After thousands of Hot Laps and two demanding Semi Finals, the Motorsport UK Karting Esports Finals were to be an exciting affair on Thursday evening (16 April). The virtual PF International circuit was to be the host of the finals for the Motorsport UK and Motorsport UK under 12 classes and the Motorsport UK Open category – open to non-licence holders, with several drivers from around Europe taking place.

While the start of the 2020 karting season rightly remains in limbo due to the ongoing fight against the spread of novel coronavirus, industry leaders have continued to collaborate in preparation for the upcoming season.

Registration for the ROK Cup Sim Challenge Presented by Conrad Group Insurance Agency is now open. With the first series taking place April 20^th – 26^th and featuring ten ROK Cup classes, entries are now open and will be capped at 24 entries per class.

KartSport New Zealand’s first ‘Virtual Club Day’ was held on Easter Sunday evening and its success – on all sorts of different levels – means more are already being planned, says the organisation’s National President.

As all the sectors of International sports, including F1 and football, karting has to face the Covid-19 emergency trying to evaluate all the options available to save the season, despite still there are no certainties on the time needed to end this sanitary emergency and all the restrictions imposed by the Governments of all over the globe.

With COVID-19 news dominating the airwaves, World Karting Association (WKA) officials have been burning up the phone lines in an effort to make it easier for competitors once karting returns.

ACI Sport also confirms that it has prepared alternative solutions that currently allow the program of Formula Regional European Championship, all the Italian championships, and single-brand trophies, included in the ACI Racing Weekends 2020, to be carried out in the number of races scheduled.

In 2019 Maja Weug and Julia Ayoub were able to participate in a full FIA Karting season with the Birel ART Racing Team thanks to the support of Richard Mille watches.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic currently spreading throughout much of the world and the extended period of quarantine in Italy, the CIK-FIA has postponed the date of the next event in Sarno.

Motorsport UK in association with KartSim, Alpha Live and Motorsport Games will be launching the Motorsport UK Karting Esports Championship (Easter Series) – Britain’s premier Karting Esports series on Monday 6 April, and the best thing, it’s open to all.

In these difficult times, the prognosis for the sporting schedule is uncertain. One thing is certain, the Arena 45 Grand Prix will take place at Valence, even if the date has to be postponed to better times. In the face of the changing health situation, opening entries is no longer a priority. Arena 45 will announce a new date as soon as the situation becomes clearer. As to whether the Arena 45 Grand Prix can take place as planned from 5th to 9th August 2020, it is too early to say. In any case, the flagship event at Valence is not in question. If the date has to be postponed, it will be postponed and the organisers will follow the decisions taken by the authorities.

The CIK-FIA homologation process for chassis, brakes and bodywork, which represents about 110 products and about 50 manufacturers from 10 countries, is due to start on 1st August 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most nations in Europe and around the world are facing production difficulties and it will be difficult, if not impossible, for all manufacturers to complete the development of their new products and put them into production before August. In light of these exceptional circumstances, the CIK-FIA has decided to strongly support the industry and the future of karting by automatically extending the validity of all currently homologated products (chassis, brakes, bodywork) for one year until 31st December 2021. Manufacturers will therefore have the possibility of homologating a new product or to re-homologate it during the 2021 homologation process.

Looking to better streamline their program and provide ease of use for their customer, the World Karting Association (WKA) is pleased to confirm the launch of their new website. As the promoter of several series including the Speedway Dirt Series, Florida Winter Cup, Manufacturers Cup, Road Racing Series and E-Kart (electric) Series, WKA is excited to announce the launch of their new multi-series website, WorldKarting.com

As the world continues to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, World Karting Association (WKA) officials have been carefully monitoring information updates from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the World Health Organization. Following orders to shelter in place across the country, including in the North Carolina area, the Charlotte Karting Challenge has been rescheduled. “We are finalizing some rescheduling details and will be able to announce on my Thursday night Facebook Live with the President,” explained Kevin Williams. “However, I can mention now that we have rescheduled both the Speedway Dirt Series and Road Racing Series events at Charlotte Motor Speedway for July 3rd through the 5th with the 5th reserved as the rain date for the Dirt program, and are working with multiple other organizations to ensure the best possible scenario for the competitor. We have solidified new dates for Manufacturers Cup and Sprint racing and will be able to announce this exciting news next Thursday evening.”

With the situation changing rapidly with the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic & with State Government laws about closing borders and not allowing interstate competitors to compete, we have had to cancel the IAME Series Australia planned this year.

In light of recent developments in the COVID-19 crisis, and following the address to the nation by the Prime Minister on the evening of 23rd March, Motorsport UK has today extended its suspension of all organising permits and Certificates of Exemption for motorsport events until at least 30th June.

MSA offices are now closed and will reopen when the national lockdown brought about by the coronavirus is lifted by the government.

I would like to thank our motorsport community for its incredible response to the challenges we are facing. From across the country, from our clubs, officials and competitors, venues, teams and engineering firms there is a solidarity to face the crisis and work together to find solutions. We thank all of the medical teams across the UK for working tirelessly to keep us safe, and in particular the huge number from our own community who are in the front line of this battle.

Since its communication this past Monday, MSA has been closely monitoring the developments with regard to the coronavirus pandemic.