Original Kart,commonly abbreviated asOK,is akart racingclass for drivers aged 14 and over, sanctioned by theCIK-FIA.OK is the primarydirect-driveclass inFIA championships.
| 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 |
The class was originally calledIntercontinental A(ICA), first introduced in 1981 at theEuropean Championshipas a secondary direct-drive class toFormula K.The class was first contested at theWorld Cupin 2006. In 2007—after 26 seasons of racing—ICA was replaced byKF2and became the primary class in 2010, replacingKF1at theWorld Championship.The KF2 class was renamed toKFupon the demise of KF1 in 2013, and was replaced byOriginal Kart(OK) regulations in 2016.
OK is currently contested as the primary direct-drive class at theKarting World Championshipand theKarting European Championship.
History
editIntercontinental A (1981–2006)
editIn 1981, Intercontinental A (ICA) was introduced alongsideFormula Kas a secondarydirect-driveclass for theEuropean Championship.
Stefano Modenacompleted back-to-backICA European Championshipsin 1984, a feat that would not be repeated untilAndrea Kimi Antonelliunder OK regulations in 2021.
TheICA World Cupwas introduced in 2006, the final year of ICA regulations, won by French driver Mike Courquin.
KF2/KF (2007–2015)
editIn January 2007, theCIK-FIAdecided to replace the 100 cc water-cooledtwo-strokeICA engines with 125 cc Touch-and-Go (TaG) water-cooled two-stroke KF2 engines, producing 34–36 hp (25–27 kW). Now the secondary class toKF1—which had replacedFormula 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 acentrifugal clutch.The engine waslimitedto 15,000rpm.
In 2010, karts of the KF2 category were mandated at theKarting World Championshipas the primary direct-drive category, alongside the European Championship, replacing KF1 in both.[1]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)
editIn 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.[2]OK karts had much of the electronics removed, and had to be push-started.
Specification
editOriginal Kart (OK)
editThere are eight main technical features of the OK regulations:[3]
- 125 cc direct-coupled, water-cooledtwo-stroke,mixed-lubrication engine.
- Valve inlet in the piston skirt.
- Screwcarburettorwith a maximum diameter of 24 mm.
- Power valve at the exhaust.
- Single rear brake with hydraulic control.
- Premium tyres, medium gumcompound.
- 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
editOK has been contested at theEuropean Championshipsince 1981 and theWorld Championship/World Cupsince 2006, becoming the primary direct-drive class in 2010.
Italian driver Lorenzo Travisanutto is the only driver to win multipleOK World Championships.Notable OK World Champions include2020–21 Formula E World ChampionNyck de VriesandFormula OnedriverLando Norris.
ItalianFormula OnedriversStefano ModenaandAndrea Kimi Antonelliare the only drivers to win multipleOK European Championships.Notable OK European Champions includeFormula One World Drivers' ChampionsMichael SchumacherandMax Verstappen.
By year
edit| * | Driver has competed inFormula One |
|---|---|
| † | Formula One World Drivers' Champion |
| ‡ | FIA World Championin anauto racingdiscipline |
By driver
edittable
Notes
edit- ^abItalicsindicates years contested as a World Cup, not an FIA World Championship: 2006–2009, 2011–2012.
- ^KF2 remained the primary direct-drive class at theEuropean Championshipin 2011 and 2012.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^CIK-FIA World Karting Championship For Drivers Zuera (ESP) – 16-19.09.2010- KartCafe, 16 September 2010
- ^"Official presentation of the new 2016 engines at PF Intl".FIA.16 June 2015.Retrieved20 September2024.
- ^"FIA Karting - Categories".Retrieved21 September2024.
- ^"FIA Karting - History".FIA Karting.Retrieved18 September2024.
- ^"FIA Karting - Calendar".FIA Karting.Retrieved18 September2024.
- ^"Vroom Kart International #175 - January 2016".Vroom International Karting.January 2016.Retrieved18 September2024.
- ^"Automobile Championships - Motorsport Top 20".Motorsport Top 20.Retrieved18 September2024.
- ^"FIA Karting European OK Championship - Driver Database".Driver Database.Retrieved18 September2024.
- ^"FIA Karting European KF Championship - Driver Database".Driver Database.Retrieved18 September2024.