Bahraini karting sensation Tariq Soofi is making his historic debut campaign in the WSK Euro Series 2026 this week in the season’s opening round at Leopard Circuit Viterbo in Italy.
The recently turned 11-year-old, who is a two-time national champion, is competing in the renowned European karting challenge with Lenovo Kali Kart Team. He is competing in the Mini GR3 category, which features a stacked grid of more than 50 karters of various nationalities.
Tariq got on track yesterday on a rain-hit day of running and is scheduled to return to action today for free practice, qualifying practice, and the first elimination heats. These continue tomorrow, setting the fields up for the pre-finals and finals on Saturday.
Other categories in the meeting in Viterbo are Mini U10, OK-N Junior, OK Junior, OK-N, OK, and KZ2.
Aside from the WSK Euro Series, Tariq will also be taking part in select races in the WSK Super Master Series and ACI Italian Karting Championship.
Tariq is also a part of Bahrain-based NorthStar Racing, racing at Bahrain International Karting Circuit (BIKC). He became a back-to-back champion in the Micro MAX category in last season’s BRMC and this year has moved up to the Mini MAX class.
Tariq in Viterbo yesterday
Tariq is being guided in his motorsport journey by Minardi Management – a leading driver-management company in Italy established in 2003 by Giovanni Minardi, son of Gian Carlo Minardi, the founder of the historic Minardi Formula One team that bears their family name.
Minardi have planned a full-time programme for him in Italy in the Mini GR3 category for the 2026 season.
Kalì Kart is a brand of CRG Srl, one of the most prestigious companies in the world of karting.
Tariq made his karting debut in 2023 in the BRMC. In his very first year, he immediately secured several important victories. His experience continued in the 2024 season, where he confirmed himself as one of the most successful and talented drivers in Bahrain as well as in the Mena Karting Championship Nations Cup, while also taking part in his first Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Final (RMCGF).
In 2025, he continued competing in Bahrain-based Rotax championships, once again qualifying for the RMCGF, and also made his debut in Italy in the Mini U10 category of the ROK Cup Italia 2025.
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