KZ is a kart racing class for drivers aged 15 and over, sanctioned by the CIK-FIA. KZ is the primary gearbox class in FIA championships.
| Category | Kart racing |
|---|---|
| Region | International |
| Inaugural season | 1974 |
| Drivers' champion |  Paolo Ippolito(World, 2023) Lorenzo Travisanutto(European, 2024) |
| Teams' champion | Maranello-TM (World, 2023) Parolin-TM(European, 2024) |
| Official website | FIA Karting |
The class was originally called Formula C (FC), first introduced in 1974 at the European Championship as the first gearbox class in international kart racing. FC was contested at the World Championship from 1983 until 2000. In 2002—after 28 seasons of racing—FC was replaced by Super-ICC (S-ICC) and downgraded to World Cup status. In 2007, Super-ICC was replaced by KZ1 and renamed to KZ in 2013, when it returned to the World Championship.
KZ is currently contested as the primary gearbox class at the Karting World Championship and the Karting European Championship.
History
editFormula C (1974–2001)
editIn 1974, Formula C (FC) was introduced as a 125 cc gearbox class for the European Championship, the first of its kind. FC was first held at the World Championship in 1983, remaining there until 2000.
Super-ICC (2002–2006)
editIn 2002, Super-ICC (S-ICC) regulations replaced FC, being downgraded to World Cup status.
KZ1/KZ (2007–present)
editKZ1 replaced S-ICC in 2007. In 2013, KZ1 was renamed to KZ, returning to the World Championship.
Specification
editKZ
editThere are eight main technical features of the KZ regulations, sharing the same specification as KZ2 except for chassis and brakes, which are open in KZ, as well as minimum weight:[1]
- 125 cc direct-coupled, water-cooled two-stroke, mixed-lubrication engine.
- Valve inlet in the piston skirt.
- Carburettor with a maximum diameter of 30 mm.
- Manual clutch.
- Six-speed sequential gearbox.
- Front and rear brakes with hydraulic foot control.
- Premium tyres, medium gum compound.
- Minimum weight 170 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
editKZ has been contested at the European Championship since 1974 and the World Championship/World Cup since 1983.
Gianluca Beggio holds the record for most KZ World Championships, with five. Notable KZ World Champions include three-time Formula One World Drivers' Champion Max Verstappen and two-time World Touring Car Champion Gabriele Tarquini. Verstappen is the only driver to win a CIK-FIA gearbox championship and the Formula One World Drivers' Championship.
Gianfranco Baroni and Francesco Laudato hold the joint-record for most KZ European Championships, each with four.
By year
edit| * | Driver has competed in Formula One |
|---|---|
| † | Formula One World Drivers' Champion |
| ‡ | FIA World Champion in an auto racing discipline |
By driver
edittable
Notes
edit- ^ a b Italics indicates years contested as a World Cup, not an FIA World Championship: 2003–2012.
- ^ a b The 2002 European Championship was shared ex-aequo by Francesco Laudato and Sauro Cesetti, who both scored 86 points. Some sources have Laudato listed as the outright champion.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "FIA Karting - Categories". Retrieved 21 September 2024.
- ^ "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.