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...
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...

Superkarts! USA ProKart Challenge sets 2025 schedule

Superkarts! USA ProKart Challenge sets 2025 schedule

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...

The forthcoming 47th Trofeo delle Industrie in Lonato with 240 drivers coming from 37 countries

The forthcoming 47th Trofeo delle Industrie in Lonato with 240 drivers coming from 37 countries Read more

A total of 115 Italian and 125 foreign drivers are getting ready to get on track for the 47th edition of the Trofeo delle Industrie in Lonato from October 26th to 28th. Ward Racing is the team fielding the highest number of drivers, Sweden is the most represented foreign country.

The 47th Trofeo delle Industrie reaches level 240 drivers

The 47th Trofeo delle Industrie reaches level 240 drivers Read more

The 47th Trofeo delle Industrie has recorded a success of presence with 240 entered drivers in the four categories that will be entitled to contest this year the event organized by Parma Motorsport from October 26th to 28th at the South Garda Karting Circuit in Lonato.

Rok Cup International Final 2018 Video Clip

Rok Cup International Final 2018 Video Clip Read more

An exciting video clip summarizes the sixteenth edition of the Rok Cup International Final. In four mintues you will be involved in all the incredible emotions that the 420 Rokkers, coming from all over the world, experienced and conveyed during a race week taking place in Italy, on the South Garda.

The dates of the Italian ACI Karting 2019 Championship, National Trophy, Italian Cup and Italian Championship for Regional Teams

The dates of the Italian ACI Karting 2019 Championship, National Trophy, Italian Cup and Italian Championship for Regional Teams Read more

The Italian ACI Karting 2019 Championship will feature five rounds. One round only for the National Trophy, Italian Cup and Italian Championship for Regional Teams. 

Rok Cup International Final 2018. The Races

Rok Cup International Final 2018. The Races Read more

The Rok Cup International Final proves to be a world party for the Rokkers and one of the most amazing events of the karting scene. The 2018 Champions won the Title at the end of a winning selection, which arose endless emotions during the whole week with 420 drivers challenging each other, coming from 51 different Countries. The final party on Saturday (October 13th) sealed the wonderful atmosphere that has been reigning in the paddock of the South Garda, an alchemy that only the Rok can mix, among passion, competitiveness and friendship.

CRG and Paolo De Conto to the fore at the “Race of Stars”

CRG and Paolo De Conto to the fore at the “Race of Stars” Read more

Paolo De Conto and CRG ended an exceptional comeback race started from P18 in P2 on the wet in Australia. After two editions of the “Race of Stars” won by De Conto, the Italian driver confirmed his place among the main protagonists of this Australian event.

Anthony Abbasse takes victory in the 2018 Race of Stars.

Anthony Abbasse takes victory in the 2018 Race of Stars. Read more

Frenchman Anthony Abbasse has become the fourth winner to etch his name onto a Gold Coast 600 Race of Stars Surfboard after winning the event held on the Gold Coast today. The SodiKart factory driver was supreme in taking a dominant win this afternoon.

ROK CUP INTERNATIONAL: intense racing at Lonato

ROK CUP INTERNATIONAL: intense racing at Lonato Read more

28 heats have been raced today at the South Garda to define the names of the finalists that tomorrow will aim at the titles of this 16th edition of the Rok Cup International Final. 6 heats in the Junior Rok, 10 in the Mini Rok, 4 for the Senior, 4 in the Shifter and 2 for Expert and Super. Briefly, this has been the timetable of the 420 Rokkers facing each other today, in an amazing and never-ending show.

2019 Australia’s National Karting Calender Released.

2019 Australia’s National Karting Calender Released. Read more

Following months of planning, Karting Australia’s National Event Calendar for 2019 has been finalised. Aimed at keeping a very similar schedule to the past few years, the calendar has also been arranged to avoid the major motor racing and sporting events around the country where possible.

Former F1 top driver Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari, Williams, Jordan, Stewart, Honda and Brown) participating in the Rok Cup International

Former F1 top driver Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari, Williams, Jordan, Stewart, Honda and Brown) participating in the Rok Cup International Read more

The entry list of the 2018 edition of the Rok Cup International Final counts 441 drivers, coming from 54 Countries and 5 Continents. These Rokkers will face each other from next Wednesday at the South Garda Karting track to aim at the final success, but especially, to experience the pure Adrenaline and Action! Let’s discover, category by category, which could be the protagonists, being known that some Rokkers not mentioned, will come into the limelight.

World’s best kart racers land on the Gold Coast

World’s best kart racers land on the Gold Coast Read more

Some of the world’s best kart racers are set to fly on the race track in the 2018 Race of Stars International Karting event on the Gold Coast later this week.

Maranello Kart triumphant in KZ2 at the 28th Autumn Trophy in Lonato

Maranello Kart triumphant in KZ2 at the 28th Autumn Trophy in Lonato Read more

Maranello Kart locked out the podium at the closing round of the Autumn Trophy with Christoph Hold taking the win ahead of Massimo Dante and Flavio Sani. Dante secured the Autumn Trophy for the second year in a row.

The 28th Autumn Trophy in Lonato: a record race

The 28th Autumn Trophy in Lonato: a record race Read more

A total participation of nearly 600 drivers has been reached thanks to the 350 drivers taking part in the final round of the 28th Autumn Trophy in Lonato. The victory in the final round went to Hold in KZ2, Badoer in 60 Mini, Romeo in Entry Level. In Rok Cup, victory to Irfan in Mini, Albanese in Junior, Molinari in Senior, Bosco in Super, Chiari in Expert, Comanducci in Shifter.

Baby Race tops Trofeo D'Autunno with Irfan and Kucharczyk

Baby Race tops Trofeo D'Autunno with Irfan and Kucharczyk Read more

Baby Race was in brilliant shape at Lonato in the 2018 Trofeo D'Autunno. The team, led on-track by Roberto Toninelli and using Parolin chassis, was the class of the field in the Mini Class and won with Coskun Irfan. Giosuè Galbiati had a really positive run with a 11th place while Rafael Modonese took the 18th place and Dion Gowda was 24th.

Tuto Super One Series, PF International

Tuto Super One Series, PF International Read more

The final round of the Tuto Super One Series was packed with brilliant racing in the fine autumn weather at PF International. All classes were racing at this event apart from Rotax 177.

The Rental Kart World Contest by CRG in Pomposa (Italy)

The Rental Kart World Contest by CRG in Pomposa (Italy) Read more

The challenge among the best international Endurance teams selected through the CRG events all over the world will take place on a 10 Hours race.

Maranello Kart dominantes KZ2 at the opener of the Autumn Trophy in Lonato

Maranello Kart dominantes KZ2 at the opener of the Autumn Trophy in Lonato Read more

Massimo Dante clinched the victory in the first round of the 28th Autumn Trophy in Lonato. Christoph Hold was second, Flavio Sani third and Andrea Ceresoli fifth. The closer to take place on October 6-7.

The 28th Autumn Trophy, a successful event at South Garda Karting in Lonato

The 28th Autumn Trophy, a successful event at South Garda Karting in Lonato Read more

The first round of the 28th Autumn Trophy had 240 drivers at the start. Winners are Dante (KZ2), Irfan (60 Mini), Sala (Entry Level), Trentin (X30 Mini), Villa (X30 Junior), Moretti (X30 Senior), Fornaroli (X30 Master) and Corberi (KFA Nations Cup 2018). The closing round on October 6-7. Lonato del Garda (Brescia, Italy).

Italian Champion back for another tilt at Race of Stars Crown

Italian Champion back for another tilt at Race of Stars Crown Read more

Italian Champion Lorenzo Camplese will make his second start in the Race of Stars International karting event when he heads to Australia’s Gold Coast next month.

The ROK Cup International Final beats the ROK Cup International Final

The ROK Cup International Final beats the ROK Cup International Final Read more

Even in this edition, before starting the engines, every record has been beaten and the ROK International Final confirms to be as one of the world's greatest karting events.

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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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