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...

Lucky 13's for Loeskow and Jenner under the Emerald Lights

Lucky 13's for Loeskow and Jenner under the Emerald Lights Read more

Troy Loeskow and Brad Jenner created history under lights at Emerald Raceway in Central Queensland on Saturday night, matching each other’s SP Tools Australian Kart Championship all-time round winners’ totals.

Rok Cup Italy, Round 4 – Race Report

Rok Cup Italy, Round 4 – Race Report Read more

Halfway point for the ROK Cup Italy at the South Garda Karting of Lonato del Garda (BS), hosting the fourth round (out of eight) of the 2024 season. As many as 235 drivers excited the races in the six categories of the championship, on a Sunday featured by fine weather.

Australia’s best kart racers to light up Emerald this weekend

Australia’s best kart racers to light up Emerald this weekend Read more

The Central Queensland town of Emerald will come alive to the sound of high-revving kart engines when round three of the 2024 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship roars into life this weekend.

Lots on the line for this year’s winners

Lots on the line for this year’s winners Read more

Rock Island - Lots of exciting changes are in store for competitors at this year's Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix Presented by The Hemp Doctor, the world's largest and most prestigious karting street race. That's especially true for drivers winning a number of classes this Labor Day weekend, August 31-Sept 1. 

Another success for Tony Kart in the MINI category at Muro Leccese

Another success for Tony Kart in the MINI category at Muro Leccese Read more

On the occasion of the second round of the Italian ACI Karting Championship, held at the circuit of La Conca, their Tony Kart Rookie triumphs in Race 1 of the MINI Gr.3 with the rookie Achille Rea.

Motorsport UK Kart Committee proposed changes for consultation

Motorsport UK Kart Committee proposed changes for consultation Read more

New or amended regulations proposed by the Specialist Committees are made available here for consultation. The publication of the respective Committee’s Action Sheets will begin a period of consultation that will end on the date advised within the document.

The Kalì Kart Racing Team is always more competitive

The Kalì Kart Racing Team is always more competitive Read more

The consolidation process within the Tinini Group continues for the Kalì Kart Racing Team, which took part in the 2nd Round of the Italian Championship with two new drivers in OKN Junior (Giulio Miranda and Francesco Montoneri), but above all always with greater ambitions.

The Kalì Kart retail network is growing

The Kalì Kart retail network is growing Read more

Over the last month three new importers have joined the team of Kalì Kart authorized dealers: Racing Line for Greece, Lemberg Aviation for Finland and MB Liguna Montasje for Norway. The process of repositioning the brand on the international karting market is therefore proceeding at a high pace and every day new customers are choosing Kalì Kart for their competitive activity in the National and International Karting Championships.

SWS e-Sprint International Final 2024: electric objectives achieved in Switzerland

SWS e-Sprint International Final 2024: electric objectives achieved in Switzerland Read more

The second electric meeting of the SWS e-Sprint International Final took place in Switzerland at the Payerne Karting Club in excellent sporting spirits, in a celebratory and relaxed atmosphere. The participants shared the pleasure of a common passion in an exceptional setting throughout the two days of pure competition. Portuguese driver Filipe Vieira came out on top after some intense racing, which brought memorable satisfaction to many drivers.

More than Equal launches driver development programme with first female cohort

More than Equal launches driver development programme with first female cohort Read more

More than Equal, a global independent motorsport initiative with a mission to find and develop the first female F1 world champion, today announced the inaugural female driver cohort joining its pioneering Driver Development Programme.

WKA and Blue Shock Race Electric Karting form Partnership for Sprint Programs in the USA

WKA and Blue Shock Race Electric Karting form Partnership for Sprint Programs in the USA Read more

Always looking to be innovative and adjust their program for the future, the World Karting Association (WKA) and Blue Shock Race Electric Karting have formed a partnership for Sprint racing programs in the United States. With exhibition races planned in 2024, the Electric kart class will be added full-time in the 2025 race season.

California ProKart Challenge set for return to Santa Maria

California ProKart Challenge set for return to Santa Maria Read more

Year 20 of the California ProKart Challenge will complete the first half of the championship chase when the series heads to the Santa Maria Kart Track on the May 18-19 weekend. The first two rounds of the 2024 Superkarts! USA regional series were held at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park, and now the program heads to Santa Maria near the Pacific Coast for Round Three.

Outstanding contributions recognised at Karting Australia Honours and Awards Dinner

Outstanding contributions recognised at Karting Australia Honours and Awards Dinner Read more

Karting Australia proudly hosted its 2024 Honours and Awards Dinner at the Crowne Plaza on the Gold Coast on Saturday night, in conjunction with the annual Building Better Kart Clubs Conference.

Multiple sweeps at round two for California ProKart Challenge

Multiple sweeps at round two for California ProKart Challenge Read more

The second event of the 2024 California ProKart Challenge was contested on the April 20-21 weekend with the series returning to the Buttonwillow Raceway Park. Running the Buttonwillow, California circuit in the reverse direction from the opening round event in March, the Superkarts! USA regional program hosted Round Two of the six-round championship program for the eight categories competing. This time around featured a handful of repeat winners while others stood on the podium for the first time in 2024.

Jenner equals all time round win, Fife marches on in the Australian Kart Championship

Jenner equals all time round win, Fife marches on in the Australian Kart Championship Read more

Brad Jenner has equalled the all-time round winner’s list in the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship presented by Castrol by taking out the X30 class on Sunday at Seymour’s Eastern Lions Kart Club; while Joshua Fife extended his KZ2 Championship lead through a dominant round win. Jenner secured his 12th total round victory, joining Troy Loeskow at the top of the all-time list.

The Kalì Kart Racing Team at the 1st round of the Italian Championship

The Kalì Kart Racing Team at the 1st round of the Italian Championship Read more

The official Kalì Kart Team will take part in an evocative race in Sicily on the Triscina track this weekend. In fact, Calogero Vanaria, founder of Kalì Kart, came from Sicily and this event is also a special occasion to remember him.

Second stop for California Prokart Challenge on docket

Second stop for California Prokart Challenge on docket Read more

The 20th season of the California ProKart Challenge will continue on the April 20-21 weekend with a return to the Buttonwillow Raceway Park. The Superkarts! USA flagship regional series kicked off the 2024 season in March with its first visit to the Buttonwillow, California facility and will make another trip for the second round of the championship. This time, competitors will contest the 11-turn, 7/10-mile circuit in the clockwise direction.

CRG presents the format of the 2024 Rental Kart World Contest

CRG presents the format of the 2024 Rental Kart World Contest Read more

In the last few days, the CRG management officially presented the 2024 Rental Kart World Contest, the meeting dedicated to the world of Rental Kart with Sprint format organized by CRG. After having already made official that it will be the Cremona circuit in Italy to host this prestigious international event on the weekend of October 5 – 6, the guidelines of the regulations and some new features have also been outlined, especially regarding the criteria for dividing the drivers into the three categories allowed.

Iron Dames welcomes two young talents, Vicky Farfus and Mia Oger, to its racing family

Iron Dames welcomes two young talents, Vicky Farfus and Mia Oger, to its racing family Read more

Iron Dames, the pioneering and successful project founded by Deborah Mayer to promote and support women in sports, is proud to announce the addition of two talented youngsters, Vicky Farfus and Mia Oger, both aged 12, to its ranks.

Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix welcomes The Hemp Doctor as Presenting Sponsor

Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix welcomes The Hemp Doctor as Presenting Sponsor Read more

The Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest and most prestigious karting street race, is excited to announce a new national level partnership with The Hemp Doctor, based in Mooresville, N.C., as Presenting Sponsor of the race. The Hemp Doctor is a major national manufacturer and distributor of legal hemp/CBD products and Rock Island is The Doctor’s first house call into motorsports.

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Girlpower! Jamie Chadwick from karts to champion in W Series and Williams F1 development driver
Bas Kaligis
/ Categories: News

Girlpower! Jamie Chadwick from karts to champion in W Series and Williams F1 development driver

W Series champion Jamie Chadwick has revealed the secret weapon which is allowing her driving career to go from strength to strength: confidence. The 21-year-old driver, who has been lauded as Formula 1’s first female hope in 44 years (since Italian Lella Lombardi started her last Grand Prix in 1976): “I think it’s the same for athletes in all sports – it’s about confidence and self-belief, about backing yourself”, says Jamie Chadwick in an interview at the W Series website. “There are a lot of variables in motorsport. Anything can happen, anything can go right or wrong, but if you know you’ve prepared and done the best job possible in the build-up to the weekend, then it’s just about having the confidence to see it through.”

Born in Bath, Jamie Chadwick spent her first years in the Isle of Man, before moving to Gloucestershire, where she attended Cheltenham College, and now lives, near Tetbury. Her interest in racing began in 2010 when she started karting, aged 11, achieving numerous wins and podiums at club level in the Junior series.

Jamie started last year’s inaugural W Series championship in a strong position after a series of high-profile wins – but she admits the all-female set-up stretched her in surprising ways. She says: “I’m always going to remember the 2019 W Series. Aside from the big high of winning it, there was a nice element of 20 female racing drivers being given an opportunity and all being in the same boat. None of us really knew what to expect going into it, but we all bonded and gained a level of respect for one another as a result.

Jamie’s parents work in finance and property. Though they are far from being dyed-in-the-wool racing people, they have backed their daughter’s dream to the hilt. “It was a big investment early on for my dad. He’s a businessman so he can’t quite work out the logic of some of the decisions that get made in motorsport, but he can see how much both my brother and I have learned from it.”

Ultimately, Jamie says she has her brother Ollie to thank for leading her to a sport which is now an all-consuming passion. She recalls: “My brother went to a karting party. He was tiny when he was younger so very light and quick. He fell in love with it and persuaded my parents to invest. By the time I came along, he’d been my guinea pig, if you see what I mean. From my side, it was random in terms of a career path – there was no obvious route – so I just followed the path of something I enjoyed. The opportunity was given to me to have a go and I jumped in.”

Jamie, who was born in Bath and attended the private Cheltenham College school, is now close to her brother – a businessman who sells electric scooters – but relations were not always so smooth. “My brother and I would play football in the garden and every time it would end in a massive argument – we just couldn’t do it. Of course, I’m going to say it was more his fault than mine.

And what about karting rivalry? “Ah, well, he got into karting a couple of years ahead of me, so he was a little bit quicker and a little bit better to start with. There was only one year where we raced against each other and only one kart race where we raced against each other.

“It was in the wet. I overtook him on the last lap and, when I drove into the pits, I got a massive hit from behind. It was him. There was a three-hour journey home and it was all kicking off in the car with poor Mum and Dad trying to mediate. It’s a lot better now. He’s stopped racing and is very supportive of me. He just gets it and that’s really nice.”

On reflection, Jamie believes her younger school years prepared her for the experience of being a lone female in a largely male-dominated sport. She says: “I was at a really small prep school which had only four girls in my year so that meant that in break times we’d all play football with the boys. So, in my head, being a girl in the minority never seemed odd. When I got to karting it was exactly the same – just a continuation of what already felt normal.”

Being a high-profile racing driver is now a normal part of Jamie’s identity, but does she ever consider trading it all in for something less high-octane? “I was in Thailand not long ago and I thought, ‘I could definitely move out here and have a coconut shack and an easy life.’” But then she pauses, laughs and adds: “No, not really. My life is now racing. If I couldn’t drive for whatever reason, I think my Plan B would be to try to get a team principal role or something similar. I’ve learned too much in this world to turn back now."

“My sole focus is on being a Formula 1 driver, and that’s a good place for me to be mentally. I’m very relaxed in the car: it gives me a feeling of calm. You’re in the car and you’re on your own. OK, you’ve got people on the radio, but, in the end, you’re in the car on your own.”

Of all her female rivals, Jamie currently seems to have the edge on achieving that elusive Formula 1 dream. Williams took her on as a development driver at the beginning of 2019 and she walked away with US$500,000 prize money after winning W Series in the same year. So would she change anything about a sport that looks set to catapult her into the history books?

 

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