Quick snippets of karting news from around Australia and the world. Some of it is important; some of it is not. Some of it is current; some of it is not…
JUNIOR SPROCKETS – if you know anyone who has kids that want to have a crack at karting, point them to Karting Australia’s Junior Sprockets program. KA has announced several training days in the school holidays for NSW, VIC and SA. Click/tap the link for more info or to register – https://www.karting.net.au/junior-sprockets/junior-sprockets-registration/
FOUR STROKE ONLY – An all 4-stroke karting championship will run at Eastern Creek in 2025. Commencing in March, the five-round series concludes on November 1st. Dates and classes are:
FLIPPED STAT! – Karting is promoted as the feeder to Formula One, however the average age of the 2025 Formula One grid is younger than karting’s pinnacle category! Alan Dove crunched the numbers to prove the average age of drivers in the 2024 KZ World Championship was 27.2 years. With the influx of young drivers to Formula One next year, the average age is only 25.66 years. Read the full article HERE.
TYRE SPONSORS – Applications for Karting Australia’s 2025 tyre sponsorship program are open. Made possible via the partnerships with LeCont and Maxxis, it provides significant support to State Associations, Clubs and Series Organisers across Australia. “The sponsorship program is designed to enhance participation and benefit the karting community through the provision of complimentary and subsidised tyres” KA stated. “Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their event or activity aligns with the objectives of increasing engagement and supporting grassroots karting.” The guidelines and information for submissions can be found HERE. The submission form itself is HERE.
KARTERS PODCAST – A couple of well known Queensland karters have started up a karting podcast. Sam Houston and Harrison Hoey dropped their first episode yesterday. The duo previews this weekend’s Victorian Championship at Oakleigh, plus a quick talk about Stars of Karting. “Definitely stepping out of my comfort zone doing this…” Houston commented. “Harry and I talk about all things karting, we can only get better at this!” Ep 1 is on Spotify – click HERE.
PAY UP! – How’s this from UK engine builder Grice Racing Engines, threatening to go public with its list of debtors!
WORLD TENDERS – The World Motor Sport Council has confirmed the allocation of several supply tenders, based on the proposals from the International Karting Commission. For the next three seasons (2025-27) of the FIA Karting Academy Trophy Junior & the FIA Karting Academy Senior, the sole supplier of karts is the OTK Kart Group and Racing Force (formerly OMP Racing) the sole supplier of overalls and clothing. LeCont tyres will be used in both the 2025 FIA Karting World Cup – OK-NJ and the 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy Senior. KG is the exclusive supplier of the front fairing mounting kit in FIA Karting Championships, Cups and Trophies for the next three years.
WSK HIGHLIGHTS – Highlights of the finals from the opening WSK event of 2025. Watch Australians William Calleja and Jay Kostecki in OK-J and Mini respectively.
RESTART CHANCE – In the interest of increasing participation, Kartsport New Zealand has changed its KartStars Series’ out-grid procedure to help prevent non-starters. Previously, if an engine did not start after 30 seconds and the field was released and past the no-go line, the competitor could not take part in the race. The new ruling will be applied as follow:
- The same procedure will still apply initially, and the pit gate will be closed when the field have passed the no-go line.
- If you have managed to get your engine started once the gate has been closed, you will be permitted to join the rear of the field on the 2nd warm up lap.
- The gate will be opened again and once the field has passed the pit gate you will be able to exit the Out-Grid onto the track to join the rear.
- Once the field has passed the No-Go line again you must be be under motive power exiting the Out-Grid, otherwise the gate will be closed once again and you will not be permitted to race.
ENDURO HIGHLIGHTS – Here is the highlights video from the 4SS 2-Hour Enduro held at Geelong Kart Club the other month. Results and podium pic have already been published HERE.
GET HYPED – Does this give you goose bumps, or is it just me? The intro to the 2024 SKUSA Super Nationals by Kart Chaser was brilliant. Three minutes of history, drama and motivation. It reminded me of the old “The Delta Force” inspired Indianapolis 500 intros by Paul Page. Top job, Kart Chaser.
AKC EXPANSION – The KA3 Junior and Cadet 12 classes in the 2025 Australian Kart Championship have been expanded to accommodate demand for grid positions. “The overwhelming interest in these classes has highlighted the incredible growth of the Championship” Karting Australia posted. The expansion includes a limited number of full Championship entries, along with a round-by-round option, where drivers will be required to apply and receive approval to participate in individual rounds. Entries for the opening round at Todd Rd close tomorrow, March 7.
HOW DID KARTING START? – In case you didn’t now…
EDDIE GETS LIFE – Respected race official Eddie Donnelly was awarded with the 27th Life Membership of KartSport New Zealand at the organisation’s National conference. “After five decades of service to the sport, which still continues today, the Life Membership is well deserved” KSNZ posted.
BOURKE’S BACK! – Adam Bourke has returned to the helm of the Oakleigh Go Kart Racing Club, re-elected as President at the club’s AGM. Vice-President for the new term is Stuart Hall, Secretary is Alicia Nisi and David Bell is Treasurer. Emma and Sharron Cutting are Membership and Race Secretary respectively.
CONTINGENCY CASH – David Sera’s Kart Class is offering cash back rewards to Kart Class members. Sera says the Kart Class Rewards Package offers cash back to qualifying members who win National-level races with a Kart Class sticker on their kart. “I’ve always wanted to support families that have supported me” he said. “If you’re already winning races, then you can subsidise your racing much easier with our help! Drivers will receive $350 Cash for any National WIN! Simple as that.” (* Conditions Apply. Drivers must be a member of the Champions Club Program / Only applies to Race Wins at National events / Drivers must have Kart Class stickers on their kart that is visible to be reimbursed)
POWER TOWER – A spanking new control tower was opened at Combined Districts Kart Club last year. “Huge thankyou to all that attended the Tower Opening. Despite a long day on the track and the temperature dropping quickly, many Karters showed their support. Special mentions to Paul Toole MP, CR Maree Statham, Mitch Lozina, Peter Toole”
LIGHT CARBON – Jecko XLIGHT carbon seats are the lightest in the Jecko range, while also being the stiffest of the ‘new’ shape seats. “For performance and weight saving, Jecko XLIGHT seats can’t be beaten. World Championship winning Jecko seats provide world class performance for all drivers, and are the recommended choice for Arrow karts. If you want to improve your kart, get yourself into a Jecko seat. Available in a full range of stiffness, sizes and styles, there’s a Jecko seat to suit every driver and kart” – DPE Kart Superstore
Visit https://dpekartsuperstore.com/collections/jecko today. (Order before 12pm Mon-Thurs for same day dispatch. Free delivery Australia wide on all orders over $200.)
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LAWSON TALKS KARTS – Liam Lawson takes a look at the brilliant new Colin Dale Park motorsport complex in NZ
TEAM NEWS – Jess Golding Motorsport announced a change to its technical alliances for 2025. The Queensland-based race team will continue its partnership with Arrow chassis and Kip Foster’s KartForce engines, but will also run Kart Republic equipment this year. “This powerful combination ensures our team is equipped with the best for the 2025 season” Golding stated. Anyone interested in joining the JGM team should contact Jess – see the team website for details – https://jessgoldingmotorsport.com/
EURO ROTAX REGS – The sporting and technical regulations for the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy and RMC Winter Series are now available. Now run by WSK Promotion, the documents are on the the RMCET website – visit here: https://www.rotaxmaxchallenge-eurotrophy.com/regulations
INDUSTRY – Tillotson has appointed RPM Engines as the new Tillotson T4 Series distributor for the UK market. T4 Kart packages and the full parts catalogue will be available to order from the RPM website. RPM will also offer trackside support and assistance for the 2025 UK T4 Series (which runs over 6 rounds), plus additional feature events at the British Kart Championships.
KART TRANSPORT – Do you really need a truck or trailer?
SEB’S BIG WIN – Here’s the official highlights reel from the second and final round of the WSK Euro Series last year, an event where Queensland’s Sebastian Eskandari dominated the OKN Junior class.
ROTAX LIFE – While the brilliant Rotax Pro Tour of the past has not returned, 2025 sees a number of “Rotax Life” events for those racing the Rotax product in Australia.
“IKD & Rotax both know that the primary reason people race karts is to have fun and we want our events to be just that” International Karting Distributors published. “Sure, there will be a serious side to them but “Rotax Life” events are about making sure that owning a Rotax is a rewarding experience! Rotax Life events will be one off events (not a series) and we expect there to be approximately 5 or 6 of these events throughout the year.”
- Junior MAX
- Rotax Light
- Rotax Heavy
- DD2
- DD2 Masters
The season will conclude with the Rotax National Cup (Albury Wodonga, September 13-14.) and the winners of this event will be invited to represent Team Australia providing they meet the qualification criteria.
EURO MAX TICKETS – 13 Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals tickets will be awarded from the 2025 RMC Euro Trophy, which will race across four rounds. Dates are:
1°Rd – 27/04/2025 WACKERSDORF / Germany
2°Rd – 08/06/2025 STEEL RING / Czech Republic
3°Rd – 29/06/2025 GENK / Belgium
4°Rd – 07/09/2025 SARNO / Italy
RMCGF Ticket allocations:
Mini MAX: A ticket for each round winner
Junior MAX: 1st, 2nd and 3rd (overall)
Senior MAX: 1st, 2nd and 3rd (overall)
DD2: 1st and 2nd (overall)
DD2 Masters: Championship winner
McSLIDE JOINS PANTANO – Vastly experienced driver, tuner and coach Richie McLeod (McSlide Race) has been appointed the first official dealer for Pantano Kart Australia. “Richie brings an unparalleled wealth of knowledge and experience that money can’t buy” importer Leigh Cocker said. “His expertise was instrumental in the initial testing phase, delivering immediate improvements on the stopwatch.” Further, Pantano Kart Australia is now officially the exclusive importer of all Pantano karts and parts into Australia.
The organisation has also named its first factory drivers – Oskar Hennock (KA3 Junior in AKC plus other major events), Sam Spiteri (KA3 Junior Heavy in Vic Country Series and various Sth Australian events) and Beau Chambers (Cadet 12 in AKC, Stars of Karting, Vic Country Series and select races in New Zealand).
HIRE KARTS – The 2025 edition of the Rental Kart World Contest organized by CRG takes place on October 18-19 on the 7 Laghi Kart track in Castelletto di Branduzzo (Italy). The event will comprise two sections – a Sprint event on Saturday where over 160 drivers will compete in three different categories, then a 6-hour Endurance race on Sunday, made up of 30 multi-driver teams. Three Sprint Drivers’ titles will be awarded for: Junior (14 to 18 years old), PRO (over 18 years) and Silver (drivers over 45 and/or weighing 85Kg or more). Two Endurance titles are up for grabs: PRO for the most competitive teams and Silver for the more amateur ones. This contest is essentially the Final of CRG’s events organized by the partner tracks, but is open to all Rental Kart drivers from around the world.
FIA KARTING AWARDS – A spectacular evening celebrating the 2024 champions at the FIA Karting Awards evening in Nice at the end of last year:
RIP SUPERKART SUPPORTER – The CIK-FIA has acknowledged the passing of Thomas J.J Meijlink. An aeronautical engineer and professor at the Eindhoven University of Technology, Thomas had a long involvement in Karting, holding various positions such as representing the Netherlands on the International Karting Commission, member of its Sporting Working Group, and steward in numerous FIA Karting Championship events. He was presented a special award in 2016 by the IKC for his commitment to the sport since 1980. During his final years in the sport, he had particularly supported the continuity and maintenance of European Championship level Superkart racing. Meijlink passed away in the Netherlands on December 25, aged 88.
ROK ASIA – For those interested in racing in Asia this year, a round in the Philippines has been added to the ROK Cup Asia calendar for 2025. The series offers tickets to the ROK Super Finals in Italy later in the year. The schedule is:
WORLD CHAMPS OPEN – Registrations are open for the 2025 FIA Karting Championships, Cups and Trophies. For the European OK and OK-Junior Championship, it is possible to enter up to two events per category instead of the full Championship, by selecting one of the Wild Card registration forms. In KZ and KZ2, this option is limited to one single event. It’s not applicable to KZ2 Masters as there is only one round to compete.
Entries close on the Wednesday four weeks prior to each event (or at a higher price on the Wednesday three weeks prior). A table summarising the 2025 closing dates and the entry fees is HERE. Registration is via the FIA Karting website: https://registrations.fia.com/cik.
4-STROKE EVENTS – 4SS Victoria has announced a six round calendar for 2025:
NEW NEWS – Does your club (or you?) have some news that might be of interest to the rest of the karting world? If so, let us know! Contact KartSportNews so we can let the rest of the karting community know what’s going on with their sport. See HERE how we like to receive the information 🙂
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