The heart of motorsports is beating faster than ever at the grassroots level as kartingāthe foundation of racing legendsāexperiences a global surge in participation, prestige, and performance. From packed circuits in Spain and Italy to talent breakthroughs across Asia, karting is proving itās more than a stepping stoneāitās a sport with its own vibrant pulse.
šŖšø Campillos Hosts Record-Breaking SWS International Finals
Spainās KartCenter Campillos played host to the prestigious Sodi World Series (SWS) International Finals for the first time from July 2 to 5, welcoming over 400 amateur and semi-pro drivers from around the globe. The event featured a variety of categoriesāincluding Junior Kids, Junior, Women, Masters, Sprint, and a grueling 12-hour Endurance Relay.
With 225 solo drivers and 50 relay teams, the competition was fierce. The 1.5-kilometer circuit at Campillos offered technical challenges and overtaking opportunities that tested the nerves and skills of racers, solidifying the track’s reputation as one of Europeās top karting venues.
š FIA Switches Tyres in KZ Categories
In a significant update ahead of the European KZ Karting Championship round in MĆ¼lsen, Germany, the FIA announced a supplier switchātransitioning from Dunlop to LeCont tyres for all KZ gearbox categories. The decision, made for the remainder of the 2025 season, is aimed at improving consistency and performance across the board.
The FIA also confirmed that the tender process for 2026 will commence soon, allowing teams and manufacturers time to prepare for further standardization.
š FIA Global Karting Plan Sees Rapid Growth
The FIAās Global Karting Plan (GKP) is already yielding results, with a 50% rise in registered national-level karting drivers compared to last year. Aimed at developing motorsport at the grassroots level, the initiative is also helping organize affordable āArrive & Driveā competitions in emerging markets.
The next major GKP milestone is the World Cup for Juniors and Seniors in Malaysia, scheduled for November 14ā16, offering accessible competition for young racers regardless of financial backing.
š®š¹ Italian Karting Championship Opens with Record Entries
The 2025 Italian ACI Karting Championship kicked off at Ugento with a staggering 237 entriesāthe highest in its history. Key highlights included:
- KZ2: Elie Goldsteinās commanding win
- MINI Gr.3: Victory for Leon Chelidze
- OK-N/J: Ukrainian talent Oleksandr Legenkyi dominates
- OK-N: Italyās Danny Carenini outpaces the grid
The revised format now includes prefinals and finals at each round, awarding points across five events, making for a tighter championship battle this season.
š WSK Euro Series Concludes in Cremona with New Champions
The WSK Euro Series held its second and final round in Cremona on July 5, featuring 55 nations and high-intensity finals across all classes:
- MINI U10: Godschalk
- MINI Gr.3: Hedfors
- OK-NJ: Xie
- OK-J: Zulfikari
- OK-N: Scognamiglio
- OK: Costoya
These victories solidify the WSKās reputation as Europeās premier proving ground for young racing talent.
š Rising Stars from Asia Make Headlines
Karting is increasingly diverse, with several standout names from Asia breaking new ground:
- Jagrat Detroja (India): At just 13, heās the only Indian entered in both the FIA European and World Championships, competing with Champions of the Future and supported by Antonelli Motorsport.
- Atiqa Mir (Srinagar): The 10-year-old karting prodigy became the first Asian girl to be selected for the F1 Academy’s Discover Your Drive programme, aiming to promote inclusivity in motorsport.
- Bianca Bustamante (Philippines): Now part of McLarenās development ladder, sheās showing how karting can launch careers at the highest levels.
š What It All Means
With growth in participation, improved regulation, and greater diversity, karting is entering a golden era. The sport is not only a launchpad for F1 dreamsāitās a fiercely competitive and respected motorsport in its own right.
The success of global events like the SWS Finals, the rise of junior champions, and FIAās grassroots programs highlight karting’s evolution from a local sport to a global movement. And with the Rotax Grand Finals returning to Bahrain later this year, the karting calendar is far from slowing down.
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