Happy Holidays, KartXpress wishes you a healthy and successful 2026
Happy Holidays, KartXpress wishes you a healthy and successful 2026

Happy Holidays, KartXpress wishes you a...

Happy Holidays, KartXpress wishes you a healthy and successful 2026

Happy Holidays, KartXpress wishes you a healthy and successful 2026

Happy Holidays, KartXpress wishes you a healthy and successful 2026
Karting Champions League now welcoming 2026 Winter Series Entries
Karting Champions League now welcoming 2026 Winter Series Entries

Karting Champions League now welcoming...

Karting Champions League now welcoming 2026 Winter Series Entries

Karting Champions League now welcoming 2026 Winter Series Entries

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Numerous International Teams registered for the 24 Hours Karting of Italy
Numerous International Teams registered for the 24 Hours Karting of Italy

Numerous International Teams registered...

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ROK Cup Italia 2026 – calendar change

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The 24 Hours Karting of Italy 2026 will take place on March 15 in Castelletto (Italy)
The 24 Hours Karting of Italy 2026 will take place on March 15 in Castelletto (Italy)

The 24 Hours Karting of Italy 2026 will...

The 24 Hours Karting of Italy 2026 will take place on March 15 in Castelletto (Italy)

The 24 Hours Karting of Italy 2026 will take place on March 15 in Castelletto (Italy)

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Results: 2025 ROK Cup Superfinal at the South Garda Karting

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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.

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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.

CIK-FIA 2020 Homologations extended to 2021

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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.

World Karting Association launches new website

World Karting Association launches new website Read more

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

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, WKA officials have rescheduled the upcoming Charlotte Karting Challenge

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, WKA officials have rescheduled the upcoming Charlotte Karting Challenge Read more

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.”

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2020 FIA Karting Best-of: Riccardo Patrese - World Champion and driver’s father
Bas Kaligis
/ Categories: CIKFIA

2020 FIA Karting Best-of: Riccardo Patrese - World Champion and driver’s father

Competition flows in the veins of the Patrese family

A true Formula 1 legend with 256 Grand Prix contested, six victories and three podiums in the World Championship standings, Riccardo Patrese was also a talented kart racer who won the world title in 1974. For the past four years, the Italian from Padua has once again frequented the karting paddocks to follow his young son Lorenzo, who is a 15 year old OK driver.

What memories do you have of karting as a driver?

They are distant memories, but I always keep unforgettable moments in mind. Karting is my youth. My brother was an engineer and he came up with the idea of building a kart at a time when this sport, which originated in the United States, was booming in many European countries. We started to have fun with this home-made model. At that time, you had to wait until you were 12 years old to take a licence and race. Over the years I climbed the ladder and managed to be selected by the Italian national team to compete in the World Championship, which I took part in four times and won in 1974 in Estoril, Portugal. I was already 21 when I made my debut in single-seater racing.

Of course, that was a very different time to today, wasn't it?

At the beginning of the 1970s, I was racing at a high level, almost professionally. I had the support of the Birel factory. But the atmosphere in the paddock was completely different. The season was shorter, I only took part in just over 10 races a year and there were few international competitions. The European Championship was run by teams, it looked like a Nations Cup. The World Championship was the only real big event of the season. I was one of the youngest drivers and I often competed against much older drivers.

How do you see International Karting today?

To tell the truth, I must admit that I was quite surprised to see all these structures and all this technology, which require significant financial expenditure. The drivers are already treated like professionals, even though some are only 12 years old. I sometimes wonder if this is really reasonable. I think, for example, that karting should not be done at the expense of education. Drivers who come to Europe from other continents spend many days on the circuits. Do they have enough time for their school curriculum? It's amazing how much they invest in this discipline from a very young age.

Are you proud to see your son following in your footsteps?

I have to admit that I hadn't planned to be in this situation at all. I never encouraged Lorenzo to get involved in motorsport. Just a few years ago he was competing in the European Equestrian Championship with the Italian national team! All of a sudden he wanted to stop and insisted on going into karting. His first laps showed that he had potential and we took the plunge. Today, I support him in his approach.

What do you think of his progress?

In 2020 in OK, he wasn't yet in a position to win, but his second time in Germany at a European Championship event is indicative of the progress he has made in just a few seasons. He is now able to fight with the best. It is never easy, because, in each team, the maximum efforts are made for the drivers who are able to reach the podium. They are the ones who benefit from the best equipment, but it must be acknowledged that this was already the case in my time!

Phrase

"I hadn't planned to be in a kart paddock again at all."

Born on 17th April 1954

 

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