Entering the FIA Karting World Cup at 40yrs old ...Crazy?
Discussion
Hey everyone,
Just turned 40 and thought I’d share my story — my Road to this year’s FIA Karting World Cup — in the hope it inspires other adults to set ambitious goals and chase them.
After a break from karting since Covid, I’ve thrown myself back into “hardcore” racing this year in the OK-N category, which has been gaining a lot of popularity here in Italy. Despite studies and later work commitments, I always kept my passion alive (starting with Easykart in Italy as a teenager, then Rotax and X30 while living in the UK for many years). But to be clear: I’ve never raced at an FIA event before.
This season, together with my Team, I decided to set myself a bit of a crazy challenge: aiming for the FIA Karting World Cup at Cremona this September.
I was very inspired by another gentleman, Glenn, who did something similar last year racing in the OK World Championship at PFI. Similarly, I wanted to document my own journey — showing a more “back-to-basics” side of karting, where adults can still aim high and compete at this level, even in single-gear classes. And I am now documenting this journey on YouTube.
👉 My question to you:
Have you seen more adults setting ambitious kart racing goals in the single-gear class, in recent years?
Will the current karting narrative as a "stepping stone for the ultra-young on their way to cars" see a shift back to how it was (aka a standalone sport in its own right)?
Really curious to hear your perspectives — especially from anyone who has made or considering/ed a “comeback” to racing after time away.
See you at the track,
Fil
See you at the track,
Fil
Just turned 40 and thought I’d share my story — my Road to this year’s FIA Karting World Cup — in the hope it inspires other adults to set ambitious goals and chase them.
After a break from karting since Covid, I’ve thrown myself back into “hardcore” racing this year in the OK-N category, which has been gaining a lot of popularity here in Italy. Despite studies and later work commitments, I always kept my passion alive (starting with Easykart in Italy as a teenager, then Rotax and X30 while living in the UK for many years). But to be clear: I’ve never raced at an FIA event before.
This season, together with my Team, I decided to set myself a bit of a crazy challenge: aiming for the FIA Karting World Cup at Cremona this September.
I was very inspired by another gentleman, Glenn, who did something similar last year racing in the OK World Championship at PFI. Similarly, I wanted to document my own journey — showing a more “back-to-basics” side of karting, where adults can still aim high and compete at this level, even in single-gear classes. And I am now documenting this journey on YouTube.
👉 My question to you:
Have you seen more adults setting ambitious kart racing goals in the single-gear class, in recent years?
Will the current karting narrative as a "stepping stone for the ultra-young on their way to cars" see a shift back to how it was (aka a standalone sport in its own right)?
Really curious to hear your perspectives — especially from anyone who has made or considering/ed a “comeback” to racing after time away.
See you at the track,
Fil
See you at the track,
Fil
Very interesting, my lad has just come out of Senior X30, and we have moved to cars
I think if the fitness is there why not
I know when my lad raced other older drivers in the TKM days, it was a battle of speed and bravery vs experience and knowledge. It made for a few cracking races and he learned an awful lot
We never had the money to do OK, X30 was our ceiling and the British champs were brutal affairs.
I wish you all the luck and will try to follow your journey
I think if the fitness is there why not
I know when my lad raced other older drivers in the TKM days, it was a battle of speed and bravery vs experience and knowledge. It made for a few cracking races and he learned an awful lot
We never had the money to do OK, X30 was our ceiling and the British champs were brutal affairs.
I wish you all the luck and will try to follow your journey
Thank you! and will try to keep updating the journey here.
One of the few reasons that led me to do OK-N was actually the cost of racing in X30 and many other single-make championships (Easykart/Rok) were not far off, in comparison (at least in Italy).
Shame the category hasn't picked up in the UK (yet), the OK-N package is really sweet and very 'pure'
One of the few reasons that led me to do OK-N was actually the cost of racing in X30 and many other single-make championships (Easykart/Rok) were not far off, in comparison (at least in Italy).
Shame the category hasn't picked up in the UK (yet), the OK-N package is really sweet and very 'pure'
I raced Club100 https://club100.co.uk/ for a few years in my early 30's.
One thing I remember is the damage my body took. I was racing in the endurance series so would be in the kart for two 30 minute stints. Even with rib protectors, having the seat pound your ribs for that amount of time took its toll. But its also the strain on your shoulders, arms, neck etc.
Im thinking it will be worse recovery wise in your 40's but wish you well. I used to loved it, 80mph flat out at Clay Pigeon with 30 other karts on track.
One thing I remember is the damage my body took. I was racing in the endurance series so would be in the kart for two 30 minute stints. Even with rib protectors, having the seat pound your ribs for that amount of time took its toll. But its also the strain on your shoulders, arms, neck etc.
Im thinking it will be worse recovery wise in your 40's but wish you well. I used to loved it, 80mph flat out at Clay Pigeon with 30 other karts on track.
yes I remeber Club100, I did few Sprint racing moons ago there too. The man behind it is a great dude
You right, the physical challenge is massive, and particularly so for us "adults": over the last 4-5 months my weight dropped by more than 10kg (from 80 down to 68). Obviously, not only just because of the driving in itself, but lot of cardio/gym, healthy food only etc. This definitely translated into better lap times, and particularly so in this category where 10kg are relatively more impactful to the weight of the overall package and, for other reasons.
The main difference vs Club 100 with these Racing karts is the grip level is far higher (1.6Gs vs 2.7) and the gap can be higher as the tyre compound is also left on the track throughout the day to much greater extentent, making this also hardcore for the body. All of that gets even worse (or better, depending on perspectives
) on new track asphalt ..and thanks God we have several new tracks in Northern Italy, see Franciacorta e Cremona
But that's karting, a truly pure motorsport experience, which I love! I also take karting as a way to keep my body healthy (aside the ribs etc)
btw, on the topic of Club100, literally yesterday, I dropped a video on my youtube where I compare in details the main differences between that type of kart/experience to that of "racing" karts. As I also do racing, for training purposes, in a very similar category to Club100, in Italy, called RMAX, I thought that video can be interesting for many to discover the differences. Not sure if I can paste the link here, but you'll find the video "Perche RMAX? Is This the Club100 of Italy?" with ENG subs
You right, the physical challenge is massive, and particularly so for us "adults": over the last 4-5 months my weight dropped by more than 10kg (from 80 down to 68). Obviously, not only just because of the driving in itself, but lot of cardio/gym, healthy food only etc. This definitely translated into better lap times, and particularly so in this category where 10kg are relatively more impactful to the weight of the overall package and, for other reasons.
The main difference vs Club 100 with these Racing karts is the grip level is far higher (1.6Gs vs 2.7) and the gap can be higher as the tyre compound is also left on the track throughout the day to much greater extentent, making this also hardcore for the body. All of that gets even worse (or better, depending on perspectives
) on new track asphalt ..and thanks God we have several new tracks in Northern Italy, see Franciacorta e CremonaBut that's karting, a truly pure motorsport experience, which I love! I also take karting as a way to keep my body healthy (aside the ribs etc)
btw, on the topic of Club100, literally yesterday, I dropped a video on my youtube where I compare in details the main differences between that type of kart/experience to that of "racing" karts. As I also do racing, for training purposes, in a very similar category to Club100, in Italy, called RMAX, I thought that video can be interesting for many to discover the differences. Not sure if I can paste the link here, but you'll find the video "Perche RMAX? Is This the Club100 of Italy?" with ENG subs
Gassing Station | Karting | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff