 2021 calendar updates

ROK Cup 2021 calendar updates Read more

The begging of ROK Cup 2021 season has been delayed of a week. The first race regarding ROK Cup Italia 2021 will no more be held on 21st of March at South Garda Karting in Lonato rather it shifts on 28th of March at the Franciacorta Karting track.

BRP Rotax not only successful in karting, also in Dakar

BRP Rotax not only successful in karting, also in Dakar Read more

Four. Wins. In a row. BRP and its Can-Am Off-Road vehicles just scored their fourth consecutive Dakar Rally victory (2018–2021), sweeping the top 11 places. Together, Maverick X3 racers completed more than 114,024 miles (183,504 km) of extreme off-road racing during this years’ rally, achieving another historic performance.

Alpha Karting keeps developing and strengthens its goals for 2021

Alpha Karting keeps developing and strengthens its goals for 2021 Read more

Strengthened by its experience and partnerships established in 2020 with successful and renowned teams, the Alpha Karting brand keeps growing through the integration of new partners including KPR in Ile de France. 2021 will be a turning point for the Alpha Karting brand which also centralizes its logistics services in Nantes. This move goes with ensuring continuity in the services and support provided to its customers.

Rotax South Africa: A new dawn for Karting

Rotax South Africa: A new dawn for Karting Read more

It is with great excitement that we announce a new dawn for karting - Karting SA  (sanctioned by World of Motorsport South Africa - WOMZA). For far too long, the Rotax Max Challenge Series has been subjected to unpopular regulations and changes by MSA and its appointees which often are not even involved in karting at all. We are therefore creating a dedicated karting regulating body that listens to karters, clubs, promoters, circuits, etc. when making decisions.

CRG extends the agreement with Rasmus Joutsimies for 2021

CRG extends the agreement with Rasmus Joutsimies for 2021 Read more

CRG is pleased to announce the renewal of the contract for the 2021 season with the OK driver Rasmus Joutsimies. The Finnish driver did an excellent job in 2020 with the official team, culminating with the 8th place at the FIA ​​World Championship and CRG management decided to extend the collaboration also for the 2021 season to give continuity to a work that is going on in the right direction.

Botho G. Wagner has passed away at the age of 85

Botho G. Wagner has passed away at the age of 85 Read more

Botho G. Wagner, the man on the left in the photo above, has passed away on 3rd January 2021 at the age of 85. He had been a karting enthusiast from the very beginning and a true “primary rock” of the discipline in his country. Notably, he had participated as a driver in the first race organised in Germany, on 24 April 1960 in Wiesbaden.

NGM Motorsport moves to CRG

NGM Motorsport moves to CRG Read more

CRG is pleased to announce a new important technical collaboration agreement with the NGM Motorsport team, which from the 2021 season will use CRG technical material in all categories and championships in which the team will take part. In particular, the collaboration with CRG will be very close for the KZ2 category, in which the Venetian team will line up three drivers of undisputed value: Giacomo Pollini, Natalia Balbo and Leonardo Bizzotto. NGM Motorsport is a very important reality in the field of national and international karting and boasts in its palmares various Italian titles and two prestigious placings in FIA events: 3rd place in the KZ2 World Cup last year and 2nd place in the European Championship 2018.

WKA Celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2021

WKA Celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2021 Read more

As the sport of karting ages, more milestones come up on the calendar each year.  One prominent achievement is the Golden Anniversary of the World Karting Association.  Established in 1971, the WKA will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2021.  To celebrate and bring recognition to the plateau, WKA has officially launched the 50th Anniversary Logo, which will brand the organization throughout its Golden Anniversary year.

Where is Rok Cup running in 2021?

Where is Rok Cup running in 2021? Read more

The calendar is ready now and we are glad to announce where and when the Rok Cup will be run in 2021. The calendar includes 7 Rok Cup Italia races, in which all categories will be present, and three races of the Campionato Italiano ACI-Rok for Rok Senior and Rok Junior alongside the Mini Rok class with a dedicated trophy.

First1516171820222324Last
Antonelli and Taponen become the first winners of the season
Bas Kaligis
/ Categories: CIKFIA

Antonelli and Taponen become the first winners of the season

The first Competition of the FIA Karting European Championship - OK & Junior was an exciting race under the sun and heat of northern Spain. The fast Zuera circuit was a major contributor to the intensity of the spectacle thanks to its overtaking-friendly layout. Tuukka Taponen (FIN) in Junior and Kimi Antonelli (ITA) in OK only started 9th and 4th respectively in the Final, but they were able to step up the pace to cross the finish line as winners.

“This Competition took place in a particular infection-control context, but we succeeded to manage the situation so that the 2020 FIA Karting European Championship could start in the optimum conditions," rejoiced promoter James Geidel. "I would like to thank Drivers, Teams, Officials and Organisers for their cooperation and respect of the rules put in place. The standard of the Competition was incredibly high and I think it promises to be a very interesting 2020 season, even though the current circumstances are difficult for everyone."

 

Antonelli wins his duel with Barnard in OK.

Unbeaten during the Qualifying Practice and throughout his four Qualifying Heats, Taylor Barnard (GBR - KR/IAME) was hoping to continue his dominance in the Final. But from the very first lap, the Driver in the colours of the Rosberg Racing Academy Team was surprised by the young and determined Nikita Bedrin (RUS - Tony Kart/Vortex). The overtaking was then to continue with great intensity, finally to the advantage of Kimi Antonelli (ITA - KR/IAME), who managed to pass Barnard then Bedrin in the space of two laps. "Even though I didn't win as many Qualifying Heats as my rivals, I wasn't worried about my chances of winning," said one of the most promising Drivers of his generation. "My technical team and I worked hard to be fast throughout the Final and it worked out as we wanted it to. I also set the fastest lap in the race, which confirmed our level of performance." Once past Bedrin, Barnard continued to attack until the end, without being able to reduce the small gap of four tenths taken by his rival.

The duel for 4th place was the subject of an intense battle between several Drivers, who finished wheel to wheel under the chequered flag. Joe Turney (GBR - Tony Kart/Vortex/LeCont) completed his eight-place progression in this position, ahead of Laurens Van Hoepen (NLD / Birel Art/TM Racing/LeCont) and his British team-mate Oliver Gray. European Champion in the category in 2018, Hannes Janker (DEU - KR/IAME/LeCont) returned to his highest level. He started on the front row but fell back during the Final to finish 7th ahead of Enzo Trulli (ITA - KR/IAME). The Spanish Driver Maya Weug (Birel Art/TM Racing/LeCont) had her best performance at this level and finished 9th, with the best comeback of the Final (+24 places) going to Rafael Chaves Camara (BRA - Exprit/TM Racing/LeCont).

Provisional standings of the FIA Karting European Championship OK after the first round in Zuera :

1- Kimi Antonelli (ITA) – 32 points

2- Taylor Barnard (GBR) – 30 points

4- Nikita Bedrin (RUS) – 24 points

4- Hannes Janker (DEU) – 18 points

5- Laurens Van Hoepen (NLD) – 17 points

 

Taponen wins the hotly contested OK-Junior Final

In Spain, Tuukka Taponen (FIN - Tony Kart/Vortex/LeCont) started his European Championship as he started the previous one in 2019: with a victory! The young Finn won with panache, as he started only 9th on the grid for the Final, after a slight disappointment in his first heat on Saturday morning. "I managed to gain two places on the first lap," commented Tuukka, "Then the fight was relentless in the pack. I was confident because we never stopped improving the equipment over the weekend. I was getting quicker and quicker as the laps went by and that allowed me to gain places regularly to get to the front under the chequered flag. I hope to confirm this at the next Competition in Sarno."

The suspense for the podium remained intact right up to the end. Ugo Ugochukwu (USA - KR/IAME/LeCont) never gave up and was rewarded for his efforts with a 2nd place on the starting grid. With two laps to go, the American took the lead over Brando Badoer (ITA - KR/IAME/LeCont). "Victory was not far away, but it is still satisfying to be on the podium of an FIA Karting European Championship for the first time," said the Italian, son of the former Formula 1 driver.

Arvid Lindblad (GBR - KR/IAME/LeCont), the leader at the end of the Heats, was not able to maintain his position and had to settle for 5th place behind his team-mate Alex Powell (JAM - KR/IAME/LeCont), who has been making a great comeback since the Free Practice sessions. Ranked 6th just ahead of Tymoteusz Kucharczyk (POL - RK/TM Racing/LeCont), Valerio Rinicella (ITA - Parolin/TM Racing/LeCont) will remain the revelation of the Spanish Competition. At home, Bruno Del Pino (ESP - Tony Kart/Vortex/LeCont) was hoping to keep his place in the top ten, before having to settle for 13th place.

Provisional standings of the FIA Karting European Championship Junior after the first round in Zuera :

1- Tuukka Taponen (FIN) – 27 points

2- Brando Badoer (ITA) – 25 points

4- Arvid Lindblad (GBR) – 21 points

4- Ugo Ugochukwu (USA) – 20 points

5- Alex Powell (JAM) – 19 points

 

The complete results of the Zuera Competition can be found on the official FIA Karting Championship app for iOS and Android mobile devices and on the website www.fiakarting.com.

Previous Article FIA Karting European Championship Zuera: spectacular qualifying heats
Next Article Ex-karters Gabriele Minì, Dino Beganovic, Sebastian Montoya and Gabriel Bortoleto impressive in first races Formula 4
Print
1388 Rate this article:
No rating
Please login or register to post comments.