Modena Kart P1 and P2 in the Italian Championship
Modena Kart P1 and P2 in the Italian Championship

Modena Kart P1 and P2 in the Italian...

Modena Kart P1 and P2 in the Italian Championship

Modena Kart P1 and P2 in the Italian Championship

Modena Kart Racing Team continues to dominate the podium! Whatever the competition, the Italian team confirms its expertise. A week after their double podium finish in the WSK Euro Series, Gioele...
Superkarts! USA Supernationals 28 entry opens July 31
Superkarts! USA Supernationals 28 entry opens July 31

Superkarts! USA Supernationals 28 entry...

Superkarts! USA Supernationals 28 entry opens July 31

Superkarts! USA Supernationals 28 entry opens July 31

Superkarts! USA has confirmed the opening day for registration for SKUSA SuperNationals 28. The November 12-16 event is set for a return to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway following the success of the...
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...

Livestream: BNL Kick-OFF 2.0 Reboot at Genk

Livestream: BNL Kick-OFF 2.0 Reboot at Genk Read more

After exactly three months, they are back out on track, giving you the chance to restart your race engines once again at Karting Genk “Home of Champions”. Because it took so long, we will not be starting with the championship, which will return in August. However, they will start with the BNL Kick Off 2.0 Reboot.

Otk Chassis Dealers Network Germany

Otk Chassis Dealers Network Germany Read more

The sales network of OTK chassis for Germany is welcoming a new dealer: AK-Racing.

Red Bull Junior Team driver Jüri Vips with KIC

Red Bull Junior Team driver Jüri Vips with KIC Read more

KIC Motorsport signed Estonian Red Bull junior program driver Jüri Vips - All three KIC Motorsport drivers in excellent pace at test days in Imola

Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix kart races cancelled for 2020

Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix kart races cancelled for 2020 Read more

ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS — With the uncertainty of when the state will reach Phase 5 of Restore Illinois, and with a strong commitment to the health and safety of the racers, volunteers, staff and spectators, the Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest karting street race, has announced that this year’ Labor Day weekend event will not be held. Planning has already begun for 2021.

WKA Charlotte Karting Challenge Gets Underway This Weekend

WKA Charlotte Karting Challenge Gets Underway This Weekend Read more

With COVID-19 putting a hold on motorsports around the world for more than three months, it is finally time for the World Karting Association (WKA) to return back to the track. With the Charlotte Karting Challenge on the docket over the next two weekends, a return to the famed Charlotte Motor Speedway will kick off this weekend.

California ProKart Challenge returns to action in 2020

California ProKart Challenge returns to action in 2020 Read more

The ProKart Challenge returned trackside on June 12-14 with the second and third rounds contested on the kart track at the Willow Springs International Raceway. Racing for Superkarts! USA had been shut down since the March weekend of the SKUSA Pro Tour WinterNationals in New Orleans, but welcomed triple-digit numbers for each of the two rounds of regional racing program under almost-perfect weather conditions at in Rosamond, California. Attendees followed social distancing guidelines to help keep officials and competitors safe while enjoying the three-day event.

Racing siblings Bäckman once again part of the HMSG Customer Racing Junior Driver initiative

Racing siblings Bäckman once again part of the HMSG Customer Racing Junior Driver initiative Read more

Andreas and Jessica Bäckman have been selected by Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing to be part of their Junior Driver initiative that supports young racing drivers for the second year in a row. It feels super exciting to be one of the few chosen racing drivers for the Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Junior Driver initiative once again, Andreas says.

BhaiTech announces Zdenek Chovanec for 2020 Italian F4 championship

BhaiTech announces Zdenek Chovanec for 2020 Italian F4 championship Read more

Zdenek Chovanec will join BhaiTech Racing for the 2020 Italian Formula 4 Championship. Born in 2004, Chovanec is making his series debut after entering the F4 UAE championship last winter. The young prospect will line-up alongside the already announced Sebastian Ogaard and Jesse Salmenautio.

 

Ferrari F1-star Charles Leclerc guest of the Leclerc by Lennox Racing Team + PHOTOS

Ferrari F1-star Charles Leclerc guest of the Leclerc by Lennox Racing Team + PHOTOS Read more

The resumption of racing is approaching also for Charles Leclerc by Lennox Racing Team, which has been engaged in test days at the South Garda Karting in Lonato for the last few weeks.

2020 BNL Karting Series Race Calendar

2020 BNL Karting Series Race Calendar Read more

The organisation of the BNL Karting Series is happy and proud to announce the new calendar for season 2020. “Recently we received good news from Karting Genk: Home of Champions. As from the 1st of July 2020 it is possible to race again on their circuit. Actually this means we will reboot racing on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of July.”

Parolin Racing South Africa eager to get back on track

Parolin Racing South Africa eager to get back on track Read more

The national lockdown in South Africa was recently downgraded to Level 3 which allowed for further restrictions to be lifted coming into effect on 1 June 2020, amongst others the return of kart testing at some circuits across South Africa.

Motorsport South Africa: COVID-19 communique

Motorsport South Africa: COVID-19 communique Read more

MSA is aware that the Regulations published on 28 May 2020 in the government gazette allow professional non-contact sport to continue under the published regulations “… as per directions issued by the Cabinet member responsible for sport….”. These directions are yet to be published.

Championships, ROK Superfinal Tickets and ROK the RIO Entry Packages on the Line in WKA Charlotte Events

Championships, ROK Superfinal Tickets and ROK the RIO Entry Packages on the Line in WKA Charlotte Events Read more

As part of the WKA Mid-Season Shootout, the competitors gaining the most cumulative points in Mini ROK, Junior ROK, Senior ROK and ROK Shifter after the Orlando, Florida, and two Charlotte, North Carolina events will receive ROK Cup Superfinal invitations. The rule that classes must average ten entries to receive these invitations has been removed ensuring that all class champions from these respective divisions will be headed to Italy as part of the WKA and ROK Cup USA partnership.

The first Karting Australia COVIDSafe Race Meeting is set for action

The first Karting Australia COVIDSafe Race Meeting is set for action Read more

The first Karting Australia COVIDSafe Race Meeting is set for action next Sunday. All of the NT Government requirements have been met in accordance with Karting Australia’s COVIDSafe Operational Procedures to ensure a safe environment for all attending.

STATEMENT from the Ministry of Sport of South-Africa

STATEMENT from the Ministry of Sport of South-Africa Read more

On Saturday 30th May 2020, the Honourable Minister Nathi Mthethwa announced details of the Directions for Sport, Arts and Culture under the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002) to the media and public.

Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno! Sorrentino family: "We are taking the necessary precautions to restart our activities"

Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno! Sorrentino family: "We are taking the necessary precautions to restart our activities" Read more

At the foot of the Vesuvius volcano, the Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno is a great venue for kart racing which has been regularly included in the FIA Karting Competition calendar for many years. Under the guidance of Giuseppe Sorrentino, both the site and the track are constantly being improved to the delight of the competitors, who often cite it as one of their favourite circuits.

VIDEO Crash Karting: pile-up in the exit of the pitlane! The karts stack on top of each other!

VIDEO Crash Karting: pile-up in the exit of the pitlane! The karts stack on top of each other! Read more

For some drivers, it is very difficult to keep their patience as we can see in the following video! Already at the exit of the pitlane, there is a huge pile-up! Even before the kart drivers left the pitlane for some track action, they collided. The karts stack on top of each other!

PF International Kart Circuit in Brandon (UK) will be re-open for testing 5th and 6th june

PF International Kart Circuit in Brandon (UK) will be re-open for testing 5th and 6th june Read more

PFI are happy to inform you that we will be re-open for testing beginning on the Friday 5th & Saturday 6th June! Following these dates, if everything goes well we will be open every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, but pre-booking will be required and we will only be running with limited numbers for TVKC Members only.

Covid-19 pandemic: the Arena 45 Grand Prix will take place in 2021

Covid-19 pandemic: the Arena 45 Grand Prix will take place in 2021 Read more

The worldwide development of the Covid-19 pandemic means we cannot envisage the 1st Arena 45 Grand Prix going ahead in good conditions as planned this year. Faced with uncertainty surrounding the possibility of organising an international competition this year, Didier André and his partners have wisely chosen to postpone their event until 2021.

Brad Jones Racing is set to launch a Junior Development Team in association with Tom Williamson Motorsport

Brad Jones Racing is set to launch a Junior Development Team in association with Tom Williamson Motorsport Read more

Brad Jones Racing is set to launch a Junior Development Team in association with Tom Williamson Motorsport to help guide the next generation of motorsport stars.

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James Wharton 2020 - FIA Karting European Championship - OK, Sarno (ITA) - Round 2 - A magnificent gain for Wharton
Mitchell Koolen
/ Categories: News, International

James Wharton 2020 - FIA Karting European Championship - OK, Sarno (ITA) - Round 2 - A magnificent gain for Wharton

Competitiveness and combativeness are the two words that could sum up the weekend of the talented driver James Wharton, racing in the FIA Karting European Championship in the OK category. During the second event in Sarno, Italy, the young Australian made one of the best progressions of the 36 finalist drivers, coming back from 27th to 12th place! James Wharton has scored his first points and doesn't intend to stop there...

For James Wharton, the race at Sarno started with significant performances in the Free Practice sessions. "Throughout the sessions we have constantly improved our lap times thanks to the important work done with the Parolin Racing Kart team", said the Australian driver. "Everything was in place for the Timed Practice and I was able to set the 2nd fastest time in my group, which placed me 8th overall out of a total of 55 competitors."

On the very fast international circuit of Naples, the Qualifying Heats were to be much harder than usual, with many crashes in the pack. "A lot of drivers were very nervous this weekend. Generally, it is important to ensure consistent results in the heats to ensure a good place on the starting grid for the Final. For my part, I was involved in incidents twice, which meant I dropped to 27th in the intermediate classification." However, his result in the A/C heat showed his level of performance, with 2nd place under the chequered flag.

On Sunday afternoon, James Wharton continued his effort throughout the 30 km of the Final of the OK category. "My start was excellent! Afterwards, I raced at a fast pace and I gained several more places. All in all, it was a good race. Thank you to the team, to my engine builder and to all my partners!"

With 12th after starting from 27th place, James could be proud of his progress in this very tough situation. At just 14 years old, he is taking part in his first OK season and was able to register his first four points in Italy in the FIA European Karting Championship. Next stop Wackersdorf in Germany from 9th to 13th September for the final event...
    
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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