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

Kalì Kart: Zvarich brothers confirmed...

Kalì Kart: Zvarich brothers confirmed for 2025

Kalì Kart: Zvarich brothers confirmed for 2025

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...

CRG Champions in Spain with Hiltbrand in KZ2 and Fontecha in Senior

CRG Champions in Spain with Hiltbrand in KZ2 and Fontecha in Senior Read more

After being victorious in seven out of the last ten races in KZ2 and thus dominating in Spain, Hiltbrand clinches the title in the season-closing event in Zuera. Meanwhile, Fontecha secures the Championship in the Senior category in Zuera, after the victories in Chiva and Campillos.

Sebastian Vettel in Lonato with Tony Kart

Sebastian Vettel in Lonato with Tony Kart Read more

The day after the Formula 1 GP in Sochi, Russia, the F1 driver spent a whole day at the South Garda Karting in Lonato with the Tony Kart Racing Team, testing the Tony Kart OK and KZ Racer 401R chassis.

World Karting icon returning to the Race of Stars

World Karting icon returning to the Race of Stars Read more

Five-times World Champion Davide Forè will make a return to Australia’s Gold Coast to compete in the 2019 Race of Stars later this month (October 17-19). With a resume that eclipses that of any current karting driver across the globe, Forè will be making his fifth start at Australia’s most prestigious stand-alone karting event being contested at the Xtreme Karting Complex.

German Electric Kart Championship starts in Ampfing

German Electric Kart Championship starts in Ampfing Read more

With the fourth racing weekend (October 4th – 6th) of the German Electric Kart Championship on the Schweppermannring in Ampfing, a premiere awaits the first electric kart racing series in the world. For the first time, the championship is going to take place on the race track in Upper Bavaria.

The series of podiums continues for Alex Powell

The series of podiums continues for Alex Powell Read more

The young Jamaican go-kart champion Alex Powell has distinguished himself throughout the five meetings of the famous Italian Championship of 2019. After another podium at the beginning of September at the closing event at Val Vibrata,  the Mercedes F1 Junior Team protégé concluded his Championship with a convincing 3rd position overall in the 60 Mini category. With the Energy Corse team, Alex is now focused on the last major events of the season, with a major step to be taken very soon for the motorsport hopeful.

Frenchman keen for more Gold Coast Karting success

Frenchman keen for more Gold Coast Karting success Read more

Frenchman Anthony Abbasse has confirmed he will return to the Gold Coast next month to defend the Race of Stars crown that he secured in 2018. Abbasse, a 12-time French Champion, was victorious on his Australian debut in the corresponding event last year and has got his eyes firmly focused on securing a second Race of Stars Winner’s Surfboard in 2019.

The 48th Trofeo Delle Industrie in Lonato next November 3rd.

The 48th Trofeo Delle Industrie in Lonato next November 3rd. Read more

Subscriptions to the 48th edition of the Trofeo delle Industrie at the South Garda Karting Circuit in Lonato are accepted starting October 2nd. Entitled categories are 60 Mini, OK-Junior, OK, KZ2 and X30 Senior.

The Rok Superfinal starts the engines at South Garda

The Rok Superfinal starts the engines at South Garda Read more

The Rok Superfinal starts the engines! Just a few weeks left and we will be attending the biggest event of the Rok World, which is one of the most important appointments in the worldwide karting scene.

2020 National Karting calendar announced

2020 National Karting calendar announced Read more

Karting Australia has today confirmed the schedule for the 2020 National Calendar of Events. The schedule includes dates for the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship presented by Castrol EDGE, Sparco Rotax Pro Tour, Race of Stars and Ultimate Club Racer events.

Win streaks continue in Santa Maria for California ProKart Challenge

Win streaks continue in Santa Maria for California ProKart Challenge Read more

The fifth round of the California ProKart Challenge was contested on September 7-8 at the home of the Santa Maria Karting Association. The two-day event for the Superkarts! USA regional program took to the 7/10-mile ‘Nationals’ configuration. Despite some dust storms throughout the weekend, the weather was dry and sunny, allowing the 15 categories to continue their championship chases.

Clash of street race titans at ‘baddest ass go kart race in the world’

Clash of street race titans at ‘baddest ass go kart race in the world’ Read more

Two giants of North American street racing faced off again during the 25th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix powered by Mediacom, world’s largest karting street race. After a five-year absence raising a family, Gary Lawson of Indiana returned to “The Rock” for the 25th edition in hopes of adding to his 28 wins at the prestigious event. Meanwhile, Tony Neilson entered 10 of the 17 classes offered hoping to add to his 20 careers wins at Rock Island and closing the gap on Lawson. Lawson won three of the four races he entered – one at the expense of Neilson – while Neilson added three more wins to run his total to 23 including Yamaha Heavy 1. Another local Quad-Cities driver, Tim Goettsch, added a 12th career win in Yamaha Medium to move to third place in overall wins. Gage Rucker won the Yamaha Heavy 2 race.

Heartbreak for James Wharton at World Championship

Heartbreak for James Wharton at World Championship Read more

Australian James Wharton’s hopes of victory at the FIA World Junior Karting Championship expired on lap five of the main event in Finland overnight. Following a successful run throughout the heat races, Wharton started the 21-lap final from fourth position before slotting himself into second on the opening lap. The 13 year-old then matched the pace of the race leader aboard his Parolin chassis on the wet track for the ensuing laps.

Iacovacci and Maranello Kart on the podium of the Italian ACI Karting Championship

Iacovacci and Maranello Kart on the podium of the Italian ACI Karting Championship Read more

Iacovacci ended the KZ2 Italian season with the third place in race2 in Val Vibrata and the third place in the final standings of the Italian Championship. Maranello Kart to field 13 drivers at the next KZ-KZ2 World Championship on September 22nd in Lonato.

Leonardo Marseglia on podium in Val Vibrata

Leonardo Marseglia on podium in Val Vibrata Read more

Leonardo Marseglia takes home another podium in the last round of the ACI Karting Italian Championship held in Val Vibrata, Italy.

Australian Champions crowned in Melbourne

Australian Champions crowned in Melbourne Read more

Bundaberg’s Troy Loeskow is finally Australian KZ2 Champion. After many seasons of looking like the dominant force in the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship, presented by Castrol EDGE and falling short, the Patrizicorse Ricciardo Kart driver finally got to unveil his Australia #1 on Sunday afternoon at the Grand Final round at Port Melbourne’s Todd Road circuit.

The Italian ACI Karting Championship titles awarded in Val Vibrata

The Italian ACI Karting Championship titles awarded in Val Vibrata Read more

Cunati dominated KZ2 and won the Italian title. Macintyre is the new 60 Mini Champion, Cesari that of KZN Under, Pagani won KZN Over, Pulito X30 Junior and Villa X30 Senior.

California Prokart Challenge gearing up to close out 2019 Season

California Prokart Challenge gearing up to close out 2019 Season Read more

Round Five of Superkarts! USA flagship regional program set for September 7-8 in Santa Maria. The California ProKart Challenge has the two final events of the 2019 season in sight for the month of September. The penultimate round for the Superkarts! USA regional program has teams and competitors heading to the Santa Maria Kart Track on September 7-8. The fifth round of the California PKC championship chase is set for the ‘Nationals Configuration’ of the Santa Maria, California facility.

Livestream: SP Tools Australian Kart Championship R5

Livestream: SP Tools Australian Kart Championship R5 Read more

Close to 300 of the finest kart racers from the Asia Pacific region have assembled in Melbourne for the final round of the 2019 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship presented by Castrol EDGE.

Live timing: SP Tools Australian Kart Championship R5

Live timing: SP Tools Australian Kart Championship R5 Read more

Close to 300 of the finest kart racers from the Asia Pacific region have assembled in Melbourne for the final round of the 2019 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship presented by Castrol EDGE.

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The Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy starts strong at Le Mans
Heert-Jan van Keulen
/ Categories: Rotax

The Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy starts strong at Le Mans

For its first edition, the Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy is already attracting drivers, teams and coaches from around the world. While the Qualifying sessions have just finished, the pleasure of participating in the new world-wide Rotax event is obvious in the Le Mans paddock. The organisation by 3MK Events, in close collaboration with BRP-Rotax, set the bar very high by giving the Le Mans International Circuit Karting a stature it had not yet reached.

In warm summer sunshine, the battle for the Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy began with Qualifying Practice for the six categories in the presence of 296 drivers. The biggest international teams found a great arena to show their skills in a very competitive environment. It is already clear that the winners on Sunday night will be champions to watch. Drivers and teams began to compete under the ruthless eye of the clock on Wednesday night in the Senior and Junior categories after nine Free Practice sessions.

 

Gazeau on pole in the Senior category

The 91 drivers entered in Senior were divided into three groups. It was the third session that proved to be the fastest with César Gazeau (FRA - FA Kart) taking pole position with 52''932 ahead of Illian Bruynseels (BEL - Tony Kart). Oscar Pellemele (FRA - Sodi) completed the top three ahead of Matilda Olsson (SWE - Tony Kart), Dylan Léger (FRA - OTK) and Guilherme De Oliveira (PRT - Kosmic), the top six overall. Leader of the first session, Lachlan Robinson (ARE - OTK) was 8th while Vincent France (DEU - Exprit), 1st in session 2, was 9th.

 

Van Vugt impresses in Junior

With 84 participants, the Junior category also needed three sessions for their Qualifying. The performances improved up until the third group in which Mike Van Vugt (NLD - Exprit) ended up achieving a benchmark of 53''452, relegating his direct pursuer, Ryan Shehan (USA - OTK), by more than three tenths of a second, not far from Dani Van Dijk (NLD - Exprit). In the second group, Oli Pylka (POL - FA Kart) had a fastest lap of 53''984 ahead of Florian Rousseau Ricci (FRA - Kosmic) and Callum Voisin (GBR - Tony Kart). The third session was dominated by Sacha Clavadetscher (CHE - Tony Kart), who posted 54''470 on the very last lap, against Theo Antonio Kekati (ARE - Tony Kart) and Miska Kaskinen (FIN - Exprit).

The gap of more than one second between the three sessions led to the application of the 101% rule, which in this case allows the respective positions of the groups to be alternated instead of a ranking on the basis of the clock. Van Vugt was on pole position, followed by Pylka and Clavadetscher.

 

Cleirbaut fastest of the DD2 Masters

Carl Cleirbaut (BEL - Tony Kart) was ultimately the fastest of the 24 drivers aged 30 and over with a time of 53''095. Primoz Matelic (SVN - Praga) followed by less than a tenth while Scott Howard (AUS - Sodi) was 3rd by 0.171''.

 

Pole Position in DD2 for Munaretto

Paolo Besancenez (FRA - Sodi) fought with Daniel Machacek (AUT - Tony Kart) at the top of the table, then Lucas Munaretto (ITA - Birel ART) joined the fight, while Xen De Ruwe (SVN - Intrepid) did not finish the session. Munaretto finally secured pole position with a time of 52''392, Besancenez took 2nd place by 37 thousandths and Machacek finished 3rd by 0.129''

 

Hervas the poleman in Mini at the finish

The young French competed against each other in the Qualifying, joined by Andres Cardenas (PER - Flandria Kart) and Simon Birch Kristensen (DNK - Birel ART). Arthur Poulain (FRA - KR) was for a long time the fastest in front of Jolan Raccamier (FRA - Birel ART), but Valentin Hervas (FRA - Birel ART) clinched pole position in the very last seconds with a last lap of 58''220.

 

Micro: perfect equality between Strauven and Nijs

Thomas Strauven (BEL - Exprit) and Lenn Nijs (BEL - Exprit) competed for several laps before finishing in the lead with an absolutely identical time of 1'00''949. Christopher El Feghali (LBN - KR) reduced the gap to 59 thousandths and took 3rd place in the closing seconds.


The Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy continues with the Qualifying Heats until Friday evening and a Saturday dedicated to the Finals.

 

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