The History of the Karting World Championships

[ReWind]

A search on the internet provided me with only sparse facts about the Karting World Championships. As far as I understand there was a World Championship since 1964 which was contested by Formula K karts from 1981 to 1992 and by Formula Super A karts since 1993.

Since 1988 there also was a second World Championship for Formula A karts (ex-Super 100).

The following is what I found out:

1964 (Roma, Italy)
1. Guido Sala (ITA)
2. Ugo Cancellieri (ITA)
3. Oscar Constantini (ITA)
1965 (Roma, Italy)
1. Guido Sala (ITA) 2nd title
2. W. Ihle (GER)
3. Antoine Hezemans (NED, b. 1943)
1966 (venue unknown to me)
1. Susanna Raganelli (ITA)
2. L. Engeström (SWE)
3. Ronnie Peterson (SWE, b. 1944)
1967 (Monte Carlo, Monaco)
1. Edgardo Rossi (SUI or ITA)
2. François Goldstein (BEL)
3. Giulio Pernigotti (ITA)
1968 (venue unknown to me)
1. Tomas Nilsson (SWE)
2. Giulio Pernigotti (ITA)
3. Mickey Allen (GBR, b. 1943)
1969 (venue unknown to me)
1. François Goldstein (BEL)
2. Mickey Allen (GBR, b. 1943)
3. G. Fletcher (GBR)
1970 (Paris-Thiverval, France)
1. François Goldstein (BEL) 2nd title
2. David Ferris (GBR)
3. Carl-Heinz Peters (GER)
1971 (Torino, Italy)
1. François Goldstein (BEL) 3rd title
2. Carl-Heinz Peters (GER)
3. Mickey Allen (GBR, b. 1943)
1972 (Kalmar, Sweden)
1. François Goldstein (BEL) 4th title
2. Heli Brandhofer (GER)
3. Mark Steeds (GBR)
1973 (Nivelles, Belgium)
1. Terry Fullerton (GBR)
2. Erik Hagenbuch (SUI)
3. Car-Heinz Peters (GER)
1974 (Estoril, Portugal)
1. Riccardo Patrese (ITA, b. 1954)
2. Eddie Cheever (USA, b. 1958)
3. François Goldstein (BEL)
1975 (Le Castellet, France)
1. François Goldstein (BEL) 5th title
2. Elio de Angelis (ITA, b. 1958)
3. Alan Lane (GBR)
1976 (Hagen, Germany)
1. Felice Rovelli (ITA)
2. Leif Larsson (SWE) or Mickey Allen (GBR) ?
3. Martin Bott (GER) or Leif Larsson (SWE) ?
1977 (Parma, Italy)
1. Felice Rovelli (ITA) 2nd title
2. Mickey Allen (GBR, b. 1943)
3. Leif Larsson (SWE)
1978 (Le Mans, France)
1. Lake Speed (USA, b. 1948)
2. Toni Zoersel (AUT)
3. Lars Forsmann (SWE)
1979 (Estoril, Portugal)
1. Peter Koene (NED)
2. Ayrton Senna (BRA, b. 1960)
3. Harm Schurmann (NED)
1980 (Nivelles, Belgium)
1. Peter de Bruijn (NED)
2. Ayrton Senna (BRA, b. 1960)
3. Terry Fullerton (GBR)
1981 (Parma, Italy)
1. Mike Wilson (ITA)
2. Lars Forsmann (SWE)
3. Ruggero Melgrati (ITA, b. 1961)
1982 (Kalmar, Sweden)
1. Mike Wilson (ITA) 2nd title
2. Lars Forsmann (SWE)
3. Thomas Danielsson (SWE, b. 1964)
1983 (Le Mans, France)
1. Mike Wilson (ITA) 3rd title
2. Lars Forsmann (SWE)
3. Marc Boulineau (FRA)
1984 (Liedolsheim, Germany)
1. Jörn Haase (DEN)
2. Giuseppe Bugatti (ITA, b. 1965)
3. Lars Forsmann (SWE)
1985 (Parma, Italy)
1. Mike Wilson (ITA) 4th title
2. Giuseppe Bugatti (ITA, b. 1965)
3. Jörn Haase (DEN)
1986 (Jacksonville, USA)
1. Augusto Ribas (BRA)
2. K. Kreger (USA)
3. J. Kennedy (USA)
1987 (Jesolo, Italy)
1. Giampiero Simoni (ITA, b. 1969)
2. Tom Kristensen (DEN, b. 1967)
3. Maurizio Mediani (ITA, b. 1968)
1988 (Laval, France)
1. Mike Wilson (ITA) 5th title
2. Giampiero Simoni (ITA, b. 1969)
3. Maurizio Mediani (ITA, b. 1968)
Formula A:
1. Emmanuel Collard (FRA, b. 1971)
2. Fabrizio de Simone (ITA, b. 1971)
3. E. Coubard (FRA)
1989 (Valence, France)
1. Mike Wilson (ITA) 6th title
2. Fabrizio de Simone (ITA, b. 1971)
3. Marc Goossens (BEL, b. 1969)
Formula A:
1. Gert Munkholm (DEN)
2. Massimiliano Orsini (ITA)
3. Mike Hezemans (NED, b. 1969)
1990 (Jesolo, Italy)
1. Jan Magnussen (DEN, b. 1973)
2. Fabrizio de Simone (ITA, b. 1971)
3. Alain Corbiau (BEL, b. 1971)
Formula A:
1. Danilo Rossi (ITA)
2. Xavier Pompidou (FRA, b. 1972)
3. Gianluca de Lorenzi (ITA, b. 1972)
1991 (Le Mans, France)
1. Jarno Trulli (ITA, b. 1974)
2. Massimiliano Orsini (ITA)
3. Tom Kristensen (DEN, b. 1967)
Formula A:
1. Alessandro Manetti (ITA)
2. Guy Smith (GBR, b. 1974)
3. João Barbosa (POR, b. 1975)
1992 (Ugento, Italy)
1. Danilo Rossi (ITA) 2nd title
2. Alessandro Manetti (ITA)
3. M. Busslinger (SUI)
Formula A:
1. Nicola Gianniberti (ITA)
2. N. Olsen (DEN)
3. A. Candiracci (ITA)
1993 (Laval, France)
1. Nicola Gianniberti (ITA) 2nd title
2. Jarno Trulli (ITA, b. 1974)
3. Massimiliano Orsini (ITA)
Formula A:
1. David Terrien (FRA, b. 1976)
2. G. de Nies (BEL)
3. Risto Virtanen (FIN)
1994 (Cordoba, Spain)
1. Alessandro Manetti (ITA) 2nd title
2. G. de Nies (BEL)
3. Daniele Parrilla (ITA)
Formula A:
1. Mario Barindelli (ITA)
2. Koji Yamanishi (JPN, b. 1977)
3. F. Blin (FRA)
1995 (Valence, France)
1. Massimiliano Orsini (ITA)
2. Davide Forè (ITA)
3. Johnny Mislijevic (SWE, b. 1973)
Formula A:
1. Gastão Fráguas (BRA, b. 1976)
2. Jenson Button (GBR, b. 1980)
3. Kimmo Liimatainen (FIN, b. 1978)
1996 (Garda Sud, Italy)
1. Johnny Mislijevic (SWE, b. 1973)
2. T. Matsuya (JPN)
3. Alessandro Manetti (ITA)
Formula A:
1. Jean-Christophe Ravier (FRA, b. 1979)
2. Nicolas Kiesa (DEN, b. 1978)
3. Thomas Pichler (ITA)
1997 (Salbris, France)
1. Danilo Rossi (ITA) 3rd title
2. Alessandro Manetti (ITA)
3. Giorgio Pantano (ITA, b. 1979)
Formula A:
1. James Courtney (AUS, b. 1980)
2. Kousuke Matsuura (JPN, b. 1979)
3. G. Renaux (FRA)
1998 (Ugento, Italy)
1. Davide Forè (ITA)
2. Massimiliano Orsini (ITA)
3. Sauro Cesetti (ITA)
Formula A:
1. Ruben Carrapataso (BRA, b. 1981)
2. Marino Spinozzi (ITA, b. 1981)
3. André Nicastro (BRA)
1999 (Mariembourg, Belgium)
1. Danilo Rossi (ITA) 4th title
2. Ronnie Quintarelli (ITA, b. 1979)
3. Giorgio Pantano (ITA, b. 1979)
Formula A:
1. Franck Perera (FRA, b. 1984)
2. F. Schmitz (NED)
3. N. van der Pol (NED)
2000 (Braga, Portugal)
1. Davide Forè (ITA) 2nd title
2. Franck Perera (FRA, b. 1984)
3. Heikki Kovalainen (FIN, b. 1981)
Formula A:
1. Colin Brown (GBR, b. 1982)
2. Clivio Piccione (MON, b. 1984)
3. Loïc Duval (FRA, b. 1982)
2001 (5 rounds, venues unknown to me)
1. Vitantonio Liuzzi (ITA, b. 1981)
2. Sauro Cesetti (ITA)
3. Davide Forè (ITA)
Formula A:
cancelled
2002 (5 rounds, venues unknown to me)
1. Giedo van der Garde (NED, b. 1985)
2. Ronnie Quintarelli (ITA, b. 1979)
3. Davide Forè (ITA)
Formula A (Coupe de Monde):
1. Jérôme d’Ambrosio (BEL)
2. D. Gaggianesi (ITA)
3. S. Gatto (ITA)
2003
cancelled
Formula A:
1. Wade Cunningham (NZL)
2. Arnaud Kozlinski (FRA)
3. Ben Hanley (GBR)

I don’t know whether there is a 2004 karting World Champion or not. I don’t know either whether the Formula A WC was contested at the same events as the Formula Super A WC. And I don't know any exact dates.

Can anyone shed more light on the history of the Karting World Championships or guide me to a website with more informations?

[Alex Hodgkinson]

David Forè won it again in '04. I dont know much about the world champs myself though, so I can't tell you much more.

[crozier74]

There were also World Champs for Formula C (most recent being 2000) and Juniors. There were also "World Champs" as such before 1964, often held at Nassau (hence the term "Nassau panel", which was first seen at this event), but whether these were official or not I'm not sure - they may have been licenced by a US organisation, similar to the way nowadays we have a "World Karting Association" which in effect only exists for America. But, to fill in gaps in your list before we branch off...

2001 (Montreal, Canada; Salbris, France; Sarno, Italy; Mariembourg, Belgium; Kerpen, Germany)

2002 (Mariembourg, Belgium; Alaharma, Finland; Braga, Portugal; Salbris, France; La Conca, Italy)
Formula A (Coupe de Monde - La Conca, Italy)

2003
Formula A: (Sarno, Italy)

2004
Formula A: (La Conca, Italy)
1. Davide Forè (ITA)
2. Arnaud Kozlinski (FRA)
3. Bas Lammers (NED)

Formula Super A no longer exists from 2003 onwards, hence why it appears "cancelled" in your list.

This is a handy page on this topic.

Hope that helps

[ReWind]

That's nice. Thank you.

Does anyone know whether there is a book or something on this issue?

[aussie_f3]

How about putting "AUS" next to Courtney in 1997....!!!!
We Aussies dont get many so dont like to miss out on any either!!!

[ReWind]

Oops. Sorry!

But I'm afraid the rules on this forum prevent me from editing my post & correcting my fault.

[speedy king]

Changed his Nationality to Australian

[marcus]

great stuff , thanks for providing this info.

I must admit to not knowing a heck of alot of names on there but of course I know quite a few and would haved to have the likes of Ricardo patrese and eddie Cheever battle in 74 , now that would have been something wouldnt it.

top stuff and thanks for the info

[Mackmot]

1980 looks like the best with De Bruijn, Senna and Fullerton

[superbird]

I don’t know whether there is a 2004 karting World Champion or not. I don’t know either whether the Formula A WC was contested at the same events as the Formula Super A WC. And I don't know any exact dates.

Can anyone shed more light on the history of the Karting World Championships or guide me to a website with more informations?

If you go to www.cikfia.com you'll be able to see full results going back 15 years, I think with dates as well.

Up until 2000, the World Championship was run at a single event and drivers were allowed to enter if they had done sufficiently well in their continental championships. Up until then, there were World Championships for FSA, FA, FC, and FE (Superkarts), although the Superkarts hasn't been run every year. All those classes and JICA, ICA, ICC and ICE/Superkart Div2 have/had European championships which are usually multi-round. As an aside, the European is mostly seen as more prestigious as it's harder to win a series.

In 2001 and 2002, only FSA had a WC, and it was run over five different rounds, often with the European FA Championship or World Cup. In 2003, the factory teams boycotted FSA to make a point about their disagreement with four-stroke engines being planned for 05 (since dropped) and the class was dropped from the calendar. That year we switched to continental championships and a one-off WC again which is how it is until something else goes wrong! The general feeling is that the single event is more entertaining etc.

On that list, Mike Wilson is British although he raced on an Italian license (don't worry about changing it )

[superbird]

forgot to add: there was never an official junior WC, but there was a "Five Continents Cup". I might be being unncessarily pedantic but there ya go

ReWind: There is a book about Birel which will tell you a lot more information but obviously it focuses on the Birel company. Can't remember what it's called but its on Amazon and www.kartingmagazine.com. I don't think there's any general books, perhaps I should write one

[Alex Hodgkinson]

What about the Formula C world champs?

[ReWind]

@ superbird: Great! Thank you very much!

[superbird]

Alex, I can't remember much about FC (I never went to a race) but I think it's on cikfia.com. It was dropped for 2002 and replaced by Super ICC

ReWind, it's good to see people are interested in this stuff

There is also a Teams Championship:
2001 - Tonykart Racing Team
2002 - Tonykart Racing Team
2003 - Tonykart Racing Team
2004 - Sodikart

It was also awarded years ago but I don't know the stats

[Birel4me]

Very informative thread. Enjoyed the read.

[davyboy]

Mike Wilson was one hell of a driver in the 1980s. His domination of 135cc karting was incredible. Surely he was Britain's [Italy's] lost F1 world champion ? And by the way, where is he today does anyone know ?

[superbird]

He owns the Rakama factory in Italy which makes his own brand of karts plus some American makes.

[BillyT]

Is he British or Italian or both?

[davyboy]

Ah right.

Mike Wilson is from Barnsely, but in the 1980s he took up Italian nationality [I'm not sure why]. When he was at world/European level he was always racing under the Italian flag. He used to drive for the IAME factory, one of the biggest karting organizations at the time and raced mainly Birel/Komets.
An incredible driver though, a shame he never got to F1 as I'm certain he would have done well.

[superbird]

As far as I know he just liked the lifestyle there

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by superbird

As far as I know he just liked the lifestyle there

Was that really the reason ? Seems very strange doesn't it ? I had figured it was something to do with the fact that in the pre-EU days he needed some form of work permit in order to work for IAME.
Amazing !

[davyboy]

Speaking of world karting championship stats, does anyone know of a guy from Northern Ireland, Ricky Smith who [as legend has it] apparently had an amazing dice with Ayrton Senna in 1979 [?] and finished somewhere in the top 10 ? I'm not sure how true any of this is... but would love to find out. When I was racing in Ireland in the 1980s, the story had a lot of mileage.

[Mackmot]

2005 - Braga, Portugal
Oliver Oakes - PDB Gillard
Jon Lancaster - Birel
David Fore - Tony Kart

[cpr52]

Hi guys, I'm new in this forum, I'll tell you a little more about me very soon, now like to to make a comment on the Karting World Champion from !967, Edgardo Rossi, I can tell you the he's Pure Bread Swiss, as he is my cousin and we are from the italian speaking part of Switzerland called Canton Ticino, same palce where Clay Regazzoni comes from.
For the last 37 years I've been an Assie and, just a little secret, in my blood runs white, red and go kart cells, see ya soon

[ghinzani]

Originally Posted by ReWind

1992 (Ugento, Italy)
1. Danilo Rossi (ITA) 2nd title
2. Alessandro Manetti (ITA)
3. M. Busslinger (SUI)

Woah is that really former F3 and F3000 backmarker Max Busslinger? If so I need to re-classify him in my mental pecking order!