Karting comes to the fore at FIA Motorsport Games 2022

MARSEILLE, France (Wednesday July 20) – Karting will have a vastly increased presence at the FIA Motorsport Games when the second edition of the unique multi-discipline global competition is staged in France, 26-30 October.

The 2022 Games will feature two additional Karting categories – Karting Endurance and Karting Sprint, the latter of which will be split into two medal-winning competitions for Junior and Senior competitors. This is in addition to Karting Slalom – one of the founding disciplines of the inaugural 2019 Games in Italy.

The expansion of this entry-level discipline in the FIA Motorsport Games will help kart racers aged 12+ years from across the world to showcase their talents on a global stage, with the ultimate chance to bring home a gold medal for their nation.

Such hopefuls, 121 of the world’s top kart racers were in competition in the Junior and OK categories in the final round of the FIA Karting European Championship at Franciacorta, Italy earlier this month.

Karting Endurance

For the FIA Motorsport Games Karting Endurance discipline, each FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) National Sporting Authority (ASN) can enter a team of mixed gender drivers, aged 17+ years with a National licence. Each national team will compete in identical machinery, with package costs including an IPK chassis and Tillotson T4 engine, single supply tyres, fuel and technical assistance.

Taking place at the 964 metre Circuit Paul Ricard Karting Track, free practice will commence on Friday, October 28, ahead of qualifying to set the grid for the four-hour race late on Saturday morning.

Karting Sprint

Karting Sprint is split into two medal-winning categories of Junior and Senior competition. The Junior category opens the Games up to competitors aged 11-14 years with an FIA International Grade G (ITG) licence.

The Karting Sprint action begins with free practice and qualifying on Friday, October 28. Three 10km qualifying heats play out throughout Saturday and morning Sunday. The final 25km race will decide the inaugural Karting Sprint Junior medal winners.

The Senior competition, for drivers aged 14+ years, will feature three 15km qualifying heats ahead of the 30km final race to decide the winning nation. Packages for each Sprint category includes a Kart Republic chass and IAME engine, awning space, fuel and single supply tyres.

Felipe Massa, former Formula 1 driver and President of the FIA Drivers’ Commission, comments: “Like so many drivers, I learnt my craft in karting. I would have jumped at the chance to represent my country and compete on the global stage of the FIA Motorsport Games. 

“Thanks to the two new karting disciplines joining the 2022 Games this October, more young drivers will get the chance to have that experience and to showcase their talent. That’s really important because karting is the proving ground for so many forms of motorsport.”

Karting draws new nations

One of the main aims of the FIA Motorsport Games is to encourage non-traditional motorsport countries to use the event to raise awareness and grow interest in the vast array of racing disciplines.

With the introduction of the new Karting categories, three new nations are already confirmed to make their FIA Motorsport Games debut. In Karting Sprint Senior, Chile has entered Gustavo Suarez; Diprash Shakya will represent Nepal and Peru will field Manuel Ochoa. Joining them will be Germany’s Maximilian Schleimer.

Since entries for the 2022 event opened on 15 June, Hong Kong has confirmed King Chi Wong, Man Cheong HO, Tak Felix Yeung and Pui Yan Chung for its Karting Endurance team. Chinese Taipei has entered Yu-Hsuan Tsai, Chun-Yao Lo, Hsiao-Hsu Cheng, and Chen-Yu Chung. Germany’s Mathilda Paatz is one of the first Junior entrants. 

Both Poland and Malta have signalled their intent to enter all three Karting disciplines. 

Entries for the 2022 FIA Motorsport Games are open until Sunday, 25 September via the dedicated FIA registration platform. Competitors wishing to represent their country are encouraged to contact their respective National Sporting Authority, a full list of which can be found here: fia.com/members/member_club/sport-mobility-3/member_club/sport-1