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

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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

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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!

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

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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

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

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...
ROK Cup 2025 Regulations
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24 Hours Karting of Italy: the entry list becomes increasingly international
24 Hours Karting of Italy: the entry list becomes increasingly international

24 Hours Karting of Italy: the entry...

24 Hours Karting of Italy: the entry list becomes increasingly international

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Registration of the teams coming from all over the world for the 24 Hours Karting of Italy, the reference Rental kart event among international endurance races, scheduled for next March 1-2 on the...
Zayne Burgess to Join Andretti Global Driver Development Program
Zayne Burgess to Join Andretti Global Driver Development Program

Zayne Burgess to Join Andretti Global...

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Enzo Peugeot's ambitious program in international karting and maiden victory in Genk

Enzo Peugeot's ambitious program in international karting and maiden victory in Genk Read more

Enzo Peugeot is competing in his fourth season of Karting. At 13 years old, this Beaune native takes everything he can to succeed. 2019 will see him starting in the highest class in his age group, at the heart of the cosmopolitan fields of the European and World FIA Karting Championships. Since the winter break, he has already taken part in three events, in three different countries, and has just taken his first victory at the Genk circuit with his new team VDK Racing. The tone is set! Engines ready, and… action!

The 30th Andrea Margutti Trophy reached level 251 drivers

The 30th Andrea Margutti Trophy reached level 251 drivers Read more

The 30th edition of the Andrea Margutti Trophy, race scheduled for next April 4th – 7th at South Garda Karting in Lonato, registered a good participation.

Great participation at the 30th Spring Trophy in Lonato

Great participation at the 30th Spring Trophy in Lonato Read more

A record participation of 550 drivers took part in the two rounds of the 30th Spring Trophy,  whose two rounds have been held on March 17th and 31st, 2019, in Lonato. The winners of the Spring Trophy are Dante (KZ2), Cesari (KZN Under), Nalon (KZN Over), Blum (60 Mini) and Giusto (Entry Level).

Faint hangs strong to record second AKC round win

Faint hangs strong to record second AKC round win Read more

Queenslander Jason Faint has taken a memorable victory in the second round of the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship, presented by Castrol EDGE, in Newcastle NSW. Faint led home last round winner Troy Loeskow and perennial front runner, Christopher Hays in Sunday afternoon’s KZ2 Championship final.

The regulations of ACI Italian Karting 2019 Championship published

The regulations of ACI Italian Karting 2019 Championship published Read more

The Italian ACI Karting 2019 Championship will feature 5 rounds in Castelletto on May 12th, Siena on June 9th, Sarno on July 7th, Adria on July 28th and Val Vibrata on September 1st. Entitled categories are 60 Mini, KZ2, KZN Under, KZN Over, X30 Junior, X30 Senior, Rok Junior and Rok Senior.

Jorrit and Stan Pex make the switch to Kart Republic for 2019: "The feeling was good!"

Jorrit and Stan Pex make the switch to Kart Republic for 2019: "The feeling was good!" Read more

Stan and Jorrit Pex are switching from CRG to Kart Republic this season. The Limburg brothers are expecting to give their racing a new boost at the top of international karting in 2019. They will continue to be powered by TM where they are supplied with factory engines, as well as using a number of self-prepared engines.

SFR Motorsport up on the podium again with RS Kart at the BNL

SFR Motorsport up on the podium again with RS Kart at the BNL Read more

The British team of SFR Motorsport took their second podium in as many races at the opening round of the BNL Karting Series last weekend. Daniel Guinchard claimed an excellent third place overall in the Junior Rotax class at the Karting Genk circuit in Belgium, where he finished runner-up at the 2019 BNL Kick-off event last month. 

Kart racers heading to the Hunter Valley this weekend

Kart racers heading to the Hunter Valley this weekend Read more

The Hunter Valley region in New South Wales will come alive to the sound of high-revving kart engines later this week when the Newcastle Kart Racing Club hosts round two of the 2019 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship, presented by Castrol EDGE at its Cameron Park circuit.

Formula 20000: Historic races for karts are now part of the French scene!

Formula 20000: Historic races for karts are now part of the French scene! Read more

At the end of September 2018, a race called the “20,000 Revs per minute” reserved for karts with bodywork, powered by 100 cc air-cooled engines from the period 1986 to 2003, took place at Le Mans as a curtain raiser to the famous 24 Heures Karting. The aim was to test the formula and it has to be said that for a premier it couldn’t have been a bigger success!

Livetiming and streaming BNL Karting Series round 1 in Genk (New Link)

Livetiming and streaming BNL Karting Series round 1 in Genk (New Link) Read more

This weekend Karting Genk will host the First round of the BNL Karting Series. Follow the participants via the Live-timing and Livestreaming.

The Andrea Margutti Trophy ready for its 30th Edition on April 4-7th in Lonato

The Andrea Margutti Trophy ready for its 30th Edition on April 4-7th in Lonato Read more

Only a few days are left to enter the 30th Andrea Margutti Trophy, race to take place in Lonato from April 4th to 7th 2019 for categories KZ2, OK, OK-Junior, 60 Mini, IAME X30 Senior and KFA. A good presence is building for the 30th edition of the Andrea Margutti Trophy, the International race organized by Parma Motorsport that is part of the FIA Karting calendar and that will take place next 4-7 April at the South Garda Karting circuit.

Great protagonist shining in Lonato’s opener of the 30th Spring Trophy

Great protagonist shining in Lonato’s opener of the 30th Spring Trophy Read more

A record number of 321 drivers coming from 23 different Countries gathered at the South Garda Karting circuit in Lonato for the first round of the 30th Spring Trophy. Closing round on March 30-31st.  The South Garda Karting circuit of Lonato housed the first round of the 30th Spring Trophy in the weekend of March 17th. The event that will reach its conclusion next March 30-31st 2019 had a good drivers presence so far.

From karts to cars! Jules Mettetal wins 2019 Volant Winfield and full French FIA F4 season

From karts to cars! Jules Mettetal wins 2019 Volant Winfield and full French FIA F4 season Read more

Thanks to an exceptional performance level and rigorous organisation, the 2019 Volant Winfield stayed true to its promises and crowned 16-year-old karting talent Jules Mettetal as the winner. At Circuit Paul Ricard, the Frenchman impressed the jury with his raw speed during a high-level finale with fierce international competition. The 25th winner of the Volant Winfield has earned a full season in the 2019 FIA French F4 Championship organised by the FFSA Academy. Isack Hadjar took home the Trophée Winfield, reserved for the youngest drivers, with Doriane Pin collecting the prize for best female.

Adria’s 24 hours of Italy almost sold out

Adria’s 24 hours of Italy almost sold out Read more

6 weeks before Adria’s event, 36 teams registered from 10 different countries. The 24 Hours Karting of Italy confirms to be a benchmark race in the Endurance world, event organised and promoted by CRG, scheduled on the prestigious Adria’s International circuit on March 30th-31st.

Kosmic shows good drivers development in 24th edition of Winter Cup

Kosmic shows good drivers development in 24th edition of Winter Cup Read more

The 2019 edition of Winter Cup was the redemption weekend for Andrey Zhivnov who battled for podium positions in OKJ. Our racing team once again shown good performance in the South Garda Karting at Lonato for the 24thedition of Winter Cup.

Alex Powell wins the season-opening classic

Alex Powell wins the season-opening classic Read more

Since its inception in 1996, the Winter Cup has revealed many great karting and car champions. This race is never easy to win because of the number of entries and the standard of the participants. On the ruthless circuit of Lonato, Jamaican Alex Powell patiently built the path that led him to victory in the Mini Rok category, after battles won with determination and competitiveness. The work done with the Energy Corse team was still paying off.

Another unlucky Winter Cup for Alex Irlando

Another unlucky Winter Cup for Alex Irlando Read more

Disappointing Winter Cup for Alex Irlando: even this year the Locorotondo’s driver did not finish the race because of an accident. The Winter Cup seems to be bewitched for the former World Champ Alex Irlando. The Apulian driver started the fight against other 97 drivers posting the 19th time in qualifying, just 2 tenths of second far from the leader.

Masterful double for Energy Corse at the Winter Cup

Masterful double for Energy Corse at the Winter Cup Read more

The season has definitely started strongly for Energy Corse with podiums on different continents and successive performances in Europe. At Lonato, Alex Powell and Kirill Kutskov produced a remarkable double at the Winter Cup in Mini Rok. Energy Corse is certainly one of the best teams in terms of training young kart drivers.

Tony Kart Racing Team shines in Lonato for Winter Cup! Turney and Ardigo on the podium

Tony Kart Racing Team shines in Lonato for Winter Cup! Turney and Ardigo on the podium Read more

Tony Kart Racing Team shines in Lonato for Winter Cup with drivers fighting for victories in all categories. The 24th edition of Winter Cup took place in the classic circuit of South Garda Karting where our Racing Team took podiums in KZ2 and OK classes, with Marco Ardigò and Joe Turney both finishing in third place in their finals. These results show once again the reliability and performance of the Tony Kart Chassis Racer 401 R equipped with Vortex Engines.

Who will be crowned the 25th Volant Winfield winner at Paul Ricard?

Who will be crowned the 25th Volant Winfield winner at Paul Ricard? Read more

Following the successful 2018 Volant Winfield, and with winner and reigning French F4 champion Caio Collet earning a spot within the Renault Sport Academy, the 25th edition will once again be a reference for the detection of young talents (most from karting) at the prestigious Circuit Paul Ricard.

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Exciting heats come rain or shine in the Flying Finn Race
Bas Kaligis
/ Categories: International

Exciting heats come rain or shine in the Flying Finn Race

There was an exciting day of qualifying heats in mixed weather conditions at the Flying Finn Race on Saturday, as drivers battled to be in contention for the FIA Karting World Championship titles in OK and OK Junior. On home ground at the PowerPark circuit at Alahärma near Kauhava, in the event organised by AKK, Finnish drivers came to the fore in the OK category. Juho Valtanen won three of his four heats on Saturday and Nikolas Pirttilahti won two, while Rasmus Joutsimies is also among the leading contenders, consistently inside the top four in his heats.

In OK Junior, the going was tougher for some of the local contenders despite some strong performances. The Dutch duo of Thomas ten Brinke and Laurens van Hoepen starred together with the Brazilian driver Rafael Chaves Camara.

 

OK: Valtanen leads the way

After Friday’s qualifying practice there were two Finnish drivers among the top four, with Juho Valtanen second to Gabriele Mini and Nikolas Pirttilahti in fourth behind Joshua Dufek. Valtanen (Kohtala Sports) promptly won his first heat (in which Pirttilahti had to retire) before taking fifth in his second. In the afternoon, after the heavens opened, the two Finns came into their element, dominating proceedings and taking a pair of wins each.

Valtanen is currently top of the standings with just one more heat to run on Sunday. While Pirttilahti (CV Performance Group) is making up places after his difficult start and is 22nd, Rasmus Joutsimies (Energy Corse) joins Valtanen inside the top six after a second, two third-places and a fourth during the day.

Dufek (Sauber Karting Team) is Valtanen’s closest challenger after a win in his third heat, with reigning World and European champion Lorenzo Travisanutto also in a strong position despite being yet to win. Dilano Vant'hoff (Forza Racing) won a heat and was always in the top four, with the Russian driver Kirill Smal constantly in the top five. Mini (Parolin) suffered an early setback before beating Taylor Barnard to win a particularly exciting heat, contested on slick tyres on a wet track.

- The whole day has felt good, three wins and one fifth. In both wet and dry conditions, we have been able to win heats, so I’m very happy. I was actually surprised about my speed especially in wet, I was very good. Now I’m the leader in the heat points, and tomorrow we’ll have the last heat. Let’s try to make it as good as possible to get pole position for the final. Then it’s flat out and we’ll see where it will take me eventually; hopefully to a good result, but we’ll see about that tomorrow! Said Valtanen.

- It was quite a good day. We had some technical difficulties and I had to start the first race from the pits. After the start I overtook some drivers, but after a good moment I hit another driver. In the second heat I had a good start and I was first but dropped to the fourth place. One driver went off the track and came straight back on in front of me. The last two races were wet: the first one was an easy win, the second was a bit tighter. I have good speed in both weather conditions so it doesn’t matter which one we have. Let’s continue tomorrow from where we ended today, Pirttilahti adds. 

 

OK Junior: Three apiece for Ten Brinke and Chaves Camara

The Dutch drivers flew out of the blocks, with Thomas ten Brinke and Laurens van Hoepen notching up five consecutive heat wins between them for Ricky Flynn Motorsport. They ended the day first and second in the points, ten Brinke finally beaten in his fourth and final heat of the day by the Brazilian Rafael Chaves Camara, who matched his tally of three wins by excelling in the wet.

Second in qualifying practice, the Forza Racing driver took the first of his wins in a race that had to be suspended after two laps due to torrential rain. Andrea Kimi Antonelli also looked good in the rain, ending his day with two wins to finish in the top five along with Josep Marti, winner of his first heat in the morning. Behind them, the American Ugo Ugochukwu, Austrialian James Wharton and the Russian Nikita Bedrin, who had been fastest of all on Friday.

The Finns enjoyed a strong start to the day in OK Junior, with Samuli Mertsalmi and Tuukka Taponen placing second and third in the opening heat. Taponen was fifth and sixth in two of his other heats but had a spin in another in soaking conditions, leaving him 30th in the points at the end of the day. Mertsalmi is the highest Finn in 16th, with Veeti Rajala, Patrick Hakala, Hugo Heinonen and Henri Sääskilahti all currently joining Taponen in the top 30.

Results of OK         Results of OKJ

More photos of Flying Finn Race here 

 

Finnish FIA Karting World Championship Medalists
2017 Juho Valtanen, bronze
2009 Aaro Vainio, silver
2000 Heikki Kovalainen, bronze
1995 Kimmo Liimatainen, bronze
1993 Risto Virtanen, bronze

 

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