OK (Karting)
| Category | Kart racing |
|---|---|
| Region | International |
| Inaugural season | 1981 |
| Drivers' champion |  Ethan Jeff-Hall(World, 2024) Joe Turney(European, 2024) |
| Teams' champion |  CRG-IAME(World, 2024) Kart Republic-IAME(European, 2024) |
| Official website | FIA Karting |
Original Kart, commonly abbreviated as OK, is a kart racing class for drivers aged 14 and over, sanctioned by the CIK-FIA. OK is the primary direct-drive class in FIA championships.
The class was originally called Intercontinental A (ICA), first contested in 1981 at both the World and European Championships as a secondary direct-drive class to Formula K. In 2007, the class was renamed to KF2 and became the primary class in 2010, replacing KF1. The class was renamed to KF in 2013, and was replaced by Original Kart (OK) regulations in 2016.
History
[edit]ICA (1981–2006)
[edit]KF2/KF (2007–2015)
[edit]and has changed since January 2007 when CIK-FIA decided to replace the 100 cc water-cooled two-stroke engines with 125 cc Touch-and-Go (TaG) water-cooled two-stroke engines (KF type). The engines produce 34–36 hp (25–27 kW). The KF2 class karts use hand-operated front brakes via a lever. The chassis must be approved by the CIK-FIA. Minimum weight with driver is 160 kg for national and 158 kg for international events.
In 2010, karts of the KF2 category were mandated in the Karting World Championship, following one year later in the European Championship.[1]
Karts are equipped with an electric starter and a centrifugal clutch. The engine rpm is limited at 15,000 rpm. It is one of the highest kart classes and is run in both national and continental championships, with the most prestigious being the European Championship and the World Cup.
In 2013, the class was renamed to KF as it wholly replaced KF1 in international competition.
OK (2016–present)
[edit]In 2016, the class was renamed OK, standing for the new Original Kart class. The new karts had much of the electronics removed, and had to be push-started.
Specification
[edit]Original Kart (OK)
[edit]Specification
Champions
[edit]OK has been contested at both the World and European Championships since 1981.
| * | Driver has competed in Formula One |
|---|---|
| † | Formula One World Drivers' Champion |
| ‡ | FIA World Champion in an auto racing discipline |
See also
[edit]- OK-Junior – the junior direct-drive class
- KF1 – the primary direct-drive class from 1993 to 2012
- KZ – the primary gearbox class
- KZ2 – the secondary gearbox class
- Superkart – 250cc kart racing class
References
[edit]- ^ CIK-FIA World Karting Championship For Drivers Zuera (ESP) – 16-19.09.2010 - KartCafe, 16 September 2010
- ^ "FIA Karting - History". FIA Karting. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ "FIA Karting - Calendar". FIA Karting. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ "Vroom Kart International #175 - January 2016". Vroom International Karting. January 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ "Automobile Championships - Motorsport Top 20". Motorsport Top 20. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ "FIA Karting European OK Championship - Driver Database". Driver Database. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ "FIA Karting European KF Championship - Driver Database". Driver Database. Retrieved 18 September 2024.