Green motorsports keep on coming. With zero-emission outlets like Formula E and Extreme (soon to be Extreme H) and the vast adoption of hybrid engines in Formula 1, 2, and 3, racing is changing for the better of the planet. Just when you thought there couldn’t be more, we are given a gift from the racing gods. The World Karting Association (WKA) is launching a new electric division, and it’s coming to the United States.
WKA is the largest North American governing body of sanctioned professional kart races, particularly in the U.S. Karting is a type of open-wheel racing that uses go-karts — yes, the same vehicles your best friend invited you to try at his 13th birthday party.
However, karting is taken very seriously. It is one of the steps to becoming a professional open-wheel driver, a path often taken by Formula drivers before they get to the big leagues.
Some notable F1 drivers who have come through karting are Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, and Max Verstappen.
WKA sanctions races across several divisions and track types. The electric division joins dirt course racing, standard oval track races, a Gold Cup, and street races. E-karting plans to start official races in 2025 but will hold a few exhibit races before 2024 ends. The first will be over Halloween weekend in Whiteland, Indiana, followed by the Jacksonville Gold Cup event in Florida.
Blue Shock Race, a Lativa-based kart developer, will supply the karts. It creates and distributes kart frames and batteries and helps run karting championships, academies, and other racing educational events.
Pro-driver karts can reach up to 84 mph and be charged to full battery in 60 minutes. The batteries are also easily swappable. Blue Shock offers a variety of karts based on affordability, too. However, they will run you a few thousand dollars.
Blue Shock’s karts recently set a record for electric karting speeds. Track tests at GotlandRing in Sweden, the world’s most sustainable race course, saw the Blue Shock Birel Art kart reach 101.3 mph, making it the fastest electric commercially available racing kart.
“I want to express huge thanks to everyone involved in the development of electric karting, and I’m proud to announce that this year, together with WKA and other partners, we are launching the American Electric Karting Championship,” Artis Daugins, founder of Blue Shock, said in the WKA’s formal announcement.
“It’s a significant challenge from various perspectives, but as we all know, in America, big things start here and are achieved by crazy people who are ready to work hard.”
“Therefore, the BSR team is committed to bringing many new drivers into the karting industry in the coming years, providing them with the latest and most advanced racing technologies developed by the BSR team,” he continued. “Together, we can achieve more. ”
Regulations about the kart’s technical makeup are still in the works. For now, the only true rule in place is that drivers must weigh 265 pounds or less to race. The karts should all be similar in power and acceleration, but more enhancements may be available by 2025.
Photo Courtesy Blue Shock Race
Anyone can try out for the Electric Championship. They will need a Blue Shock racing unit, either pre-assembled or installed in a chassis of their choice. It must also comply with current WKA chassis regulations. WKA and Blue Shock will provide free charging at races. Everyone is encouraged to head to the Whiteland race in October.
WKA is a storied league with more than 50 years of history. The organization has its own Hall of Fame, which includes the father of kart racing, Art Ingels.
The WKA headquarters are located behind Charlotte Motor Speedway, near the site of America’s most popular racing venture, NASCAR.
“Since its inception, WKA has always had a place for everyone in Karting,” Kevin Williams, WKA president, said in a statement. “With the technology of e-karts improving all the time, we are thrilled to have found a strong partner in Blue Shock Race to enhance our commitment.”
“Blue Shock Race, already established in many countries, brings a wealth of experience and innovation to our Sprint programs,” he continued. “We are excited to embark on this journey together and see where it could take us.”
