FIA International Karting Commission Announce 2023 Schedule and Details of New OK-N Engine
At its meeting on 29th June 2022 in Paris (FRA), the FIA World Motor Sport Council took the following decisions based on the proposals of the International Karting Commission.
The launch of the new OK-N engine aimed at the national level was approved. Accordingly, certain steps will be taken towards introduction.
Advantage would be taken of the new engine homologation cycle which begins in August 2022 to introduce a downsized engine aimed at national markets (OK-N) based on the current OK-J (Junior) and OK (Senior) engines. Using the current OK engine as the foundation will result in cost savings (since the spare parts already exist). The fact that this is a downsized version will gain reliability.
In order to facilitate the introduction of the category into the national markets, this product will be coupled with a sporting objective in the form of an OK-N World Cup, for which participants will need to qualify via national events. This World Cup will be governed by strict Sporting Regulations where only one chassis, one engine and the number of tyres is limited to one and a half sets per race.
In order to make the practice of this Category affordable, the FIA will recommend to the ASNs in charge of organising the qualifying events in the lead up to the World Cup to use these regulations as a basis for their Sporting and Technical regulations. In this way, a pathway between practicing on the national markets and at a high level is created.
To make the World Cup attractive, the plan is to organise it on the same weekend as the current OK and OK-J World Championships. This will give drivers participating in the OK-N World Cup a chance to make themselves known to karting manufacturers on-site.
A reduction of minimum time penalty from 10 to 5 Sec, as a modification of Art 2.24 of the General Prescriptions – Application from 01/09/2022
An extension of the homologation period for Groups 2 and 3 for chassis, brakes and bodywork from 2020-2023 to 2024.
A modification of Article 7.1 of the Technical Regulations to include the new SA2020 helmet standard as recognized. – Application from 01/07/2022
FIA Safety Commission
The WMSC approved a new FIA Standard for protective clothing for Karting competitors, which is intended to replace the current standard, introduced in 2013.
The improvements include extending the scope of the standard to approve karting gloves and shoes in addition to overalls and the introduction of new resistance to abrasion requirements for overalls to be worn for long circuit kart racing.
The approved gloves and shoes for karting will deliver a significant safety improvement compared with the current situation. The new standard has also simplified the testing and manufacturing process for overalls, and therefore it is expected that the price of the new overalls will be similar to those currently available. For shoes and gloves, the price should remain similar to current products.
2023 FIA KARTING CALENDAR
FIA Karting World Championship – OK
05 – 08/10 Franciacorta (ITA)
FIA Karting World Championship – Junior
05 – 08/10 Franciacorta (ITA)
FIA Karting World Championship – KZ
07-10/09 Wackersdorf (DEU)
FIA Karting European Championship – OK
23-26/03 Valencia (ESP)
18-21/05 Třinec * (CZE)
15-18/06 Rødby * (DEN)
27-30/07 Castelletto* (ITA)
FIA Karting European Championship – Junior
23-26/03 Valencia (ESP)
18-21/05 Třinec (CZE)
15-18/06 Rødby (DEN)
27-30/07 Castelletto (ITA)
FIA Karting European Championship – KZ
13-16/04 Zuera (ESP)
06-09/07 Sarno (ITA)
FIA Karting European Championship – KZ2
13-16/04 Zuera (ESP)
06-09/07 Sarno (ITA)
FIA Karting Academy Trophy
13-16/04 Zuera (ESP)
06-09/07 Sarno (ITA)
07-10/09 Wackersdorf (DEU)
FIA Karting World Cup – KZ2
07-10/09 Wackersdorf (DEU)
FIA Karting International Masters’ Supercup – KZ2
07-10/09 Wackersdorf (DEU)
* Subject to satisfactory track inspections
