Formula A
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Formula A (FA) is the top level of karting. It is open to the best drivers aged 16 and up. This class uses 100 cc water-cooled two-stroke engines, which must be approved by the CIK-FIA. Chassis must be made by a manufacturer approved for Intercontinental A (ICA) or Intercontinental C but they can be prototypes. Minimum weight is 150 kg with driver.
As the Formula One of karting, Formula A has very high costs, and drivers typically spend $100,000 per year to compete. From 2007 it will be using the cheaper 125 cc Touch-and-Go (TaG) engines to increase participation. Starting January 2007, Formula A will be renamed KF1.
Drivers typically compete in national competitions, then move into international racing in the ICA or JICA (Junior ICA) classes where they have to finish in the top 34 to qualify to compete in FA. Once in FA, drivers either stay for a few years to improve their skills before moving on to car racing, or they become professional kart racers and race in FA until they retire. Many - if not most - successful open-wheel racing drivers started their careers in karts.
[edit] Past champions
European Champions since 2000
- 2000 - Lewis Hamilton (GB), CRG / Parilla / Bridgestone
- 2001 - Carlo Van Dam (NL), Gillard / Parilla / Bridgestone
- 2002 - David Hemkemeyer (DE), Mach 1 / KZH / Bridgestone
- 2003 - Bas Lammers (NL), Swiss Hutless / Vortex / Bridgestone
- 2004 - Nick De Bruijn (NL), Gillard / Parilla / Bridgestone
- 2005 - Marco Ardigo (I), Tony Kart / Vortex / Bridgestone
- 2006 - Marco Ardigo (I), Tony Kart / Vortex / Bridgestone
World Champions since 2003
- 2003 - Wade Cunningham (NZ), CRG / Maxter / Bridgestone
- 2004 - Davide Fore (I), Tony Kart / Vortex / Bridgestone
- 2005 - Oliver Oakes (GB), Gillard / Parilla / Bridgestone
- 2006 - Davide Foré (I), Tony Kart / Vortex / Bridgestone
- 2007 - Marco Ardigo (I), Tony Kart / Vortex / Bridgestone
