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...

Polak, Chicharro Soria and Zimmermann Martins are the winners of the 2024 Rental Kart World Contest

Polak, Chicharro Soria and Zimmermann Martins are the winners of the 2024 Rental Kart World Contest Read more

The 5th edition of the Rental Kart World Contest, the international meeting organized by CRG for the Rental sector, was spectacular and hotly contested, with over 100 drivers from 12 different Nations competing on the Cremona circuit. This year the Sprint format was confirmed, through which in 2 days of competition, the Champions were elected for each of the three admitted categories: Junior, Pro and Silver.

California Prokart Challenge wraps up 2024 season at K1 Circuit

California Prokart Challenge wraps up 2024 season at K1 Circuit Read more

The sixth and final round of the Superkarts! USA California ProKart Challenge was held over the September 28-29 weekend, returning to the K1 Circuit. The Winchester, California facility sparked up the entry total once again, surpassing the 150-mark for 11 classes in competition. Perfect weather greeted the teams and drivers completing the 20th season for the championship program.

Newcastle to host 2025 Australian Kart Championship Round Three

Newcastle to host 2025 Australian Kart Championship Round Three Read more

Karting Australia is nearing the finalisation of the schedule for the 2025 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship, with the Newcastle Kart Racing Club confirmed as the first venue to be announced.

Kalì Kart Racing crowned Italian Karting Champion (OK-N Junior)

Kalì Kart Racing crowned Italian Karting Champion (OK-N Junior) Read more

The 5th and final round of the Italian Karting Championship, which took place this weekend in Lonato del Garda, crowned Kalì Kart Racing and Cristian Blandino as Italian Karting Champions in the OK-N Junior class. This is an important success, in one of the most competitive categories of the Italian series and achieved with a driver, the Sicilian Cristian Blandino, making his debut in this class. The success was achieved with placings in each of the 5 Championship events, which began on the Sicilian track of Trascina in April and then continued on the circuits of Muro Leccese, Val Vibrata, Sarno and Lonato with the final race.

California ProKart Challenge to Close Out 2024 at K1 Circuit

California ProKart Challenge to Close Out 2024 at K1 Circuit Read more

The California ProKart Challenge is carrying the momentum of the season’s fourth event in August into the 2024 series finale, scheduled for September 28-29 at the new K1 Circuit. The Winchester, California facility welcomed 171 entries for the double-round weekend, with another big turnout expected for the two-day, one round series finale of the Superkarts! USA regional program.

Five Australian drivers set for FIA World Karting Championships this weekend

Five Australian drivers set for FIA World Karting Championships this weekend Read more

Australian James Anagnostiadis, a Junior Driver with the Mercedes Formula One Team, comes into the weekend riding a wave of momentum.

Lots of winners on new course at 29th Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix

Lots of winners on new course at 29th Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix Read more

Texan Jeff Dolian notched three wins and Quad-Cities native Tony Neilson grabbed his 26th Rock trophy at this year’s Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix presented by The Hemp Doctor.

K1 Circuit a success for California Prokart Challenge

K1 Circuit a success for California Prokart Challenge Read more

Debut event at anticipated facility welcomes big numbers in double weekend for Superkarts! USA regional program

 

Dicker doubles up in Australia's Premier Kart title in Melbourne

Dicker doubles up in Australia's Premier Kart title in Melbourne Read more

West Australian Sam Dicker has etched himself as a two-time Australian KZ2 Champion at the final round of the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship in Oakleigh just outside Melbourne after a last-round stand that saw him overhaul series-long leader, Joshua Fife. Entering the weekend four points behind Fife, the Flatout Karts racer set the tone with pole position on Friday and continued that through the first two heats on Saturday.

Fast females set to shine in Australian Kart Championship Finale

Fast females set to shine in Australian Kart Championship Finale Read more

Motorsport is one of the few sports around the globe where males and females can compete equally. In Australia female participation in motorsports is becoming more prominent in the modern era.

CRG French National Champions for the third year running

CRG French National Champions for the third year running Read more

The CRG chassis clearly made the difference at Muret during the FFSA Karting French Championship. Jules Avril dominated the National category from pole position to the Final, with the invaluable assistance of the Ludo Racing team. After Louis Iglesias in 2022 and Hugo Martiniello in 2023, CRG was crowned champion for the third year in succession. The event also saw Guillaume Pous of the OKS team win the French Masters Championship. These two titles confirm the work and investment from CRG France with the support of the Italian factory.

Action-packed summer for the Sauber Academy

Action-packed summer for the Sauber Academy Read more

The Sauber Academy drivers enjoyed a couple of action-packed months, as their campaigns all entered their busiest phases, with on-track activities throughout June and July racing across Europe and the United States.
 

Iron Dames Young Talents selection concludes with promising performances

Iron Dames Young Talents selection concludes with promising performances Read more

The Iron Dames Young Talents Karting selection for 2024 has successfully concluded, showcasing a rigorous and inspiring program aimed at identifying and nurturing the next generation of female racing talent. The event, held at the Franciacorta Karting Track, brought together 20 of the world’s brightest young karting talents aged eight to 13, providing them with a unique platform to showcase their skills and potential across two action-packed days.

Kali Kart and Cristian Blandino leaders in the Italian OK-N Junior Championship

Kali Kart and Cristian Blandino leaders in the Italian OK-N Junior Championship Read more

It was a very positive weekend for the official Kalì Kart team the one held on the Naples international track in Sarno, where Round 4 of the Italian Karting Championship took place. Cristian Blandino took 2 wins, winning both Race 1 in the morning and Race 2 in the afternoon, thus taking the lead of the Championship with 222 points, 27 more than the 2nd in the ranking.

Coffs Coast is calling for karting’s best this weekend

Coffs Coast is calling for karting’s best this weekend Read more

The Coffs Harbour Kart Racing Club is set to host round four of the 2024 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship presented by Castrol this weekend.

Great success for the SWS International Finals 2024 in Genk

Great success for the SWS International Finals 2024 in Genk Read more

The long-awaited meeting between the legendary Belgian circuit of Genk and the SWS International Finals exceeded the expectations of both organisers and competitors at the 13th edition of the world's biggest leisure karting event.

Another solid performance in Slovakia for Parolin Motorsport

Another solid performance in Slovakia for Parolin Motorsport Read more

Weekends come and go and they don't always resemble each other in terms of results, but performance remains a constant for the Parolin Motorsport team. Miguel Costa's 9th place in the OK class, William Calleja's excellent 6th place and Christian Costoya's incredible comeback in the Junior class were the highlights of the third round of the FIA Karting European Championship at the Slovak Karting Center.
 

Tony Kart: victory and podiums in Italy and Slovakia

Tony Kart: victory and podiums in Italy and Slovakia Read more

On the occasion of the FIA Karting European Championship for OK-OKJ classes, held at the Slovak Karting Centre, their Racer 401 RR chassis gains the podium among the “Juniors”. In Val Vibrata, at the Italian ACI Karting Championship, the Rookie chassis wins in the MINI Gr.3 category.

Queensland Kart Champions to be crowned this weekend in Ipswich

Queensland Kart Champions to be crowned this weekend in Ipswich Read more

The Queensland Kart Championship presented by the Onsite Rental Group, is set to ignite the Ipswich Kart Club this weekend. With more than 380 entries across 12 competitive classes, this event promises to be a spectacular showcase of karting talent from Australia and New Zealand.

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From karting to cars: Raffaele Marciello and Mercedes-AMG GT3 continues to shine virtually
Bart Luijkx
/ Categories: News

From karting to cars: Raffaele Marciello and Mercedes-AMG GT3 continues to shine virtually

Many professional racing drivers who are normally racing the Mercedes-AMG GT3 all over the world are currently discovering the world of simulation racing (sim racing). In order to find every tenth of a second at the virtual race tracks, they are investing in training, equipment and set-up. Being the genuine racers that they are, they are also aiming at top results in this new form of competition, and quite successfully so, as Raffaele Marciello proves. In the debut of the SRO E-Sport GT Series at the end of April, the Italian, who debuted in karting in 2005 and raced in various European championships, working his way up from the junior ranks to progress through to the KF2 category by 2010, scored his maiden podium finish as he was classified third with his Mercedes-AMG GT3. In the process, the 2019 Macau champion is using high-tech equipment with top quality competition seat, steering wheel and pedals as well as a gaming PC with three monitors for a perfect view. Professional Dirk Müller is another one to have given his sim set-up a considerable upgrade, even though he still had to miss out on a top result in his first race with new hardware and components, the fourth round of the Digital Nürburgring Endurance Series powered by VCO (DNLS). Still, there were four Mercedes-AMG GT3s in the top ten at the end of the 3-hour race at the virtual Nürburgring-Nordschleife. 

 

Eventually, details are often decisive when it comes to who ends up on the top step of the podium, finishes in the top ten or claims pole position. It isn’t a rare thing for races to be decided on the final lap or even in the final corner – both in real-world motorsport and at sim racing tracks. Raffaele Marciello proved as much in the first round of the SRO E-Sports GT Series. At the virtual Silverstone Circuit, an overtaking manoeuvre just before the end of the race still enabled the Italian to secure third place in the Pro Series, in which real-world racing professionals are taking on the virtual challenge. For the winner of last year’s FIA GT World Cup, being able to step on the podium also was a reward for the many hours of training that he had put in on his gaming rig at home.

 

Just like Marciello, many professional racing drivers who are normally racing the Mercedes-AMG GT3 are currently increasingly shifting their focus to sim racing where they are up against, among others, the professionals from the esports world. Like, for instance, in the Digital Nürburgring Endurance Series powered by VCO, in which both race drivers and esports professionals are part of the field. Like in its real-world counterpart, drivers are competing in the respective classes of their cars. Accordingly, the Mercedes-AMG GT3 is participating in the SP9 class in which it again put in a strong performance in the fourth round of the virtual Nordschleife series: four teams with the GT3 from Affalterbach finished in the top ten. Also having led the race for a long time, HTP WINWARD Motorsport secured fifth place with racing professionals Philip Ellis and Marvin Dienst partnered by sim racer Aleksi Elomaa and is currently third in the points’ standings of the digital series. At the moment, Team Heusinkveld is second in the standings after finishing sixth in the fourth round with its Mercedes-AMG GT3, right behind its fellow Mercedes-AMG GT3 team. The further esports teams Schnitzelalm Racing (7th place) and RacingFuel Academy & Friends (10th place) rounded out the good result with the Mercedes-AMG GT3.

 

Raffaele Marciello: “Of course, I have been busy with sim racing a lot more in the past days and weeks and practiced significantly more than before. Accordingly, I was well prepared for the first round of the SRO E-Sport GT Series. I really enjoyed competing with the other professional racing drivers. I am very happy with my podium finish in the first race, but I worked hard to achieve it and, at the start of the E-Sport Series season, it gets me into a good position for the upcoming championship rounds. Personally, I am coping slightly better with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 in Assetto Corsa Competizione, the game used in the SRO E-Sport Series, than in the DNLS. But at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, we also were in with a really good chance of a top result with the GetSpeed team last weekend until we ended up upside down after innocently having become involved in a collision prior to the main straight and were sliding towards the pit lane entry on the roof. Thankfully, such an accident isn’t as bad in a simulation race and in hindsight, one can even laugh about it, even though it is annoying during the race as we are always fully motivated and want to be in contention for victory. Generally, I am enjoying sim racing a lot these days and there is another advantage to it, too: rather than with the engineers at the race track, I can talk about the race here with my girlfriend at home.”  

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