Applications are now open to represent Motorsport UK in the 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy, with the FIA bringing the addition of a new Senior category into the Championship. 

In an exciting addition to the highly successful FIA Karting Academy Trophy, launched in 2010 originally for Junior drivers, this new Senior category will broaden the platform the Championship provides to a new age group of talented Karters.  

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 equipped with OK and OKJ engines from the supplier, plus a controlled option tyre and strict limits on tyre usage. 

 Drivers who have represented the UK in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy in the past have gone on to achieve great success in their future careers, with 2020 participant Theo Micouris recently becoming the 2024 Ligier JS P4 European Champion. Off the back of his performance in the Championship last year, Kian Burnard secured a factory drive with CRG Kart Team as an official OK-Junior driver at the World Karting Championships.  

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: 

Juniors 

15th – 18th May, Valencia 

17th – 20th July, Mulsen 

26th – 28th September, Cremona 

Seniors 

1st – 4th May, Portimao  

5th – 8th June, Viterbo 

31st July – 3rd August, Rodby 

 

Dan Parker, Head of Karting at Motorsport UK commented, “This prestigious competition has been a launchpad for some of the brightest talents in karting, offering an unparalleled opportunity to compete on equal terms against the best from around the world. I am excited to see the addition of the Senior category, which will further expand opportunities for talented drivers to showcase their skills. The achievements of past UK representatives are a testament to the Academy’s role in shaping future champions. We look forward to seeing the next generation of drivers represent the UK on this global stage.” 

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

 Applications close Friday 10th January 2025

 

Entry Requirements and Eligibility 

An introduction of a new category brings with it specific requirements as stipulated by the FIA, with separate requirements outlined by Motorsport UK. 

For the Junior category, eligible drivers must be born in 2011, 2012 or 2013 and be at least 12 years old (or reach their 12th birthday in 2025) and not be older than 14 years of age (not reaching their 15th birthday before 31st December 2025). 

For the Senior category, eligible drivers must be born in 2011, 2010 or 2009 and be at least 14 years old (or reach their 14th birthday in 2025) and not be older than 16 years old (not reaching their 17th birthday before 31st December 2025). 

Motorsport UK will consider applications from competitors who have experience participating in the Wera Tools British Kart Championship. Activity in non-Motorsport UK licenced Championships will not be considered. Competitors must also hold a valid UK passport, hold (or be eligible to hold) the relevant international competition licence and entrant licence and must be able to commit financially to the entire championship.   

Following the closing date, the applications will be reviewed by the judging panel and applicants will be contacted in due course.  

Applications must be submitted with permission from a parent/guardian, however we do encourage drivers to complete the content of the application themselves.   

Please contact academy@motorsportuk.org if you have any questions, and you can find out more about the 2025 FIA Karting Academy Trophy here.  

 

 

Motorsport remains at the forefront of sporting activities on offer to serving personnel.

Most services have access to some spare tarmac or concrete so karting at base or station level has long been a favoured recreation for military personnel, being relatively inexpensive to acquire and set up as well as cheap to run. Events were often organised at these stations, even abroad at deployments in Cyprus and Germany.

In 2005, the RAF took the leap to travelling around the country with a five-round series, called the RAFMSA Championship, with 12 regular competitors and as many as twenty-four at some events. At the end of that year the original organiser was posted abroad and a short-term volunteer was sought while RAFMSA organised a new championship coordinator. He’s still in post which just goes to prove you should never volunteer for anything in the Services.

The championship increased to seven rounds in 2006 and 6 rounds were organised in 2008, with an endurance category added to the sprinters, enabling RAF stations to enter teams and get serving personnel out racing at a grass-roots level and keeping personal costs low.

The RAFMSA Endurance Championship launched in 2009, opening to other services in 2010 with karting recognised as an official Army sport. Arborfield Garrison joined as the first official Army entry and the year saw the introduction of the Station/Unit Trophy.

In 2011 this was increased to also include an Inter-Service Championship, with around 30 regular entries and eight station/units now competing. In the following years numbers steadily increased, and it became clear that the endurance category was taking over from the sprints as the mainstay of the Championship. In 2015 a Station/Unit Plate (for larger clubs with more than two teams) was added and by 2016 numbers had grown to the extent that they were hitting constraints with the maximum grid sizes.

By 2017, there were too many teams for a single grid, so it was obvious something would have to change. Joining in with club events was no longer an option. For 2018 RAFMSA appointed a full-time competition secretary and the idea of running an endurance championship looked to becoming a reality. Another event, the Centenary Cup, to celebrate 100 years of the RAF, was added to the calendar. For 2019 a heavyweight category was added but was called the ‘Super Category’ based on the callsign of a heavy aircraft.

The Armed Forces Karting Championship was born in 2020 and 2024 had 70 teams entered and 18 Stations/Units, with 81 teams set to compete in 2025. Karting is now the largest single entity in military motorsport.

It’s a full-on day, with three endurance races interspersed with three heats and a final sprint race in between. What has never changed is the spirit of comradeship and fun as these competitors enjoy grass-roots karting as it should be. Camping, catering and karting, a fine combination, and long may it continue.

This International Women’s Day, Motorsport UK is proud to support the #AccelerateAction campaign, celebrating women involved across all areas of motorsport.

The Girls on Track UK programme continues to inspire girls to follow a career in motorsport through exposing them to the skills required to work within the industry.

The online community has grown to reach over 10,000 followers, providing a safe space for girls to network and promote opportunities to get started in the motorsport business, with events and webinars allowing them the chance to directly ask all those pertinent questions.

Jenny Fletcher, Girls on Track Manager, comments, “I am thrilled to see Girls on Track grow from strength to strength, we continue to work to connect ambitious young women with job roles with major industry stakeholders and F1 teams and its thanks to the efforts of our community, now in five different areas of the UK, that we can introduce more women to motorsport. Our dedicated website showcases the breadth of the programme, and I am thrilled we can launch on International Women’s Day.”

Girls on Track has launched its own dedicated website, which can be viewed here.

International Women’s Day (IWD) recognises the achievements of women worldwide while advocating for gender equality. This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action,” calls for faster progress in breaking down barriers and creating more opportunities for women.

Motorsport has possibilities and opportunities for women to enjoy the sport at all levels. They are empowered to grow into new roles and disciplines, empowered by their peers and the community to tackle a new challenge and empowered to work together, building each other up because a united community is a strong community.

The #Empoweredby campaign is for anyone and everyone within motorsport.

We asked colleagues from our Motorsport UK team to nominate a woman who had inspired them during their career.

Here’s a few soundbites from our #Empoweredby campaign, celebrating women in motorsport…

“What she had yet to experience, was replaced by an endless drive to learn, tackling anything head on with grit and tenacity.”

“PA to the CEO is not an easy role, I admire you hugely for your talent in this role,”

“Not only were you the first black woman to become a race official, but since then, you’ve gone on to inspire future generations of young women who want to get into the sport.”

“I wanted to take a moment to remind you about the profound impact you’ve had not just on my life and career, but all the other women, young women and girls, within the sport.”

Laila Fitzgerald has joined Freya Lally in the 2025 Club 100 Karting Championships as winners of the first Motorsport UK Girls Karting Academy Scholarships.

The 2025 Club 100 season got underway at Whilton Mill this past weekend, with Fitzgerald finishing P6 in the A Finals and Lally taking p17 in the Cadet Super Lightweight Class.

Fitzgerald, from Harlow, and Lally, from Manchester, came through F1 ACADEMY DISCOVER YOUR DRIVE Karting UK, a groundbreaking project led by Motorsport UK, F1 Academy, and TeamSport in 2024.

Lally qualified for Club100 after finishing as the best placed girl in the 2025 British Indoor Kart Championships. Meanwhile Fitzgerald came through an assessment day at Whilton Mill in February, facing off against the best competitors from the 2024 programme.

Megan Gascoyne (Lightweight Class), Laila Fitzgerald (Lightweight Class), Sarah Telford (Super-Lightweight Class), Mia Gualtieri (Super-Lightweight Class) and Lily Catignon (Super-Lightweight Class), were selected for the assessment day which was designed to evaluate skill, adaptability, and racecraft, as well as offer valuable feedback to the drivers and their families.

The participants, ranging in age from 11 to 12 years old, impressed the panel with their determination, driving techniques, and ability to adapt to both damp and dry conditions throughout the sessions.

The event was a testament to the skill and potential of young female drivers in the sport. Each participant demonstrated strong kart control and a clear passion for racing, making for a competitive selection process.

Fitzgerald scored highest in the selection criteria and received fully funded season of racing in Club100, a fantastic opportunity to continue their development in the sport. In addition, all five participants will become the first members of the new Motorsport UK Girls Karting Academy, reinforcing a long-term commitment to fostering female talent in motorsport.

As part of the recognition for their dedication and hard work, all drivers will receive a pair of Puma racing boots, while parents will be offered a place on an Accelerator Coaching Course to further support their daughters’ development.

Laila commented on shootout day, “It felt amazing to be part of a shootout with some very talented girls competing for the Club100 scholarship. The day was fantastic from the off, with lots of advice from the coaches. The track was very tricky due to the rain and was much harder to control the kart but it was so much fun. So far this season I have the northern and southern championship with Club100 and will see what comes my way.”

Girls Karting Academy days are soon to begin at TeamSport venues around the UK, offering more female karters the opportunity to compete for the recently announced Charlotte Tilbury Scholarship, covering the cost of entry to a full Club100 Karting Championship season in 2026 plus additional testing and coaching through the Motorsport UK Girls Karting Academy.

Dom Gaynor, CEO, TeamSport, comments, “We’re absolutely delighted to see Laila Fitzgerald join Freya Lally in the 2025 Club 100 Karting Championships as the first winners of the Motorsport UK Girls Karting Academy Scholarships. Both have developed their skills at TeamSport, and their achievements will hopefully serve as inspiration for other girls, to take that all-important first step into motorsport. It’s inspiring to see more young women making their mark on the racing scene, and we can’t wait to see what they achieve next.”

Hugh Chambers, Chief Executive Officer, Motorsport UK, adds, “The success of Laila and Freya is a testament to the high level of female karting talent here in the UK. Our thanks goes to the pioneering efforts of Susie Wolff and F1 ACADEMY DISCOVER YOUR DRIVE in placing young female drivers firmly on the map. The launch of our Girls Karting Academy builds on the success of Discover Your Drive and provides a clear pathway for girls.”

Find out more about the Motorsport UK Girls Karting Academy

Championing the next generation of female talent, the third season of the F1 ACADEMY season kicks off this weekend with the series’ debut in Shanghai, China.

Once again all seven rounds will be supporting the Formula 1 World Championship and in 2025 will visit three continents, breaking down global barriers to entry making motorsport more diverse, inclusive and accessible to all.

The iconic F1 ACADEMY is bringing about real change for women in motorsport with a seismic growth in the numbers of females now enjoying the sport at all levels whether as competitors, fans or within the industry.

Evidencing its success, this year’s championship boasts an expanded 18 car field of young female racing talents aged between 16 and 25 years old, with 17 regular racers plus one invited ‘wild card’ driver at all seven venues.

Furthering the connection with F1 all ten Grand Prix teams have their own nominated driver while others are supported by prominent F1 commercial partners.

Abbi Pulling won last year’s title and with it a fully-funded entry into this year’s GB3 Championship. Her promotion now leaves the track clear for others to shine.

Having finished second and third in 2024, proven winners Doriane Pin (Mercedes) and Maya Weug (Scuderia Ferrari) must start among the pre-season favourites but there are three British females all keen to emulate the now departed Pulling. And, fuelling their careers, all three are current members of the Motorsport UK Academy.

 

Having joined the McLaren Driver Development programme, 19-year-old Ella Lloyd from Pontypridd in south Wales, will no doubt be inspired by team-mate Lando Norris’s stirring victory last Sunday in Australia. She impressed with podium results in the 2024 British F4 Championship and, again, with two top ten finishes when given a wild card F1 ACADEMY entry in Singapore last September.

“I’m really excited to be joining the McLaren Driver Development programme as the team’s F1 ACADEMY driver in 2025,” said Lloyd whose first taste in motorsport came in 2018 when invited to take part in a FIA Girls on Track taster event at Silverstone.

“It’s an honour to drive for a team that has such a great racing history, and also a long track record for developing talent. With McLaren, I now have everything I need to keep developing and pushing the boundaries as a female in motorsport. I can’t wait to get racing in papaya.”

Furthering her progress, Lloyd will also be contesting non-clashing rounds of the Wera Tools British F4 Championship as Pulling did so successfully last year.

Red Bull supported Alisha Palmowski from Glossop near Manchester also impressed when given a wild card in Qatar. Having already finished vice-champion in the British GB4 Championship, she qualified in the top six for both races and finished the first in P5. Sadly for her, the second race was cancelled.

“I am incredibly excited and honoured to be joining the Red Bull Racing Programme in F1 ACADEMY for 2025,” said the highly promising 18-year-old. “Red Bull Racing is one of the best teams on the grid, and to see the talent they have brought through the doors and to get to be a part of that next generation is something that I could never have imagined. The Team has been incredibly supportive so far, and I can’t wait to get fully underway with the ultimate goal of winning the championship.”

Chloe Chong is the third British driver on the grid. The 17-year-old from Orpington in Kent previously raced in the female-only championship in 2023, when she was the youngest driver in the field, before switching to British F4 in 2024.

“I’m super happy to be making a return to F1 ACADEMY this season,” admitted Chong, another to have been inspired by the FIA Girls on Track programme. “Having female role models in F1 ACADEMY and seeing them race and seeing and being as competitive as the guys that are moving up is inspiring and it’s going to change the game for women’s racing.”

For all three British women this weekend’s action commences on Friday with Free Practice (1am GMT) and Qualifying (6am GMT) followed by Race 1 on Saturday (5:45am GMT) and the Race 2 on Sunday (2:40am GMT).

Adding to both the show and learning curve, reverse grid races have been reintroduced, so drivers will have to prove they’re not only quick qualifiers but masterful overtakers. Last seen in 2023, this year’s format will see the top eight drivers from Qualifying reversed on the grid for Race 1, however, with reduced points being awarded, the main emphasis will always be on the second showdown.

(Image: Getty images)

 

If you are looking to unlock your potential in motorsport, then why not make 2025 your year and join our Motorsport UK Coach Development pathway?

The Coach Development Pathway aims to put coaching at the heart of every level of motorsport, from grassroots to elite.

Motorsport UK has developed the Motorsport Coach qualification (1st4Sport, level 2) to set the standard for coaching in motorsport.

The qualification provides both personalised and collaborative experiences to develop and support coach learning, using a blend of face to face and online videos and workshops as well as practical observation and expert insights. In addition, you will be able to develop your existing coaching practice, with the support of our Motorsport UK tutors and interactions with your other coaching learning cohort.

Learners will also develop a range of coaching skills, alongside developing technical and tactical knowledge to understand long-term driver development, providing better outcomes for both parents and drivers while helping you to become a stand-out coach within the sport.

Ryan Griffiths, Coaching and Competitor Development Manager comments, “Taking the Level 2 coaching course will not only help you improve your own technical and tactical knowledge of motorsport, but it will also support you to add more skills to your coaching toolbox.

“Many practitioners already come with a vast amount of experience of delivering sessions. The course will challenge their thinking and highlight positive working practices. For people coming in with limited or no experience of coaching, it will guide them how to deliver safe practices that prioritises longer term driver development whilst also maintaining shorter term visible results.”

To find out more about the Level 2 Coaching Course and to join our 2025 programme, find out more here.

The British StreetCar EcoRally – from StreetCar Club event to FIA World Championship driver in under six months.

Motorsport UK’s StreetCar programme provides the perfect point of entry for EV and hybrid vehicle owners to experience motorsport in their everyday road car.  Launched in 2022, StreetCar showcases the affordability and accessibility of motorsport around the UK, encouraging more people to get behind the wheel and enjoy the sport.

This year, drivers from across the UK can compete for the chance to win a place in the Scottish Motor Racing Club’s (SMRC) EcoRally Scotland, from Saturday 26 to Sunday 27 July, round eight of the 2025 Bridgestone FIA EcoRally Cup.

Five StreetCar Clubs across the UK will host a navigational Rally event, from which the winner of each event will receive a £100 discount off their entry to the EcoRally Scotland event.

The full StreetCar British EcoRally timetable can be seen here:

Scottish Sporting Car Club – 26 April

Oxford Motor Club – 9 May

North Wales Car Club – 30 May

Ilkley & District Motor Club – 14 June

Motorsport IOM – 28 June

The StreetCar programme provides the opportunity for EV and hybrid owners to take part in a variety of disciplines, including Autotest, Rally and Trials and Cross Country events. From Treasure Hunts to Navigational Rally and Historic Rally events, all 12 disciplines can be enjoyed with a standard unmodified hybrid or EV road car.

The event runs to the FIA EcoRally Cup rules, which follow the traditional Regularity Rally points system but also include points for efficient driving, with the amount of energy used measured by a special FIA box and counted towards the overall scores.

The event will see teams of two (driver and navigator) and their Electric Vehicle, tackle a road route starting out from Dundee. Teams will need to record all check points within the given times and complete ‘regularity tests’ checking average speed along the route – precision navigating, problem solving and teamwork will be the order of the day.

Participants can take part in a fully electric (BEV) or hybrid vehicle (HEV). Ethanol or Methane powered vehicles (E85/CNG/CBG) are also eligible.

Jonathan Jackson, Head of Rally, Motorsport UK, comments, “EcoRally Scotland is a really exciting addition for Motorsport UK, not just because it is another FIA titled Championship in the UK but also as it encompasses the ethos of StreetCar in its entirety and opens up our exciting discipline to a new audience who perhaps thought the Sport was out of reach before now. With no modification needed to your car, you can enter EcoRally Scotland and still be able to drive to work on Monday.”

Claire Kirkpatrick, Director of Club and Volunteer Development, adds, “Our five events are to introduce EV and hybrid owners to grassroots motorsport in their everyday car. We look forward to welcoming even more competitors to join our Motorsport UK community and test their skills to secure a discounted place for the event this July.”

Nic Boyes, SMRC Chair concludes, “As Chair of the organising club, I am immensely proud that, since our initial planning in 2022 and our events in 2023 and 2024, we have worked up to FIA Championship status with EcoRally Scotland being approved by the World Motorsport Council for our event on 26 and 27 July 2025 in Dundee. We are committed to promoting carbon neutral motorsport in the face of climate emergency and helping to push motorsport into the future.”

Find out more about EcoRally Scotland here.

(Photo: Craig T Parry)

Motorsport UK’s Race for Diversity programme is pleased to announce that 20 schools are officially certified as part of the initiative, across four locations; London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester. 

The programme aims to increase the participation and involvement of 14 to 24-year-olds from underrepresented ethnic groups and economically disadvantaged backgrounds through inspirational STEM interventions in motorsport.   

Supported by Sir Lewis Hamilton’s Mission 44 charity, the programme aims to increase awareness of opportunities in motorsport and diversify paddocks across the UK.   

The 20 schools will receive a website badge and a certificate to showcase their official Race for Diversity status and participation in the programme. 

Race for Diversity has launched its own dedicated website, providing information and materials for schools interested in the programme alongside case studies and information on partnerships.  

Click here to view the new website. 

The website promotes the official Race for Diversity Discord channel that supports community members making connections in the industry and promoting new and exciting opportunities in motorsport.  

Motorsport UK is committed to promoting inclusivity and diversity in motorsport and in January 2025, launched its Inclusion Hub, which brings together resources and complimentary organisations for 14-24-year-olds considering a career in the sport. 

The Hub, created in collaboration with and commissioned by Mission 44, includes organisations such as Formula Student, Girls across the Grid, Greenpower, Racing Pride, the Student Motorsport Challenge and Motorsport UK’s Girls on Track UK and Race for Diversity initiatives. 

Evelkah Powell, Race for Diversity Manager comments, “Race for Diversity seeks to engage and inspire talent at an early stage, working with students and teachers to start their motorsport career pathway from Year 9 onwards. 

“It is thanks to these 20 schools, that have pledged to form a part of the programme, that we can work towards diversifying paddocks around the UK and continue to drive the legacy and impact of motorsport.”  

For employers and the broader motorsport industry interested in becoming a Race for Diversity partner and offering opportunities—whether through site visits or engaging activities for young people—contact the team at:  racefordiversity@motorsportuk.org.  

Follow Race for Diversity on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Nicolas Hamilton will return to the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) in 2025, as part of a three-car lineup alongside Dexter Patterson and Max Hall for for Un-Limited Motorsport. 

Brother of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, Nicolas, who has Cerebral Palsy, is the only driver in the series’ history to compete with a disability. Returning to the BTCC after 20 months away, Hamilton’s last outing saw him secure an impressive sixth-place finish at Donington Park in Race 2 of Round 1 of the 2023 season.  

The driver returns, with the aim of raising awareness of disability inclusion in motorsport, advocating for greater opportunities for disabled individuals within the sport. He aims to show that disability should not be a barrier but rather a source of strength and pride. 

“There is a place in motorsport for disabled people to feel valued and accepted in multiple roles within the sport, and I want to open people’s eyes to that,” said Hamilton. “I want to continue to prove that motorsport is for everyone and that racing can be a platform for opportunity and inclusivity. Un-Limited Motorsport and my partners believe in what I stand for, my talent, and my purpose. If I can be accepted, then so can others with a disability.” 

Motorsport UK continues with its support and promotion of motorsport opportunities for all, with the return of its StreetCar Disabled Driver Scholarship for 2025, which will be held on three dates at three locations across the UK.  

The most promising drivers will be offered an opportunity to win a fully funded season of AutoSOLOs and access to an adapted car at either Maidstone and Mid Kent Car Club, the Sporting Car Club of Norfolk or Loughborough Car Club. 

The vehicles feature flexible adaptations, including hand operated accelerator and brakes, a choice of accelerator positions, additional upper back support and a choice of steering wheels to enable participants to enjoy the thrill of car control within a regulated environment. 

Drivers looking to take part can  sign up here.

Representatives from Motorsport UK’s StreetCar programme visited both Rugby College and Evesham College, with the support of the Vintage Sports-Car Club (VSCC) last month, showcasing the opportunities available within motorsport to around 40 students enrolled on motor vehicle related courses.

The StreetCar programme enables anyone to get behind the wheel of their car and enjoy grassroots motorsport, by joining an event at their local motor club or through volunteering opportunities within motorsport, providing real life experience of events management and logistics.

Tania Brown and Ethan Harris from VSCC presented the opportunities available within their club to students from Evesham College, while also providing a variety of vehicles during the event.

Elise Whyte, StreetCar Club Development Coordinator, comments, “It’s incredibly rewarding being able to engage with colleges and reach out to students – while hopefully inspiring them to get involved in StreetCar. The programme showcases how easy and affordable it is to get involved in grassroots motorsport, no matter how early you are in your career.”

Find out more about StreetCar here.