Today, 14 years later, the Sodi W Series has changed dimension, confirming year after year its status as the world's biggest leisure karting ranking. While the development of the SWS continues at a frenetic pace, more than 110,000 drivers were registered in 2023, on more than 600 partner tracks, enabling more than 10,000 races to be validated. At the same time, the SWS International Finals continue to bring together the most competitive drivers every year at memorable and prestigious events.

Before the launch of the new season, the review of the year just ended provides an opportunity to look back on the two 2023 Finals and to consider the prospects for the future.

2023, a pivotal year

The 15th season of SWS saw the symbolic milestone of 100,000 drivers registered in 70 countries broken, as well as the record number of drivers classified for a full season. The number of validated races has more than doubled in three years, reaching 10,905 this year. This growth has affected every continent, thanks in particular to the arrival of new countries, but also to the return of certain countries previously active in the SWS community.

Electric karting is increasingly present in the SWS rankings, with the number of races held each year now exceeding 500, a trend that has logically been taken into account in the organisation of a specific final this year.

The regulations have been reviewed from top to bottom, taking into account the opinions of drivers and track managers in order to adapt them to current demands and satisfy as many people as possible. This regulatory overhaul has been widely appreciated.

Double the intensity for the SWS International Finals

The most eagerly awaited event of the year was undoubtedly the SWS International Finals. The major annual meeting of the Sodi W Series scheduled in Slovakia was preceded by the launch of the SWS e-Sprint International Final reserved for electric propulsion.

64 drivers qualified for the SWS 2022 e-season, where 14 nations competed on 28th and 29th April near Gothenburg in Sweden at the wheel of electric karts on the two GoKart Centralen circuits. The Sodi RSX and RSX2, featuring the latest technological and electronic advances from the Sodikart group, contributed to the success of this perfectly mastered initial event.

The 12th SWS International Finals then took place from 5th to 8th July not far from the Slovakian capital Bratislava at the Slovak Karting Center, a circuit that has since been selected by the FIA Karting for its 2024 OK and Junior European Championship. More than 350 drivers competed in the usual Sprint Cup, Sprint Cup Women, Junior Cup, Junior Kids Cup and Endurance Cup format, with an even bigger field. Although some limits were exceeded in the Sprint Cup, the competition was intense. On and around the track, there was no shortage of action in Slovakia to make this 12th edition an unforgettable experience. The atmosphere was excellent at the closing evening event, held at the X-Bionic Sphere on the banks of the Danube, where the trophies were awarded along with some excellent prizes.

Great innovations for 2024

Always on the lookout for improvement, the SWS team will continue its ongoing development of the regulations to meet the expectations of SWS circuits and drivers around the world.

New events will be offered in each Zone, as is the case in motor sport, under the SWS Regional Cup label. Five in number this year, these 'Cups' will be organised in conjunction with selected partner circuits and will provide additional opportunities for high-level confrontations. They will also offer a final opportunity to qualify for the International SWS 2024 finals, which will remain the highlight of the season.

The second edition of the SWS e-Sprint International Final will take place in Switzerland on the two Payerne circuits on 26th and 27th April 2024. It will involve 20 more drivers, a maximum of 84, and more nations involved.

400 drivers will be welcomed to Belgium from 3rd to 6th July at the prestigious Genk circuit for the SWS International Finals. This eagerly-awaited visit to the 'Home of Champions' evokes the legendary Max Verstappen, the three-time F1 World Champion who began his prestigious karting career at Genk. The 'Master' category will make its first appearance at this event, bringing together the world's top 30 drivers aged 40 and over.

Acknowledgments

The SWS would like to thank its loyal partners who contribute to the success of the major events each season: Bell, OMP, ITAKAshop & Sodikart.