The KA100: the best way to get started in karting?

KA100: origins and philosophy of an accessible category

Before winning over Europe and the United States, the IAME KA100 engine was first born in Australia, where it was officially launched in 2015 at the request of the national federation (Karting Australia). The goal was clear: to replace the old Yamaha 100 cc engines that had become obsolete, while bringing back the spirit of “pure karting” with a simple, reliable, and accessible mechanical concept 👌

Building on its success in Oceania, the engine quickly expanded abroad — first to the United States, where it established itself in the SKUSA and US Pro Kart Series championships, before arriving more recently in Europe. In France, it now sits at the heart of a truly accessible racing category, open from the age of 12, perfectly bridging the gap between 4-stroke leisure karts and more performance-oriented 2-stroke engines such as the X30 or the Rotax.

See also: "Sodi World Series (SWS): The global competition dedicated to leisure karting"

The secret behind its success? The thrill of a real racing kart, without the technical complexity or the budget of a 125 cc 🥵

IAME KA100 engine: simplicity, reliability, and driving pleasure

The core of the category lies in the IAME Reedjet KA100 engine, a 98.5 cm³ single-cylinder 2-stroke with reed-valve intake (see photo below). Originally designed to replace the aging Yamaha 100 cc engines used in Australia, it perfectly embodies the philosophy promoted by Karting Australia: a modern, reliable, and easy-to-use engine 👍

Producing around 21 horsepower, it already delivers impressive performance — just eight horsepower less than a X30 125 cc — while remaining far more docile and accessible.

Its design emphasizes simplicity and robustness: air cooling (no radiator or water pump), a diaphragm Tillotson carburetor with two adjustment screws (no electronic mapping), an integrated electric starter, and a centrifugal automatic clutch.

In the same spirit, KA100 karts focus on a stripped-back mechanical layout: no front brakes, a single rear hydraulic brake, and a simple yet effective architecture. In short, it’s a plug & play, ready-to-run engine that doesn’t require advanced mechanical skills or specialized equipment to operate 🙂

Despite its simplicity, the KA100 remains a true racing engine, not an industrial block repurposed from leisure use. Designed from the outset for competition, it benefits from high-precision manufacturing and marked and sealed parts that prevent any unauthorized modifications and guarantee technical parity between competitors. Its maximum speed of around 15,000 rpm and its output have been deliberately limited to preserve reliability and extend service intervals 💪

According to IAME, everything has been engineered to maximize track time without requiring frequent rebuilds. User feedback confirms remarkable endurance: even after several races, the engine maintains its performance without needing to be opened, whereas a more highly tuned 125 cc would already require a top-end rebuild.

See also: "What is the budget required to drive a competitive kart ?"

On track, the KA100 delivers genuine driving pleasure. With around 15 Nm of torque, its power curve is progressive and usable, similar to a Rotax Junior or a X30 Junior. It offers punchy acceleration without being too brutal for beginners. Compared with a 4-stroke rental kart, the performance gain is huge! 🔥

And even so, driving remains relatively undemanding: hard-compound tires reduce strain, allowing you to string together long stints without fatigue. With no electronic aids and identical hardware, driver skill makes all the difference 😎

In the end, many compare the behavior of a KA100 to that of the legendary 100 cc karts of yesteryear — fun and reliability combined.

Cost control: racing for (much) less

The watchword of the KA100 category is cutting costs without sacrificing racing enjoyment. Everything in the concept is designed to keep spending in check, making it one of the most economical kart formulas for getting started in competition 😋

A brand-new complete KA100 engine is offered at around €2,600 incl. VAT, roughly €700 less than a X30 engine. Some distributors even sell “ready-to-run” packs (new chassis + engine + tires) for around €5,000 incl. VAT — the lowest entry ticket on the market for a modern racing kart. On the used market, you can gear up for €3,000 to €4,000 with a nice, race-ready package 🥳

On the maintenance side, the KA100 is built to last: its less highly stressed engine allows longer intervals between rebuilds (no need to open it every 10 hours like a Rotax or X30). Maintenance is limited to the essentials and can easily be handled by the driver, with no special tools or dedicated engine tuner.

Another major asset: Komet K3H hard-compound tires. Identical to those used in X30 Junior, they deliver solid grip while handling multiple meetings without a notable drop in performance. In many Regional Championships, each driver is limited to two sets of slicks for the entire season (around five races). This cap drastically reduces the tire budget — often the most expensive line item in karting 💰

Wear parts are shared with other IAME categories, which makes sourcing easier and avoids expensive exclusivities. In addition, any engine tuning is prohibited: IAME seals ensure perfect fairness and prevent a technical arms race. Driving skill once again takes center stage, and the budget stays under control.

In short, the KA100 brings karting back to its original purpose: a simple, fair, and affordable form of competition where fun comes before spending 💸

Where to race in KA100: Regional Championships, IAME Series, and Eurocup

Since its introduction in France in 2022—initially through a few local races in the Southwest and then during the IAME International Final at Le Mans—the KA100 has quickly attracted a wide audience. The formula has now become a lasting part of the French karting landscape, expanding across all levels of competition. Whether you’re a recreational driver looking to get started or an experienced racer wanting to cut costs, there’s now a format suited to your profile 😉

📍 Club races and Regional KA100 Championships

Many club events now welcome KA100s, often within local challenges where the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. Most FFSA regional leagues have integrated the category into their annual championships, alongside the X30 and Rotax classes. These regional championships (4 to 6 races per year, depending on the region) represent the ideal entry point: low entry fees, standardized technical regulations, and the opportunity to progress toward national series such as the IAME Series France 💥

Thanks to a unified rulebook, drivers can compete close to home in a strictly regulated and affordable environment where costs are kept under control, particularly through tight management of tires and consumable parts. The success is already evident in some regions, where the KA100 has breathed new life into grassroots racing 😋

In certain local events, KA100s sometimes share the track with KFS or National karts, whose performance levels are similar. This helps fill the grids and creates exciting on-track battles while maintaining separate classifications for each category.

📍 KA100 in France, the Benelux, the United States, and Australia

In France, the KA100 is present in several regional IAME Series leagues:

• Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (BFC)
• Rhône-Alpes
• Grand Est
• PACA
• Hauts-de-France
• Occitanie

Depending on the region, grids are more or less full, but some leagues show great momentum. Occitanie is currently the most active, with around thirty participants per race, followed by BFC and Rhône-Alpes. Other regions have smaller grids but still contribute to the category’s overall growth.

Abroad, grids are also strong: around twenty drivers on average in the Benelux, and impressive turnouts in the United States and Australia. In most cases, the KA100-138 category attracts more drivers than the 160 kg version, which is better suited to heavier adults ⚖️

📍 National Series – IAME Series France 🇫🇷

Since 2023, IAME France has organized a national championship specifically for the KA100, modeled after the famous IAME Series X30. The 2025 calendar includes four rounds held on some of France’s most iconic circuits:

• Round 1: Muret (Haute-Garonne Karting) – February 21–23, 2025
• Round 2: Varennes-sur-Allier (Circuit Jean Brun) – May 16–18, 2025
• Round 3: Château-Gaillard (Karting du Bugey) – June 27–29, 2025
• Round 4: Salbris (Circuit International de Salbris) – September 5–7, 2025

Open to all KA100 engine owners, the series maintains a “promotion” spirit: an affordable, well-organized, and educational format, yet professionally run. The championship is divided into two weight categories (138 kg and 160 kg), ensuring fair competition for all driver profiles. Ultimately, IAME aims to make it a national benchmark, in the spirit of the Minarelli / KFS Challenge that defined the 2000s.

📍 IAME Eurocup KA100 and international championships

The highlight of the KA100 season in Europe, the IAME Eurocup is a single event held at the Le Mans circuit. Organized for the first time in 2024, it brings together the best KA100 drivers from national series such as the IAME Series France, Benelux, and Italy. It’s a true showcase event, featuring international grids and a high-level racing atmosphere 🤩

Beyond the Eurocup, the KA100 continues to expand worldwide. The Benelux added KA100 to its championship in 2024 with already strong grids. In Italy, several regional events are now testing the class in both Junior and Senior versions.

In the United States, the KA100 has been firmly established for several seasons in major championships such as SKUSA and the US Pro Kart Series. It is run in Junior, Senior, and Master classes, sometimes with over 80 entries per category at national events. The class has become a cornerstone of American karting, alongside X30 and Briggs & Stratton 4-stroke engines.

In Oceania, particularly in Australia, the KA100 is widely used in national championships as the benchmark 100cc class. It is gradually replacing older formulas, becoming a true foundation for driver development. In Asia, its spread is more recent, but some local series are beginning to include KA100 in their programs—especially in well-structured karting nations like Japan and Thailand.

➡️ Find all competitions organized by IAME worldwide on the official IAME MOTORSPORT website.

📍 Endurance – 24 Hours Karting of Le Mans and related projects

Although designed for sprint racing, the KA100 is increasingly drawing interest for endurance due to its reliability and controlled costs. The ACO has explored the idea of introducing a KA100 category within the 24 Hours Karting of Le Mans — one of the most extensive tests took place in spring 2023, when a KA100 kart completed six consecutive hours without any issues.

However, the last two editions of this classic karting event were canceled due to a lack of participants. The 2025 edition was officially canceled by the ACO.

Despite these setbacks, discussions are ongoing between several stakeholders (Action Karting, ACO, regional promoters) to relaunch a KA100 endurance championship with 3-, 6-, or 12-hour formats, and the long-term ambition of reviving a 24-hour race. The goal remains to offer affordable “turnkey” formulas, giving amateur endurance racing a place again—without factory-level budgets 💶

Conclusion: how the KA100 redefines accessibility in French karting

In just a few years, the KA100 has become a cornerstone of affordable competition karting. By prioritizing driving and enjoyment while keeping costs in check, it appeals to a wide range of drivers: from young racers stepping up from Mini 60 without breaking the family budget, to adults returning to karting for fun, and ambitious juniors aiming to climb the ranks toward higher levels.

The KA100 manages to be both an excellent driver training school and a final destination for gentleman drivers racing for pleasure 😎

The races are exciting and close (naturally, since everyone uses the same engine), bringing back the “roots” spirit of karting that had been somewhat lost through technical sophistication. It’s still early to define a notable record of champions, but inspiring stories are already emerging: dozens of new FFSA license holders have joined KA100 grids, revitalizing regional championships. Some former National or Rotax drivers are back for the fun and camaraderie, while complete beginners are daring to take the leap into competition thanks to this approachable and affordable format.

➡️ See all karting listings on GoToTheGrid 😉

From a sporting standpoint, the level continues to rise as grids grow, and there’s no doubt that many future French karting talents will pass through the KA100 on their way up. With IAME’s backing and strong local support, the momentum is there: the KA100 could very well follow the same path in France as it did in Australia and the USA, where it has become essential 🎉

By offering a fast, educational, and fair kart for a reasonable budget, the KA100 is a real breath of fresh air for the sport. It proves that even in 2025, you can still go racing without going broke or getting lost in the tech. As the category’s unofficial motto perfectly sums it up: “100% of drivers who’ve tried the KA100 end up grinning from ear to ear.” That says a lot about the joy this little engine delivers… The KA100 is just waiting for you to write the next chapter of its success story on the track! 🏁