K1 Speed in Irvine hosts state championship competition
The best K1 racers in the state are battling it out this weekend in Irvine, with hopes of earning a spot at the National Championships in Riverside.
The K1 Speed California State Championship kicked off Saturday with juniors and teens taking to the race course. The second day of competition will bring out the adults to compete.
Jarion Flores spins out in front of Jason Serrano during K1 Speed’s California Teen Championship in Irvine on Saturday, January 31, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
While fans cheer on their favorite driver, Nathan Pinney gets ready to round a turn during K1 Speed’s California Junior Championship in Irvine on Saturday, January 31, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Nikolas Ramirez, 10, gets a hug from his grandma, Angela Salazar, after he competes in K1 Speed’s California Junior Championship race in Irvine on Saturday, January 31, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Spectators shout words of encouragement and take photos of racers during K1 Speed’s California Junior Championship in Irvine on Saturday, January 31, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A racer leaves the course dejected after competing in K1 Speed’s California Junior Championship in Irvine on Saturday, January 31, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jiana Alagot, 9, left, and Berlyn Niedjelski, 10, occupy themselves during the K1 Speed California Teen Championship race in Irvine on Saturday, January 31, 2026. A family friend was competing. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Emmy Engle leads the pack of racers competing in the K1 Speed California Junior Championship race in Irvine on Saturday, January 31, 2026. She was the only girl racing in that group. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
While fans cheer on their favorite driver, Nathan Pinney gets ready to round a turn during K1 Speed’s State Teen Championship in Irvine on Saturday, January 31, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
1 of 8
Jarion Flores spins out in front of Jason Serrano during K1 Speed’s California Teen Championship in Irvine on Saturday, January 31, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The go-kart drivers hail from all 15 California K1 Speed locations. If they end up earning a spot in the national championships against drivers from 10 countries, they have a chance at nabbing $79,000 in prize money.
The Ramirez family, father David and sons Daniel and Nikolas, representing K1 Speed Anaheim, are among local standouts, with all three entering the state championship.
Daniel Ramirez, in the teen division, started racing seven years ago following his first visit to K1 Speed. Since then, he has advanced into the upper levels of competitive karting, often racing at the outdoor K1 Circuit Winchester facility in Riverside County.
The youngest Ramirez, Nikolas, earned the top podium spot at the Anaheim Junior Challenge last year.
David Ramirez started racing in 2008. On Sunday, he will be competing against Anaheim champion Josh Ferrer and third-place finisher Raul Reyes. He has competed on a multitude of Southern California tracks as well as Sonoma Raceway.
For more information or for results, go to k1speed.com.
