Munich. The German Kart Championship (DKM) will include five race weekends in the upcoming year, combining traditional tracks in Germany with a special highlight abroad. For the first time ever, Germany’s premier kart racing series will make a stop in Cheb, Czech Republic. The season opener will take place from May 1 to 3 in Saxony: the new season kicks off at Arena E in Mülsen – as tradition dictates, the DKM will conclude at ProKart Raceland in Wackersdorf. The decisive races of the 2026 season will be held there from September 25 to 27. A new class structure will also be introduced: alongside the Mini and Shifter Kart (KZ2) categories, the OK-N Junior and OK-N classes will be added for the first time.
Attractive Tracks – Debut in Cheb
Following the season opener, competitors will head to the international round. Just across the German-Czech border, the championship will make its debut on the 1,202-meter circuit at the Funarena Cheb from May 29 to 31. After a short break, the season continues with the midpoint round at the Schweppermannring in Ampfing from July 17 to 19. The decisive phase of the season begins on August 14–16 at the historic Erftlandring in Kerpen, before concluding with the grand finale in Wackersdorf.
New Class Structure and International Integration
Starting in 2026, drivers in the DKM can look forward to a new class structure. The FIA-backed OK-N and OK-N Junior engine concepts will make their German debut, offering young talents an attractive and cost-effective environment with direct links to international karting. Together with the established Mini and two Shifter Kart (KZ2) categories, Germany’s top karting series will now include five championship classes. Through the DKM, the best German OK-N Junior and OK-N drivers will have the chance to qualify for the FIA Karting World Cup.
Youth Development in the Mini Class
A special focus in 2026 will be on promoting young German talents. In cooperation with Motorsport Team Germany and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 Team, a new talent scouting program will be introduced within the Mini class of the DKM. Promising young drivers aged 10 to 11 will be identified early on. The selected youngsters will be invited to a year-end evaluation event, where the most talented participants will receive comprehensive support. With this initiative, the DKM will further strengthen its role as a talent incubator for German motorsport, providing young drivers with a solid foundation for a potential career all the way to Formula 1.
DKM Continues “Road to DTM” Trophy in 2026
The German Kart Championship will once again be part of the official ADAC talent development pyramid in 2026, continuing its role in the Road to DTM program. The winner of the Road to DTM Trophy will receive from ADAC a free entry for one season in the ADAC GT4 Germany series. In this junior series, the winner will gain first experience in GT racing and compete as part of the DTM support program.
2026 Race Calendar
May 1–3, 2026: Mülsen
May 29–31, 2026: Cheb (CZ)
July 17–19, 2026: Ampfing
August 14–16, 2026: Kerpen
September 25–27, 2026: Wackersdorf