KZ1 is a kart racing class using 125 cc water-cooled two-stroke engines yielding approximately 46–50 hp (34–37 kW), equipped with a six-speed gearbox. KZ1 is the fastest of the KZ karting racing categories, and technical regulations are similar to KZ2 except that KZ1 allows for the gearbox to be either manual or electro-mechanical as well as the wise use of soft tires.[1] Both engines and chassis must be approved by the CIK-FIA racing governing commission. It is open to top drivers aged 15 and over. Minimum weight is 170 kg (370 lb), this includes the kart and driver. They can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3 seconds. KZ1 has a top speed of 180 km/h (110 mph).

This class used to be called Formula C. It was discontinued in favor of Super ICC and renamed KZ1 by the CIK-FIA in January 2007.

There is a European KZ1 Championship and a World Cup, both organized under CIK-FIA.

CIK-FIA Karting World Champions edit

Year World Champion Chassis / Engine / Tire Class
1983   Gianni Mazzola Birel / Balen / Dunlop Formula C
1984   Gabriele Tarquini Kalì / Balen / Dunlop Formula C
1985   Piermario Cantoni Kalì / Balen / Dunlop Formula C
1986   Fabrizio Giovanardi Tony Kart / Pavesi / Bridgestone Formula C
1987   Alessandro Piccini DAP / Pavesi / Vega Formula C
1988   Peter Rydell All Kart / Pavesi / Dunlop Formula C
1989   Gianluca Giorgi Kalì / Kalì / Dunlop Formula C
1990   Alessandro Piccini Birel / Pavesi / Bridgestone Formula C
1991   Alessandro Piccini Birel / Pavesi / Dunlop Formula C
1992   Danilo Rossi Kalì / Pavesi / Dunlop Formula C
1993   Alessandro Piccini Kalì / Pavesi / Dunlop Formula C
1994   Jarno Trulli Tony Kart / Pavesi / Dunlop Formula C
1995   Gianluca Beggio Biesse / TM / Vega Formula C
1996   Gianluca Beggio Biesse / TM / Bridgestone Formula C
1997   Gianluca Beggio Birel / TM / Bridgestone Formula C
1998   Gianluca Beggio Birel / TM / Bridgestone Formula C
1999   Francesco Laudato Birel / TM / Dunlop Formula C
2000   Gianluca Beggio Birel / TM / Bridgestone Formula C
2001
2002
not held
2003*   Robert Dirks Birel / TM / Vega Super ICC
2004*   Ennio Gandolfi Birel / TM / Vega Super ICC
2005*   Francesco Laudato Birel / TM / Vega Super ICC
2006*   Davide Forè Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Super ICC
2007*   Jonathan Thonon CRG / Maxter / Dunlop KZ1
2008*   Jonathan Thonon CRG / Maxter / Dunlop KZ1
2009*   Jonathan Thonon CRG / Maxter / Dunlop KZ1
2010*   Bas Lammers Intrepid / TM / Dunlop KZ1
2011*   Jonathan Thonon CRG / Maxter / Dunlop KZ1
2012*   Bas Lammers Praga / Parilla / Bridgestone KZ1
2013   Max Verstappen CRG / TM / Bridgestone KZ
2014   Marco Ardigo Tony Kart / Vortex / Bridgestone KZ
2015   Jorrit Pex CRG / TM / Bridgestone KZ
2016   Paolo de Conto CRG / TM / Vega KZ
2017   Paolo de Conto CRG / TM / Vega KZ
2018   Patrik Hajek Kosmic / Vortex / LeCont KZ
2019   Marijn Kremers Birel / TM / Bridgestone KZ
2020   Jérémy Iglesias Formula K / TM / Vega KZ
2021   Noah Milell Tony Kart / Vortex / MG KZ
2022   Viktor Gustafsson CRG / TM / LeCont KZ
2023   Paolo Ippolito Kart Republic / IAME / LeCont KZ

* indicate World Cup, which replaced the World Championship from 2000-2012

CIK-FIA Karting European Champions edit

Year Driver Chassis Engine Tyre Class
1974   Aad van Daalen Landia Yamaha Formula C - 125cc
1975   Ben van Velzen Mach 1 Yamaha Formula C - 125cc
1976   Gianfranco Baroni All Kart BMC Formula C - 125cc
1977   Gianfranco Baroni All Kart BMC Formula C - 125cc
1978   Gianfranco Baroni All Kart BMC Formula C - 125cc
1979   Giancarlo Vanaria Kali Kart Rotax B Formula C - 125cc
1980   Gianfranco Baroni Birel BMC Formula C - 125cc
1981   Gianfranco Baroni Birel BMC Formula C - 125cc
1982   Alessandro Piccini Allkart Morbidelli Formula C - 125cc
1982   Peter De Bruijn Tecno Kart Parilla Formula K
1983   Mike Wilson Birel Parilla Formula K
1984   Mike Wilson Birel Parilla Formula K
1985   Stefan Frietsch Kali Kart Komet Formula K
1986   Yvan Muller Kali Kart Komet Formula K
1987   Alex Zanardi Kali Kart Komet Formula K
1988   Federico Gemmo Tecno Kart Komet Formula K
1989   Marc Goossens Tecno Kart Komet Formula K
1990   Martijn Koene Swiss Hutless Rotax Formula K
1991   Massimiliano Orsini Tony Kart Rotax Formula SA
1992   Gianluca Beggio Kali Kart Rotax B Formula K
1993   Nicola Gianniberti Haase Rotax D Formula SA
1994   Jarno Trulli Tony Kart Rotax B Formula SA
1995   Massimiliano Orsini Swiss Hutless Italsistem B Formula SA
1996   Jonny Mislijevic Tony Kart Vortex B Formula SA
1996   Alessandro Piccini CRG Pavesi B Formula C
1997   Jenson Button Tecno Kart Rotax B Formula SA
1997   Gianluca Beggio Birel TM B Formula C
1998   Davide Forè Tony Kart Rotax B Formula SA
1998   Gianluca Beggio Birel TM B Formula C
1999   Giuseppe Palmieri Swiss Hutless Italsistem B Formula SA
1999   Ronnie Quintarelli Tony Kart Vortex B Formula C
2000   Mario Siegers Trulli Kart Vortex B Formula SA
2000   Francesco Laudato Birel TM B Formula C
2001   Alessandro Piccini CRG TM B Formula C
2002   Sauro Cesetti Kosmic Vortex B Super-ICC
2003   Alessandro Manetti CRG Pavesi D Super-ICC
2004   Francesco Laudato Birel TM Vega Super-ICC
2005   Francesco Laudato Birel TM Vega Super-ICC
2006   Roberto Toninelli BRM TM Vega Super-ICC
2007   Alessandro Manetti Intrepid TM D KZ1
2008   Jonathan Thonon CRG Maxter D KZ1
2009   Bas Lammers Intrepid TM D KZ1
2010   Bas Lammers Intrepid TM D KZ1
2011   Paolo De Conto Energy Corse TM D KZ1
2012   Jorrit Pex CRG TM B KZ1
2013   Max Verstappen CRG TM B KZ
2014   Rick Dreezen Zanardi Parilla B KZ
2015   Flavio Camponeschi Tony Kart Vortex B KZ
2016   Marco Ardigò Tony Kart Vortexl Vega KZ
2017   Paolo De Conto CRG TM B KZ
2018   Jorrit Pex CRG TM LeCont KZ
2019   Jorrit Pex Kart Republic TM B KZ
2020   Marijn Kremers Riccardo Kart TM Vega KZ
2021   Riccardo Longhi Birel ART TM MG KZ
2022   Paolo Ippolito Kart Republic IAME LeCont KZ
2023   Danilo Albanese Kart Republic IAME LeCont KZ

See also edit

  • KF1, the top level of karting
  • KF2, a KF1 feeder series
  • KF3, a KF2 and KF1 feeder series
  • KZ2, the second fastest KZ karting racing category
  • Superkart, road racing with kart sized open-wheel cars

References edit

  1. ^ 2010 CIK-FIA Technical regulations – Article 12, Specific Regulations for KZ2 & KZ1, p. 350

External links edit