Original Kart (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), introduced in 1981 at the European Championship as a secondary direct-drive class to Formula K. The class was first contested at the World Cup in 2006. In 2007—after 26 seasons of racing—ICA was replaced by KF2 and became the primary class in 2010, replacing KF1 at the World Championship. The KF2 class was renamed to KF upon the demise of KF1 in 2013, and was replaced by OK regulations in 2016.

OK is contested as the primary direct-drive class at the Karting World Championship and the Karting European Championship.

History

Intercontinental A (1981–2006)

In 1981, Intercontinental A (ICA) was introduced alongside Formula K as a secondary direct-drive class for the European Championship.

Stefano Modena completed back-to-back ICA European Championships in 1984, a feat that would not be repeated until Andrea Kimi Antonelli under OK regulations in 2021.

The ICA World Cup was introduced in 2006, the final year of ICA regulations, won by French driver Mike Courquin.

KF2/KF (2007–2015)

In January 2007, the CIK-FIA decided to replace the 100 cc water-cooled two-stroke ICA engines with 125 cc Touch-and-Go (TaG) water-cooled two-stroke KF2 engines, producing . Now the secondary class to KF1—which had replaced Formula A—the KF2 class karts used hand-operated front brakes via a lever. The chassis had to be CIK-approved, with a minimum weight of 160 kg and 158 kg for national and international events, respectively. KF2 karts were equipped with an electric starter and a centrifugal clutch. The engine was limited to 15,000 rpm.

In 2010, karts of the KF2 category were mandated at the Karting World Championship as the primary direct-drive category, alongside the European Championship, replacing KF1 in both. KF1 returned to the World Championship in 2011 and 2012, reverting KF2 back to World Cup status, but met its demise at the end of the 2012 season. With the end of KF1 regulations, KF2 became known as simply KF and returned to the World Championship as the primary class once more.

Original Kart (2016–present)

In 2016, Original Kart (OK) regulations replaced KF in the direct-drive category, after its perceived failure within the kart racing community and restrictive regulations resulted in reduced entries at international competitions. OK karts had much of the electronics removed, and had to be push-started.

Specification

Original Kart (OK)

There are eight main technical features of the OK regulations:

125 cc direct-coupled, water-cooled two-stroke, mixed-lubrication engine.

Valve inlet in the piston skirt.

Screw carburettor with a maximum diameter of 24 mm.

Maximum speed (limiter) of 16,000 rpm.

Power valve at the exhaust.

Single rear brake with hydraulic control.

Premium tyres, medium gum compound.

Minimum weight 150 kg, driver included.

Engines, chassis, bodywork, brakes and tyres are subject to the homologation system put in place by the CIK-FIA. Each year, the tyres and the fuel for each category, as well as the KZ and KZ2 carburettor, are chosen after a call for tenders.

Champions

OK has been contested at the European Championship since 1981 and the World Championship/World Cup since 2006, becoming the primary direct-drive class in 2010.

Italian driver Lorenzo Travisanutto is the only driver to win multiple OK World Championships. Notable OK World Champions include 2020–21 Formula E World Champion Nyck de Vries and 2025 Formula One champion driver Lando Norris.

Italian Formula One drivers Stefano Modena and Andrea Kimi Antonelli are the only drivers to win multiple OK European Championships. Notable OK European Champions include Formula One World Drivers' Champions Michael Schumacher and Max Verstappen.

By year

YearWorld ChampionshipEuropean ChampionshipYearWorld ChampionChassisEngineTyresEuropean ChampionChassisEngineTyres1981 ICA regulations created for the European Championship1981 Not held Peter De Bruijn Tecno Parilla1982 Josef Bertzen Zipkart Parilla19821983 Stefano Modena DAP DAP19831984 Stefano Modena (2) DAP DAP19841985 Jukka Virtanen Birel Parilla19851986 Linus Lundberg Dino Dino19861987 CRG Parilla19871988 Martijn Koene Tony Kart Rotax19881989 Jos Verstappen Rotax19891990 Eddy Coubard Dino Rotax19901991 Daniele Parrilla Birel Rotax19911992 Oliver Fiorucci Merlin Atomik19921993 Arnaud Sarrazin Tecno Rotax19931994 Narcis Callens Biesse Fox19941995 Arnaud Leconte Tecno Rotax19951996 Ludovic Veve Biesse Rotax19961997 Alessandro Balzan Top-Kart Comer19971998 Julien Poncelet CRG CRG19981999 Stefano Fabi Top-Kart Comer19992000 Julien Menard Tony Kart Vortex20002001 Tony Kart Vortex20012002 Jonathan Thonon CRG Maxter20022003 Nicola Bocchi CRG 20032004 Kévin Estre Sodi TM20042005 James Calado Tony Kart Vortex20052006 ICA mandated at the World Cup2006 Mike Courquin Sodi TM Nicola Nolé CRG TM2007 ICA replaced by KF22007 Michael Ryall Birel TM Will Stevens Tony Kart Vortex2008 Oliver Rowland Tony Kart Vortex Flavio Camponeschi Tony Kart Vortex20082009 David da Luz Zanardi Parilla Jordan Chamberlain Tony Kart TM20092010 KF2 becomes the primary direct-drive class and upgraded to World Championship status2010 TM2011 KF2 replaced by KF1 at the World Championship and downgraded to World Cup status2011 Loris Spinelli Tony Kart Sami Luka Intrepid TM2012 Felice Tiene CRG BMB Ben Barnicoat ART 20122013 KF2 renamed to KF and upgraded to World Championship status2013 Tom Joyner Zanardi TM Max Verstappen CRG TM2014 Lando Norris Callum Ilott Zanardi Parilla20142015 Karol Basz Kosmic Vortex Ben Hanley Mad-Croc TM20152016 KF replaced by OK2016 CRG Parilla Pedro Hiltbrand CRG Parilla2017 Danny Keirle Zanardi Parilla Sami Taoufik FA Kart 20172018 Parilla Hannes Janker Parilla20182019 Parilla Lorenzo Travisanutto Parilla20192020 Callum Bradshaw Tony Kart Vortex Andrea Kimi Antonelli Parilla20202021 Tuukka Taponen Tony Kart Vortex IAME20212022 Matheus Morgatto Kart Republic Parilla IAME20222023 Kirill Kutskov Kart Republic IAME René Lammers TM20232024 Ethan Jeff-Hall CRG IAME Joe Turney IAME2024YearWorld ChampionChassisEngineTyresEuropean ChampionChassisEngineTyresYearWorld ChampionshipEuropean ChampionshipSource:

By driver

table

Notes

See also

KF1 – the primary direct-drive class from 2003 to 2012 OK-Junior – the junior direct-drive class KZ – the primary gearbox class KZ2 – the secondary gearbox class Superkart – 250cc kart racing class CIK-FIA List of kart racing championships

References

External links FIA Karting