SWS International Finals 2026

2026-06-05 - 新聞稿

The SWS International Finals returned to France and the prestigious Le Mans circuit for its 15th edition from 20th to 23rd May 2026. Significant new features enhanced the competition, with fine weather adding to its success.

The world’s biggest recreational karting event returned to Le Mans after a 12-year absence. To mark this return, the Endurance Cup adopted the 24-hour race format – new for SWS – which has forged Le Mans’ global reputation. The Junior and Kids categories were treated to a dedicated day on the historic Alain Prost circuit, whilst the other categories competed on the modern Le Mans International Karting Circuit.

420 drivers from 47 nations, representing nearly 150 tracks from around the world, gathered in a unique setting steeped in motor racing history. In total, 130 brand-new karts were supplied by Sodikart for the occasion. The organising team was supported by around fifty dedicated staff members throughout the event, with Apex Timing handling the timing and WFR managing Race Control and the live video broadcast.

The SWS would like to thank the Karting des 24 Heures team, led by Emmanuel Ponsart, for their hospitality and support. The event was a resounding success, blessed with ideal weather.

Great atmosphere

Despite the intensity of the competition, the SWS’s typical celebratory atmosphere was very much in evidence. The partners’ village in the paddock proved a much-appreciated gathering point throughout the meeting.

The energy drink Kart Dream provided cans for the pole positions as well as for all the Endurance Cup teams, in addition to running its own stand in the village.

Morgan Lavaux’s Captiv Racing showcased its exclusive “push hand pull” control system, adapted for disabled drivers in both leisure and competition, and provided track demonstrations during every break with Fabrice Dubois and the young Léo Peltier, who also led all the formation laps for Saturday’s Sprint Finals.

A French racing team renowned for its success in junior single-seater championships, having notably supported the rise of Oscar Piastri, Isack Hadjar, Gabriel Bortoletto, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, R-ace GP showcased its racing structure and offered various training programmes, as well as providing numerous F4 courses for the winners.

3.2.1 Perform, led by Xavier Feuillée, presented the various champion preparation programmes run at its centre of expertise in Haute-Savoie and offered sessions on its reflex wall.

A food truck provided a continuous supply of food and drink, whilst the Restaurant des 24 H remained open to all.

A top-class Sodi Rental range
The Sodi Sport 390cc in the Sprint Cup, the LR6 200cc for the Juniors and the RT10 390cc in the Endurance class provided competitors with satisfaction and enjoyable driving. Thanks to high-quality equipment and a well-organised technical team, no major issues slowed down the 130 karts in action. The constant pursuit of consistency across the karts was underpinned by rigorous calibration and highly efficient maintenance to cope with the vagaries of racing.

Sprint Cup – Sodi Sport 390cc – 105 drivers
The choice of Honda 390cc engines fitted to Sodi Sport chassis proved a wise one at the Le Mans International Circuit for the 105 participants. A long battle pitted two Belgians against two Spaniards. Runner-up last year, Horion van Waes (BEL – Worldkarts Kortrijk) this time won both the A Final and the overall standings ahead of his compatriot Jules Vanhulle (BEL – Worldkarts Kortrijk). Diego Perez Lara (ESP – Circuito Henakart) came very close to retaining his 2025 title: finishing 2nd in the Final, just 35 thousandths of a second behind van Waes, he ended up 3rd in the standings ahead of Alejandro Florido (ESP – Karting Sevilla) and Matteo Agassis (CHE – Karting de Vuiteboeuf).

Women’s Cup – Sodi Sport 390cc – 35 drivers
Sandra Gomez (ESP – Karting Club Los Santos) finished 2nd in the Final behind Karla Fadet (FRA – Kart 56), but retained the lead in the standings ahead of the French driver. Alise Stolcermane (LAT – Rullitis) secured 3rd place in both the race and the standings ahead of Sofiia Tsymbal (UKR – Ingul Kart) and Yulia Shpychak (UKR – Ingul Kart). Ukraine once again placed three of its representatives in the top 10.

Master Cup – Sodi Sport 390cc – 35 drivers
Kenny Robles (FRA – Brignoles Karting Loisir) dominated the competition and topped the standings, even though he missed out on victory in the Final by a tenth of a second to Olivier Laurençon (CHE – MK Circuit). Laurent Carirer (FRA – PMS Passion Karting) took 3rd place, followed in the top five by Virgile Monamy (FRA – Circuit Berdery) and Geoffroy Galichet (FRA – Ardennes Karting).

Kids Cup – Sodi LR6 200cc – 30 drivers
Livio Innocenti (FRA – Karting Audincourt) won the overall standings ahead of Matisse-Aïta Raguet-Cheng (FRA – RKO – Karting Angerville), who had fought his way up from 8th to 1st place in the Final. Samuel Edelt (GER – Experience Factory Eupen) secured 3rd place thanks to his comeback to 2nd place in the Final. Sam Nygren (SWE – Gokartcentralen Kung) finished 4th ahead of Jack Thompson (GBR – Brentwood Karting).

Junior Cup – Sodi LR6 200cc – 30 drivers
Christopher Giustizieri (ITA – AFFI Kart Indoor) ultimately won the overall standings after a penalty that deprived Louis Huter (CHE – Karting de Vuiteboeuf) of victory in the Final. Tymofii Kushniruk (UKR – Need for Speed) secured 3rd place both in the race and in the standings ahead of Juraj Mikos (SVK – Motokàry Max 60) and Tobias Schwieren (DEU – Cool Runners Kart)

Endurance Cup – RT10 390cc – 48 teams
SKOF H-Team secured pole position in qualifying ahead of RED Racing and Justini-RT. The start of the 24-hour race was given by Dorian Boccolacci, an official Porsche GT3 driver. Eiriz Pro (CHE – Karting Payerne) dominated the first half of the race before being penalised. PF Racing (DEU – Cool Runners Kart) ultimately took the win, as they did in 2024, after 1,102 laps and 18 seconds ahead of Joker Team (FRA – RKC – Karting Paris). Neo GKOC (ESP – Kartcenter Campillos) finished 3rd, 24 seconds behind, while RED Racing (ITA – Lignano Circuit) was 4th, 56 seconds back, with ASK Performance 360 (FRA – RKC – Karting Paris) hot on their heels, just 0.088 seconds behind.
Eight teams finished on the same lap after 24 hours of racing.
The traditional fireworks display took place 12 hours after the start.
A women’s team, Puissance Féline (FRA – Karting Audincourt), took part in the Endurance event this year.

Track standings
Kartings.LV Indoor K (LAT) topped the track standings with 1075 points. Brentwood Karting (GBR) followed in 2nd place with 989 points, then RKO – Karting Angerville (FRA) in 3rd with 929 points. 4th was Karting Sevilla (ESP) with 820 points and 5th was Cool Runners Kart (DEU) with 786 points.

Exceptional prizes
Numerous prizes were awarded via a prize draw during the event. At the awards ceremony, the winners and the entire Sprint Cup podium were invited to take part in F4 training sessions organised by R-ace GP. The Kids and Junior winners were rewarded with a test day with the Sodi Racing Team. Itaka Shop vouchers worth €750 for 1st place, €500 for 2nd place and €250 for 3rd place were awarded.

The winning team in the Endurance Cup was offered a place in the Proto Funyo Challenge with R-Ace GP, the 2nd-placed team a 12-hour race and the 3rd-placed team a 6-hour race. The top three teams received Itaka Shop vouchers and tickets to attend an ELMS event.
Several Mak Design helmet covers were also given away.

Closing night with a 24 Hours atmosphere
The Welcome area, situated above the pit lane at the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit, hosted 650 guests for an exceptional closing night, featuring a cocktail reception with a DJ on the terrace offering an incredible view of the 24 Hours starting line. After honouring its champions, the SWS team announced the new format for the 2027 Finals. Next year will feature four separate Finals instead of two – doubling the number of dates allows for an increase in the number of places for finalists.
The Endurance Final in Italy at the Pomposa circuit will feature two divisions: a 24-hour and a 12-hour race.
The venue for the Sprint Cup will be announced shortly, with a Final set to welcome even more participants.
The electric Final will take place in Finland at the VM Karting Center circuit.
Finally, Septfontaine in France will capitalise on its central location in Europe to host the first final of the R-Sprint category for powerful karts fitted with Rotax 2-stroke engines.