Australia’s largest contingent of drivers will take part in this year’s FIA World Karting Championship, which will be held in Italy this weekend.

The eight Australians will join more than 200 drivers from 49 nations at this year’s event, which is set to take place at Circuito Internazionale di Napoli, in Sarno.

It marks 25 years since Australia’s last success at the global event, with future Supercars champion James Courtney winning the Formula A crown in 1997.

The Australians will compete across the Original Karts (OK) and OK-Junior categories at the global event, with six of the eight drivers to compete for Shamick Racing Europe, which is owned by Australian Shane Wharton.

Recently crowned Australian X30 Champion Jace Matthews, Victorian Harry Arnett, and Sydneysider Dante Vinci will line up in the OK category, which has drawn 93 entrants.

It will be the second World Championship tilt for Matthews and follows his most successful year in Australian karting.

“I’ve had some great results this year in Australia culminating in the X30 Australian Championship and finishing runner-up in the KA3 Senior class, now I’m excited to test myself against the best in the world this weekend,” Matthews said.

“Since arriving here last week I’ve already learnt so much and look forward to achieving a good result while gaining some great experience along the way.”

In the junior category, Australian Kart Championship runner-up Toby Dvorak, Brad Majman, Max Walton, as well as Jaxson and Jenson Burns, will compete in a field of 111 drivers for the 36 places in the final.

The opening round of heats will commence on Friday (local time), before continuing across the weekend.

The top 72 drivers in the intermediate classification will transfer into the Super Heat on Sunday morning (local time), with the highest 36 in the standings to start in the Championship Final.