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

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2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon

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Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!
Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!

Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the...

Rock Island Grand Prix: Come for the races, stay for the party!

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Back in 1978, The Blues Brothers took the world by storm with a skit on Saturday Night Live. A movie followed in 1980, then a sequel and some albums as Dan Aykroyd (Elwood) and John Belushi (Joliet...
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Kalì Kart: Zvarich brothers confirmed...

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

Iron Dames reveal full 2025 racing...

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

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

The ROK Cup International Final beats the ROK Cup International Final

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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.

New drivers dominate with wins at 2018 Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix powered by Mediacom

New drivers dominate with wins at 2018 Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix powered by Mediacom Read more

ROCK ISLAND, IL – The winds of change blew again at the storied Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix powered by Mediacom, and this year they brought rain as well. Saturday morning showers forced a change in the practice schedule but heat races and Sunday Feature races went on as scheduled for almost 300 race entries.

Maranello Kart and Griggio win the KZ3 Over Italian Championship

Maranello Kart and Griggio win the KZ3 Over Italian Championship Read more

Cristian Griggio was crowned KZ3 Over Italian Champion in Castelletto di Branduzzo taking two podiums in the finals. Among the quickest, Andrea Spagni won Race2 and Christoph Hold put in a great race in KZ2.

First champions of Triple of Crown of Karting crowned

First champions of Triple of Crown of Karting crowned Read more

ROCK ISLAND, IL – The first champions of the Triple Crown or Karting were crowned at the annual Awards Ceremony following the Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix powered by Mediacom.

From karting to Formula 4: David Schumacher best rookie in ADAC Formula 4 of 2018

From karting to Formula 4: David Schumacher best rookie in ADAC Formula 4 of 2018 Read more

Hockenheim: Schumacher - it's a name that resonates in motorsport like no other. There is Michael Schumacher, the seven-time world champion and most successful Formula 1 driver in history. And then there is Ralf Schumacher, who won six races in the premier class, competed in the DTM over a number of years and today manages the successful junior team US Racing CHRS. Michael's son Mick, who finished the 2016 ADAC Formula 4 season as championship runner-up, is currently causing a stir in the Formula 3 European Championship where he tops the table. But this season, there is yet another Schumacher who is busy writing his own success story. David, the 16-year-old son of Ralf, has been competing in the ADAC High-Speed Academy of Formula 4 where he finished as Best Rookie at the first attempt.

The Italian ACI Karting Championship ended in Castelletto, a round that awarded the KZ2, KZ3 and Rotax Trophy titles

The Italian ACI Karting Championship ended in Castelletto, a round that awarded the KZ2, KZ3 and Rotax Trophy titles Read more

A great spectacle at the circuit 7 Laghi witnessed the KZ2 Italian title going to Pollini. Tolfo clinched the KZ3 Junior title, Simonetti that of KZ3 Under, Griggio KZ3 Over's, as Vuano won the Rotax Trophy.

Asian pair set for Race of Stars Challenge

Asian pair set for Race of Stars Challenge Read more

Asian karting stars Jayden Jin and Yevan David are getting set for the 2018 Race of Stars at the Xtreme Karting Complex on the Gold Coast.

12-Time French Champion coming Down Under

12-Time French Champion coming Down Under Read more

Twelve-time French Champion Anthony Abbasse will make his Australian debut when he lines up on the grid at the Race of Stars to be held at the Xtreme Karting Complex on the Gold Coast next month (October 11-13).

Marijn Kremers returns to chase elusive Winner’s Surfboard

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Dutchman Marijn Kremers has confirmed that he’ll be back for another shot at the Race of Stars title on Queensland’s Gold Coast – and he’s determined to take the Winner’s Surfboard back to the Netherlands.

Another title for Baby Race and Parolin in the Junior Rok category

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It has been an extremely meaningful and successful weekend for the Baby Race team and for the Parolin manufacturer in the final round of the Italian 60 Mini and Junior Rok championships at Ugento. The Brescia-based squad was able to seal the Italian Junior Rok title with Paolo Ferrari. The young racer ended up third and second in the two Finals respectively, collecting enough point to become the series champion. 
 

Tuto Super One Series, Glan-Y-Gors

Tuto Super One Series, Glan-Y-Gors Read more

Autumn had well and truly arrived at the penultimate Super One round of 2018 at Glan-Y-Gors in North Wales with showers throughout the racing.

KGT Racing Team gets ready for the Rok Cup International Finals

KGT Racing Team gets ready for the Rok Cup International Finals Read more

After the two Italian titles won in Adria, on occasion of the Rok Cup International Finals, KGT Racing Team opens its door to new drivers as testing ground for the forthcoming season.

Ferrari wins, Irfan P2 in triumphant Sunday for Baby Race

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It has been a spectacular Sunday for Baby Race in the Italian ROK Championship at Adria. The team led by Sandro Lorandi secured an authoritative win in Junior Rok thanks to an ever-convincing Paolo Ferrari. The young Italian was the star of the weekend and performed without a hitch at the key moment, showing great maturity as well as speed skills.

Dual World Champion coming back to the Gold Coast.

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Dual World Karting Champion Paolo De Conto will be making a return to the Gold Coast for the sixth annual Race of Stars next month. The October 11-13 event at the Xtreme Karting Complex in Pimpama attracts the largest number of international drivers to any karting event in the Southern Hemisphere.

Australian Champions crowned for 2018

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A day of high octane drama has seen the Champions crowned for 2018 at the Grand Finals of the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship, presented by Castrol EDGE in Melbourne.

Rotax ALL STAR FINALS 2018: US distributors offer a last chance to win a Rotax Grand Finals Ticket on US ground

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Gunskirchen, J3 Competition and the RTX USA Group, the new Rotax distributors are pleased to announce the ALL STAR FINALS 2018 at Speedsportz Racing Park North Houston,
Houston Texas, USA from October 5 to 7, 2018 where participants in five categories will have the last chance to win a ticket to the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals on US ground and to represent their home country in Brazil this coming November.

Tuto Super One Series, Rissington

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The country’s longest running karting series, the Tuto Super One, reached the height of the season last weekend at the legendary Cotswold circuit of Rissington. Both competitors and the series and circuit teams worked hard this weekend in difficult weather conditions with rain on Saturday and Sunday, with not a single red flag interruption.

Championships on the line in Melbourne

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Australia’s top kart racers are getting set for a huge weekend with the final round of the 2018 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship, presented by Castrol EDGE being contested in Melbourne.

Who will grab the headlines at the 24th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix powered by Mediacom?

Who will grab the headlines at the 24th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix powered by Mediacom? Read more

In 2015 Tony Neilson, from nearby Delmar, Iowa, won 6 races at “The Rock.” In 2016, Cal Stewart from Concord, NC, who works in the shop for Hendrick Motorsports, took home five victories. Last year each driver added three more coveted Rocks to their collection.

Maranello Kart at the Italian Championship in Val Vibrata. Debut for Francesco Lacovacci

Maranello Kart at the Italian Championship in Val Vibrata. Debut for Francesco Lacovacci Read more

Iacovacci is set to make his debut in KZ2 with Maranello Kart for this season finale. Bernardotto back among the fields of the Italian outfit. Sani and a good number of KZ3 drivers also present in Val Vibrata.

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FIA Karting World Champions to be decided at the Flying Finn Race
Bas Kaligis
/ Categories: CIKFIA

FIA Karting World Champions to be decided at the Flying Finn Race

Some of the greatest talents in karting will compete in Finland this weekend for the 2019 FIA Karting World Championship in the OK and OK Junior categories. Organised by AKK, the Finnish ASN, the Flying Finn Race will take place at the PowerPark circuit at Alahärma near Kauhava. It will be the first time that the prestigious titles have been decided in Finland, a country with a rich history in what is a historic and important area of motorsport. 

Many of those competing will have dreams of making it from karting in Formula 1, following in the footsteps of Finnish heroes like Mika Häkkinen, Kimi Räikkönen and Valtteri Bottas. Even top-level Finnish rally drivers Esapekka Lappi and Teemu Suninen honed their skills in international karting competition.

More than 200 drivers, among them some of motorsport’s most exciting young talents, will take part across the two classes this weekend, representing 44 countries and five different continents. Finland is by far the best represented nation at its home event, with almost 50 drivers entered.

 

OK: The champion defends his title

After his triumph at Kristianstad in Sweden one year ago, Italian driver Lorenzo Travisanutto returns to the Nordic region to defend his crown. Since that, the Kart Republic driver has also won this year’s FIA Karting European Championship title, which he secured at Le Mans in France in July.

Second to Travisanutto over the four-round European series and tipped to be among the leaders once more is his young compatriot Gabriele Mini, the Parolin driver who has impressed on his step up to senior level after finishing second in last year’s world championship in OK Junior. The favourites also include a pair of British talents, Dexter Patterson and Taylor Barnard, driving Kart Republic equipment under the patronage of the Sauber Junior Team and Rosberg Racing Academy respectively.

The top 10 on the entry list, based on the final standings of the European Championship, also includes two Finnish drivers, Juho Valtanen and Nikolas Pirttilahti. Valtanen (of the local Kohtala Sports team) is looking to improve upon his third-place finish in the same event in Britain two years ago, having won another Finnish national title this season. Pirttilahti – a team-mate of Travisanutto – will hope to continue his strong debut season in the OK class. In all, there are 21 drivers from Finland set to compete in OK.

- Our goal is to get brighter medal this time, after bronze in 2017. It’s very possible, if everything goes well and we have a problem-free weekend. So far everything has gone well. In the rehearsal race weekend, we were quick and got good test kilometres. We know for sure that we have a good package. The track is very cool: It’s very quick and different compared to many others. I personally like it a lot. There will be many quick drivers for sure: I would guess that the top 10 from the European Championship will also be quick here, Valtanen says.

Other names to look out for include Pedro Hiltbrand, the 2016 champion, the Red Bull junior driver Harry Thompson and Sebastian Montoya, the son of grand prix winner Juan-Pablo.

 

OK Junior: Taponen takes on Amand and the rest

Having clinched the FIA European Karting Championship title at Le Mans, Franco-Finnish driver Marcus Amand (born in Oulu) will bid for another major triumph on his other home soil. His chances looking good, driving for the same VDK Racing squad that won the title in 2018 with Victor Bernier and 2016 with Victor Martins.

Tuukka Taponen is one of those most likely to stop him. The Kohtala Sports driver won the first round of the European series in Angerville in April and finished fourth overall, as well as claiming the Finnish OK Junior crown. He leads a total of 28 drivers flying the flag of Finland in OK Junior: almost a quarter of the field.

- The rehearsal race weekend showed that the speed is there. Our aim is set high. I have driven here in Alahärmä a lot when I was younger and of course now before this weekend, so I have done plenty of laps here, Taponen says.

Another favourite is the Italian driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, runner-up in the European champion, driving for Rosberg Racing Academy and already on the books of the Formula 1 champions Mercedes as a junior driver. The Dutch driver Thomas Ten Brinke was third after Le Mans, leading the charge for Ricky Flynn Motorsport.

 

Amusement Park closing festival - The Grande Finale

In addition to the World Championship sports, on Saturday the PowerPark will have an astonishing park closing festival with fireworks and amazing evening party with some of the hottest Finnish artists. And there is even more entertainment on Sunday before the finals as The Finnish Air Force’s aerobatics team, the Midnight Hawks, will make a spectacular display in the sky to celebrate the finals.

Schedule

Friday 6 September
08:00 - 16:35 Free Practice
16:45 - 18:40 Qualifying Practice

Saturday 7 September
08:00 - 09:40 Warm-up
09:45 - 18:20 Qualifying Heats

Sunday 8 September
08:00 - 09:40 Warm-up
09:45 - 13:40 Qualifying Heats
15:05 - 17:00 Finals

Entries

Please find the OK entries here
Please find the OKJ enries 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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