#41 SUMMARY 004 005
EDITORIAL NEWS
FFSA meets its officials before the start of the karting season New website for Charles Leclerc The 29th edition of the Andrea Margutti Trophy Doriane Pin aiming for the top in 2018 First races and podiums for Alpha Karting More wet tyres authorised in France in the KZ2 categories Test days at Essay-Aunay les Bois 2018 Action Karting catalogue finally available! Sodikart crowned 2017 distributor of the year by Rotax 4th place in F1 in Bahrain for Pierre Gasly Medals for the finalists in CIK-FIA competitions
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Leisure - Ancenis - French University Championship
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INTERNATIONAL
Orlando - FWT IAME International Open - Mariembourg Sarno - WSK - Super Master Series Sarno - WSK - Super Master Series
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REPORT LEISURE - ANCENIS FRENCH UNIVERSITY CHAMPIONSHIP
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2018 CALENDAR KSP GRAND REPORTS
KARTCOM NEWS #41
INTERNATIONAL IAME INTERNATIONAL OPEN - MARIEMBOURG
INTERNA SARNO SUPER M
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NATIONAL
1st round of F4 and already two podiums for Caio Collet, Volant Winfield winner Shihab Al Habsi - A young talent from Oman in the French F4 Championship First successful single-seater race for Théo Pourchaire
Salbris - French Championship PF International - Tuto Super One Series - Round 1
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PRODUCT
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Kart Mekaone trolley Alpinestars Tech 1-KZ Shoes Unipro Unistop Chronometer
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CARS
Two F4 2018 French Championship drivers join the Venturi Academy in Formula E Caio Collet and Stuart White in the Winfield colours in the French F4 Championship Nogaro - French Championship
VIDEO
Salbris - French Junior Karting Championship - Round 2 Sarno - WSK Super Master Series - Round 2 Mariembourg - IAME International Open Le Mans - French Junior Karting Championship - Round 1
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ATIONAL - WSK MASTER SERIES
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CARS NOGARO FRENCH CHAMPIONSHIP
INTERNATIONAL SALBRIS FRENCH CHAMPIONSHIP
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KARTCOM NEWS #41
EDITORIAL
KARTCOM NEWS #41 GOOD WEATHER IS FINALLY HERE!
T
he beginning of 2018 was marked by weather conditions not very conducive to the practice of karting. The harshness of winter was prolonged more than usual, but the cycle of the seasons has finally recovered, as expected. Despite a very early schedule, karting has shown signs of positive development on several levels. Internationally, the WSK Super Master Series can boast of very high entry figures and thrilling races. The next generation is present in 60 Mini, while the OK and OK-Junior categories attract more and more participants. As such, the launch of the CIK-FIA European Championships at Sarno in a few days will give a good indica-
tion of the trend. The arrival of a new promoter, RGMMC Group, is anticipated by many observers. However, it will be necessary not to judge hastily. The preparation time for the new season has been very short and the profound effects of this change will probably not be felt before several events have passed, especially as the bar has been set high after the efforts of their predecessor, WSK Promotion. Several national series, federal or private, have started the sporting year rather well and positive feedback has already been received from Italy, Great Britain, Germany, Benelux, France and Spain. The X30 continues its development, as does the Rok, the Rotax may surprise in some markets, and ultima-
tely the number of participants is not worrying at all. It is not a question of celebrating prematurely, forgetting the fundamental questions that must be solved. But it is undoubtedly necessary to avoid making a negative assessment of the karting situation. Here and there, glimmers of hope are can be seen like the buds that open little by little despite the harshness of the weather. So why not see the glass as half full, rather than half empty ... In any case, Kartcom News wishes a spring full of satisfaction to all karting enthusiasts around the world and to all those who give themselves without counting for this sport!
+ KARTCOM NEWS #41
Communication document Réalisé par la société KSP Reportages 79, avenue Victor Hugo, 94290 Villeneuve le Roi - France +33 1 46 82 60 12 +33 6 08 26 61 11 office@kartcom-news.com
RESPONSABLE PUBLICATION
TRADUCTION
RESPONSABLE RÉDACTION
Philippe Kalmès Frédéric Billet
DIRECTION ARTISTIQUE Céline Quiros
PHOTOGRAPHE
Guillaume Veuve • Chris Walker • Philippe Kalmès
PHOTOGRAPHIES
CIK-FIA KARTING AWARDS
ADMINISTRATIF
KSP Photo Agency ( Guillaume Veuve & Philippe Kalmès ) • DPPI • Renault Sport • Kart!im
REPORTAGE & COMMUNIQUÉ
VIDÉO
STARS & MÉTIERS 2012
Mary-Ann Horley Cristina Kalmès, Annie Dujols Service presse FFSA • CIK-FIA • Prodiff • Kartcom • Renault Sport
Vitor Lopes
DIFFUSION
KSP Agency Chosen As CIK-FIA «BEST PHOTOGRAPH» in 2007 • 2008 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 and 2015. Prix départemental ( 94 ) «Dynamique commerciale»
Gratuite - Ce magazine numérique a été diffusé en 33 000 exemplaires
TOUTE REPRODUCTION TOTALE OU PARTIELLE EST STRICTEMENT INTERDITE SANS CARSRISATION PRÉALABLE FAITE AUPRÈS DE LA SOCIÉTÉ KSP REPORTAGES
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NEWS
Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet
Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet
THE FFSA MEETS ITS OFFICIALS BEFORE THE START OF THE KARTING SEASON
NEW WEBSITE FOR CHARLES LECLERC
So that the federal competitions can take place in the best conditions, for the first time the FFSA has gathered all the officials appointed for the 2018 French Karting Championships and Cups at its premises in Paris. Race directors, stewards and technical delegates, in total more than 40 officials met on Monday, 19th March along with the presence of the organiser TKC, the karting service of the FFSA and the president of the CNK Michel Guignard.
A
common vision of competition and harmonisation of approaches to competitors were at the centre of the discussion of this great federal first, which reflects the will of the FFSA to constantly improve the quality of its events.
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KARTCOM NEWS #41
KSP Reportages and its entire team is pleased to announce the launch of the new website for Charles Leclerc which it has finalised just before his first Grand Prix with the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team.
"W
e have followed Charles Leclerc since his karting debut," said Philippe Kalmès, the founder of KSP Reportages. "It has been a great pleasure over the years to witness the emergence of a great talent. His accession to Formula 1 materialises the dream of thousands of young karting drivers, even though Charles' career remains exceptional. We are proud to have been asked to make his official website. This gives us the opportunity to showcase our know-how in site design. We have used all our resources to create a modern and dynamic site using the latest web technologies for smooth viewing on all types of media."
WWW.CHARLESLECLERC.COM
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NEWS
Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo Fernando Morandi
29 EDITION OF THE ANDREA MARGUTTI TROPHY IN THE ANNALS OF INTERNATIONAL KARTING TH
The 29th edition of the Trophy, which took place at the South Garda Karting circuit in Lonato on March 11th, we thanks to the number of participants, which reached 252, and also because of the heavy rains which caused epic battles on the soggy track.
T
his competition, organised by Parma Motorsport, has confirmed its place as a classic of international karting created in memory of the tragic death of Andrea Margutti in 1989. The race has borne the name of this young driver from Rome since 1990, and was first disputed in Rome before being transferred to Parma then to Lonato for the last six years.
The statistics show that this 29th edition welcomed drivers from 34 different countries. Apart from Italy and its 99 drivers, the most represented country was Germany with no less than 36 drivers at the start, while
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the biggest team was CRG with 13 drivers. The different nationalities present included Andorra (1), Argentina (1), Austria (5), Belarus (1), Brazil (1), Switzerland (11), China (1), Chile (1), Colombia (1), the Czech Republic (9), Germany (36), Denmark (16), Estonia (4), Finland (7), France (5), Great Britain (2), Croatia (1), Hungary (2), India (1), Israel (1), Italy (99), Netherlands (2), Norway (1), Panama (1), Peru (2), Poland (1), Romania (4), Russia (10), Singapore (1), Slovakia (2), Slovenia (1), Sweden (16), Ukraine (3) and Venezuela (1). The winners of this event started in 1990 with the victories of Giancarlo Fisichella in 100 ICA and Andrea Belicchi in National 100. The winners of the 2018 edition were Andrea Rosso (CRG-Tm-Vega) in OK, Enzo Trulli (CRG -Tm-Vega) in OK-Junior, Alessio Lorandi (Parolin-Tm-Vega) in KZ2, Coskun Irfan (Parolin-Tm-Vega) in 60 Mini and Marco Moretti (Tony Kart-Iame-Komet) in Senior X30. Andrea Rosso won his second victory in a row in the Andrea Margutti Trophy, while Enzo Trulli achieved success after his father attempted the race between 1992 and 1995. Alessio Lorandi earned his third victory after victories in 2010 in 60 Mini and 2014 in KF. He became the second most successful driver at the Margutti, behind Fisichella's four victories in 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1994. The Andrea Margutti Trophy will reach its 30th edition in 2019, a success unimaginable when it was launched in 1990. The organiser Parma Motorsport and Andrea's mother, Patrizia Margutti, are already preparing another memorable event.
RESULTS
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BEST MOMENTS
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NEWS
Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Philippe Kalmès
DORIANE PIN
AIMING FOR THE TOP IN 2018
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After a constructive first season in the top 10 of the French Junior Championship last year, Doriane Pin is approaching 2018 with higher ambitions. Her experience in the FFSA Academy's one-design formula in 2017 led her to a 10th and a top female finish, a performance that did not go unnoticed after coming straight out of the Minime category.
Doriane also thanks ASK Rosny, the Ile de France Karting League, the Kartagene Association, Fun and Race, Alfano Chrono and all the private sponsors who support her.
T
his great progress owes much to the quality of the training provided by the FFSA Academy team. This is one of the reasons why Doriane decided to take part in the second season of the French Junior Championship. But this time, victory is in sight. Her performance during the opening event at Le Mans on 17th and 18th March confirmed her potential as she started by achieving pole position in Timed Practice. Always very fast, she fought fierce battles in the pack during the Qualifying Heats before being taken off the track by a rival while she was on track to finish 2nd. Combative, Doriane managed to finish with a fairytale comeback in the Final, from 16th to 5th position. However, her 10th place in the provisional classification of the Championship has far from satisfied her and we can expect an energetic reaction from her during the next races.
In addition to her participation in the five events of the French Junior Championship, Doriane’s 2018 programme will also include the French Women's Championship with the title as her goal. Based on the support of her partners, she intends to participate in some international OK-Junior events, the leading category for young talents around the world. For these performances at the beginning of the year, Doriane would like to underline the significant contribution of the training sessions, mental and physical, which she took part in with 321 Perform in Font Romeu, under the tutelage of its director Xavier FeuillÊe.
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NEWS
Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo Karting-Sud - Stéphane Agnus & KSP - Philippe Kalmès
FIRST RACES AND FIRST PODIUMS FOR
ALPHA KARTING
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Alpha Karting's sporting, technical and commercial strategy has immediately begun to bear fruit at the start of the season in 2018. The new CIK homologated chassis, as well as the FFSA homologated chassis in Minime and Cadet, enabled their drivers and their teams to display a very high level of performance. The podiums are there for the French manufacturer and Alpha Karting has the ambition to continue its momentum alongside its partners.
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lpha Karting started 2018 with an increased presence in new markets around the world. In addition to France, distributors located in countries such as the United States, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Switzerland were pleased with the efficiency and quality of production of the new range, developed in collaboration with the worldwide benchmark Sodikart factory.
VICTORIES AT SALBRIS, SOUCY, LE MANS...
"We have done a lot of work to expand our network, which includes professionals recognised in the profession," confirmed sales manager Hugo Montesano. "We knew their expectations, which is why we left nothing to chance at all levels: technical, design, responsiveness and services. Since the beginning of the season, I have already had the opportunity to visit several races and the effects of our new dynamics are clearly felt in the field." D-Kart driver Bastien Leblais opened the hostilities in Minime, with a victory at Salbris at the Stars of Karting Open Kart, 2nd place at Brignoles in the Jules Bianchi Trophy (IAME Séries France) and another success at Le Mans with pole position on the first day of the Brittany-Pays de la
Loire League Championship. Still at Le Mans, but in X30 Gentleman, D-Kart took a double win with Thierry Abiven and Jean-Joseph Lattuada! The Alpha Karting chassis of the Braun Racing team have also been showcased on several circuits, such as Corentin Guth's victory at the Sens Trophy at Soucy, and his competitiveness was also displayed at the Oscar Petit Trophy in Varennes sur Allier.
2018 ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Combining the leagues of Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrenees and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the Southern Championship began with several drivers from the Suau Racing Kart team to the forefront. Emeric Got in X30 Senior and Jérémy Lopes in KZ2 took 1st place in the heats, while Tom Vidal achieved a solid performance in 5th position in Senior. On the other side of the Alps, the Swiss team LKM is optimistic after the first runnings. More than 40 years after its creation, victory is more than ever part of the DNA of the French brand. The news from Alpha Karting also concerns the range of rental chassis and the increase in sales in France and abroad in this highly competitive sector. Internationally, the online sales site www.akparts.fr is attracting more and more customers with its versions in French, English and Spanish. Spare parts, equipment, tools, accessories, equipment... there are hundreds of references available and orders are rewarded with loyalty points.
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NEWS
Info FFSA © Photo KSP - Philippe Kalmès
WET TYRES ALLOWED IN FRANCE IN THE KZ2 CATEGORIES FOR 2018 AND 2019 Given the feedback from the KZ2 drivers during the French early-season races, the National Karting Commission, in agreement with the FFSA Steering Committee, decided to widen the choice of rain tyres authorised in France in the KZ2, KZ2 Master and KZ2 Gentleman categories. All CIK-FIA approved 2017-2019 rain tyres are now accepted in the national and regional competitions in France for by these categories during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Wet tyres must therefore be brought directly by competitors.
PNEUS PLUIE HOMOLOGUÉS
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REIMBURSEMENT FOR LECONT LW The manufacturer LeCont has put in place a reimbursement protocol for the new LeCont - LW wet tyres, distributed until now. Drivers and professionals possessing new LECONT - LW wet tyres are invited to contact the dealer from whom they made their purchase, so that they can be im-
mediately reimbursed in return for the return of their tyres. The shipping costs will be borne by the manufacturer. This transaction will be effective from Tuesday, 27th March 2018 to Friday, 11th May, 2018 inclusive.
INCREASED LECONT LO Z SLICK TYRES The FFSA, in collaboration with the manufacturer LeCont, at the same time decided to double the allocation initially planned for the French Championship and French Cup for KZ2, KZ2 Master and KZ2 Gentleman in 2018. Therefore all participants in these federal events will receive two complete sets of LeCont LO Z tyres free of charge from the manufacturer instead of one.
X I R P D N A GR
G N I T KA18R
0 2 I A M 13 12
Lavilledieu
FEMININE E C N A R F ENTLEMAN E G D / T R E A T N S N A NIOR / M HAMPIO
C
COUPE
IOR / SÉ N U J K O E DE FRANC
L.K.C. LAVILLEDIEU
www.actionkarting.fr
GOUNON Automobiles
LA BELLE FARINIERE Boulangerie / Pâtisserie Artisanale
HÔTEL LES PERSÈDES
RESTAURANT LES GARRIGUES
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NEWS
Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Philippe Kalmès
TEST DAYS AT ESSAY-AUNAY LES BOIS The circuit of Essay-Aunay les Bois has organised another series of test days on 2nd-4th July for the drivers of the French Junior Championship, the League Championship Ile-de-France and for those of the European Championship for the OK and OKJunior categories. The surface of the track has been completely renewed!
JULY 2ND, 3RD & 4TH, 2018 - 8:30 / 12:30 and 14:00 / 18:00 - Exclusively reserved for competitors - Track day fee: €80 per day (€50 for the afternoon) .. - Pits: 17 stands are available (5X4m). Priority allocation to teams who have booked and paid in advance the track fees to the company Karting Ouest. There is no additional cost for this. - Camping: €15 per night per pitch (9x6m) suitable for a caravan, motorhome or tent - The circuit restaurant "Volant d'Or" will be open during the test days. - To rent the circuit exclusively on weekdays contact the Karting Ouest.
TEST DAY INFORMATION
Gilles Galliot Tél. : +33 (0)6 87 24 34 39 ouest.karting@orange.fr
OUEST-KARTING.FR
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RACE INFORMATION
Claude Gripon / K61 Tél. :+33 (0)6 82 02 19 11 K61@club-internet.fr
KARTING61.COM
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NEWS
Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet
Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo DR
THE 2018 ACTION KARTING CATALOG IS FINALLY AVAILABLE!
SODIKART CROWNED 2017 DISTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR BY ROTAX
Action Karting returns with a catalogue that is even more comprehensive and detailed: find the 114 pages dedicated to the karting accessories, engines, driver equipment, tools, lubricants, trackside equipment, and even professional equipment.
BRP Rotax's annual rewards program is based on six parameters to evaluate the performance of each distributor. The assessment recognises the one with the most points in terms of excellence in marketing and services. Rotax Kart customers are backed by 43 official distributors and a network of 600 service centres around the world.
S
odikart won another award for 2017, tied with the South African distributor Ed Murray Racing.
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NEWS
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KARTCOM NEWS #41
Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Philippe Kalmès
4 PLACE IN F1 IN BAHRAIN FOR FORMER FFSA ACADEMY STUDENT TH
PIERRE GASLY After the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix, the FFSA Academy congratulates Pierre Gasly for his remarkable performance: 5th position on the grid and 4th at the end of 57 laps! At the wheel of his Toro Rosso, Pierre scored his first points in the World Championship for the seventh Grand Prix of his career and the second of give 2018 season. He took the opportunity to offer Honda its best result since returning to F1 in 2015 and one of his two best rankings in two years.
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fter a distinguished career in karting punctuated by numerous podiums at national and international level, the Norman driver started in single-seaters in the French Formula 4 Championship. Trained at the FFSA Academy, he joined the ranks of the Lycée Le Mans Sud and the Pôle Espoir. Member of the French FFSA Circuit team, he benefited from all the expertise of the Le Mans training and physical training centre for many years, leading up to his arrival in Formula 1.
The rise of Pierre Gasly confirms the success of the path of excellence set up by the federation.
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NEWS
Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo RGMMC
MEDALS FOR THE FINALISTS IN CIK-FIA A COMPETITIONS
"Progress is an important factor in the development of an athlete and it must be valued. Karting is different from other disciplines of motorsport. In Karting you have to earn your place on the starting grid of the final on Sunday,” the CIK-FIA says. medal will be awarded to each of the 34 finalists in each category to reward the efforts made to reach the final. To be seen on track starting Sunday, 22nd April, at Sarno, the first meeting of the CIKFIA European Championships under the aegis of the new promoter RGMMC Group.
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ENERGY POWER www.energycorse.com
d l r o W e h T
f o l l is fu
Y G R ENE
: TORM S Y G E NE R L E R OF ION A T WINN A N INTER E M A I L 2017 ION A L T A A N N I F ER K INT O R A ND 2017 L A N FI
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CALENDAR
CALENDAR 2018 aPril 01/04 Mariembourg - IAME International Open 08/04 Salbris - Championnat de France 08/04 Sarno - WSK - Super Master Series 15/04 Le Mans - Championnat de France 15/04 Lonato - Deutsche Kart Meisterschaft 22/04 Genk - Rotax Max - Euro Trophy 22/04 Sarno - European Championship
X30 Master / X30 Super Shifter / X30 Senior / X30 Junior / X30 Super Junior OK / 60 Mini / OK-Junior / KZ2 Endurance OK / OK-Junior / KZ2 Mini Max / DD2 / Rotax Senior / Rotax Junior OK-Junior / OK
maY 06/05 Varennes / Allier - National Series Karting 06/05 Salbris - Academy Trophy 06/05 Salbris - European Championship 13/05 Wackersdorf - Deutsche Kart Meisterschaft 13/05 Lavilledieu - Coupe de France 13/05 Lavilledieu - Championnat de France 20/05 PF International - European Championship 20/05 Ledenon - Championnat de France 27/05 Mariembourg - IAME - Euro Series
DD2 / Rotax Max / KZ2 / Rotax Master / Nationale / Cadet Academy KZ / KZ2 OK / OK-Junior / KZ2 MASTER / OK / OK-Junior / GENTLEMAN / SENIOR Feminine OK-Junior / OK KZ2 Gentleman (Long circuit) / KZ2 Master (Long circuit) / KZ2 (Long circuit) X30 Mini / X30 Senior / X30 Junior / X30 Super Shifter
juNE 03/06 Aunay-les-Bois - Championnat de France 03/06 Donington - European Championship 03/06 Ampfing - Deutsche Kart Meisterschaft 10/06 Ancenis - Championnat de France 10/06 Ancenis - Coupe de France 10/06 Kristianstad - Rotax Max - Euro Trophy 17/06 Ampfing - European Championship 17/06 Chateau Gaillard - IAME - Series France 24/06 Laval - Championnat de France 24/06 Lonato - WSK - Open Cup
Junior Superkart OK / OK-Junior / KZ2 Handikart Cadet Mini Max / DD2 / Rotax Senior / Rotax Junior OK-Junior / OK X30 Junior / X30 Senior / X30 Master / X30 Gentleman / X30 Super / X30 Minime Endurance OK / 60 Mini / OK-Junior / KZ2
juLY 01/07 Salbris - National Series Karting 08/07 Anneville - Championnat de France 08/07 Anneville - Coupe de France 08/07 Wackersdorf - IAME - Euro Series 15/07 Angerville - Championnat de France 15/07 Lonato - Academy Trophy 15/07 Lonato - European Championship 22/07 Soucy - Championnat de France 22/07 Soucy - Coupe de France 29/07 Kerpen - Deutsche Kart Meisterschaft
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DD2 / Rotax Max / KZ2 / Rotax Master / Nationale / Cadet OK / Nationale KZ2 Gentleman / KZ2 Master / KZ2 X30 Mini / X30 Senior / X30 Junior / X30 Super Shifter MASTER / SENIOR / GENTLEMAN Academy KZ / KZ2 Cadet OK-Junior / Minime OK / OK-Junior / KZ2
aUGUST 05/08 Essay - European Championship 12/08 A1 Speedworld - Rotax Max - Euro Trophy 12/08 Castelletto - IAME - Euro Series 19/08 Assen - European Championship 19/08 Genk - Deutsche Kart Meisterschaft 26/08 Mirecourt - Championnat de France 26/08 Mirecourt - Coupe de France 26/08 Croix en Ternois - Championnat de France
OK-Junior / OK X30 Junior / X30 Mini / DD2 / X30 Senior X30 Mini / X30 Senior / X30 Junior / X30 Super Shifter Superkart OK / OK-Junior / KZ2 Minime Nationale KZ2 Gentleman (Long circuit) / KZ2 Master (Long circuit) / KZ2 (Long circuit)
septembER 09/09 Genk - Academy Trophy 09/09 Genk - International Super Cup 09/09 Le Mans - IAME - Series France 09/09 Genk - World Karting Championship 23/09 Kristianstad - World Karting Championship 30/09 Le Mans - Endurance Championship 30/09 Le Mans - Championnat de France 30/09 Wackersdorf - Rotax Max - Euro Trophy
Academy KZ2 X30 Junior / X30 Senior / X30 Master / X30 Gentleman / X30 Super / X30 Minime KZ OK-Junior / OK OK Endurance Mini Max / DD2 / Rotax Senior / Rotax Junior
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© Photo KSP - Philippe Kalmès
REPORTAGE
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FRENCH UNIVERSITY CHAMP. ANCENIS
KEY POINTS ORGANISER
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FFSA
LOCATION
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Circuit Roger Gaillard, Ancenis - 1170 m
DATE 29th March, 2018
ENTRIES 33 teams of 3 drivers
RAIN CANNOT DISCOURAGE THE STUDENTS
Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Philippe Kalmès
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REPORTAGE The 11th edition of the French University Karting Championship confirmed the effective collaboration between the FFSA and the French Federation of University Sports. Despite persistent rain at Ancenis, 33 teams of three students
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took part in the Sodi 4-stroke 390cc kart race with great courage, weighted fairly for a race of an hour and a half. The more or less controlled acrobatic spins were not unusual on slick tyres on a wet track.
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REPORTAGE
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fter 90’ of a particularly demanding race for drivers and machines, ECE Paris crossed the finish line with 56 laps on the counter, around 65 km. Estaca 1 took 2nd place 15'' later while Estaca Laval had to settle for 3rd position by only 3.4 ''. Association Leonard de Vinci 1 and Neoma BS Reims 3 completed the top five. The French University Karting Champions of 2018, the CE Paris team was particularly consistent with a driver titled in competition, Thomas Lemoult (age 22), and two team-mates experienced in leisure races, Raphaël Lhermey (age 23 and Léo Fritz (age 21). However, the win was not easy against equally sharp opponents such
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as Estaca 1 (Antoine Cousin, Philippe Sitter and Pierre Verne) and Estaca Laval (Pierre Lou Fleury, Killian Hyron and Axel Bauer).
Nicole Colleoni - Ph: Sirio Serughetti - Art Direction: Guido Monfrini / Makelab.it - Make-up: Lorenza Bacchieri - Location: Pista 7 Laghi Castelletto di Branduzzo (PV) - Riproduzione vietata - Imposta di pubblicitĂ a cura di chi lo espone in pubblico - Backstage:
www.vegatyres.com/backstage
www.vegatyres.com
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INTERNATIONAL
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LA ROK CUP U
REVIVES THE FLORIDA
KARTCOM NEWS #41
USA
A WINTER TOUR
ROK CUP FLORIDA WINTER TOUR 3/3, ORLANDO
KEY POINTS ORGANISER
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ROK Cup Promotions
LOCATION
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Orlando Kart Center, Floride - 1160 m
DATE 16th to 18th March, 2018
ENTRIES 129 drivers - 7 categories • 3rd and last round of the ROK Cup Promotions Florida Winter Tour of 2018 • Tickets to be won for ROK International Final and ROK the RIO • Great race weekend
Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo FWT - Cody Schindel
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MICRO ROK
I
n the lead, Caleb Gafrarar (Parolin) ensured the title with constant domination all weekend. However, he had to face serious opponents like Danny Dyszelski (Energy) and Matias Orjuela (Benik), respectively 2nd and 3rd in the Final and the Championship.
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MINI ROK
J
ames Egozi (Tony Kart) fought his way through the Final to maintain his lead in the standings finishing 2nd behind Kai Sorensen (Benik), who was 2nd on the Championship podium. 3rd in the Final, Alex Powell (Energy) also held this place at the end of the series.
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ROK JUNIOR
T
homas Nepveu (Birel ART) pulled out a superb Final victory over Matheus Morgatto (Parolin), while Arias Deukmedjian (Tony Kart) was 3rd ahead of Ugo Ugochukwu (Tony Kart). In the Championship, Morgatto won against Ugochukwu, and Nepveu finished 3rd ahead of Tyler Gonzalez (Tony Kart).
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ROK SENIOR
A
fter pole position for Eduardo Barichello (Tony Kart), Arthur Leist (Kosmic) took the lead in the heats, then Ryan MacDermid (Birel ART) prevailed in the Prefinal. Diego Ramos led over the finish line before being disqualified and Ryan Norberg (Birel ART) won in front of Leist and Barichello. Norberg won the title against Barichello and MacDermid. Magno Gaia (Tony Kart) was crowned in Master Rok, Mathias Ramirez (Parolin) in Shifter Rok Senior and Farshad Baheri (TB Kart) in Shifter Rok Master.
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THE EUROPEAN X30 MEETING RETURNS TO BELGIUM
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IAME INTER. OPEN MARIEMBOURG
KEY POINTS LOCATION
+
Karting des Fagnes, Mariembourg - 1388 m
DATE 30th March to 1st April, 2018
ENTRIES 128 drivers - 5 categories • Back to Mariembourg after three editions at Castelletto • 20 nations represented • Entries down • No X30 Super • Debut of X30 Mini • Highly contested races • Complicated weather • Two Belgians, a Dutchman, a Frenchman and a Estonian win
Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo IAME - Tino Cacopardo
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X30 JUNIOR
BALOTA
FROM START TO FINISH
S
am Balota (Exprit - Eurokarting) left nothing to his rivals. Leader since Qualifying in the rain as in the dry, he was the boss of X30 Junior. Alessandro Tudisca (Kosmic - Tys Racing) followed him with good consistency in 2nd place, while the Canadian Jason Leung (Gillard - PDB Racing) finally finished in 3rd position. Enzo JouliĂŠ (KR - CBK) was 6th thanks to his good return to the top five in Race 2.
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VAN SPLUNTEREN A VERY CONSISTENT WINNER
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X30 SENIOR
A
fter pole position for Joel Deptuch (Tony Kart - Kart Runner), Franck Chappard (RedSpeed ​​- VDK Racing) started strongly in the heats ahead of Elie Goldstein (Kosmic - VDK Racing) and Joey Van Splunteren (FA Kart - Evolution SuperB). Van Splunteren took the lead in Race 1 while Corentin Collignon (Kosmic - VDK Racing) won in the second when Goldstein was disqualified. Van Splunteren won the classification against Collignon and Chappard was on the 3rd step of the podium.
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X30 MASTER
PEURIÈRE UNTOUCHABLE
A
lthough Wilfried Lecarpentier (Kosmic - RSD Karting) achieved the fastest time, it was François Peurière (Tony Kart - Team Peurière) who then won everything, with Lecarpentier finishing 2nd ahead of Fabio Kieltyka (Kosmic - RSD Karting).
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X30 SUPER SCHIFTER
PIIRIMAGI AT THE FINISH
C
hristof Huibers (Gillard - DFK) dominated from Qualifying until Race 1, but Sten Dorian Piirimagi (FA Kart - Eurokarting) finally won the event by winning the Race 2 in the dry, Frederic Op De Beeck (FK - SFP Racing) taking 3rd place.
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X30 MINI
VICTORY FOR
LECUERTA L
eader for much of the meeting, Kimmy Abraham (Tony Kart - DimoKart) lost any chance of the podium in X30 Mini in the last race. Lorens Lecuerta (Kosmic - Ravet Racing) won the event on equal points with Ruben Volt (FA Kart - Dan Holland Racing), while Maxime Furon Castelain (Kosmic - VDK Racing) finished 3rd by just one point.
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PROGRAMME CHANGE AT SARNO 61
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WSK SUPER MASTER SERIES 2/4, SARNO
KEY POINTS ORGANISER
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WSK Promotion
LOCATION
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Circuito Inter. Napoli, Sarno - 1547 m
DATE 30th March to 1st April, 2018
ENTRIES 244 drivers - 4 categories • Replacement for Lonato event • First fast track of the season • Several twists in OK and OK-Junior • Tony Kart and Ardigo at the top • Some significant absentees in KZ2 • Intense battles • Capricious weather • Sunny Finals
Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Philippe Kalmès
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KZ2
ARDIGO
GREAT SUCCESS 63
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M
arco Ardigo (Tony Kart / Vortex) fulfilled his mission perfectly by winning everything at Sarno, which allowed him to take the lead. While the competition was not at its usual standard and Matteo Vigano (Tony Kart / Vortex) was long his main opponent, it was Giuseppe Palomba (Intrepid / TM) who took 2nd place while Simo Puhakka (Tony Kart / Vortex) took 3rd place
from Bas Lammers (Lion Kart / TM in the last metres. Tom Leuillet (Sodi / TM ) was 6th in the final stages and Adrien Renaudin (Sodi / TM) finished 8th.
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NIELSEN
WINNING RETURN
OK
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R
oman Stanek (Kosmic / Vortex) and Dexter Patterson (Exprit / TM) were caught by Nicklas Nielsen (Tony Kart / Vortex), with Jonny Edgar (Exprit / TM) and Noah Milell (Tony Kart / Vortex) remaining in ambush.
/ Parilla) and Callum Bradshaw (CRG / TM). Lorenzo Travisanutto (KR / Parilla) had to settle for 5th place followed by Tom Joyner (Sodi / TM).
But Nielsen secured a great victory, placing him at the top of the standings as Pedro Hiltbrand (CRG / TM) made a big comeback to finish 2nd ahead of Hannes Janker (KR
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R O I N K-JU
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VICTORY FOR
MINI IN
FRONT OF MALLET
G
abriel Bortoleto (CRG / TM) had scored pole position and led in the heats and in his Prefinal. But Gabriele Mini (Parolin / TM) made a superb Final with a victory while Evan Mallet (Kosmic / Parilla) finally reached the podium, in 2nd place ahead of Bortoleto. Zak O'Sullivan finished 4th in front of the female revelation, Maya Weug (Luxor / LKE). Less fortunate at Sarno, Kirill Smal (Tony Kart / Vortex) retained the lead of the Championship despite his 8th position, only one point ahead of Mini.
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KUCHARCZYK
THE WINNER AT THE FINISH 69
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P
oleman and winner of the second heat, Tymoteusz Kucharczyk (Parolin / TM) left Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Energy / TM) and Martinius Stenshorne (Parolin / TM) to face the bubbling Alexandru Iancu (Maranello / TM) in the Final. Stenshorne was heading for victory when Antonelli pushed him
I N I M 60 onto the last lap and Kucharczyk was able to recover the lead in front of Karol Pasiewicz (Energy / TM) and Iancu, 3rd after Antonelli's penalty. Stenshorne, however, retained the lead in the championship.
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Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Philippe Kalmès
THOMPSON & O’SULLIVAN MAKE EXCELLENT PROGRESS AT SARNO
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The second event of the WSK Super Master Series was moved to Sarno to replace the cancelled race at Lonato. The competition took place on Easter weekend in changeable weather in the Naples area. The usual favourites from the RFM team were not at the party, but the performance was still there in the British team, including Harry Thompson in OK and Zak O'Sullivan and Kai Askey in Junior.
W
ith variable grip depending on the rain, the fast circuit of Sarno changed the situation among the RFM drivers. Recent winner of the OK category at La Conca, Zane Maloney could not repeat his success because of several incidents on the track. He retired at the start of his first heat, then in the battle for Prefinal B. Harry Thompson showed great pace, starting with 6th place in the Qualifying session and concluded with an impressive 21-place gain in the Final which moved him up to 9th place, his best result in OK so far. After of a good 3rd place in his first heat, Dan Skocdopole was also in the field in the Final.
10 at the start of the Final before an incident relegated him to the back of the grid. Zak O'Sullivan had a good run in the top three of his heats before taking 2nd place in his Prefinal. He confirmed his form by staying in 2nd position of the Final for an extended period before finishing 4th. Zak is 5th in the standings ahead of Paul. Ranked 70th at the end of Qualifying, Kai Askey achieved a real feat by moving up in the heats and especially by qualifying 10th in the Prefinal (+10 p). He continued to come back strongly in the Final, finishing 13th with a 6-place gain to get his best result to date. Matthew Rees was not left out as he managed to qualify for the Final after 69th in Qualifying, and also gained ground (7 places) in the Final. Better placed at the end of the heats, Conrad Laursen missed his goal by little because of a Prefinal penalty. Although success was not with all of the RFM drivers during this meeting, analysis of the results showed that they had the potential to shine more. This is the goal they have set for next weekend for the conclusion of the WSK Super Master Series at the same circuit of Sarno. It will also be the last rehearsal before the start of the CIK-FIA European Championship scheduled two weeks later at Sarno.
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Paul Aron kicked off the OK-Junior racing by posting the best time in his group for 3rd place overall, then winning three straight heat, which put him 3rd. He lost time at the start of Prefinal A, but returned to the top
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Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Philippe Kalmès
POTENTIAL CONFIRMED FOR PIZZI, GREAT PROGRESS FOR NEPVEU
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The WSK Super Master Series moved to Naples one week ahead of the original schedule to replace the Lonato event canceled because of the snow. Although this event was not scheduled in the programme, Birel ART Racing took the opportunity to continue to develop the equipment and drivers. Good performances rewarded everyone's efforts, especially in OK-Junior with Francesco Pizzi's 7th place. The first steps in European competition for Thomas Nepveu were also more than encouraging with an incredible 15th position in the Final.
"W
e proved in Sarno that our potential in OK-Junior is very real," said Davide Foré, the Birel ART Racing team manager. "Yet the Qualifying sessions did not go very well, especially after our very good free practice performances. Our drivers completed strong heats to put themselves in better positions. I am disappointed for Thomas Dijkstra who failed to qualify in the Prefinal, his progress having been weighed down by several penalties. But the qualification of Francesco Pizzi and the rise of Tomas Nepveu were remarkable.”
and his opponents, he managed to recover from his 56th time in Qualifying to 15th place among the 81 participants, a feat that augurs well for the future.
"In KZ2, Riccardo Longhi was confronted with engine set-up problems before completing a difficult Prefinal in mixed conditions," continued Davide Foré. "He was able to catch up and move up to 7th position in the Final with very competitive times. Alexander Dahlberg moved closer to the top 10, but an accident in the Final forced him to retire. " Marijn Kremers and Luigi Coluccio raced in the event with the handicap of starting far back in the heats following a bad Qualifying. Despite their very good pace, the fact of starting in the pack did not make their recovery easy, especially because of many contacts. Kremers was stopped by a mechanical problem in the Final, while Coluccio regained 11 places after being penalised for his spoiler in the Prefinal. He was very going well and back to 15th place in the Final before a collision dropped him to 23rd place. The last meeting of the WSK Super Master Series looks very interesting, next weekend at the same circuit of Sarno where the CIK-FIA European Championships for the OK and OK-Junior categories will begin two weeks later. Birel ART Racing is taking advantage of the opportunity to continue to build on the great potential revealed at the start of the season.
Starting from 26th in Qualifying, Francesco Pizzi was able to reduce his handicap to reach 7th place in the Final by posting very convincing times. Undoubtedly the work by Birel ART Racing has paid off and with Pizzi the team has a great asset for the European Championship. The performance from the Canadian Thomas Nepveu deserves to be highlighted. While discovering the category, the tyres, the track
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Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Philippe Kalmès
DOUBLE VICTORY AT SARNO FOR
PAROLIN
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Thanks to Gabriele Mini and Tymoteusz Kucharczyk, Parolin Racing Kart was able to twice climb to the highest step of the podium of the WSK Super Master Series at Sarno, in OK-Junior and 60 Mini. This double success, which follows a series of exceptional performances since the beginning of the season, demonstrates once again the quality of the Parolin chassis within a very competitive environment.
T
he Sarno circuit brought a new configuration compared to the events already contested in 2018. Parolin Racing Kart showed that its firstclass results did not depend on the track nor on the grip conditions.
"The win for Gabriele Mini in Junior really makes us very happy for several reasons," said Marco Parolin. "First of all, this driver has great potential and deserves to succeed. We were right to trust him last season. We are very proud to be able to provide him with equipment that will give him the means to achieve his ambitions in OK-Junior this year. In 60 Mini, our chassis continue to succeed. We are slightly disappointed that Martinius Stenshorne did not get the success he deserved, but that's racing. Tymoteusz Kucharczyk was there at the right time to secure the win and Stenshorne still leads the WSK Super Master Series."
Johnson and Maksimilian Popov also qualified for the Final, only Akshay Arjun Bohra failed due to a penalty. The progress of Gabriele Mini in OK-Junior has something to dream about. He began by taking 2nd place in Qualifying Practice among more than 80 drivers before making his mark with three wins in the heats. Starting from the third row on the starting grid of the Final, Gabriele was quick to take control on lap 4 and progressively distanced each rival. He thus won a brilliant victory with more than 1.8'' ahead of his pursuers. He kept the record of this event to the end and returned to just one point away from the provisional leader of the championship. Alessandro Cenedese continues to progress among the many OK-Junior drivers. He had quickly reached 16th in the Final when a collision forced him to give up. With greater determination, Parolin Racing Kart is preparing to compete in the last event of the WSK Super Master Series next weekend on the same circuit of Sarno. In addition to the hunt for the OK-Junior and 60 Mini titles, this event will actively prepare for the upcoming opening of the CIK-FIA European Junior Championship, which will take place on the Neapolitan route two weeks later.
Kucharczyk had started by taking pole position in 60 Mini in front of 75 opponents. Stenshorne beat him in the Qualifying Heats before taking the Final victory. He had taken the lead on the last lap when he was when he was overtaken. A record holder at the Sarno event, Kucharczyk made a magnificent comeback from 7th place and took his chance on the last lap to win against formidable opposition. The presence of four Parolin chassis in the top 10 of the category reinforced the technical demonstration by Parolin. The team's other drivers, Brando Badoer, Nikita Andreas
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ULTIMATE SUSPENSE FOR THE LAST ROUND
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WSK SUPER MASTER SERIES, 4/4, SARNO
KEY POINTS ORGANISER
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WSK Promotion
LOCATION
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Circuito Inter. Napoli, Sarno - 1547 m
DATE 6th-8th April, 2018
ENTRIES 269 drivers - 4 categories • Last event of the Super Master • Twists Junior and Mini • Tony in KZ2 • Intense battles • Good weather
2018 WSK in OK, OKKart on top at all levels
Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Guillaume Veuve
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KZ2
GREAT SUCCESS FOR
ARDIGO M
arco Ardigo (Tony Kart / Vortex) could barely be defeated in the Championship, but he made it a point to win the Final. His team-mate Matteo Vigano (Tony Kart / Vortex) had dominated the Qualifying and heats before Alex Irlando (Sodi / TM) won the Prefinal. Paolo De Conto (CRG / TM) was 3rd in the series, but not in the race, where Patrik Hajek (Kosmic / Vortex) finished 3rd. Starting badly in Qualifying, Tom Leuillet (Sodi / TM) and Adrien Renaudin (Sodi / TM) were back in the top 10 behind Anthony Abbasse (Sodi / TM).
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JANKER
DOMINATES THE COMPETITION
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TB
Kart driver Hannes Janker (KR / Parilla) was ahead of the crowd this weekend. Nobody was able to dispute his victory in the race and his remarkable performance allowed him to dislodge Nicklas Nielsen (Tony
Kart / Vortex) from the top of the Championship. David Vidales (Tony Kart / Vortex) and Noah Milell (Tony Kart / Vortex) even intervened in 2nd and 3rd places in the Final while Pedro Hiltbrand (CRG / TM) moved up to 5th place. Franck Chappard and Thomas Mettetal, both at the wheel of Redspeed / Parilla with the VDK Racing team, were distinguished before being ousted during clashes in the Finals.
OK
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ARON
WINS, MINI IS CROWNED
K
irill Smal (Tony Kart / Vortex) lost out while missing Qualifying goal. Gabriel Bortoleto (CRG / TM) impressed after his 21st in Qualifying while Taylor Barnard (KR / Parilla) proved to be a serious protagonist and Zak O'Sullivan (FA Kart / Vortex) dropped back in the Final. But Paul Aron (FA Kart / Vortex) dominated the heats, before winning his Prefinal and the Final. Carefully, Gabriel Mini (Parolin / TM) was able to settle for a 5th position, with contact on the last lap, to win at the end of the season against Bortoleto and Aron. Vlad Lomko (Kosmic / Parilla) shone as did his team-mate Victor Bernier (Kosmic / Parilla) while Sami Meguetounif (Formula K / TM) was 6th. Note the first top 10 for Loris Cabirou (Energy / TM).
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I N I M 60
DOUBLE REVENGE FOR PAROLIN &
STENSHORNE D
mitry Matveev (CRG / TM) held the lead in Qualifying and the heats until the magnificent return of Martinius Stenshorne (Parolin / TM) in Prefinal A against Tymoteusz Kucharczyk (Parolin / TM). Gianluca Costantino and Rocco Mazzola on Italcorse / TM shone in Prefinal B. Karol Pasiewicz (Energy / TM) and Karol Pasiewicz (Energy / TM) mixed with the Final fight, but Stenshorne controlled the race leading to the title win, followed by Kucharczyk for a beautiful double for Parolin.
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Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Guillaume Veuve
ARON WINS AT SARNO AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE WSK SUPER MASTER SERIES
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The fourth and final event of the WSK Super Master Series took place again at Sarno. Much different from the previous week, the weather was summery with very high temperatures for the season, and the Ricky Flynn Motorsport team enabled most of its drivers to defend their chances with their high-performance FA Kart / Vortex karts. Maloney and Thompson had started the meeting very well in OK, but some incidents on the track prevented them from finishing the competition where they deserved. O'Sullivan had the same misfortune in OK-Junior while Paul Aron made an exemplary run towards the Final victory and 3rd place in the Championship.
All had started well for Zane Maloney, poleman in OK, and Harry Thompson, who took 3rd in the presence of more than 70 competitors. They tied their performances in the heats by taking three wins, but also dropped back once each in battle. Holder of three fastest laps in the heats, Thompson confirmed his progression by finishing 6th in the Prefinal and then facing the best in the Final. After a hard battle, he returned to the top 10 of the competition and regained 14 places in the championship. Maloney made a strong comeback in the Final until an incident forced him to retire after six laps. Starting from a distance in Qualifying, Dan Skocdopole had too many problems in the heats to qualify for the Final. The first round of the CIK-FIA European Championship will be held from 20th to 22nd April 2018 at the same circuit of Sarno, an important event well prepared for by the drivers and the RFM team.
RFM.TEAM
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A
fter strong performances in the top three of the heats and during the Prefinal A in OK-Junior, Zak O'Sullivan lost everything during a clash on the first lap of the Final. Fastest driver in the meeting and 2nd in Qualifying, Paul Aron took the lead in the Junior category with three wins in the heats. He won again in Prefinal A, while achieving the fastest time in the race, and won the fight in the Final which propelled him to 3rd place in the Championship. Conrad Laursen showed great determination to return from his 65th time in Qualifying. Increasingly fast, he managed to qualify for the Final and made a fantastic recovery of 19 places to finish 12th. Kai Askey also progressed in the heats and regained more than 10 positions in the Final by finishing 18th. Matthew Rees had two great runs, but had to retire in the Prefinal when qualification for the Final was close at hand.
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Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Guillaume Veuve
COLUCCIO GREAT PERFORMANCE IN OK IN WSK AT SARNO
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The results of the previous weekend at Sarno had not been as convincing as expected for Birel ART Racing in OK. The last meeting of the WSK Super Master Series reassured the team about the potential of Coluccio and Kremers two weeks before the start of the CIKFIA European Championship. Some problems delayed the progress of Pizzi in OK-Junior, without jeopardising his competitiveness. In KZ2, Longhi continued to show a good omens ahead of the KZ drivers. Birel ART Racing can approach the second part of the 2018 season with serious ambitions.
A
week after the second round of the WSK Super Master Series at Sarno to replace the cancelled meeting at Lonato, the top international teams were again at the Neapolitan circuit for the fourth and final round of the WSK Promotion series. The weather was almost summer with temperatures often exceeding 25°. The Birel ART Racing team was rewarded for their work, backed by top-notch performances and top-notch competition.
"I think we have a good card to play in KZ2. Riccardo Longhi was very fast in the qualifying stages against the best KZ drivers. A collision in the Prefinal compromised his performance without undermining the confidence we have in him for the next events, 100% dedicated to the KZ2 category. Alexander Dahlberg has also made good progress in the Finals by moving from 33rd to 12th.” "The event did not go as we had hoped for in OKJunior during Qualifying Practice. Francesco Pizzi did not have an easy task during the heats, but he still managed to qualify 32nd. He came back very strongly up to 15th place at the start of the Final when a collision caused him to drop back down. At least he was able to show what he was capable of. The weekend was more trying for our two Thomas’, Nepveu and Dijkstra." The situation looks good for Birel ART Racing as it approaches the major international events. The team will first head to Lonato for the first round of the German DKM Championship where Marijn Kremers will line up in KZ and Coluccio in OK. The programme will then return to Sarno for the start of the CIK-FIA European Championship for OK and OK-Junior in which Birel ART does not intend to make up the numbers.
Davide Foré, the team manager of Birel ART Racing was firstly very satisfied with the performance from Luigi Coluccio in OK: "He has shown very good consistency throughout the weekend at the forefront of this top category. We have solved the problems from the previous meeting and the performance has always been there. The consistency that Coluccio has shown is a very important element for the future. For example, he was impressive in Prefinal B with the 2nd fastest time and 3rd place, only 2 tenths off the winner. He then secured a nice 6th place in the Final. Kremers confirmed our speed in OK as he was long in the top five.”
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Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Guillaume Veuve
VICTOR BERNIER IN THE TOP 10 OF THE
2018 WSK SUPER MASTER SERIES Victor Bernier’s international season in OK-Junior has started strongly. While competing in only three of the four events of the WSK Super Master Series, he has managed to climb to 10th place in this prestigious Championship, which attracts the top specialists from around the world. This superb result is in part due to his leading performances at the last Sarno event. A good sign two weeks before the start of the CIK-FIA European Junior Championship which will take place on the same track
V
ictor puts his confidence in the Kosmic / Parilla team VDK Racing to accompany him in his quest for success, and he does not regret it. While learning several Italian circuits at the beginning of the season, the team was perfecting the equipment for the big upcoming events. The good understanding between the driver and his mechanic Aurélien Fath paid off at Sarno. Victor started the event in 9th place among the 84 participants.
However the first heat brought a heavy disappointment when Victor was a victim of a collision shortly after the start. He tackled the other Qualifying Heats with unflinching determination and won two victories as well as a 2nd place. 14th at the end of this phase, Victor continued to climb towards the front and finished 2nd in Prefinal B. He then started from the 2nd row of the starting grid for the Final with strong morale. Long in 4th position, he had to fight even harder at the end of the race to hold his rank. Unfortunately, an opponent pushed him on the last lap and he lost a few places. He still managed to save 7th position, which allowed him to move into the top 10 of the WSK Super Master Series.
"The weekend was not always easy, but the end result is very positive," said Victor. "I especially remember the intense fights in the heats in which I twice had the taste of victory! This beginning of the developing season is very encouraging for the upcoming races. I thank VDK Racing for providing me with top equipment and Aurélien for his irreproachable work. I cannot wait to start the European Championship."
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Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Guillaume Veuve
PAROLIN TRIUMPHS IN OK-JUNIOR AND IN 60 MINI
KARTCOM NEWS #41
At the Sarno circuit, the last event of the WSK Super Master reaped a harvest of success for the Parolin Racing Kart team. The victorious double in the 60 Mini Final was accompanied by a double in the Championship, won by Martinius Stenshorne, while Gabriele Mini won in the OK-Junior ranking. Parolin Racing Kart’s orientation towards the young drivers’ categories since the beginning of the 2018 season is already bearing fruit.
"I
t brings a great deal of satisfaction for our brand to win the WSK Super Master Series in two categories at once," declared Marco Parolin, not hiding his joy. "This series is one of the toughest and the standard was very high during all four events. The conditions proved to be very varied from the cold of Adria to the heat of this weekend in Sarno. Whatever the weather, we have been very good at each track. It is a great success that reinforces our ambitions for the future. In less than two weeks, the CIK-FIA Junior European Championship will start here at Sarno."
Championship, but my opponents would not give anything away. I constantly thought about not making mistakes and finally, everything went well. This title bodes well for the rest of the season, as it demonstrates the quality of the work by Parolin Racing Kart." In 60 Mini, Martinius Stenshorne took revenge for his disappointment of the previous week where a deserved victory escaped him on the last lap. After a modest 17th in Qualifying, he put in a good performance, including two fastest laps in the heats, before winning his Prefinal with a lot of determination. He finished his impeccable course with a well-deserved victory in the Final where he also set the fastest time. Martinius won the general classification while Tymoteusz Kucharczyk completed Parolin's triumph in 2nd place in the race as well as in the championship. This success owes nothing to chance as evidenced by the qualification for the Final of all the other drivers in the team, Nikita Andreas Johnson, Maksimilian Popov, Akshay Arjun Bohra and Brando Badoer, among the 14 Parolin chassis present among the 34 finalists, including almost half of the top 20.
The winner the week before, Gabriele Mini handled the situation perfectly during this last WSK Super Master event without taking unnecessary risks. For his first season in OK-Junior, he has progressively ramped up his performance throughout the weekend to give his best in a decisive Final. He was 3rd in two laps and then managed to stay in the top five despite the intensity of the battle. He was able to get the better of his rivals to reach the top of the overall rankings ahead of more than 120 competitors.
"The competition was difficult," said the young champion. "I was tense because I knew I could win the
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Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Guillaume Veuve
SODI A BRILLIANT 2ND IN THE WSK SUPER MASTER WITH IRLANDO
The 2018 WSK Super Master Series has just ended at the fast circuit of Sarno with a very positive result for the Sodi Racing Team. Alex Irlando made the colours of the French team shine at the highest international level by climbing to 2nd place in the KZ2 category. With four Sodi ranked in the top 10 of the Championship, the French brand confirms its ambitions before the start of the CIKFIA European Championship.
O
rganised at the very beginning of the season, in varied weather conditions, the WSK Super Master Series is one of the most relevant championships on the calendar, as the best KZ drivers and the top teams compete at four meetings in Italy. The Sodi Racing Team, which had already won last year's 1st and 3rd places, confirmed the level of performance of its chassis, this time taking 2nd position in the Championship.
Sarno in 3rd position, he showed an exemplary competitiveness during the entire weekend where the temperatures often exceeded 25°. Winner of the Prefinal, Alex climbed on to the second step of the podium in the Final, a first-class result that allowed him to take 2nd place in the Championship. Anthony Abbasse completed the team's success in 8th place while the young drivers of the Sodi CPB Sport satellite team Adrien Renaudin and Tom Leuillet managed to reach 7th and 9th positions. This remarkable performance allowed Sodikart to conclude with an enviable balance of four chassis in the top 10 of both the race and the Championship. Meanwhile, the Sodi Racing Team has embarked on a development program in OK with the British driver Tom Joyner. Many lessons have already been learned from the early-season competitions, which will prove very useful for achieving medium-term ambitious goals. The international calendar will now focus on the CIKFIA European Championships, at the end of April ar Sarno for the OK category, and especially at the beginning of May at Salbris for KZ and KZ2.
Young Alex Irlando has taken on a tough challenge against the most experienced champions. Arriving at
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FRENCH JUNIOR KARTING CHAMP. 2/5, SALBRIS
KEY POINTS ORGANISER
SALBRIS
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FFSA Academy
LOCATION
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Circuit International de Salbris - 1500 m
DATE 7th and 8th April, 2018
ENTRIES 22 drivers - 1 category • 2nd season of the French Junior Championship • One-make formula Exprit / Vortex / B'stone • Organisation by FFSA Academy • Tight battles • Rainy but improving weather • Doriane Pin shines in the heats and in the Prefinal • Final victory for Spenle • Vayron retains the advantage
Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Philippe Kalmès
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SPENLE TAKES REVENGE
X
avier Duvignau surprised his opponents by taking pole on Saturday morning on a wet track. Doriane Pin won one heat and Evan Spenle another. Doriane took control in the Prefinal against Spenle and Elliott Vayron. The three-way battle continued in the Final. Spenle escaped as Vayron took hold of 2nd position. Pin had to give up, victim of a collision, and Mathys Jaubert was on the 3rd step of the podium. Very fast, Craig Tanic finished 4th in front of Pierre-Franรงois Duriani. Elliott Vayron retains in 1st position in the standings with 90 points, Evann Spenle (54 pts) is 2nd, Tom Uzan (49 pts) is ahead of Maceo Capietto (48 pts) 4th and Pierre-Franรงois Duriani (47 pts) in 5th.
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Info KARTCOM - Renaud Didier Š Photo KSP - Philippe Kalmès
VICTORY WITH PANACHE FOR
EVANIN JUNIOR SPENLE
His efforts, his talent and his determination ended up paying off. The major success that Evan Spenle was waiting for arrived on 8th April at the international circuit of Salbris. Entered in the French Junior Championship in 2018, this young karting prospect had returned frustrated from the opener at Le Mans. His top speed was good, but no success!
This result also allows him to move up to 2nd place in the provisional ranking of the French Junior Championship in one fell swoop, in addition to giving him confidence just days before the start of the CIK-FIA European Championship for OK.
W
ith his coaches Julien Abelli (Simumotion) and Alexis Landais (Optimental Consulting), Evan Spenle analysed his strengths and weaknesses to become even stronger in Sologne, a few days after his 15th birthday. Winner of a heat and 2nd in the Prefinal, he quickly took the lead in the Final to fly to an indisputable victory. In this Championship, the FFSA Academy provides all drivers with a strictly identical kart and it is up to the driver to make the difference with his talent and the quality of the technical information he is able to relay to the technicians responsible for the assisting him. This means Evan Spenle completed a rewarding performance at Salbris.
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THE 36 EDITION TH
OF THE TUTO SUPER ONE SERIES KICKED OFF AT PF INTERNATIONAL
TUTO SUPER ONE SERIES, ROUND 1, PF INTERNATIONAL
KEY POINTS ORGANISER
+
Super One Series
LOCATION
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PF International, Brandon - 1382 m
DATE 6th to 8th april 2018
ENTRIES 9 categories
Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo Kartpix - Chris Walker
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MSA BRITISH CADET KART CHAMP.
Q
ualifying saw Maxwell Dodds take pole ahead of William MacIntyre then Dodds and Arvid Lindblad won a heat each. In a damp Final 1 Lindblad was on pole next to Dodds with Freddie Slater 3rd, and Lindblad led much of the race on his own before Slater caught up and overtook in the second half. Lindblad retook the lead with a lap to go and just managed to hold off Slater on the last lap. Harley Keeble was fastest and up to 3rd, with Dodds behind him.In Final 2 it was now wet and there were many rolling laps before a red flag for the Race Director to have a word with the drivers. Lindblad held the lead from Slater with Dodds taking 3rd and a lead pack formed including the trio and Luke Watts. Dodds led half the last lap before Slater passed with a corner to go at the Mike Wilson complex.
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MSA X30 JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMP.
J
oseph Taylor took pole in Qualifying just ahead of Tom Edgar and Alex Lloyd but Axel LaFlamme took pole for Final 1 with a win and a 2nd in the heats, the other two wins going to Reggie Duhy and Clayton Ravenscroft. Final 1 was almost dry and LaFlamme started on pole before being attacked for the lead by Ravenscroft, Duhy and others. Ravenscroft managed to get away while LaFlamme dropped back. Dragan Pinsent and Taylor fought for 2nd before Luke Whitehead carved his way through leaving Pinsent 3rd. By Final 2 it was wet again and Ravenscroft pulled out a gap from pole ahead of Pinsent and Whitehead, who had swapped places. Pinsent was faster towards the end but not close enough to challenge on the last lap.
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MSA X30 SENIOR NATIONAL CHAMP.
O
liver Hodgson took pole 0.2s ahead of Derek Morgan and went on to win both heats ahead of Lewis Malin and Levi King. Hodgson led Final 1 all the way while Owen Byatt came through from 6th on the grid to finish 2nd ahead of King but too far away to challenge. In a fully wet Final 2, Hodgson led initially away from pole while Byatt went off at the first corner. Elliot Harvey took 2nd and Morgan Porter 3rd, with Harvey starting to reel Hodgson in. Harvey overtook and got away with six minutes to go but Hodgson again pulled him back to regain the lead, with Harvey dropping back in a spin on the last lap.
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PRODUCTS
ITAKA SHOP
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MEKAONE KART TROLLEY Practical and strong chromed steel kart trolley.
Suitable for multiple widths of chassis thanks to the adjustable arms / Equipped with 2 rubber swivel wheels (whose 1 with a brake) and 2 rubber wheels (diameter of wheel pin: 20 mm) / The trolley will fold flat for easy transportation / Possibility to stack the trolleys for space saving / Net weight: 15 kg / Delivered complete as a kit / This trolley supports a maximum weight of 120 kg. Reference : AC661.017
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159
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VAT
ITAKA SHOP
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ALPINESTARS TECH 1-KZ SHOES The Tech 1-KZ is an all new flagship range of karting shoes from Alpinestars which raises the bar for performance and comfort. Advanced seamless thermo-welded construction offering ultra-lightweight and maximum foot sensitivity / An asymmetric speed lace system with ultra-thin strap provide an unrivalled fit and feel / External heel and ankle reinforcement plus seamless internal toe reinforcement provide excellent abrasion resistance and protection / Ultra-thin FormulaPANTONE 1 specification sole for pedal 485C Black sensitivity and grip, in both wet and dry conditions. Colours : Black, silver and orange fluo / Sizes : from 38 to 46. Reference : EQ751.00T
199.
95€
VAT
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+
UNIPRO UNISTOP CHRONOMETER The Stopwatch Unipro UNISTOP is an effective tool, waterproof. While the timing at your fingertips to time up to 4 drivers per round, with a maximum of 9 split per lap and pilot. The basic functions are easy to use. The simplicity was an important issue in its design, and the timer is very easy to use. Equipped with three powerful multicolored LEDs, you easily visualize the indications of the timing being, fast laps / slow and partial revolutions. With Unipro UNISTOP you have direct access to four buttons for towers and four buttons for partial.
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The great dynamic memory can record up to 1,950 parameters. This is equivalent to 48 laps for four pilot with 9 each part. With the large graphical display, you can read all information in plain text in your own language. Reference : AC611.001
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PRODUCTS
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SAISON 2018 21-22 Juillet : SOUCY
05-06 Mai : SALBRIS
Championnat de France Cadet Coupe de France Minime
Championnat d’Europe CIK-FIA KZ / KZ2 Trophée Académie CIK-FIA
12-13 Mai : LAVILLEDIEU Championnat de France Féminin Coupe de France OK-J Coupe de France Sénior / Master / Gentleman
OK
04-05 Août : AUNAY LES BOIS Championnat d’Europe CIK-FIA OK / OK-J Trophée International Handikart
OK
25-26 Août : MIRECOURT
19-20 Mai : LA CHÂTRE
Championnat de France Minime Coupe de France Nationale
Championnat de France Long Circuit (1/3) KZ2 - KZ2 Master - KZ2 Gentleman
25-26 Août : CROIX EN TERNOIS
09-10 Juin : ANCENIS
Championnat de France Long Circuit (2/3) KZ2 - KZ2 Master - KZ2 Gentleman
Championnat de France Handikart Coupe de France Cadet
15-16 Septembre : LAVAL
OK
Coupe de France Rotax
Championnat de France OK Championnat de France Nationale Coupe de France KZ2 - KZ2 Master - KZ2 Gentleman
06-07 Octobre : VARENNES
14-15 Juillet : ANGERVILLE
10-11 Novembre : PAU
Championnat de France Sénior / Master / Gentleman
Championnat de France KZ2 - KZ2 Master - KZ2 Gentleman
Championnat de France Long Circuit (3/3) KZ2 - KZ2 Master - KZ2 Gentleman
14-15 Juillet : BELMONT SUR RANCE Coupe de France KFS
Crédit photo & Création : Emmanuel Pander - Crédit photo : KSP.fr
07-08 Juillet : ANNEVILLE
{CHARTE GRAPHIQUE LOGO KARTCOM} Impression 2 couleurs Couleur Pantone Rouge :
new color swatch 1
Noir :
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Noir :
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Impression 2 couleurs
Impression 2 couleurs > Fond Noir
Web ou Impression Quadri > Fond blanc
Web ou Impression Quadri > Fond Noir
Suivez-nous sur www.ffsakarting.org
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Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Guillaume Veuve
TWO 2018 FRENCH F4 CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVERS JOIN THE VENTURI ACADEMY IN FORMULA E Between Venturi and electrical energy, the current has been going on for about 15 years. The Monegasque brand, which is fueled by innovation, develops both personal and professional vehicles as well as real racing machines powered by batteries. Involved in the FIA Formula E Championship since it started, the Venturi team has run stars like Nick Heidfeld, Stéphane Sarrazin, Jacques Villeneuve, Mike Conway and Tom Dillman since 2014. This season Maro Engel and Edoardo Mortara have been entrusted with the mission to defend the colours of Venturi.
V
enturi has innovated again by creating Venturi Next Gen, an academy entirely dedicated to driving its electric racing cars. Among the eight drivers selected, two are part of the FFSA Academy and participate in the 2018 French F4 Championship: Arthur Leclerc and Pierre-Louis Chovet. These new recruits will perform in simulator sessions, perfect their physical and mental training, and will have the chance to be noticed at the wheel of a Formula E Venturi.
"This is a great opportunity for our young drivers,” says Christophe Lollier, the National Technical Director. "They will be able to add a new skill to their experience. This exceptional opportunity will allow them to learn about electric propulsion from the inside, a sector of the future that we are following closely at the FFSA Academy. We are proud that they have been selected to join Venturi Next Gen,
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along with Dorian Boccolacci, French F4 Junior Champion in 2014. Another FFSA Academy driver, Michael Benyahia, ranked 3rd in the French F4 Championship in 2016, has already been recruited as the development driver of the Venturi Formula E team."
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Info KARTCOM - Renaud Didier Š Photo Morgan Mathurin & KSP - Guillaume Veuve
CAIO COLLET & STUART WHITE TO FLY WINFIELD BANNER IN FRANCH F4 CHAMPIONSHIP
Organised last month, the Volant Winfield lived up to its reputation in the training and detection of young, talented drivers. At the end of an unpredictable and closely fought finale, Caio Collet proved to be the best from an extremely competitive group and won entry to the 2018 French F4 Championship. Throughout the season, the 15-year-old will proudly wear the Winfield and Circuit Paul Ricard colours, which will be complemented by his personal sponsor Richard Mille. This Easter weekend in Nogaro, France and during the seven rounds planned by the FFSA Academy in 2018, Caio Collet only has
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one objective - to win! The Brazilian will face strong competition though, such as South African Stuart White, who will also drive a Winfield Racing Schoolbranded car.
TWO EXCEPTIONALLY TALENTED YOUNG HOPEFULS
Selecting three finalists and then having to only pick one winner was a difficult decision for the 2018 Volant Winfield judges to make. Be it in the off-track assessments, or during those final moments at the wheel of the FIA F4 Mygales at the Le Castellet circuit, Collet and White proved very close in terms of performance. It was Collet, the younger of the pair, who would just inch ahead
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after withstanding great pressure from his peers to win the coveted prize and earn a full season in the French F4 Championship with the FFSA Academy. A delighted Caio Collet welcomed this success: "I would like to thank Winfield for selecting me as the winner of the Volant Winfield! This allows me to head into the French F4 Championship with the FFSA Academy in the best possible environment. After spending all these years in karting, I cannot wait to discover the atmosphere of single-seater racing and will have the pleasure to meet up with some of my opponents from the Volant. I want to honour the confidence Winfield has placed in me by obtaining the best possible result this season!"
COLLET AND WHITE COME FACE-TO-FACE AGAIN
During the prize giving ceremony, Anne-Charlotte Remy - Winfield Racing School General Manager - announced: "We are very proud to be giving our support to Caio, who was a brilliant winner of the Volant Winfield. Detecting and promoting talent is part of Winfield's DNA and although he didn't win, Stuart showed he was a fighter, making a strong impression on the judges. So we are therefore going to do everything we can to help him enter this year's French F4 Championship." This has now been confirmed, as Winfield's donation aided White's participation for the beginning of the series, news that he was overjoyed with: "From the moment I arrived at Paul Ricard to compete in the Volant Winfield, my goal was very clear - to be at the start of the 2018 French F4 Championship. Thanks to Winfield,
I now have this confirmed and I would like to extend my gratitude to them for their trust and total support." In Nogaro and for the rest of the season, it will be a career-defining moment for both drivers and they will be hugely determined to succeed, especially with the high stakes.
"We look forward to seeing Caio and Stuart competing alongside each other again, but this time over a race weekend," added Anne-Charlotte Remy. "We will also keep an eye out for ThĂŠo Pourchaire, another young driver who came from karting and won the Winfield Trophy, which is given to the most deserving junior driver from the event."
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THE NEW FRENCH F4 COMES INTO ACTION
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FRENCH F4 CHAMP. 1/7, NOGARO
KEY POINTS ORGANISER
+
FFSA Academy
LOCATION
+
Circuit Paul Armagnac, Nogaro - 3636 m
DATE 29th March to 1st April, 2018
ENTRIES 19 drivers - 1 category • FFSA Academy Championship • New F4 Mygale to FIA standards • Good weather • Three races during the weekend • Three winners: De Wilde, Leclerc and Eteki • De Wilde and Eteki tie for 1st place
Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Guillaume Veuve
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The 2018 French F4 Championship got off to a flying start at the traditional Easter Cups on the Nogaro circuit. Ugo De Wilde clinched pole position in Qualifying and took advantage to win Race 1 despite the pressing return of Adam Eteki, followed by Caio Collet. Arthur Leclerc took his chance in Race 2 with a grid that was reversed for the top 10. The young ThĂŠo Pourchaire returned strongly in 2nd position in front of Collet. The battle intensified in Race 3 between four drivers. Eteki controlled De Wilde to win his first single-seater victory, while Pourchaire was threatening in 3rd position, with Collet remaining in ambush in 4th place.
D
e Wilde and Eteki are tied with 46 points in the provisional ranking of the Championship. The top Junior, Pourchaire (40 pts) is in 3rd position, followed by Collet (38 pts) in 4th and Leclerc (31 pts) in 5th.
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Info KARTCOM - Renaud Didier © Photo KSP - Guillaume Veuve
CAIO COLLET
FIRST F4 EVENT AND ALREADY TWO PODIUMS FOR VOLANT WINFIELD WINNER
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CARS Winner of the 2018 Volant Winfield, Brazil's Caio Collet made a promising and strong start to the French F4 Championship, twice on the podium at the first meeting of the season at Nogaro. At the famous Easter Cups, another car had the Winfield colours, that of South African Stuart White, as quick and incisive as he was unlucky ...
I
n the Gers, Collet has definitively proved that he deserved his Volant Winfield victory, already positioning himself as a serious candidate for the title. In each race, he showed his determination and fighting spirit by consistently gaining places. At the end of a good attacking race, he moved from 5th to 3rd place in the first confrontation. In Race 2, he managed the same feat, but this time starting from the 8th position according to the principle of the reversed grid for the top 10. In the last one, he lost time behind a driver, before overtaking him and coming back like a rocket on the first three. "In all three races, I finished very close to the leaders, with a fastest lap in the race and twice the second fastest time," said the young Brazilian. "From the next race, my goal will be to qualify better to aim for victory."
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Stuart White was not spared by the blows of fate. "The Qualifying session was difficult, because unlike other drivers, I did not drive the new FIA Mygale F4 with wet tyres until the day of the Qualifying session, but after starting from 12th I was in 8th position in Race 1, when a driver made a mistake and caused me to lose three places and then, due to a technical problem, I had to retire in Race 2." Stuart was finally rewarded for his efforts in Race 3, with a remarkable comeback from 11th to 7th place with magnificent overtaking.
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SHIHAB AL HABSI
A YOUNG TALENT FROM OMAN IN THE FRENCH F4 CHAMPIONSHIP 135
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With many achievements in karting in various countries, including a very noticeable 4th place in the 2017 World OKJunior Championship, Shihab Al Habsi didn't hesitate to embark on the grand challenge of car racing in 2018, in French F4 Championship with the FFSA Academy.
"I
was 14 years old last November, I know I'm still very young, but I'm determined to succeed," said the driver from the Sultanate of Oman. "I have the chance to progress in an environment that will allow me to learn very quickly, and StĂŠphane Daoudi is joining me, a very experienced coach. In addition, the FFSA Academy provides us with tools to develop at all levels: driving, physical and mental."
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This season is certainly the most competitive since the beginning of French F4, which did not stop Shihab Al Habsi showing off at the first event at Nogaro. "Qualifying was on rain tyres, which didn't help me, because I had only driven once in these conditions. Afterwards, I gained power with a 9th place and 5th fastest time in the race, and I managed to drive fast, consistently, without making mistakes, which is a positive."
"Shihab was very incisive in the duels," said StĂŠphane Daoudi with satisfaction. "He did some great overtaking and showed impressive progress over the weekend. This young driver really has potential." Shihab Al Habsi also wanted to thank all the partners who support him, including the Ministry of Sports of Oman.
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Info KARTCOM - Renaud Didier © Photo KSP - Guillaume Veuve
THÉO POURCHAIRE SUCCESSFUL FIRST SINGLESEATER RACE
At only 14 and a half, Théo Pourchaire was expecting a lot from his first single-seater race, after a brilliant career in karting with many titles. On the Nogaro circuit, as part of the 2018 French F4 Championship, the Grasse driver made a strong impression by frequently appearing as one of the fastest in the pack. With two podiums to his credit, a fastest lap, the 3rd provisional place in the championship and three trophies rewarding the top Junior, Theo makes a very positive assessment of his debut.
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F
rench Champion in Minime, Cadet and Junior, a member of the French FFSA Karting team, 3rd in the Junior World Championship and among the big revelations among the OK hopefuls at the highest level of world karting in 2017, ThĂŠo Pourchaire has embarked on a new challenge by entering car racing this season.
"The French F4 Championship organised by the FFSA Academy has revealed many champions in recent years, some of whom have reached F1 like Jean-Eric Vergne, Charles Pic and more recently Pierre Gasly, currently a driver with Toro Rosso in Grands Prix. Like them, my ambition is to climb the ladder to the top of the motorsport pyramid. In this perspective, I think it was a great solution to debut in this F4 championship," said Theo Pourchaire. "Along with our private winter testing programme, our partnership with Simumotion allowed me to spend time on the single-seater simulator, to best prepare for the season."
FIRST OVERALL PODIUM
On Saturday, it was raining on the Nogaro circuit for the first day of the meeting. After 3rd in Free Practice in a shower, Theo started again with wet tyres for the Qualifying session. For several minutes, he held provisional pole position, but the track dried up as the laps went on. At the end of the session, Theo was unfortunately held up in traffic at a time when his rivals are enjoying a sur-
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plus of grip to improve their times. The young Frenchman dropped to 4th place, a position he would retain in Race 1 on Sunday morning.
"The track had not completely finished drying and there was still a lot of wet areas off the line, so it was really hard to overtake." With the principle of the inverse grid for the top 10, Théo Pourchaire started Race 2 in 7th position. In addition to a great start, the adjustments made on his car were positive. Theo made a superb comeback, which ended in 2nd place, which meant another victory in the Junior class with a bonus of the fastest lap in the race.
A PROMISING POSITION
Easter Monday confirmed Theo's pace in Race 3. He was undoubtedly in the right rhythm and improved his lap times on every lap. After intense effort for more than 20 minutes, he crossed the finish line in 3rd position, not without having put pressure on the first two. After the podium, Théo Pourchaire analysed his weekend lucidly.
"The Qualifying session on Saturday played a very important role and no doubt the result could have been different if I had been able to keep 1st or 2nd position. Nevertheless, I am in provisional 3rd place in the championship with 40 points, against 46 to the two drivers ahead of me. I positioned myself among the favourites in the French Championship, which was my goal for this first meeting at Nogaro. Along with all the partners who support me, as well as my team, I am really looking forward to the next race to try to clinch my first win. "
2018 F4 CALENDAR
1st-2nd April: Nogaro (32, Gers) 12th-13th May: Pau City (64, Pyrénées Atlantiques) 2nd-3rd June: Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) 14th-15th July: Dijon (21, Côte d'Or) 8th-9th September: Magny-Cours (58, Nièvre) 6th-7th October: Jerez de la Frontera (Spain) 13th-14th October: Paul Ricard-Le Castellet (83, Var)
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PLAY
VIDEO
VIDEO
SALBRIS - CHAMP. DE FRANCE JUNIOR KARTING - ROUND 2
VIDEO
Y A L P
SARNO - WSK SUPER MASTER SERIES - ROUND 2
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VIDEO
MARIEMBOURG - IAME INTERNATIONAL OPEN
O E D I V Y VIDEO
LE MANS - CHAMP. DE FRANCE JUNIOR KARTING - ROUND 1
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