Applications are now open to represent Motorsport UK in the 2026 FIA Karting Academy Trophy.

The FIA Karting Academy Trophy is a unique competition designed to pit the best young kart racers from around the world against each other on equal terms. Drivers are randomly assigned karts with supplied chassis and are equipped with OK and OK-Junior engines from the nominated supplier, alongside a controlled tyre option and strict limits on tyre usage.

Drivers who have represented the UK in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy have gone on to achieve significant success in their careers. 2020 participant Theo Micouris went on to claim the 2024 Ligier JS P4 European Championship, while Kian Burnard secured a factory drive with CRG Kart Team as an official OK-Junior driver at the World Karting Championships following his performances in the Championship. More recently, during the 2025 season, Harrison Whitticombe finished eighth overall in the Senior standings and also secured pole position and podium finish in Viterbo, underlining his pace at international level. In the Junior category, Finlay Lines matched this achievement with an eighth-place finish in the final 2025 championship standings.

Both the Junior and Senior categories will unfold over three rounds, with the Juniors competing on the same event schedule as the KZ and KZ2 classes and the Seniors competing on the same event schedule as the OK and OK-Junior classes.

Dan Parker, Head of Karting at Motorsport UK commented, “The FIA Karting Academy Trophy is one of the most credible ‘level-playing-field’ challenges in karting – supplied equipment, controlled tyres, and three world-class events that create an international platform for British talent to benchmark themselves against the very best from around the world.”

To apply to be the next representative of the UK in this international championship, please click here

Applications close – 30th January

Motorsport UK Applicant Requirements (at the time of application):

Junior:

• Must be born in 2012, 2013 or 2014.
• Aged at least 12 years old (or reach their 12th birthday during 2026).
• Aged no older than 14 years old (not reach their 15th birthday before 31st December 2025).

Senior:

• Must be born in 2012, 2011 or 2010.
• Aged at least 14 years old (or reach their 14th birthday during 2026).
• Aged no older than 16 years old (not reach their 17th birthday before 31st December 2026).

All Applicants:

• Hold a valid UK passport.
• Hold a valid Kart National Motorsport UK Competition Licence and/or hold or be eligible to hold a Kart International Licence.
• The PG must hold a valid PG National Motorsport UK Licence and/or hold or be eligible to hold a PG International Licence.
• Has experience competing in the British Kart Championships (BKC).
• Experience in non-regulated Motorsport UK Championships will not be considered and you must not have being participating in any non-regulated championships in 2025.
• Able to commit financially to the entire competition.

FIA Entry Requirements:

• Drivers who have scored at least one point in an FIA Karting European Championship (OK or Junior), or who have been ranked in the top 15 of the intermediate classification, or of the final intermediate classification or in the final of the FIA Karting World Championship (OK or Junior), in the previous and/or current year, are not permitted to participate in the FIA Karting Academy Junior or Senior Trophy.

• Drivers are not authorised to participate in a Competition, Championship, Cup, Trophy, or Series registered on the International Sporting Calendar in the OK or Junior category in the three weeks preceding any FIA Karting Trophy Competition taking place at the following tracks:

• Junior – 21-24 May (Genk/BEL), 02-05 July (Sarno/ITA) and 08-11 October (Viterbo/ITA).

• Senior – 07-10 May (Valencia/ESP), 11-14 June (Mulsen/GER), 30 July-02 August (Kristianstad/SWE).

• Drivers are not authorised to participate in the FIA Karting European Championship (OK or Junior), in parallel of the FIA Karting Academy Junior or Senior Trophy.

• A driver can take part a maximum of two times in the FIA Karting Academy Junior or Senior Trophy or a maximum of two combined entries in Junior and Senior Academy, except the top three drivers in the general classification of the Trophy of any prior year, who are not allowed to participate a second time in the Trophy.

If you have any questions about the application form, please contact the Motorsport UK Academy Team at academy@motorsportuk.org