What Happened
Panama has finalized its delegation for the 2026 Latin American Karting Championship, one of the region’s top karting events. The competition will take place from May 15 to 17 in Costa Rica and is expected to bring together more than 200 drivers from across Latin America.
The Panamanian team will feature 11 young drivers competing in several categories, reflecting the strength of the country’s grassroots motorsport scene and the growing presence of Panamanian talent in regional competition.
The Panamanian Team
The delegation is spread across multiple classes, giving Panama representation in junior, senior, and master divisions. In Kid Kart, Rafael Terán will compete for Energy Corse Panamá.
In Micro Rok, the Panamanian entries are Axel Gómez of GPM, Oliver Smith of GPM, and Oscar Ricardo Terán of Energy Corse Panamá. Mini Rok will include Axel Gómez of GPM and Maxis Schubert of Energy Corse.
Panama will also be represented in Tillotson Senior by Ian León of Panamá Karting M., Rafael Fábrega of TDR, and Sebastián Medina of GPM. In VLR Jr., Nicolás Marín will race for GPM.
The VLR Sr. class will feature Ian León and José Halphen, both of Panamá Karting M., along with Rafael Fábrega of TDR. Cristian Smith of GPM will compete in VLR Master, while Oscar Terán of Pirates Kart will take part in Rok Shifter.
Why It Matters
The lineup highlights the development of karting in Panama and the pipeline of young drivers advancing through national and international events. Karting often serves as the starting point for future motorsport careers, and regional championships offer a valuable test against strong competition from neighboring countries.
With more than 200 drivers expected in Costa Rica, the event will give Panamanian competitors a high-level platform to measure themselves against some of the best emerging karting talent in Latin America. The broad distribution of Panamanian drivers across categories also points to steady growth in the sport at home.
Panama’s Motorsport Growth
Panama’s presence in the championship underscores the country’s continued investment in young racing talent and the increasing visibility of its karting programs. Participation in a major regional event can strengthen experience, competition standards, and development opportunities for drivers aiming to move up the motorsport ladder.