Help Philip get to the karting academy trophy

Came out to support the team, has been keeping up with my racing for years, happy to see her team is up and running.

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If you take a look at the front rows of a top-tier karting race, it almost feels like you’re watching a Formula 1 pre-grid. Papaya-colored race suits, the unmistakable black overalls with the three-pointed star, or the tricolor of the most iconic team in the entire motorsport ladder — the same team whose national roots attract kids from around the world to move there in pursuit of a dream. But then comes the inevitable question: where are the big names of karting? The legendary karting manufacturers? They’re still around, still building chassis and engines, still fueling the foundation of the sport. And yet, in this showcase, their presence feels secondary, occasional at best. Yes, they send a few talented young drivers onto the track, but it’s not hard to imagine a scenario where they’re slowly pushed into the background — reduced to supporting roles in a spectacle that, let’s be honest, doesn’t always live up to the name. Take for example a driver storming through the field, gaining 12 positions and on track to win a race in style, only to see it all unravel with a deflated tire. What exactly are we watching here? The lines begin to blur. Is this still karting — real, grassroots karting — or a four-wheeled extension of something that technically shouldn't have much to do with the origins of this category? Sure, it’s true: karting remains the best, and perhaps only, gateway to upper Formulas. A necessary proving ground. But let’s not forget that this sport — the genuine, sustainable kind — is built by the kart manufacturers, the engine builders, the companies that keep the business and the market alive. They cater to the thousands of (potential) young racers around the globe. If the idea is to turn karting into a “junior F1,” then let’s be clear about it. Define the categories, invest accordingly, bring in proper television coverage alongside the main F1 events, and officially brand that World or European Championship with the F1 logo. Not because different approaches can’t coexist — they absolutely can — but because clarity is needed. It might even help a newcomer — where every fresh wave of drivers comes from — to actually understand what’s going on… and maybe ask for a go-kart next Christmas 🎄

Motorsport UK British Kart Championship registrations are down 50% compared to this time in 2022! ... according to their Facebook posts.

A new F4 series, iM4 Cup, which is set to hit the circuit for the first time in 2025 has revealed its calendar for the upcoming season 👀
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Back in December last year, AGS Racing (a French former F1 team that lives on as a racing school) announced the creation of a 4-round championship that will kick off in March 2025 🎯
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3 races will take place at each round. The series will be open to drivers aged 14 and over, with 15 places available on the grid. There will be no teams, whilst drivers will receive "guidance of experienced coaches, engineers and mechanics with equally prepared cars" 🔧
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The second generation Mygale M21-F4 chassis, which was used in 2024 by French F4, Indian F4 and Chinese F4 , will be used in IM4 Cup❗️
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Following yesterday's calendar release, it has been confirmed that the season will start with a test and evaluation programme at Circuit du Var near Toulon, France, between 4-8 March 🇫🇷
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Then, the season will kick off properly with the first ever FIA F4 race in Africa, with Morocco's Circuit Oued Zem Sidi Doaui hosting Round 1 on 26-30 March 🇲🇦
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Round 2 will take place at Circuit Almeria, Spain, on 8-13 April. The series will remain in Spain for Round 3, scheduled for 16-18 May at Circuit Monteblanco 🇪🇸
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Finally, the season concludes on 30 May-1 June with a round at Circuit du Charade, France. iM4 Cup has not yet announced any drivers, with the series set to host a "launch day" on 25 January at the AGS headquarters❗️
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It seems like more junior single-seater series' are being created every day, which is brilliant news for fans who will watch any available form of racing 😄 🏁🏁

| CREDITS: FFSA ACADEMY & MYGALE |

If you take a close look at every single paddock (from single-make series and up), they seem to have disappeared. The way they arrive at the track, the suits they wear, the karts themselves—some with old homologation bodywork or missing the latest stickers—privateer drivers have always been easy to spot at karting circuits. For decades, they were the heart and soul of karting: a first used kart in good condition to start with, a second one brand new, a small sacrifice for a spare engine, and a lot of work in the garage between races. Let’s set aside the romance for a moment—this is simply stating a fact: the presence of privateer kart racers in competitions has significantly declined. Racing for a team (which used to be called tuners) has become the norm, with a system where the best drivers within the team often manage to secure a deal that allows them to race almost for free. Their strong performances serve as a form of promotion for the team, attracting more drivers and fueling a steady stream of newcomers into competition. Expensive entry fees, the extension of pre-race test days, and the lack of mechanical skills among younger drivers have completed the picture, leading to the gradual extinction of privateer kart racers.