NOVEMBER 3, 2006

Why Liuzzi and Speed cannot race in Las Vegas

Superkarts USA (SKUSA) has announced that Formula 1 drivers Scott Speed and Tonio Liuzzi will not be taking part in the forthcoming Supernationals X in Las Vegas on November 9-12. The organisation says that the drivers have been advised by the FIA not to race as to do so "would risk losing their FIA Superlicense, which is necessary to drive in Formula 1". The statement went on to say that "over the last several weeks Superkarts USA has worked diligently behind the scenes to try to assure that both drivers would be able to race in the event by securing SuperNationals X a position on the 2006 CIK Calendar. That unfortunately has not happened".

Karting in the United States is a bewildering world with the FIA-affiliated World Karting Association (WKA) in competition with several other karting organisations, notably the International Kart Federation (IKF) which pre-dates the WKA by 14 years. There is also SuperkartsUSA and several other bodies which licence different forms of karting. There is, not surprisingly, some resistance to being regulated from France as karting was created in the United States in 1956 and spread to Europe later. However last year representatives of the IKF, WKA, SKUSA, KART and TAGUSA series did meet to discuss ways of wokring together to create a common set of engine rules.

According to SKUSA Speed and Liuzzi will still attend the event but only as spectators.