Karting Mini joins FIA Motorsport Games for 2024 in Spain
The entry-level discipline of Karting will feature a new category at the FIA Motorsport Games 2024 in Spain, 23-27 October, with the introduction of Karting Mini set to give young karting stars the opportunity to compete under the colours of their home nation.
The 2024 Games will also feature Karting Endurance, Karting Sprint Junior, and Karting Sprint Senior. They form a core part of the significantly expanded third edition of the event which will feature 26 categories of motorsport competition in Valencia.
Combined, the categories span all abilities and age groups, giving kart racers from across the world the chance to compete on an international stage, with the dream of bringing home a gold medal for their nation.
That dream of winning a gold medal while competing under the colours of their country’s flag came true for six lucky karting competitors at the 2022 FIA Motorsport Games in France.
Team Peru’s Andreas Cardenas (aged 14 years) made history by winning his nation’s first-ever FIA Motorsport Games gold medal in Karting Sprint Junior, while Brazil and Denmark completed the podium.
In Karting Sprint Senior, Belgium’s Elie Goldstein took the honours, ahead of Sri Lanka and Israel. Team Belgium’s Maxime Dron, Jeremy Peclers, Sita Vannmeert, and Antoine Morlet also won the Karting Endurance gold medal, with Spain second and Czech Republic third.
In 2022, Karting Endurance also welcomed the greatest number of competitors from nations competing at the FIA Motorsport Games for the first time. They included Team Bahamas, who stole the show with their indomitable sporting spirit, cheering every team across the finish line. Racing for the first time on a purpose-built track having trained on coned courses in car parks, Ramando Hudson, Christopher Bain, Jashai Burrrow, and Giselle Liriano finished an applaudable 16th overall.
CIK-FIA President, Akbar Ebrahim, comments: “In 2022 Karting was one of the disciplines in the FIA Motorsport Games that saw over-subscription from competitors excited to represent their nation.
“Based on this, the 2024 edition will now include an additional class in the Mini category. With this inclusion, we expect over 116 Karting participants in Valencia, 44 Mini, 36 Junior, 36 Senior, plus 24 teams in Endurance.
“We continue to see growth in the arrival-and-drive concept, be it leisure kart or FIA-CIK approved or homologated equipment. This concept opens up the sport to a wider demographic giving opportunities to even more talented drivers. It is great to see its popularity continuing, and it is definitely here to stay.”
The Karting competitions will take place on an unique configuration of the Aspar Circuit, located just 25km away from Valencia, with track action beginning on Friday 25 October and concluding Sunday afternoon.
Karting Mini is for drivers aged between eight years old (who reach their ninth birthday during the year) and 11 years of age with a National Karting Licence. As such, the category will host the youngest competitors of the FIA Motorsport Games.
Taking place at Aspar Circuit, drivers will have four 15-minute practice sessions ahead of Qualifying and three 10km Qualifying Heats. The medal winners will ultimately be decided by the 15km Final.
Karting Sprint Junior is for FIA International Licence Grade G drivers, aged 11 years (turning 12 before the end of the year) and 14 years of age. Each participant will be equipped with an identical FIA-supplied single-make kart supported by a sole tyre provider, plus fuel, and awning space.
One hour of Free Practice, split into 15-minute sessions, will precede Qualifying and three 12km Qualifying Heats. All in preparation for the 25km Final to determine the winning nation.
Karting Sprint Junior Roll of Honour
2022: Peru – Andreas Cardenas
Karting Sprint Senior is where the world’s top kart racers aged 14+ (who will reach their 15th birthday during the year) will compete for gold medal glory. Open to FIA International Licence Grade F or E drivers, the competition increases with Qualifying Heats extended to 15km and the all-important 30km Final.
Karting Sprint Senior Roll of Honour
2022: Belgium – Elie Goldstein
Karting Endurance allows each FIA National Sporting Authority (ASN) to enter a team of three drivers, which must comprise both female and male drivers aged 15+ years with a National Karting Licence. This category enables racers of all levels of experience to represent their home nation.
Each team will compete in identical machinery, with package costs including a single-make FIA-supplied kart, single supply tyres, fuel and technical assistance.
Karting Endurance Roll of Honour
2022: Belgium – Maxime Dron, Jeremy Peclers, Sita Vannmeert, and Antoine Morlet
Entries for the 2024 FIA Motorsport Games are now open via the dedicated FIA registration platform. Competitors wishing to represent their country are encouraged to contact their respective National Sporting Authorities, a full list of which can be found here: fia.com/members/member_club/sport-mobility-3/member_club/sport-1
