KZ (karting)

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.

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 contested as the primary gearbox class at the Karting World Championship and the Karting European Championship.

In 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.

In 2002, Super-ICC (S-ICC) regulations replaced FC, being downgraded to World Cup status.

KZ1 replaced S-ICC in 2007. In 2013, KZ1 was renamed to KZ, returning to the World Championship.

There 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.

In 2024, the CIK-FIA mandated the use of Dunlop tyres in international KZ competition. Several drivers and teams criticised the move ahead of the following Karting European Championship, addressing concerns with their competitive performance.^[2]

KZ 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 four-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.

table

• KZ2 – the secondary gearbox class
• KF1, the top level of karting
• OK – the primary direct-drive class
• OK-Junior – the junior direct-drive class
• Superkart – 250cc kart racing class
• CIK-FIA
• List of kart racing championships

• FIA Karting