Karting

History of karting

The very first machine of Karting was built in 1956 by Art Ingels in California with an engine of recovery of the West Bend Company, a late company (1911-2003) established with West Bend (Wisconsin). Karting develops quickly on the other side of the Atlantic with manufacturing such Go Kart Manufacturing Co. (1958) and McCulloch for the engines (1959). McCulloch was a manufacturer of slicers with chains and outboard motors. Its first engine for karting, the MC-10, was not other than an adapted engine of slicer…

In October 1959 was held in Paris the Nautical trade fair at side of which the Motor-show was presented to the Large palace. The representative of McCulloch International (American of the name of Burton Reinfrank) had the idea to present a frame Go Kart Manufacturing equipped with the McCulloch engine on their stand of the Nautical trade fair, in the middle of outboard motors. This presentation gained a sharp success and was the subject of reports in the French car magazines. Thus karting made its entry in France and Europe.

As of its arrival in France and during the Sixties, karting knows a fast passion and crescent. Years 1970 see an important technical evolution of the engines and frames (especially thanks to the Italian manufacturers) and of futures great champions start to emerge from karting, such Alain Prost, Riccardo Patrese, Nelson Piquet or Ayrton Senna. Since, the practice of karting was structured and become a quasi obligatory passage for which wants to become racing driver; almost the whole of the pilots engaged today in F1 passed by karting.

Figures: France counts today some 20.000 bachelors under the aegis of FFSA distributed on 214 clubs and 18 regional committees. This sport-leisure counts more than 500 professional actors (manufacturer-importers, retailers, preparers, hirers out, owners of tracks, etc). In France, more than 4 million people are already assembled in a kart. There exists more than 350 tracks including 280 approved by the FFSA.

Practice of karting

Karting of hiring

The karting of hiring is practiced in all the areas of France (+ of 300 dedicated tracks), of the simple session to the " ticket" with the organization of friendly speed and endurance, generally at the wheel of karts with engines 4-times, recognizable challenges by a kit body protecting pilot and material. Generally they are karts with engines Honda 4-time of 270 cm ³ (9 ch - in indoor or outside) and of 390 cm ³ (14 ch - only on the external tracks) or twin-engines. These karts are already powerful and guarantee good feelings. For the most informed, it is possible to rent on certain tracks of the karts 2-times equipped with the engines Formule FFSA (100 cm ³, from 17 to 20 horses), Rotax Junior (125 cm ³, 22 ch) or even Rotax max (125 cm ³, 29 ch).

Since 2006, there exists a Coupe de France known as “Leisure” organized by the FFSA, springboard between the hiring and the competition, joining together more than 200 qualified resulting from 150 hexagonal tracks. The best of them gains races " turn-key " in Formula FFSA. In Belgium, championship 4-time “Belkart” on various tracks indoor and outdoor .

Karting of competition

It is about a sport, which requires a physical good condition, its practice in France requires obtaining a license FFSA (or UFOLEP, in certain cases). This license is obtained from a club or sports association.

The obligatory equipment of the pilot in France includes/understands:

a full-face helmet (for the competition this one must be approved Snell SA or K)
a combination (for the competition - of level 2 - approved CIK-FIA)
a minerve (for competition - approved FFSA)
a pair of gloves
a pair of ankle boots

Nonobligatory but highly recommended to appreciate the kart in the duration, a waistcoat protect-coasts of good quality.

One can practice karting as of the 7 years age (8 years for the competition).

Categories in France

; Changes of regulation for 2007

The international categories of karting are famous KF1, KF2, KF3, KF4 and KZ1, KZ2.

the KF1 , category-queen, replaces F (Formula A). KF2 replaces category ICA (Intercontinental A) and KF3 , the ICA-Junior category. KF4 corresponds to the category known as “basic”. All these categories use engines of new generation known as “long life” of 125 cm ³ to liquid cooling, equipped with starter, clutch and electronic limiting device of mode. Each one with its technical specifications when with the exhaust, carburettor, limps with air, ceiling of the limiting device of turns etc…

Super-ICC
and ICC the (Intercontinental one C), categories of the karts 125 cm ³ with gear boxes whose technical payment did not undergo any major modification, are famous respectively KZ1 and KZ2 .

MiniKart

For the pilots between 8 and 10 years. This class, recently started again with an engine Honda 4-time of 120 cm ³ of 5,5 CH (to replace Comer 2-time 60 cm ³), is one of most promising and dynamic hexagonal karting. The frames are of drawing single, studied for the small size of the pilots, and several marks are available on the market. The engine is equipped with a clutch and a starter (with string). Narrow tires slicks with hard gum (Vega), prohibited tires rain. Minimum weight 90 kg with pilot. Races or demonstrations, Coupe de France annual.

Tiny/Junior

For the pilots between 10 and 12 years into Tiny and 12 and 14 years of Junior. The frame is a little more advanced and is equipped with a mechanical braking (cables). The engine is Parilla Puma 2 - time with air cooling with electric starter and clutch developing 12 ch for the Tiny ones (85 cm ³) and 15 ch for the Juniors (100 cm ³). External adjustable tangent carburettor. Narrow tires slick with semi-tender gum (Bridgestone YJQ), prohibited tires rain. Minimum weight 115 kg with pilot for the Tiny ones, 125 kg for the Juniors.

Formulate FFSA and Formula FFSA Jeune

Classify launched in 2001, it is the formula of promotion of karting in the most economic France because and easiest of access. It is the only formula monotype hexagonal karting, everyone has the same material to with it. The races there are very disputed.

Formule FFSA Jeunes for the pilots enters 14 years (completed or reached in the year) and 21 years, weight minimum 140 kg with pilot. Passage of category Formulates FFSA (ex-Senior) at 22 years completed or reached in the year, weight minimum 150 kg with pilot. The frame is manufactured in France by Go Kart, but is also distributed by Sodikart, Alpha, Action Karting and Nowa-100%Kart, mechanical braking. The engine is a IAME 2-time of 100 cm ³ upgradé with 20 ch as from 2007 (17 ch de 2001 to 2006), with air cooling with electric starter and clutch. The carburettor is Tillotson with two external adjustable tangents. Semi-hard tires slick (Vega FF), prohibited tires rain.

Races: friendly, regional championships, Challenges Minarelli IDF and Ouest or Trophy valentinois, Endurance 3:00 JBH, annual Cuts of France, Coupe de France Female, etc…

NB: this formula is the only one which makes it possible to roll in competition with a simple license at the day. Many retailers make it possible to roll in hiring to the race, with or without assistance.

Main road

Recent category, created to replace late “Promotion”. For the 14 year old pilots (completed or reached in the year), minimum weight 150 kg kart and pilot included/understood. Economic formula, a notch more expensive and powerful that Formula FFSA. The frame is of the same type as into Tiny/Cadet with mechanical braking. Several marks are available on the market of which some foreign (CRG, Tony-Kart, Tecno) in spite of the exclusiveness in this category in France and the preponderance of the French frames (Nowa-Kart, Sodikart). The engine is Rotax max Junior (J125) 2-time 125 cm ³ with liquid cooling with starter and clutch developing 22 CV limited to 12.500 tr/min. It is recognizable with its red cylinder head. Carburettor Dell' Orto with jet. Semi-hard tires slicks (Dunlop SL3), prohibited tires rain. Races: friendly, regional championships, various trophies. Thus the category has its Coupe de France, the latter having naturally the most prestige. To take part in it, it will be necessary to be qualified via the first 3 races of the regional championship.

N100

So National category called 100, created to reclassify the engines 100 cm ³ of the type ICA or F without clutch nor starter (starting with poussette). N100 saw its last season in this configuration because the blocks 100 cm ³ are currently replaced by 125 cm ³ equipped with clutches and starters.

As from 15 years (completed or reached in the year). Free frame (to standards CIK). Free engine 2-time 100 cm ³ with liquid cooling of approximately 30 ch reaching 19.000 tr/min, authorized preparation. Authorized tires slick on dryness and tires rain (mark Dunlop SL4). Minimum weight 150 kg with pilot. The equivalent formula on the international plan is the formula Espoir (ICA), only the tires differ.

The regional championships on 3 races will give access to the 70 best regional pilots to the Coupe de France. Possibility of rolling in Championship of endurance with this type of material.

N125

Category as from 15 years (completed or reached in the year) for the kart with so National gear box called 125. It is the second category most practiced in France. Free frame (to standards CIK) with front brakes. Engine with liquid cooling of 125 cm ³ at 6 speeds with clutch developing 40 ch approximately, starting “with poussette”, in catch. Authorized tires slick on dryness and tires rain (Vega mark). Minimum weight 170 kg with pilot. Races: friendly, regional championships, Coupe de France, Trophies…

Junior/ICA-J (Intercontinental - Junior has)

High level category for the pilots from 13 to 15 years. Engine 100 cm ³ 2-time of approximately 26 ch (18 000 tr/min) with air-cooling, with clutch, starting by external electric launcher, authorized preparation. Free frame to standards CIK. Tires slick with tender gum on dryness and tires rain authorized (Bridgestone). Minimum weight 135 kg with pilot. National championship (Grand Prix FFSA Karting on 5 tests) and Championship of Europe.

Note: Passage to the engine 125 cm ³ as of January 2007. Nevertheless, the engines 100 cm ³ will be able to continue to roll but with a separate classification.

Hope/ICA (Intercontinental A)

High level category from 15 years. Engine 100 cm ³ 2 times of approximately 32 ch (19 000 tr/min) with liquid cooling, without clutch (starting with poussette), authorized preparation. Free frame to standards CIK. Tires slick with tender gum on dryness and tires rain authorized (Vega). Minimum weight 150 kg with pilot. National championships, Championship of Europe and World cup. Material usable in Euro Endurance.

Note: Passage to the engine 125 cm ³ as of January 2007. Nevertheless, the engines 100 cm ³ will be able to continue to roll but with a separate classification.

Elite/Formule has

Queen category of karting, as from 15 years. Engine 100 cm ³ 2-time of approximately 32 ch (19 000 tr/min) with liquid cooling, without clutch (starting with poussette), authorized preparation. Free frame to standards CIK. Free tires with extra-tender gum on dryness and authorized tires rain. Minimum weight 150 kg with pilot. National championships, Championship of Europe and Championship of the World. Material usable in Euro Endurance.

Note: Passage to the engine 125 cm ³ with clutch at January 1st, 2007.

Kartings Formule has - recorded with the Championship of the World 2006 with Angerville - France

125/ICC (Intercontinental C)

Queen category of the kart with gear box, as from 15 years. Free frame (to standards CIK) with front brakes. Engine with liquid cooling of 125 cm ³ at 6 speeds with clutch developing 41 ch approximately, starting “with poussette”, authorized preparation. Tires slick with tender gum on dryness and tires rain authorized (Vega). Minimum weight 170 kg with pilot. National championships and Championship of Europe.

Rotax max

Challenge of mark launched in the middle of the Nineties by Sodikart, the importer Rotax (subsidiary of Bomber). Reliable formula and of a relatively economic maintenance thanks to its motorization of the motor bike type with electronic limiting device of mode to 13.500 tr/min. It is the category gathering the most volunteers in France. There exist races of all levels everywhere in France and in the world.

Opened with pilots the 15 year old and more. Free frame (to standards CIK) with hydraulic brakes (brakes before authorized). Engine Rotax max Racing 125 cm ³ with liquid cooling with starter and clutch developing 29 ch, prohibited preparation. Carburettor Dell' Orto with jet. Tires slick with semi-tender gum on dryness, tires rain authorized (mark Bridgestone or Mojo according to challenge). Minimum weight 160 kg with pilot. Senior category: as from 32 years, minimum weight of 170 kg with pilot.

Races: friendly, regional championships, cuts of marks and trophies, championship of endurance, European challenge, world finale. Material usable also in Endurance.

X30 challenge

Category come to replace the Cup National then the Leopard, two cuts of marks launched by Alpha Karting. Challenge of mark open to the 15 year old pilots and more. The frames used are of type CIK (International) with hydraulic brakes (brakes before authorized). The engine is IAME-Parilla X30 of 125 cm ³ to liquid cooling developing 30 ch, with starter, clutch and electronic limiting device of mode to 15.500 tr/min. Tires MGS with semi-tender gum.

Races: X30 is not present in all the areas, it is in the south of France that this category is most popular. Various challenges, trophies, and national final. Material usable in Endurance.

Parakart

Parakart is a test of karting of level amateur reserved to the handicapped people (not to confuse with the parakart - or Kite buggy). The first edition had place in Portugal in 2002 with 17 modified twin-engine karts and 24 pilots resulting from 9 different countries. To date, no other edition of Parakart was carried out.

Adjustments

In karting, as in all the mechanical sports, the quality of the performances depends on the good adjustment of the material.