Registrations open for the CRG Rental Kart World Contest
Registrations open for the CRG Rental Kart World Contest

Registrations open for the CRG Rental...

Registrations open for the CRG Rental Kart World Contest

Registrations open for the CRG Rental Kart World Contest

In just over 10 days, many rental kart drivers have already registered for the Sprint Cup and several teams have signed up for the Endurance Cup, the two main events of the Rental Kart World Contest...
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

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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

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2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon

2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the...

2025 Superkarts! USA Pro Tour on the horizon

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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...

Registrations open for the CRG Rental Kart World Contest

Registrations open for the CRG Rental Kart World Contest Read more

In just over 10 days, many rental kart drivers have already registered for the Sprint Cup and several teams have signed up for the Endurance Cup, the two main events of the Rental Kart World Contest 2025, scheduled for the weekend of October 18 and 19 at the Castelletto circuit.

Registration now open for 30th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix

Registration now open for  30th annual Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix Read more

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 features classes for 2 cycle, 4 cycle, shifter and Vintage racers.

ROK Cup Italy, Round 5 – The race report

ROK Cup Italy, Round 5 – The race report Read more

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 races of the seven categories running at South Garda Karting. Kralev Leo (Mini ROK U10), Verde Marco (Mini ROK), Melis Matteo (Junior ROK), Gaglianò Giuseppe (Senior ROK), Sorbello Andrea (Expert ROK), Ferrari Riccardo (Super ROK) and Pasiewicz Karol (Shifter ROK).

A brilliant start to the International season for Modena Kart

A brilliant start to the International season for Modena Kart Read more

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 Championship. At the wheel of their OK-N Junior Parolin / TM Karts, the Italian team has just put together a sensational all-round performance at Sarno, with Albert Tamm taking victory, Gioele Girardello 3rd, and Nojus Stasionis 5th.
 

Carr drives towards glory as KZ King equals record

Carr drives towards glory as KZ King equals record Read more

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A helmet for Gabin – Team WRT’S ‘ACO Challenge 2025’ initiative Read more

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Preston and Burke win at Australian Kart Championship round two

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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 Read more

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IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition

IPK strengthens its presence in International Competition Read more

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 products it sells. In 2025, IPKarting will rely on its extremely competitive chassis brands - Formula K, Praga, OK1, RS Kart and Tillotson - but also on a renowned Racing Team which has been reorganised during the off-season and which its managers are pleased to officially present.

Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as Italian flies in Melbourne

Breakthrough win for Cooper Folley as Italian flies in Melbourne Read more

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Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy

Kalì Kart on top in the Margutti Trophy Read more

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 heats, the Prefinal and the Final, always with an impressive race pace.

Italian Champion to line up in Australian Kart Championship opener

Italian Champion to line up in Australian Kart Championship opener Read more

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Stars of Karting take centre stage in Melbourne

Stars of Karting take centre stage in Melbourne Read more

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Prokart Challenge opens 2025 with double round weekend at K1 Circuit Read more

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Kennedy and Campbell announced for 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy

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WKA Realigns National Road Racing Schedules for 2025 and 2026 Read more

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2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga

2025 Rotax National Cup heads to Albury Wodonga Read more

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 Read more

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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! Read more

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 Jake) rose to fame and stardom. The back story is that Jake and Elwood were raised in a Catholic orphanage in Rock Island and learned the blues in the basement from the janitor, Curtis, who wore sunglasses, a thin black tie, and porkpie hat. The brothers went on “a mission from God” to raise money (and create mayhem) so the orphanage could pay its taxes.

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Rotax Thunder! Jort Coone charges to the podium at the DEKM in Ampfing: “It was really a good feeling for me!”
Bas Kaligis
/ Categories: Rotax

Rotax Thunder! Jort Coone charges to the podium at the DEKM in Ampfing: “It was really a good feeling for me!”

AMPFING – With third place in the fourth round of the DEKM, the German Electric Kart Championship, Jort Coone again proved to be one of the certain front-runners in the international field contesting the 2019 title. This was a huge boost for the young Dutch driver because the 15-year old from Lemmer had never actually raced on the challenging Ampfing circuit before while having no time more recently for any further testing due to his studies.

Jort’s promising result was coming all weekend long. On Saturday, he finished fifth in the final and Sunday was even better. He was fast in practice, which resulted in posting the sixth-best lap time in qualifying. He then managed to secure fifth place in the pre-final, before progressing in the changing weather conditions during the final, to finish with a strong third position.  

“The race went really well for me. It started to rain lightly just before the race, which is why we had to make the decision between dry and wet tyres at the last moment. We chose to run slicks. It was then a search for the driest race line, but everyone with rain tyres immediately had the grip and clear advantage. I was obviously way behind these guys, until after about three laps when the track began to dry and their tyres were wearing quickly. As we went faster, I was able to catch and pass them to join the close race to the chequered flag.” About taking third across the line, Jort said: “It was really a good feeling for me!”

His father was also delighted with the fantastic result. Senior is Jort’s personal support crew during the race weekends and the young driver admittedly enjoys their on-track partnership. “I like racing with my dad. My mother and sister almost always go too. It is nice to go karting as a family and to talk a little with my father about the races, chassis set-up, etc.”

Electric karting is something new in this sport, so Jort, therefore, finds it more like an adventure. “We entered this without any prior knowledge of e-karting. You see that everyone first had to get used to Formula E racing and now that has become an exciting championship in which all the major car manufacturers will participate. Formula E was a matter of getting used to it and this is now the case for electric karts. They are just like the cars in Formula E where you only hear the sound of hitting a curb and the tyres. I also like traditional ‘normal’ karting as we know it and that will always be good, but this is something different and a cool challenge.”

Not only are the e-karts different to standard-type karts that have combustion engines, the race events are different from Jort’s knowledge of non-electric championships in which he has previously driven. “In the DEKM, all the competitors are together in a large tent so we have good contact with each other and also good sportsmanship between us in the races. The DEKM organisation of IK Media is excellent. Rotax also provides technical support with its team of technicians who do their best to provide great support for all of us and that’s very nice. From a sporting perspective, there is definitely more than enough challenge,” Jort believes.  “The DEKM series is innovative. The karts are fast, despite the weight due to the batteries. In Ampfing we achieved up to 110 kilometres per hour.” It certainly would not have been easy for him.

“I didn’t know this circuit up until this weekend, so the training sessions were all about getting to know it. It’s interesting and has some unusual parts that you need to fully understand. The podium place in Ampfing had at least given the fast student of the Zuiderzee Lyseum in Emmeloord the satisfaction he has longed for, particularly after being so close to the podium already at the second round in Kerpen. “It was a pity that it didn’t work out better for us in Kerpen. I was there fighting with DTM [German Touring Cars] driver Ferdinand Habsburg, who participated as a VIP guest driver. We had a fabulous battle, he just made it onto the podium and I was fourth. It was great to meet Ferdinand and I kept in contact. He later invited me to the DTM race following in Assen, where I got to look behind the scenes of his team, even allowed to visit the pitbox and the motorhome. That was completely crazy!”

Thanks to his terrific result in Ampfing, Jort is sitting in fifth place in the general classification. With one more DEKM weekend to go, he can still finish even higher in the rankings. The deciding round will be held in Sarno, Italy during the special 20th edition of the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals, where the best Rotax MAX drivers from around the world compete against each other. “I’m looking forward to the last race,” he said with much anticipation. “I’ll see my old teammates and racing buddies from my Rotax era there, such as Dani van Dijk and Mike van Vugt, who have now won their ticket.  We have spoken about it already, so I’ll show them more about what’s happening with us in e-karting and how it all works.”

To be able to train as often as possible to continue developing his own driving skills and racecraft, Jort will keep looking for additional support for the coming season. Jort Coone thanks his parents and Rotax for their support this year, as well as the DEKM for the organisation. 

 

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