K1 Speed in Irvine Hosts State Championship Competition

Racers from across California compete for a spot at the National Championships in Riverside.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 5:55pm

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The best K1 go-kart racers in California are competing this weekend at the K1 Speed facility in Irvine for the state championship. The winners will earn a spot to compete at the National Championships in Riverside, where they can vie for $79,000 in prize money.

Why it matters

K1 Speed is a popular indoor go-kart racing franchise with locations across California. The state championship event highlights the growing popularity of competitive go-kart racing in the state and provides an opportunity for talented drivers to showcase their skills and potentially advance to the national level.

The details

The K1 Speed California State Championship kicked off on Saturday, January 31st, with junior and teen divisions racing. The adult division will compete on Sunday. Racers hail from all 15 K1 Speed locations across California, and the top finishers will earn a spot to compete at the National Championships against drivers from 10 countries. Local standouts include the Ramirez family from the Anaheim location, with father David and sons Daniel and Nikolas all entered in the competition.

  • The K1 Speed California State Championship kicked off on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
  • The adult division will compete on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

The players

David Ramirez

A K1 Speed racer from the Anaheim location who started racing in 2008 and will be competing in the adult division on Sunday.

Daniel Ramirez

The teen division racer from the Anaheim K1 Speed location, who started racing seven years ago after his first visit to K1 Speed and has advanced to the upper levels of competitive karting.

Nikolas Ramirez

The youngest Ramirez sibling, who earned the top podium spot at the Anaheim Junior Challenge last year.

Josh Ferrer

The Anaheim champion who will be competing against David Ramirez in the adult division on Sunday.

Raul Reyes

The third-place finisher from Anaheim who will also be competing against David Ramirez in the adult division on Sunday.

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What they’re saying

“Since then, he has advanced into the upper levels of competitive karting, often racing at the outdoor K1 Circuit Winchester facility in Riverside County.”

— Daniel Ramirez, Teen division racer

“The youngest Ramirez, Nikolas, earned the top podium spot at the Anaheim Junior Challenge last year.”

— Nikolas Ramirez

What’s next

The winners of the K1 Speed California State Championship will advance to compete at the National Championships in Riverside, where they will have a chance at winning $79,000 in prize money.

The takeaway

The K1 Speed California State Championship highlights the growing popularity of competitive go-kart racing in the state, providing talented drivers an opportunity to showcase their skills and potentially advance to the national level. The event also showcases the Ramirez family's racing pedigree, with multiple members of the family competing at a high level.