The OK-Junior World Champion starts with a win in the next step up

In OK, Kart Republic is determined to maintain the momentum from 2025, which culminated in Thibaut Ramaekers securing the World Championship in FIA karting.

Right from Qualifying, three drivers in KR-IAME karts were in the top four: Dan Allemann (VDK Racing), Klara Kowalczyk (VictoryLane) and Evan Purcell (KR Motorsport). Last year's Junior World Champion, Noah Baglin (KR Motorsport), then took the lead in the combined Qualifying results, with Andrea Manni (KR Motorsport) and Mariano Lopez (Fusion Motorsport) also making it into the top 10. Baglin confirmed his form in the Super Heat, whilst James Anagnostiadis (KR Motorsport) moved up to 8th place.

In the Final, Baglin's dominance was clear and flawless with the Brit leading from the first to the last lap! The battle for the podium remained undecided for a long time. Drummond eventually finished 3rd. In total, there were five KR-IAME karts in the top 10, including Anagnostiadis, Manni and Oliver Kinnmark (VDK Racing).

OK-Junior: A European Championship title to defend

It was at the wheel of a KR-IAME that Dean Hoogendoorn became FIA Karting European Champion in OK-Junior in 2025. Who will succeed him? Will Green (KR Motorsport) has already established himself as a potential contender following his undisputed victory.

Right from the Timed Practice sessions, the Italian manufacturer's equipment demonstrated its superiority with Priam Bruno (VictoryLane) taking pole position ahead of Many Nuvolini (KR Motorsport). Victories in the Qualifying Heats and fastest laps then followed in quick succession: Daniel Miron Lorente (Fusion Motorsport) and Green each won four heats, Priam and Nuvolini claimed two victories each, whilst Antoine Sylva Venant (VDK Racing) confirmed his rise to prominence by also securing a win.

In the Final, Green took the lead from the second lap and held on until the end. The Briton now sits top of the European Championship standings! Priam Bruno took 3rd place on the podium and Miron Lorente finished 5th after a difficult start. In 7th place, Nuvolini confirmed he will be one to watch in 2026...

Comment from Dino Chiesa, head of KR Global Motorsport Company

"Kart Republic has just enjoyed an excellent start to the FIA Karting European Championship in both the OK and OK-Junior categories. Firstly, I would like to thank the drivers and teams who chose us. KR accounted for 39% of the field at La Conca! We were numerous on the track, but also in the Final, in the top 10 and on the podium. Will Green in OK-Junior and Noah Baglin in OK crossed the finish line as winners in the Final and are already in the lead in the overall standings. The same goes for KR Motorsport, which leads the Team Championship in both categories."

"We prepared very well for this round and these results are a reward for the work put in. The weather conditions were excellent at the start of April and we saw how effective the KR chassis was with Maxxis tyres on this track, which offered good grip. The Valencia circuit has been kind to us in the past and we hope to win again in Spain in May at the next round."

About KR Global Motorsport Company

At the end of the 2017 season Dino Chiesa officially presented the new Kart Republic entity and its characteristic logo. The yellow, orange and red colours reflect the colours of the Serenissima Republic which, from 697 to 1797, marked the history of the Padua region, home of the KR brand. The wing refers to those of the lion of St. Mark, the symbol of Venice, the capital of the Venetian Republic.

On 1st January, the KR chassis received CIK-FIA homologation. The success was immediate! In the very first season, the German Hannes Janker became European OK Champion in 2018. A few weeks later, the Italian Lorenzo Travisanutto (KR-IAME) became FIA Karting World Champion. The KR chassis quickly became a reference in the most important international events, as well as in many countries around the world. The successes in FIA Karting followed one another. At the 2022 World Championship in Campillos, less than four years after its launch, KR was the most represented brand in the paddock.

Over the years, the Kart Republic factory has continued to develop, launching the Alonso Kart brand in 2020 and relaunching the famous DAP name in early 2023. The various activities of the Italian company are now grouped under the "KR Global Motorsport Company". The head of the company, Dino Chiesa, is one of the most influential figures in the world of karting. The Italian engineer is also one of the best talent scouts in the world of karting. He has helped the rise of drivers such as Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton and Nyck De Vries. Many Formula 1 team academies trust him, including those of Mercedes, Red Bull, Alpine and Sauber. The famous Prema Racing team has just announced its entry to the world of karting, in partnership with Kart Republic.