- Text: Guillaume Alvarez
- Feature photo: Alex Vernardis
As one of today’s biggest kart engine manufacturers, IAME produces a wide range of quality material for mono make brand racing, including Mini (10hp), Junior (21hp) and Senior (30hp) engines. Depending on the region, you might also be able to race in one of their shifter offerings like the Shifter/Super Shifter for most national series, SSE in the United States or a standard IAME KZ engine for the new KZ-I category introduced from this year on.
Early races in the off-season
While the month of January is usually quieter racing-wise, the off-season still provides some interesting events in more exotic locations, giving teams and drivers a chance to take part in preparation races in warm weather ahead of the European season’s start.
One of those is the IAME Asia Cup taking place on the Sepang International Kart Circuit from January 10th to 12th and featuring four classes: Cadet, Junior, Senior, and Master. Over the years, the event has been growing both in interest and entry numbers, along with IAME Series Asia’s other main meetings like the latest Asia Final which welcomed the four-time Karting World Champion Davide Forè and former OK European Champion Hannes Janker.
One week later, on January 17th and 18th, Dubai O-Plate unfolds on the Dubai Kartdrome Circuit. More than a hundred drivers are expected to take part in this year’s meeting, including some rising names like UAE’s Rashid Al Dhaheri and Jamie Day who shined last season on the international scene. Tickets to participate in IAME International Final at Le Mans (see below) will be up for grab in both meetings.
In between, the Superkarts! USA season officially kicks off across the Atlantic Ocean with SKUSA Winter Series, run in two meetings (January 10th – 12th, February 7th – 9th) at the AMR Homestead-Miami Motorplex, in Florida. Featuring 11 IAME classes from Micro Swift to Shifter SSE 175 cc and KA 100, the competition has been gaining in popularity with more than 200 entries last season for what’s considered as a good pre-season training before heading for the Pro Tour campaign (see below).
IAME X30 Euro Series
The 2020 IAME calendar promoted by RGMMC kicks off with the fourth edition of the IAME Winter Cup on the Lucas Guerrero Internacional Circuit of Valencia. Originally introduced for drivers to initiate some serious winter preparation in the warmer climate of Spain, the event evolved into a race where competitors can prepare themselves for the 2020 Euro Series and other X30 national events around the world. Each class winner will be awarded a complete entry fee in the IAME X30 Euro Series and a ticket for IAME International Final at Le Mans. Second-placed drivers will get an entry fee for the first two races of the IAME X30 Euro Series and third-placed drivers will also be awarded one free entry.
One month and a half later comes the IAME X30 Euro Series, spread from March to August over four meetings on different well-known locations. Over the years, the IAME X30 Euro Series has known an impressive rise of interest from teams and drivers with a level of racing constantly reaching new highs to make it one of the most competitive karting series in Europe. The top three drivers in each class at the end of the season will receive a free entry to IAME International Final along with other prizes. Get the latest info by clicking here.
Calendar:
- IAME Winter Cup – Valencia (February 6th – 9th)
- Round 1 – Mariembourg (March 27th – 29th)
- Round 2 – Castelletto (May 22nd – 24th)
- Round 3 – Essay (July 24th – 26th)
- Round 4 – Valencia (August 28th – 30th)
Classes:
- Mini (X30 Water Swift 60cc)
- Junior (IAME X30 125 cc)
- Senior (IAME X30 125 cc)
- KZ-I (debut in 2020 except in the Winter Cup, depending on entries)
IAME International Final – Le Mans (October 10th – 17th)
Organized on the Karting Circuit of Le Mans, in France, IAME International Final attracts each year hundreds of drivers from all over the world to compete for five days in a quest for glory. To access the competition, each entrant needs a ticket, granted with a successful result in another IAME events during the unfolded season, or a personal invitation from the promoter.
Classes:
- Mini (X30 Water Swift 60cc)
- Junior (IAME X30 125 cc)
- Senior (IAME X30 125 cc)
- Master (IAME X30 125 cc)
- Pro (IAME X30 125 cc)
- KZ-I (debut in 2020)
SuperKarts! USA SuperNationals XXIV – Las Vegas (November 18th – 22nd).
SuperNationals, run at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino of Las Vegas, represents the peak event of SKUSA’s racing program and one of the most attended karting events in the world with more than 500 drivers in 2019. Find out more here or check out last year’s highlight video.
Classes:
- Micro Swift (X30 Water Swift 60cc)
- Mini Swift (X30 Water Swift 60cc)
- Junior (IAME X30 125 cc)
- Senior (IAME X30 125 cc)
- X30 Master (IAME X30 125 cc)
- Pro/Pro2/G1/G2 (IAME SSE 175cc)
- KA 100 Junior (IAME KA100 + 22mm factory header)
- KA 100 Senior (IAME KA100)
Additional mention: SKUSA Pro Tour
SKUSA Pro Tour is a six-round competition spread from March to August in the USA, featuring a similar number of IAME classes as Winter Series plus a SUPER Master category for drivers aged minimum 45.
Calendar:
- WinterNationals, Rounds 1 & 2 – NOLA (March 13th – 15th)
- SpringNationals, Rounds 3 & 4 – Utah / Tooele (May 1st – 3rd)
- SummerNationals, Rounds 5 & 6- New Castle (August 7th – 9th)
Classes:
- Micro Swift (X30 Water Swift 60cc)
- Mini Swift (X30 Water Swift 60cc)
- Junior (IAME X30 125 cc)
- Senior (IAME X30 125 cc)
- Master (IAME X30 125 cc)
- SUPER Master (IAME X30 125 cc)
- Pro/Pro2/G1/G2 (IAME SSE 175cc)
- KA 100 Junior (IAME KA100 + 22mm factory header)
- KA 100 Senior (IAME KA100)
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