FAT Karting League launches on the West Coast

Youth karting just hit the fast lane on the West Coast. FAT Karting League (FKL), an international youth karting series redefining motorsport, has already turned heads in the UK and Midwest U.S. This summer, it’s bringing its high-performance, pro-engineered electric karting model to California.

Aimed at 5- to 17-year-olds, it’s a complete overhaul of grassroots motorsport – no kart ownership, no hidden costs, just transparent “arrive-and-drive” racing with full coaching baked in.

“It’s time to put drivers first,” says FKL co-founder Rob Smedley, an ex-Ferrari engineer.

His excitement is echoed by Ferdi Porsche, co-founder and racing innovator.

“California’s about to see what happens when you level the playing field," he said. We’re here to find future champions.”

An all-new path, from assessment to F4

It all begins with an Practice & Assessment day: four or eight track sessions over a day, complete with off-track coaching. Beginner racers step into the three-tier Driver Training program. Those with experience zip straight to Practice and Racing. Come November, participants will battle it out across four Pro and Regional Championships at world-class tracks like Adams Motorsport Park and Willow Springs – venues that bring real-world gravity to youth racing.

Championship contenders will earn a coveted spot in the December World Final in California. But the real prize comes for Juniors: the top drivers qualify for an assessment day to be in with a shot of winning a fully funded Formula 4 seat for 2026 – a breakthrough opportunity nearly unheard of in youth motorsport.

Meanwhile, younger racers aren’t left behind: top Bambinos and Cadets win a full FKL season.

Kickoff dates

• July 19-20, August 9-10, October 4-5: Practice + Assessment

• November 2025: Championship rounds begin

• December 2025: World Final showdown in CA

With session pricing from $319 (available with a 20% discount through July 18), kart and coaching included, this is designed to be more than a karting program it’s a springboard to release drivers' talents.

Book your tickets at https://ca.us.fat-kartingleague.com/events