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

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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

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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

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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!

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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...
Kalì Kart: Zvarich brothers confirmed for 2025
Kalì Kart: Zvarich brothers confirmed for 2025

Kalì Kart: Zvarich brothers confirmed...

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In the last few days, Kalì Kart has confirmed the extension of the agreement with the three Zvarich brothers also for the 2025 season. Max, Marat and Mark, therefore, after the first contact with...
Iron Dames reveal full 2025 racing programme: 16 drivers, multiple disciplines, one mission
Iron Dames reveal full 2025 racing programme: 16 drivers, multiple disciplines, one mission

Iron Dames reveal full 2025 racing...

Iron Dames reveal full 2025 racing programme: 16 drivers, multiple disciplines, one mission

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Iron Dames, the trailblazing all-female racing project, proudly announces its expanded 2025 programme, featuring an unprecedented line-up of 16 drivers competing across the globe. This milestone marks...
Superkarts! USA ProKart Challenge sets 2025 schedule
Superkarts! USA ProKart Challenge sets 2025 schedule

Superkarts! USA ProKart Challenge sets...

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The 21st edition of the Superkarts! USA ProKart Challenge is projected to be one of the best seasons in the last decade. The organization’s flagship regional program is set to contest six rounds...

LeCont gains ground at all levels

LeCont gains ground at all levels Read more

A quick overview of the international karting landscape confirms the progress of LeCont tyres around the world. Over time, the quality of LeCont products has become more and more important in racing, especially as the Italian brand has always placed great importance on its relationship with its customers.

Arthur Leclerc and Dino Beganovic for the Scuderia Ferrari young driver programme

Arthur Leclerc and Dino Beganovic for the Scuderia Ferrari young driver programme Read more

The Ferrari Driver Academy is pleased to announce that two new drivers are joining the Maranello marque’s racing driver training and development programme, which has now been operational for eleven years. The drivers in question are Arthur Leclerc and Dino Beganovic, whose 2019 performances showed they have what it takes to be part of the FDA.

ROK Continental Cup in Ampfing and Adria

ROK Continental Cup in Ampfing and Adria Read more

The Rok Cup Continental Cup will be one of the absolute innovations within the European karting scene. In the Rok continental challenge, divided into 2 rounds, the first in Germany and the second one in Italy, all Rok categories will be present to face the best European Rookers.

Andrea Margutti Trophy: The celebratory event “1990-2020” on March 1st

Andrea Margutti Trophy: The celebratory event “1990-2020” on March 1st Read more

On track categories MINI, OKJ, KZ2, Iame X30 Senior and X30 Junior. Entry lists to open on February 3rd 2020. The “Andrea Margutti” Trophy continues to honour the memory of the young karting promise Andrea Margutti with the 31st edition of the event that started back in 1990. The 2020 event will take place as usual at the South Garda Karting Circuit in Lonato on February 27th – March 1st with the organization by Parma Motorsport. Entry lists to open on February 3rd.

Italian ACI Karting 2020 Championship: validity, calendar, tracks and categories

14 Years-old Jamie Day Handpicked to become factory driver for Charles Leclerc in Lennox Racing Team

14 Years-old Jamie Day Handpicked to become factory driver for Charles Leclerc in Lennox Racing Team Read more

Last month Scuderia Ferrari Formula One driver Charles Leclerc launched his own kart brand in association with Birel ART, and local Dubai Kartdrome racer Jamie Day, who has already tested and raced on the chassis, has been officially selected to be a factory driver running under the established Lennox Racing Team based in Italy.

Emirates Racing claims maiden Pro Endurance Title! Fernando Alonso and FA Racing on podium in 24 hours of Dubai

Emirates Racing claims maiden Pro Endurance Title! Fernando Alonso and FA Racing on podium in 24 hours of Dubai Read more

The Emirates Group Karting Club (EGKC) traded one title for another as one of their two teams, Emirates Racing (#8), claimed its first Pro Championship on Saturday (14 December) during the final round of the Dubai Kartdrome Endurance Championship Powered by Motorsport Wheels, while its sister squad, Team Emirates (#9), fell short in a close championship battle with LD Russia (#18) for the 2019 Corporate crown.

Line-up Sodi Kart Racing Team for 2020 season

Line-up Sodi Kart Racing Team for 2020 season Read more

After a highly successful 2019 season – whose highlights included Emilien Denner’s victory at the FIA Karting International Super Cup, Bas Lammers winning the WSK Super Master Series championship, Anthony Abbasse’s victory in the Winter Cup and victory in Le Mans 24-hour race, Sodikart has opted to bolster its international ambitions and raise its profile on the world karting competition stage. 

CRG presents the 24 hours of Italy 2020

CRG presents the 24 hours of Italy 2020 Read more

You never change a winning format, so the 24 Hours of Italy will keep all the features that made it one of the most prestigious races in the Endurance sector. Starting from the date at the beginning of the season, confirmed on March 28th and 29th. It is confirmed the high-profile location as well, the Adria Raceway, one of the most beautiful layouts, provided with services able to make this hard and demanding marathon the most comfortable as possible for teams, with its masonry boxes, hotel rooms above the pit lane, one of the best a lighting systems in Europe and modern video control system with over 20 cameras.

A new chapter for Anthony Abbasse

A new chapter for Anthony Abbasse Read more

In 2020, you will no longer see Anthony on the major international circuits. Anthony has decided to take a different path with a change of career. Sodikart has had a very close relationship with Anthony for many years, and of course, supports Anthony in this new adventure.

Tony Kart rules over Macau

Tony Kart rules over Macau Read more

In the traditional appointment of the Macao Internationa Kart Grand, in Coloane, our official drivers occupy the first four position of the KZ final rating. The victory was centred by Phakka ahead of Viganò and Piccini, fourth Milell. 

ROK: A worldwide success

ROK: A worldwide success Read more

Not only the Superfinal in Lonato, but also the ROK the Rio in Las Vegas and the Asia Final in Singapore have characterized an amazing end of the season with almost 800 Rokkers getting on track and awarding 18 Champion Titles.

Rafael Villagomez recognised by the Richard Mille Young Talent Academy in Le Mans

Rafael Villagomez recognised by the Richard Mille Young Talent Academy in Le Mans Read more

Held in difficult weather conditions, the second Richard Mille Young Talent Academy highlighted Mexico's Rafael Villagomez among the 17 young talents gathered at Le Mans. After rigorous physical, mental and sporting evaluations, Rafael made the difference with his ability to progress, suggesting excellent potential in motorsport. Richard Mille has shown his confidence in him by offering him the chance to participate in the 2020 French F4 Championship.

The Rok Asia By Domenico Cicognini

The Rok Asia By Domenico Cicognini Read more

The 2019 Rok Superfinal Champion, Domenico Cicognini, conquered the opportunity to race the 2019 Rok Cup Asia Final with his victory in October at the South Garda. Domenico did not miss this wonderful opportunity given by Vortex and on the KF1 Karting Circuit in Singapore, he enjoyed a new and amazing experience.

French karting champion Emilien Denner will take his first steps in Single-seater racing

French karting champion Emilien Denner will take his first steps in Single-seater racing Read more

The 17 year old Strasbourg driver will head to the southern hemisphere series on the back of an impressive season in karting in KZ2 in which he won the FIA Karting KZ2 International Supercup during the FIA Karting World Championship held in Italy in Sept.’19 and the 30° Trofeo Andrea Margutti, as well as finishing second in the FIA Karting European Championship with the win of FIA Europe Round 2 in Sarno in what is considered as one of the best and epic FIA Final of the last years. He was also third in the 2018 CIK-FIA European KZ2 Championship and is widely regarded as one of the best young karting talents in the world.

Charles Leclerc karting competition department in collaboration with the team Lennox Racing

Charles Leclerc karting competition department in collaboration with the team Lennox Racing Read more

Not long ago, Charles Leclerc announced the launch of his own range of kart chassis, produced in the Birel ART factory. The news has made a big impact in the industry and beyond thanks to the incredible popularity of the Monegasque prodigy whose recent exploits at the wheel of his Ferrari F1 have delighted motorsport enthusiasts around the world.

2nd Adria Karting Expo is on his way

2nd Adria Karting Expo is on his way Read more

The Adria Karting Expo is the sector expo dedicated to the karting world, already become a reference for national and international manufacturers and realities in the karting sector. After last year's success, we are setting up an even more content-packed 2019 edition. From the display of the karts of all the major brands to the free kart test for children, 3 days will be packed with initiatives for kart and motor enthusiasts.

CRG at the 2nd Karting Expo

CRG at the 2nd Karting Expo Read more

Since Friday 29th November until Sunday 1st December you will be able to visit the CRG stand at the Adria Raceway, in Italy, where the Racing and Rental lines will be displayed, besides the opportunity to test the Karts of the Rental line in the indoor track.

Results of the SKUSA Supernationals at Las Vegas, Nevada

Results of the SKUSA Supernationals at Las Vegas, Nevada Read more

In the world of motorsports, few races can be billed as the race of the year, but time and time again the SKUSA SuperNationals have been dubbed the pinnacle karting event of the year. It is poised once again to be “the race of the year.” SKUSA SuperNationals karting event is from 20th to 24th November in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Marijn Kremers winner of 2019 FEED Racing

Marijn Kremers winner of 2019 FEED Racing Read more

Marijn Kremers is officially the laureate of the very first FEED Racing edition. The 21-year-old Dutchman won the final, after several months of competition.

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KartSport New Zealand’s first ‘Virtual Club Day’ a great success! 3-time former NZ Kart champion Chris van der Drift 8th place and Brendon Hartley 11th
Mitchell Koolen
/ Categories: News, International

KartSport New Zealand’s first ‘Virtual Club Day’ a great success! 3-time former NZ Kart champion Chris van der Drift 8th place and Brendon Hartley 11th

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.

 

“Without a doubt,” said Graeme Moore this morning. “I thought my phone was going hot on Sunday afternoon as we were putting the finishing touches to the event together. But yesterday and even earlier today (Tuesday) it’s just been ballistic with people wanting to tell me how good it was.”

Like every other admin body of a sporting organisation here and around the world KartSport New Zealand was left in a quandary once the true ramifications of the COVET-19 virus hit home. Even before the lockdown, for instance, the jewel in the local sport’s crown, the annual National Sprint Championship meeting over the Easter weekend had to be called off, and once the lockdown was in place karters were effectively stranded at home in their bubbles for four weeks.

 

While he and his fellow Executive members have been using the time - and the internet and various face/time apps – to keep on top of admin across the club-based organisation, Moore says he couldn’t help think that the karters themselves – the people on whose behalf he and the other officials were doing the work – were missing out. It didn’t help, either, that every time, he says, he tuned into the TV news at 6.00pm there would be a story about how F1, IndyCar or the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship was launching some sort of ‘e-series’ on an ‘iRacing’ platform.

Enter Travis Smith, a keen young karter and Tech Officer from Dunedin. Smith is also right into his Sim racing and on hearing his Dad, KartSport New Zealand’s National Technical Officer Colin Smith, discussing the possibility of ‘doing something on iRacing’ with Graeme Moore, immediately put up his hand to help. The result was the inaugural KartSport NZ ‘Trophy Truck’ race meeting at the Laguna Seca circuit in northern California. The event included practise and qualifying sessions before 3 x 5-lap heat races and a reverse grid 20-lap final complete with one compulsory pitstop to have enough fuel to make it to the end.

Though it was only promoted on KartSport NZ’s Facebook page it attracted a 48-strong field which included everyone from first-time SIM racers to Le Mans 24 Hour race winner Brendon Hartley, currently (conveniently) ‘locked down’ with his wife at his home in Taupo. KartSport New Zealand and sponsors Carter’s Tyre Service, and the Giltrap Group covered the cost of hosting the event on the iRacing ‘network’ and it was live-streamed on the KartSport NZ Facebook page.

Because, Moore says, he is acutely aware of the financial strain many typical KartSport families are now under thanks to the COVET-19 lockdown entry costs per driver were kept to a minimum – hence the use of the generic ‘Trophy Trucks’ rather than some sort of virtual Kart. “Obviously karts would have been a better ‘fit,’ but the Trophy Trucks provided us with a pretty much level playing field in terms of set-up, plus because of that they are one of the cheapest options on the iRacing program.”

“Now that we’ve run our first club day we will look at our options going forward. One of those might well be to go to a virtual kart if we can access a simple, cost effective option but in the meantime we will stick with the cheaper options on iRacing, it is "Club Day racing after all".

As it turned out the race was won by 18-year-old Sim specialist Angus Claasen, from Hamilton who led home karter and similarly experienced young Sim racer Max Donnelly from Whakatane. Classen, who is one of the country’s best young track cyclists, said he took up Sim racing a year or so ago and is now a regular on the iRacing platform. He said he enjoyed his first KartSport NZ ‘club meeting’ and reckons he will definitely be back for more. ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘I had a good time out there against some pretty cool drivers and I particularly liked the fact that the car was kept simple and had a fixed set up. It made the racing close and gave all the competitors an even chance.”

Three-time former NZ Kart champion Chris van der Drift, who went on to enjoy a stellar international career in single-seater racing cars in Europe and latterly in Porsches in the Carrera Cup Asia championship series before returning home to live and race out of Hamilton, was the best of the sport’s Pro drivers in 8th place with Brendon Hartley 11th and Tom Alexander 12th.

CAPTIONS:

KartSport NZ ran its first iRacing ‘virtual club day’ on Easter Sunday evening. Here is a screen shot from inside eventual winner Angus Claasen’s Trophy Truck.

Christian Hermansen from Palmerston North, 3x NZ Minisprint speedway champion and Goldstar series karter getting to grips with his new Sim set up. Christian started the final from grid 42 and finished 7th.

Le Mans 24 Hour race winner and former F1 driver Brendon Hartley, currently back ‘home’ in lockdown in Taupo, was one of the current stars on the world motor racing stage to contest the inaugural KartSport New Zealand Virtual Club Day on Easter Sunday evening. (Red Bull sim)

Photo credits: KartSport New Zealand/iRacing

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