KARTCOM News #57 ( english version ) by KARTCOM News

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BIREL ART CONFIRMS ITS REPUTATION IN KZ21

#57 Summary 004 EDITORIAL 005 NEWS

KFA 100cc Series - Expanded and international programme in 2020 The French Junior Karting Championship gains momentum Kerpen - Michael Schumacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s circuit no longer threatened Marseille and the Circuit Paul Ricard will host the 2020 FIA Motorsport Games RMCGF 2020 to be held in Bahrain

Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy 2020 Dates of the upcoming Superkart season LeCont expands in Rovereto

20/20 for the 2020 Formula 20,000 calendar

2020 Italian ACI Karting Championship Professionals join forces to offer turnkey endurance racing The European Championships and World Championships are exclusive to FIA Karting Parma Motorsport - 2020 International Calendar Electroheads, a new electric series inspired by Lewis Hamilton

005

Historic FIA Karting Super Cup - 7th edition in Le Mans in 2020 Discover MPKart Shop online Karting: Aunay-les-Bois, a benchmark for all levels of competition LeCont is gaining ground at all levels

061

NEWS ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE INTERNATIONAL TROPHY 2020

021 1

Everest Softshell Jacket - New product from MIR

KARTCOM NEWS #57

NEWS THE FRENCH JUNIOR KARTING CHAMPIONSHIP GAINS MOMENTUM

INTERNA ADRIA -

043 2020 CALENDAR 049 KSP GRAND 051 INTERVIEW

113 PRODUCTS

Bell RS7-K carbon headset Necklace EVS R4K Koroyd

2019 FIA Karting Best-of - Jean Todt, FIA President 2019 FIA Karting Best-of - Felipe Massa, CIK-FIA President ITW Anthony Abbasse

061 INTERNATIONAL

115 VIDEO Adria - WSK Super Master Series - OK Final George Robinson talks about fairness and sportsmanship in karting The Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals 2020 heads to Bahrain WSK Super Master Series - 1st round in Adria

Adria - WSK - Champions Cup Adria - WSK - Super Master Series Valencia - IAME Winter Cup Lonato - Winter Cup

113

ATIONAL - WSK - CHAMPIONS CUP

078

PRODUCTS BELL HEADSET RS7-K CARBON

INTERNATIONAL ADRIA - WSK - SUPER MASTER SERIES

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEW FOR 2020? The season has already started with several international competitions since the end of January. WSK Promotion set the ball rolling in Adria, with the first event of the WSK Super Master Series following the WSK Champions Cup. Then the KZ2s entered the scene at the 25th edition of the Winter Cup in Lonato. RGMMC also organised the IAME Winter Cup in Valencia.

KARTCOM NEWS #57

n the sporting level, the confrontation mainly concerned Kart Republic and the brands from the OTK group for the chassis, and IAME and Vortex engines in the OK and OK-Junior categories. Not to be overlooked is Energy Corse, which got off to a good start with TM Racing, as well as the official Parolin karts and the Exprit/TM Racing karts of the Forza team. The situation seems particularly open and the battles look set to be exciting, with several rookies already performing well in their new category. The first KZ2 confrontation confirmed the great form of the Birel ART/TM Racing karts, as well as the presence of Sodi/TM Racing, especially those of the CPB Sport team, which are particularly effective. The question of participation in future KZ events is already on the table after the wave of retirements of professional drivers recorded last year alongside

some moves to cars. Marco Ardigo and Anthony Abbasse have retired, Paolo De Conto no longer seems to be racing, and Marijn Kremers, Noah Milell and Emilien Denner have moved to single-seater racing. The new generation of drivers is still less present in KZ than elsewhere, as places in the official teams are becoming increasingly rare. However, the minimum number of 20 entries should be reached in the European Championship, while the World Championship in Le Mans should attract enough drivers to be interesting. The status of KZ is still uncertain in the long term, however, and depends on the - not always clear - orientation of the manufacturers. In IAME Euro, the Winter Cup in Valencia confirmed a very high sporting standard with the involvement of big teams as we saw in the past in Rotax. The X30 now offers very high level races in which it is not easy for a pure amateur to shine.

EDITORIAL

KARTCOM NEWS #57 AND IN FRANCE?

The new FFSA karting team is preparing for 2020 who are not lacking direction. This year should follow in the footsteps of 2019, but with a few changes such as the French Endurance Championship now controlled by the federation. Other projects to develop the discipline in the future are being examined.

THE SPOILER POINT

It is worth recalling at the beginning of the season that the detachable spoilers introduced by the CIK-FIA are a major contributor to the smooth running of the races. The risks of the first lap are now a thing of the past, to the great satisfaction of the vast majority of competitors.

+ KARTCOM NEWS #57

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ADMINISTRATION

ART DEPARTMENT

REPORTS & PRESS RELEASES

Philippe Kalmès Frédéric Billet Vitor Lopes

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Guillaume Veuve • Chris Walker • Philippe Kalmès • Vitor Lopes

Mary-Ann Horley Cristina Kalmès, Annie Dujols FFSA Press Department • FIA Karting • Prodiff • Kartcom • Renault Sport

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FIA KARTING AWARDS

Vitor Lopes

STARS & AWARDS 2012

KSP Photo Agency ( Guillaume Veuve, KSP Agency chosen as FIA Karting Vitor Lopes & Philippe Kalmès ) • “BEST PHOTOGRAPH” in 2007 • DPPI • Renault Sport • Kart!im 2008 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2015 • 2017 • 2018 and 2019 VIDEO

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Departmental price ( 94 ) “Commercial dynamics” ( 94 )

A N Y T O T A L O R P A R T I A L R E P R O D U C T I O N I S S T R I C T LY F O R B I D D E N W I T H O U T P R I O R A U T H O R I S A T I O N F R O M K S P R E P O R T A G E S .

NEWS

Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Philippe Kalmès

ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE

INTERNATIONAL TROPHY 2020

KARTCOM NEWS #57

After the great success of the first edition of the Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy in Le Mans last year, BRP-Rotax is proud to announce that it has – partnering again with 3MK Events and Le Mans Karting International / ACO Automobile Club de l’Ouest – fixed the date for 2020.

As in 2019, the 4 tickets for the 2020 RMC Grand Finals will be for the Junior MAX, Senior MAX, DD2 and DD2 Masters categories. Save the date for this exciting race in Le Mans from July 28th to August 1st, 2020, where all six categories of the Rotax MAX Challenge will be present.

For more info please visit:

he RMC International Trophy will be held in Le Mans from July 28th to August 1st, 2020. Last year 300 drivers from 44 countries and 5 continents were fighting 4 days for the podium and also for the upcoming event, thrilling action at this magnificent circuit can be expected. Peter Ölsinger, GM BRP-Rotax Member of the Management Board,

VP Sales, Marketing RPS- Business & Communications: “Le Mans is a very prestigious location in motorsports, and we are very proud to host this international karting event again at this circuit. The kick-off event in 2019 was already very successful and this year we want to create a fantastic 2nd edition. As last year, 4 tickets for the RMC Grand Finals and numerous other prices will be awarded at the RMCIT.”

rmc-internationaltrophy +

NEWS

Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo MEDIASUPERKART - Eric Sévère

DATES OF THE UPCOMING SUPERKART SEASON Discover the upcoming rounds of the 2020 Superkart season, which will start in May on the Lédenon circuit. On the programme: the French Championship and Cup, and the Euro and European Championship.

FRENCH SUPERKART CHAMPIONSHIP AND CUP LÉDENON - 1ST-3RD MAY MAGNY-COURS - 22ND-23RD MAY ANNEAU DU RHIN - 19TH-21ST JUNE NAVARRA - 4TH-6TH SEPTEMBER

EURO SUPERKART CHAMPIONSHIP LÉDENON - 1ST-3RD MAY MAGNY-COURS - 22ND-23RD MAY ANNEAU DU RHIN - 19TH-21ST JUNE ASSEN (PAYS-BAS) - 7TH-9TH AUGUST NAVARRA - 4TH-6TH SEPTEMBER

KARTCOM NEWS #57

FIA KARTING EUROPEAN SUPERKART CHAMPIONSHIP LE MANS - 23RD-25RD OCTOBER CONTACT

Médiasuperkart Tél : 06.75.42.68.98 Mail : contact@mediasuperkart.com

L’IMPORTATION FRANÇAISE DE CRG VA À LOMMERANGE

PISTE DE KARTING DE LOMMERANGE Tél. : 03.82.84.90.25

Mail : info@pkl-lommerange.fr

PKL-LOMMERANGE.FR

NEWS

Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet

LECONT

EXPANDS IN ROVERETO The Italian manufacturer LeCont, based in Rovereto near Lake Garda, joins the technological centre of the rubber industry that is developing in the city. Launched by the Marangoni Group, a heavyweight tyre reprocessing company, the new space brings together companies from the rubber sector: Marangoni, Aiken, Sicur Tyres and LeCont.

ith the support of the provincial council, the cluster aims to create a context that allows the sharing of skills, complementary activities and mutual enrichment and to accelerate new business ideas linked to the development of the sector, while respecting the respective professions and the autonomy of each company.

KARTCOM NEWS #57

Valter Cont, President of LeCont:: “For us, this investment represents a decisive leap in industrial quality that will enable us to further differentiate our production in order to conquer new markets. The programme enables the possibility of increasing the production of compounds already used today by leading companies in the racing sector, and of producing

a greater number of sporting tyres, which, together with those produced by the new company LeCont Ltda do Brazil based in Sao Paulo, will enable us to achieve a significant position among the world’s manufacturers.”

www.lecont.com

BRAVO !

La Fédération Française du Sport Automobile félicite ses Champions de France / Vainqueurs de Coupes 2019 KZ2 Championnat de France : Hubert PETIT Coupe de France : Jean NOMBLOT

Féminin Championnat de France : Doriane PIN

KZ2 Master Championnat de France : Charles FIAULT Coupe de France : Charles FIAULT

Cadet Championnat de France : Paul ALBERTO Coupe de France : Andy RATEL

KZ2 Gentleman Championnat de France : Marc BERTEAUX Coupe de France : Bruno BENABENT

Minime Championnat de France : Arthur DORISON Coupe de France : Clément OUTRAN

OK Championnat de France : Franck CHAPPARD

Long Circuit Chpt de France KZ2 : Nelson BONDIER Chpt de France KZ2 Master : Grégory GUILVERT Chpt de France KZ2 Gentleman : Benoît PORTMANN

Junior Championnat de France : Esteban MASSON Sénior Championnat de France : David LEGUEM Coupe de France : Louan FERNANDEZ Master Championnat de France : Julien PONCELET Coupe de France : Thomas RICCI Gentleman Championnat de France : Gilles MATRULLO Coupe de France : Frédéric OSTIER Handikart Championnat de France : Maxime LEGER Nationale Championnat de France : Esteban MASSON Coupe de France : Dylan LEGER

Endurance 24h du Mans : A. ABBASSE - A. RENAUDIN - J. NOMBLOT B. LAMMERS Chpt de France (GP1) : K. BELHAIRE - G. LOISON - T. UZAN Coupe de France (GP2) : E. LE MOINE- F. MIHOUB - F. CHATEAUNEUF Chpt de France Minime : T. DREUX - N. DELAUNAY Chpt de France Cadet : A. CLOSMENIL - E. MENENDEZ Chpt de France Junior : N. ANDY - W. NICOULAU Superkart Championnat de France : Peter ELKMANN Coupe de France : Emmanuel ROBBRECHT Historique Trophée Histori’kart : Frédéric BOUDOT Universitaire Chpt de France : A. LEYS - L. WALTER - A. ZOURRAY Trophée Loisir FFSA Trophée : Jonathan WLOSZCZYNSKI

Crédit photo & Création : Emmanuel Pander

OK-J Coupe de de France : Jamie DAY

... et remercie ses partenaires {CHARTE GRAPHIQUE LOGO KARTCOM} Impression 2 couleurs Couleur Pantone Rouge :

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Impression 2 couleurs > Fond Noir

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NEWS

Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet

2020

ACI KARTING

ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP: VALIDITY, CALENDAR, TRACKS AND CATEGORIES In 2020, the ACI Italian Karting Championship will include national and international categories as well as the IAME and Rok Trophies that will compete on the most famous Italian circuits. The opening will take place in Triscina on 5th April.

uilding on last season’s great participation, which registered a record average attendance of 225 drivers per event, the 2020 ACI Karting Italian Championship will present some new aspects, including the twinning and exchange of the categories and tracks that will host the competition.

2020 ACI KARTING CALENDAR

KZ2 and Minikart National will kick off the season with the new Gr.3 International MINI (five rounds), followed by the OK and OK-Junior (one round), the IAME X30 Trophy (five rounds) and the Rok Trophy (three rounds), the KZ National Junior, Senior and Over (one round), the new Club category (one round), and the Italian Regional Teams Championship (one round). Among the ACI Karting events, the Italian Cup and the National Trophy will be run over one round.

60 MINI – KZ2 – IAME X30

KARTCOM NEWS #57

- 14th June

ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP ADRIA

60 MINI – KZ2 – IAME X30 – ROK

- 5th April

ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP TRISCINA - 10th May

ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP LA CONCA 60 MINI – KZ2 – OK* – OKJ*

- 5th July

ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP SARNO 60 MINI – KZ2 – IAME X30

- 19th July

ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP CASTELLETTO

60 MINI – KZ2 – IAME X30 – ROK

www.vegatyres.com

- 30th August

ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP VAL VIBRATA CHAMPIONNAT ITALIEN DES CLUBS*

- 6th September

ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP SIENA*

KZ NATIONAL - IAME X30 – ROK

60 MINI – KZ2 – KZ NATIONAL

- 11th October

UGENTO ITALIAN

RÉGIONAL PAR ÉQUIPES

- 15th November

VITERBO NATIONAL TROPHY 60 MINI – KZ2 – KZ NATIONAL

The categories for the IAME and ROK Trophies are X30 Junior and Senior and ROK Junior and Senior. *These categories are held over a single event.

Jori Delli - Ph: Sirio Serughetti - Art Direction: Guido Monfrini / Makelab.it - Styling, Make- up & Hairstyling by Ladydiabolika - Outfit by Folý Lingerie - Location: Cross+Studio (MI) - Riproduzione vietata - Imposta di pubblicità a cura di chi lo espone in pubblico - Backstage:

ITALIAN CUP BATTIPAGLIA

www.vegatyres.com/video-backstage

- 27th September

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2020

Gennaio Febbraio Marzo Aprile Maggio Giugno Luglio Agosto Settembre Ottobre Novembre Dicembre

NEWS

Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet

Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Philippe Kalmès

PROFESSIONALS JOIN FORCES TO OFFER TURNKEY

ENDURANCE RACING Endurance is a discipline highly appreciated for its many educational qualities and its accessibility to diverse budgets. Jacques Neveu, the president of the Kartagene company, this year plans to develop the experiment carried out for the last two years for young drivers. To do this, he has relied on reputable partners, Wintec and TTC Racing, to provide turnkey solutions in the French Endurance Championship and the Le Mans 24H Karting.

«I

t is hard to find a better opportunity than Endurance racing to help young drivers progress in racing”, says Jacques Neveu. “It’s a great education that helps develop team spirit, which is obvious, as well as a sense of responsibility and the ability to

KARTCOM NEWS #57

adapt. Thinking of others and giving the best with a kart that has already been driven for several hours, is another way of approaching racing by getting used to fighting in conditions that are not always ideal, which forges a real sportsmanlike attitude. Many drivers have proved

themselves in this activity and confirm the indisputable contribution of this discipline in a career. Furthermore, the sharing of expenses should not be neglected, which offers an unbeatable ratio between cost and driving time. In this turnkey project, Kartagene takes care of the physical and mental preparation of the drivers at its centre in Salbris, while the sporting, technical and logistical aspects are entrusted to professionals. The revival of the French Endurance Championship under the aegis of the FFSA has motivated us to offer a complete service in the Espoir category for young people between 12 and 16 years old.”

Known for many years for the quality of the training it provides, Kartagene has forged a strong partnership with Rodolphe Besnard’s Wintec Racing team and Cédric Touchard’s TTC Racing team, professionals recognised in the field, in order to provide a complete service for the endurance season. The formula involves the French Endurance Championship and/or the 24 Hours Karting of Le Mans. Kartagene ensures several preparatory training courses at Salbris so that the drivers approach the competition in full possession of their physical and mental attributes. Wintec and TTC ensure the logistics, the technical and the sporting aspect of the races with their

great knowledge of Endurance. This supervision by competent professionals maximises the benefits to be gained from a season in which the drivers are fully taken care of. Last but not least, this partnership also enables the offering of a service at the best price for a unique formula in France. The project is based on both the French Endurance Championship and on the Le Mans 24 Hours Karting, with both of course being possible. Drivers between 12 and 16 years old will take the wheel of a kart of the new Espoir category powered by a Rotax engine in conformity with the National category.

To find out more, contact the partners of this operation:

KARTAGENE Tel : 02 54 97 28 40 Email : contact@kartagene.fr

WINTEC RACING Tel : 06 07 76 14 14 Email : rodolphe@wintec.fr

TTC RACING TEAM Tel : 06 48 48 41 01 Email : ttcracingkart@gmail.com

NEWS

Info KARTCOM - FrĂŠdĂŠric Billet

THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS AND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE EXCLUSIVE TO

FIA KARTING

With eight meetings (excluding Superkart), seven nations, two continents, five categories, and nine titles, the 2020 FIA Karting line-up is looking good. This is an opportunity to point out that the FIA Karting events are the top of the kart racing pyramid with their federal categories open to all competitors, independent of manufacturers and constructors (apart from the Academy Trophy, of course). The most challenging races, the most professional teams, and the most deserving drivers set the tone throughout the season, while the best are rewarded with the World and European Champion titles that only the FIA can award. It is worth remembering that the FIA has the exclusive right to award these titles and that their use in any other competition is an infringement. Logically, the rule is strict and there are no exceptions on the part of the world body defending the interests of the Automobile Clubs, Automobile Associations and National Federations of 144 countries.

KARTCOM NEWS #57

Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet

PARMA MOTORSPORT 2020 INTERNATIONAL CALENDAR

s in previous years, Parma Motorsport is organising two competitions in 2020 at the South Garda Karting circuit in Lonato and included in the CIK-FIA international calendar. The 31st Andrea Margutti Trophy will take place from 27th February to 1st March, and the 49th edition of the Industrial Trophy will take place from 23rd to 25th October. The categories involved are 60 Mini, OK-Junior, KZ2, X30 Senior and X30 Junior. More information is on www.parmamotorsport.it.

31° ANDREA MARGUTTI TROPHY

SOUTH GARDA KARTING - LONATO (Italy) 27th February - 1st March 2020 60 Mini - OK Junior - KZ2 - X30 Senior - X30 Junior

49° INDUSTRIAL TROPHY

SOUTH GARDA KARTING - LONATO (Italy) 23rd - 25th October 2020 60 Mini - OK Junior - KZ2 - X30 Senior - X30 Junior

NEWS

Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet

ELECTROHEADS A NEW ELECTRIC SERIES INSPIRED BY LEWIS HAMILTON

Later this year, Rob Smedley plans to launch a brand new one-design championship in the UK, using electric power. The former F1 engineer, who worked with Ferrari and Williams, made a recent announcement about the Electroheads Series in a cleverly crafted response to an appearance by Lewis Hamilton on the Graham Norton Show on BBC One last November (see below for an excerpt, but the whole show is worth watching). Hamilton mentioned the financial difficulties his father had encountered in getting him started in karting, adding that it has become much more difficult nowadays and that a solution had to be found to avoid selection by money. It was a nice publicity stunt on Smedley’s part to refer to the very popular six-time World Champion from a distance!

medley emphasises the fairness of his new series and the affordable budget which should distinguish the champions of tomorrow on their talent more than on their wallet. Without going into details, the electric powertrain chosen should be at least as effective as its petrol-powered counterparts, but at a lower cost.

KARTCOM NEWS #57

“For the next generation of drivers, the petrol era is coming to an end,” he said. “The whole philosophy of the Electroheads group is to give digital natives the unique experience of the electric revolution. Electroheads Motorsport is an essential part of that ambition. Democratic. Meritocratic. Electric. This is the goal we want to achieve.”

Electric go-karts are expected to be introduced in the two youngest categories - Bambino and Cadet - in the UK this year. Wait and see, as they say on the other side of the Channel, but in any case, bravo for the media coverage of the announcement.

electroheads

NEWS

Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet

KFA 100CC SERIES EXPANDED AND INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME IN 2020

Launched in 2017 in Lonato with impetus from Luca Corberi, the KFA series has seen its number of entrants increase year on year. The concept? Real races for 100cc go-karts from the 90s, machines that are still very popular and offer exceptional performance thanks to their power and lightness. A double bonus is the fabulous noise and endless revs, up to 20,000 rpm! Technically minimalist, these karts, which are simple and inexpensive to put on the track, provide a lot of fun.

he 2020 KFA season is structured in two stages (!) around the three Italian KFA events in Jesolo, Lonato and Pomposa, and around the three races of the 100cc Euro Series abroad at PFI (GBR), Vojens (DNK) and Lonato in conclusion with the Nations Cup.

- 18TH-19TH APRIL: JESOLO (ITA) KFA #1 - 23RD-24TH MAY: LONATO (ITA) KFA #2

KARTCOM NEWS #57

- 5TH-6TH JUNE: PFI (GBR) 100CC EURO SERIES #1 - F100 O PLATE - 1ST-2ND AUGUST: POMPOSA (ITA) KFA #3 - 14TH-15TH AUGUST: VOJENS (DNK) 100CC EURO SERIES #2 - 100CC DENMARK - 3RD-4TH OCTOBER: LONATO (ITA) 100CC EURO SERIES #3 – NATIONS CUP

Information and on kfa100ccseries.com.

regulations

L’IMPORTATION FRANÇAISE DE CRG VA À LOMMERANGE

PISTE DE KARTING DE LOMMERANGE Tél. : 03.82.84.90.25

Mail : info@pkl-lommerange.fr

PKL-LOMMERANGE.FR

NEWS

Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Philippe Kalmès

THE FRENCH

JUNIOR KARTING

CHAMPIONSHIP GAINS MOMENTUM The fourth season of the France Junior Karting Championship promises to be exciting with a record number of participants. Following the tests at the end of the previous season, in 2020 27 drivers have committed to this unique detection and training formula implemented by the FFSA Academy.

uring its first three years of existence, the French Junior Karting Championship has largely proved its worth on the national scene. The quality of the training proved to be very convincing for the whole field. The top drivers were able to access the FFSA ladder by then racing in the French F4 Championship, or continue at a higher level in karting. The ascents in single-seater racing of Pierre-Louis Chovet, Reshad De Gerus, Victor Bernier, Isack Hadjar, as well as the promising debut of Sami Meguetounif, confirm the relevance of the skills acquired within the FFSA Academy. “These first three seasons have allowed us to develop the concept of the French Junior Karting Championship,” said Christophe Lollier, the National

KARTCOM NEWS #57

Technical Director. “This time has also been necessary for the community to understand our intentions and appreciate the benefits. Among the 50 or so drivers we have trained so far, most of them have led the way and then continued their karting career in private teams, in national or international competitions, very often with top performances. We can now meet the ever-increasing

demand confidently and that is why we have accepted 27 drivers for the 2020 season instead of the usual 20.” This year’s 27 participants are mostly from the National category, with a variety of backgrounds and motivations. OK-Junior, X30 Junior, Cadet, KFS, or even Leisure karting, broaden the origins of the 2020 field. Two female drivers will be racing and five youngsters have chosen to enjoy a second year with the FFSA Academy.

LIST OF THE DRIVERS ENTERED IN THE 2020 FRENCH JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP Romain Andriolo Alessandro Giusti Arthur Poulain Micah Barthélémy Alexandra Hervé Oscar Py Julian Bodet-Colaroff Antonio Leite Pablo Sarrazin Margaux Bonvoisin Daniel Ligier Gaspard Simon Lucca Brizzi Yanis Maillard

Alvin Sin Enzo Caldaras Camille Macfarlane Owen Tangavelou Sami Dhahri William Nicouleau Paul Trojani Clément Fidrie Enzo Peugeot Ayrton Vaison Yoan Gay-Bardiaux Léo Poncel Elliott Vayron

A turnkey formula from the FFSA Academy, the French Junior Championship will use Exprit/Vortex/Vega karts which are very similar to the OK-Junior category during five events between March and July. A preliminary training course will open the season at Le Mans so that everyone can get their bearings and experienced coaches will provide on-the-spot training at every opportunity.

NEWS

Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet

Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Philippe Kalmès

KERPEN

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER’S CIRCUIT NO LONGER THREATENED In a big surprise, the announced demolition of the Kerpen karting circuit will not take place. For several years, the re-launch of an open-cast mining operation had foreseen the disappearance of the Erftlandring, the site that had seen the Schumacher brothers’ karting debut, which they later acquired. Ironically, it was the protection of the surrounding forest that prompted the mining project to be halted, thus saving the German track built in the 1980s.

erpen is a regularly scheduled track on the DKM calendar, and held the final round of the Super A World Championship in 2001. The

KARTCOM NEWS NEWS #57 #56

results of this event, marked by Michael Schumacher’s return to kart racing, with the then three-time F1 World Champion and Ferrari driver at the peak of his

career, reveal an incredible number of accomplished and up-and-coming talents such as Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

SAISON 2020 21-22 Mars : LE MANS

04-05 Juillet : SALBRIS

Championnat de France Junior (1/5)

Championnat de France Junior (4/5)

09-10 Avril : LE MANS

04-05 Juillet : SEPTFONTAINES

Championnat de France Endurance (1/3)

Championnat de France Sénior - Master - Gentleman Championnat de France Handikart

25-26 Avril : AUNAY-LES-BOIS

18-19 Juillet : SAINT-AMAND

Championnat de France Junior (2/5)

09-10 Mai : MOISSY-CRAMAYEL* Championnat de France Junior (3/5) Championnat de France OK Coupe de France KZ2 - KZ2 Master - KZ2 Gentleman

15-16 Mai : ANNEVILLE-AMBOURVILLE

Championnat de France Minime Championnat de France Cadet Championnat de France Nationale

25-26 Juillet : LAVAL Championnat de France Junior (5/5) Championnat de France KZ2 - KZ2 Master - KZ2 Gentleman

Championnat de France Endurance (2/3)

29-30 Août : CROIX-EN-TERNOIS

23-24 Mai : ESCOURCE

Coupe de France Long Circuit KZ2 - KZ2 Master - KZ2 Gentleman

Championnat de France Féminin Coupe de France Sénior - Master - Gentleman

28 Mai : OSTRICOURT Championnat de France Universitaire

26-27 Septembre : HAUTE SAINTONGE Championnat de France Long Circuit (2/3) KZ2 - KZ2 Master - KZ2 Gentleman

31 Octobre-01 Novembre : LEDENON

06-07 Juin : LE CASTELLET

Championnat de France Long Circuit (3/3) KZ2 - KZ2 Master - KZ2 Gentleman

Coupe de France Minime Coupe de France Cadet Coupe de France Nationale

07-08 Novembre : ANGERVILLE Championnat de France Endurance (3/3)

13-14 Juin : CAROLE

*sous réserve de validation

Crédit photo & Création : Emmanuel Pander - Crédit photo : KSP.fr

Championnat de France Long Circuit (1/3) KZ2 - KZ2 Master - KZ2 Gentleman

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Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo FIA

MARSEILLE AND THE CIRCUIT PAUL RICARD WILL HOST THE 2020

FIA MOTORSPORT

GAMES

For their second edition, the FIA Motorsport Games will return a little earlier in the year (23rd-25th October) with Marseille as host city and the Circuit Paul Ricard as the venue, subject to the approval of the World Motor Sport Council.

he official confirmation of the venue chosen for 2020 follows a successful inaugural edition, which took place under the auspices of the city of Rome, at the Circuit de Vallelunga from 1st-3rd November 2019. France is taking up the torch, by hosting the meeting in the heart of the dynamic port city and in particular on the Paul Ricard Circuit (Degree 1). After a fruitful collaboration on the occasion of the inaugural event, the 2020 edition will

KARTCOM NEWS #57

again be organised by the FIA in liaison with SRO Motorsports Group. During the world premiere of the FIA Motorsport Games in 2019, competitors from six motor racing disciplines made the trip to Rome to defend their national flag. The many twists and turns on the track were preceded by a spectacular opening ceremony in the heart of the Italian capital, with a parade of cars in front of the Colosseum on the programme, followed by the presentation to the world of the 192

drivers from 49 countries and territories in the historic Circus Maxime. Over the following three days, the participants competed in the GT Cup, Touring Car Cup, F4 Cup, Drifting Cup, Karting Slalom Cup and Digital Cup, creating a highly competitive atmosphere at Vallelunga. The Russian team, which finished at the top of the standings with one gold and two bronze medals, was crowned Champion of the 2019 FIA Motorsport Games. The second edition promises to attract even more competitors, as new categories are expected to be added to the six disciplines that will again take pride of place in 2020 on the Circuit Paul Ricard.

The French circuit offers an ideal location for an event of this scale. Created in 1970, the site has been the setting for a wide range of prestigious international categories, including the Formula One French Grand Prix since 2018, after a 28-year absence from the calendar. There are many possible configurations and considerable investment has been made to ensure that the highest safety standards are maintained. As it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, the Circuit du Castellet proves that it is resolutely looking to the future by becoming the very first French motor

racing circuit and the second F1 circuit to obtain the FIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3-star environmental accreditation. The Circuit Paul Ricard is located just a short drive from Marseille and is easily accessible by road. The city of Marseille is particularly renowned for its location on the sumptuous Mediterranean coastline, with the Old Port district and the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde among the most famous sites in the region. Marseille-Provence airport is an international hub and the proximity of Le Castellet airport to the Paul Ricard

Circuit is a real asset for competitors and spectators travelling to the event. Further information about the 2020 FIA Motorsport Games, including the new categories that will be on the programme this year, will be officially confirmed in the coming months. For more information, please visit fiamotorsportgames.com.

NEWS

Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Philippe Kalmès

RMCGF 2020 WILL TAKE PLACE IN BAHRAIN

KARTCOM HAD REVEALED IT AT THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY, IT IS NOW OFFICIAL. BRP-Rotax is proud to announce the location of the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals 2020: it is Bahrain! The best RMC drivers worldwide will take to the desert from November 07th -14th, 2020 for the annual highlight of the karting season.

he Bahrain International Karting Circuit is a state-of-the-art, world-class facility that caters to the grassroots level of motorsport right beside the famous Formula 1 circuit as-Sakhir. It was designed to the highest international standards and is capable of hosting world championship races under the CIK-FIA. The Circuit made motorsport history in 2012 when it became the first karting track anywhere across the globe to host a world championship-level event at night thanks to the high-specification floodlight system. The challenging track is 1,414 km long and features 14 turns which will give the opportunity to see thrilling action on the track when the nearly 400 Rotax Racers will fight

KARTCOM NEWS #57

for the podium in 2020. “It is a great honor for us to host the 2020 RMC Grand Finals at this prestigious track, which is well-known across the globe. The 2011-opened karting facility fascinates with its world-class, history-making track”, stated Peter Ölsinger, GM BRP-Rotax, Member of the Management Board, VP Sales, Marketing RPS-Business & Communications, about the cooperation between BRP-Rotax and the Bahrain International Circuit.

He continued: “The drivers of the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals come from all over the world and I am sure that they will enjoy the challenging track in the middle of the desert. It’s not usual to drive in such an exciting and extraordinary surrounding. Beyond that Bahrain is offering a lot of interesting places and attractions also for our sideevents during the RMC Grand Finals and we are glad to welcome the best Rotax drivers of the world in 2020 in this wonderful country.”

SHEIKH SALMAN BIN ISA AL KHALIFA, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT, ADDED: “The Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals are one of the biggest karting events on the global stage and we are honored to

be hosting this prestigious meeting. It will bring together 360 drivers from over 60 countries around the world, bringing in hundreds of karting fans into the Kingdom. We are proud that our worldclass karting facility is helping to grow young driving talents and this event will further highlight our commitment to enhancing the sport in the region.”

Stay tuned for more information about the 2020 seasons’ highlight in this colourful kingdom with its unique historical heritage. We keep fingers crossed for all RMC drivers to win the tickets for the 2020 RMC Grand Finals.

rotax-kart.com

NEWS

Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Philippe Kalmès

20/20 FOR THE 2020 FORMULA

20,000 CALENDAR After a 2019 season that allowed 71 drivers to discover or rediscover the joys of 100cc karting in racing, Formula 20,000 will set off again for a new six-race Tour de France, one more than last year. From west to east and north to south, Anneville, Soucy, Mirecourt, Le Mans, Ancenis and Valence are on the programme for the 2020 season.

s in motor sport, historic karting in general clearly meets a need, to rediscover driving pleasure that is different to modern karting. Karts are lighter, remarkably simple and technically advanced. The Formula 20,000, which involves equipment with a 100cc aircooled engine without a clutch, from the end of the 1980s to the beginning of the 2000s, introduced the idea of competition into this world for the first time in France. As in 2019, the expansion of the F20,000 calendar by Romane Didier’s future racing commm promotion agency first took into account the general interest, evidenced by the organision of 100% historic meetings. The partnership with the Retrokart association, responsible

KARTCOM NEWS #57

for the French Histori’Kart Trophy, has therefore been renewed. Thus, the racing karts from the origins of the sport to the end of the eighties will compete in time trials under the aegis of Retrokart, while the Formula 20,000, with its karts with bodywork meeting the specifications from 1986 to 2002, will compete in real races. Retrokart and Romane Didier will therefore work alongside the organising clubs to ensure the success of three events on the Anneville circuit, not far from Rouen, Soucy near Sens and Ancenis, some 40 kilometres east of Nantes. As a bonus this year, the two complementary disciplines will meet again around a more “international”

concept at Mirecourt, in the Vosges. An unofficial Nations Cup will be held there, in Formula 20,000 and Histori’Kart, thanks to the geographical location of the site, close to the borders of Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland (with Austria, the Netherlands and Italy not far away either!). Mirecourt will also serve as the setting for a test race reserved for the high-performance liquid-cooled 100cc engines, which gradually replaced aircooled engines at the beginning of the 2000s. The now famous “20,000 rpm” race at Le Mans, which launched Formula 20,000 in 2018, is also on the calendar, still as the curtain raiser for the 24 Hours of Karting. The major endurance race will be held a month earlier this year, under the supposedly more favourable skies at the end of August. Finally, the Valence circuit, renamed Arena 45e, is also a must. It will return to its place at the end of the season. In the Drôme, Formula 20,000 will evolve in parallel to the modern categories within the Trophée de Ligue RhôneAlpes.

The first race is scheduled for 7th June but one of the innovations of 2020 is the organisation of official tests at Soucy on 29th February and 1st March. These two days in a “demonstration” format will allow regulars and novices to get together in a convivial atmosphere to try out their equipment and prepare for the new season. See you soon, for the maximum of pleasure in a beautiful sporting spirit, while celebrating a mechanical cocktail with unlimited sensation!

CALENDAR : SATURDAY 29TH FEBRUARY SUNDAY 1ST MARCH: OFFICIAL TESTS AT SOUCY (SENS TROPHY 1 DEMO) SUNDAY 7TH JUNE: FFSA HISTORI’KART MEETING AT ANNEVILLE SUNDAY 28TH JUNE: FFSA HISTORI’KART MEETING AT SOUCY SUNDAY 2ND AUGUST: EUROPA VINTAGE AT MIRECOURT

SATURDAY 29TH AUGUST: 20,000 RPM AT LE MANS SUNDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER: FFSA HISTORI’KART MEETING AT ANCENIS SUNDAY 25TH OCTOBER: LEAGUE TROPHY AT VALENCIA-ARENA45 NB: all the events are organised according to the FFSA’s club race rules (competition during a single day), but free practice sessions are organised the day before, or even the day before.

NEW FOR 2020 : Organisation of official preliminary tests. Organisation of a test race for the liquid-cooled 100cc karts at Mirecourt on 2nd August, 2020 (Europa Vintage) with the aim of launching this new category in 2021. Alongside the racing calendar, “demonstration” type events or training days will be open to historic equipment.

Carburettors: the standard is now the diaphragm and throttle carburettor with a maximum diameter of 24 mm. Tyres: a maximum of 4 slicks and 4 wet tyres per event, with a unique type of slicks to be determined during official tests. Equipment period: from 1986 to 2002 (instead of 2003). We will return to the 2020 regulations in a future press release.

CONTACT: Romane Didier Agence future racing commm 10 rue Paul Louis Courier 37230 LUYNES (France) +33 (0)2.47.55.67.79 +33 (0)6.10.65.30.16 Email : futureracing@yahoo.fr

NEWS

Info KARTCOM - FrĂŠdĂŠric Billet

EVEREST SOFTSHELL JACKET

NEW PRODUCT FROM MIR The new EVEREST jacket is a perfect blend of technology, comfort and exclusive qualities. It is made with a bi-elastic soft shell fabric, characterised by an innovative finishing system that allows water to slide over it without penetrating between the fibres, leaving the garment dry even in the most adverse weather conditions.

he high quality Termo H3W internal padding stands out for its thermal capacity, capable of maintaining maximum warmth and optimum temperature in all external conditions, while guaranteeing maximum breathability and unequalled comfort. The EVEREST jacket makes ergonomics a crucial aspect thanks to the bi-elastic soft shell fabric and the preformed cut

KARTCOM NEWS #57

sleeves designed to increase freedom of movement in all situations. Some details: two chest pockets with zip + two side pockets + two inside pockets with velcro closure. Wind protection at the neckline. Available from XXXS to XXXL. Create and customize your EVEREST jacket with sporty designs for a more

aggressive look or matching colours for a more casual look with high quality prints or embroidery.

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NEWS

Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Philippe Kalmès

FIA KARTING HISTORIC

SUPER CUP

7TH EDITION AT LE MANS IN 2020 The 7th edition of the FIA karting Historic Super Cup will take place at Le Mans (FRA) on 12th and 13th September 2020, at the same time as the prestigious FIA Karting World Championship – KZ.

4 Karts, reflecting the history of the discipline since its origins, will be invited to participate in the largest international gathering of theFIA Karting

KARTCOM NEWS #57

Historic Super Cup, an important date on the calendar. Historic Karts will participate in multiple

demonstrations on the recently built Le Mans Karting International Circuit and will also be showcased in a widely accessible public display in the middle of the paddock. Applications are open until 1st July 2020. The registration form is available for download by following this link.

Super cup

FFSA KARTING

NEWS

Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet

SOUTH GARDA KARTING : DISCOVER MPKART SHOP ONLINE Well known to the many drivers who frequent the South Garda Karting track in Lonato, MP Kart Shop now has its own online store, mpkartshop.it. In constant search for improvements, MP Kart Shop selects the best products on the market for its customers. With racewear, bags, tools, spare parts, radiators, accessories, sprockets, chains, telemetry, carburettors, lubricants, and tyres, the complete list of items on offer allows everyone to enjoy the racing in Lonato with peace of mind.

KARTCOM NEWS #57

NEWS

Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet

KARTING AUNAY-LES-BOIS A BENCHMARK FOR ALL LEVELS OF COMPETITION

The Aunay-les-Bois karting circuit and the K61 club are preparing for a new season of kart racing, the highlight of which will be the international meeting of the IAME Euro Series at the end of July. Many other events will enliven the Normandy track throughout the year and will once again put the Orne department and the Normandy region in the spotlight of motorsport news, as we remember that Formula 1 drivers Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris have won at Aunay-les-Bois.

ecognised in 2014 by the CIKFIA for the organisation of the World Championship, the K61 club continues to attract competitors of all levels, from regional racing to European competition via the French Championships. Since 1999, the history

KARTCOM NEWS #57

of karting has been made at Aunay-lesBois on numerous occasions, with no less than 34 French Championships, six International Trophies, four European Championships and two World Championships.

The 2020 K61 programme on the international circuit of Aunay-les-Bois revolves around three major meetings: the French Junior Championship and the Ile de France Regional Championship in April, the IAME Euro Series in July and the Trophée du Conseil Départemental de l’Orne - Challenge Normand in October.

NEWS

24TH-25TH-26TH APRIL: FRENCH JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP AND ILE DE FRANCE REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

K61 is delighted to host a French Junior Championship event for the fourth consecutive time, a one-design formula dedicated to the detection and training of future champions under the aegis of the FFSA Academy. Open to drivers from 12 to 15 years old, the French Junior Championship takes place over five events. K61 will organise the second one. Note that two drivers out of the 27 selected are members of the K61 Club. The top drivers aim to become members of the French FFSA Espoirs Karting Team and then to compete in the French F4 Championship in single-seaters. The Ile de France Regional Championship, one of the most challenging in France, brings together drivers from the eight departments of the Paris region. It is organised over four events. The first objective of this regional championship is of course to award, in each category, a coveted title in the career of a driver, the 2020 Ile De France Championship. Also very importantly for all drivers, it is essential to participate to open the door to the French Championships.

10TH-11TH OCTOBER:

ORNE DEPARTMENTAL COUNCIL TROPHY - CHALLENGE NORMAND 2020

23TH-24TH-25TH-26TH JULY:

The Trophée du Conseil Départemental de l’Orne is part of the Challenge Normand as fourth of its five races. This event will be registered with the FFSA, in the form of a “Club Race”, which allows it to be accessible, in addition to the usual competitors, to drivers who are not always able to take part in a federal race. It will therefore be possible to use day licenses to discover competitive karting. In this way, K61 wishes to develop karting by using the Challenge Normand as a driving force to encourage leisure drivers to take a step towards racing.

K61 and the Circuit d’Aunay-les-Bois reach, as they do every two years, the international level with the organisation

“We have been lucky enough to be able to organise the highest level competitions, but we have never forgotten the basis of karting”, concludes Claude Gripon, the president

A FIRST FOR THE IAME EURO SERIES

of the third event of the IAME Euro Series, a prestigious competition included in the FIA Karting international calendar which also visits Belgium, Italy and Spain. The official promoter of the FIA Karting Championships, RGMMC had the opportunity to appreciate the Normandy hospitality and organisation by K61 during the 2018 European Championship. For this reason RGMMC wished to return to the Orne for a round of its own high level series. Apart from Le Mans, Aunay-les-Bois will be the only French circuit to host an international event in 2020, further proof of the recognition and confidence in the K61 club, its team and the Orne circuit of national and international sporting bodies.

KARTCOM NEWS #57

of K61 “For the whole K61 team, it is a great pleasure to prepare for the competitions of the 2020 season well in advance, with determination to do well and the will to welcome the greatest number of drivers to Normandy”.

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KARTCOM NEWS #57

Info KARTCOM - Frédéric Billet © Photo KSP - Philippe Kalmès

LECONT

GAINS GROUND AT ALL LEVELS A quick overview of the international karting landscape confirms the progress of LeCont tyres around the world. Over time, the quality of LeCont products has become more and more important in racing, especially as the Italian brand has always placed great importance on its relationship with its customers.

n 2020, LeCont will be a major player in the OK and OK-Junior categories after winning the CIKFIA tenders for the FIA Karting World and European Championships - OK, as well as the FIA Karting European Championship Junior. This recognition allows it to build its reputation and to equip several other major series, to the great satisfaction of the competitors.

categories and this year will be supplying the Italian KZN (National) Championship and the British KZ2 Championship.

Therefore, OK-Junior drivers in the Winter Cup and the Champions of the Future by RGMMC series will have the chance to use LeCont tyres. In OK, Champions of the Future and the WSK Euro Series will also use LeCont, as will the French and British Championships.

CONQUERING THE NEW WORLD

STRONG POSITION IN EUROPE

LeCont has already had the opportunity to demonstrate its expertise in the gearbox

LeCont’s European presence enables it to supply tyres in all categories in Norway and in Spain for the Castilla y Léon, Murcia and Galicia Championships. Several classes have chosen LeCont in Sweden, as has the Bambino class in the UK.

enabled it to develop tyres that are both high-performance and durable, while the manufacturing process and controls offer solid guarantees of production consistency, an essential element in competition. Sergio and Valter Cont, the founders of LeCont, share the same vision of their tyre business: “For us, being able to establish ourselves in new markets is a reward for our high standards and hard work. We have a passion for quality, which is how we operate in a highly competitive environment, taking into account the satisfaction of drivers, organisers and federations. Our constant search for innovation often allows us to be one step ahead and that’s what motivates us.”

LeCont is also used to crossing the Atlantic successfully. The brand from Rovereto is in fact used in every category in the American GearUp F-Series, F-Series State Championship, ICP Championships, SUMAS, FKC, ... To achieve this highly encouraging breakthrough, LeCont has spared no effort. The Italian brand’s experience has

CALENDAR

2020 CALENDAR JANUARY 26/01

Adria

WSK - Champions Cup

OK-JUNIOR / 60 MINI / OK

FEBRUARY 02/02

Adria

WSK - Super Master Series

09/02

Valencia

Winter Cup

X30 SENIOR / X30 JUNIOR / X30 MINI

16/02

Lonato

Winter Cup

OK / OK-JUNIOR / MICRO ROK / KZ2

23/02

Lonato

WSK - Super Master Series

23/02

Campillos

Rotax Winter Cup

OK-JUNIOR / 60 MINI / OK ROTAX DD2 / ROTAX SENIOR / ROTAX DD2 MASTER / ROTAX JUNIOR

MARCH 08/03

La Conca

WSK - Super Master Series

OK-JUNIOR / 60 MINI / OK

15/03

Wackersdorf

Champions of the Future

22/03

Le Mans

Championnat de France

22/03

Sarno

WSK - Super Master Series

OK-JUNIOR / 60 MINI / OK

29/03

Sarno

WSK - Euro Series

OK-JUNIOR / 60 MINI / OK

29/03

Mariembourg

IAME - Euro Series

05/04

Lonato

Trofeo Andrea Margutti

OK / 60 MINI / OK-JUNIOR / KZ2

05/04

Zuera

Champions of the Future

OK / 60 MINI / OK-JUNIOR / KZ2

12/04

Genk

Rotax Max - Euro Trophy

ROTAX DD2 / ROTAX SENIOR / ROTAX DD2 MASTER / ROTAX JUNIOR

12/04

Le Mans

Championnat de France Endurance

13/04

Nogaro

Championnat de France

19/04

Zuera

European Championship

OK / OK-JUNIOR

26/04

Aunay-les-Bois

Championnat de France

JUNIOR

03/05

Angerville

National Series Karting

03/05

Lonato

Academy Trophy

03/05

Lonato

European Championship

10/05

AmpямБng

Deutsche Kart Meisterschaft

10/05

Moissy Cramayel

Championnat de France

10/05

Moissy Cramayel

Coupe de France

OK / 60 MINI / OK-JUNIOR / KZ2 JUNIOR

X30 SENIOR / X30 JUNIOR / X30 MINI

APRIL

GROUPE 1

MAY

KARTCOM NEWS #57

DD2 / ROTAX MAX / DD2 MASTER / ROTAX MASTER / NATIONALE / CADET / MINIME ACADEMY KZ / KZ2 OK-JUNIOR / OK / KZ2 OK / JUNIOR KZ2 MASTER / OK-JUNIOR / KZ2 GENTLEMAN / KZ2

17/05

Sarno

European Championship

OK / OK-JUNIOR

17/05

Salbris

Championnat de France Endurance

24/05

Escource

Coupe de France

24/05

Pau Ville

Championnat de France

24/05

Castelletto

IAME - Euro Series

24/05

Escource

Championnat de France

FÉMININ

31/05

Wackersdorf

European Championship

OK / OK-JUNIOR

31/05

Adria

Rotax Max - Euro Trophy

ROTAX DD2 / ROTAX SENIOR / ROTAX DD2 MASTER / ROTAX JUNIOR

07/06

Wackersdorf

Deutsche Kart Meisterschaft

07/06

Lonato

WSK - Euro Series

07/06

Spa Fran. (Auto)

Championnat de France

07/06

Le Castellet

Coupe de France

14/06

Carole

Championnat de France

KZ2 MASTER / KZ2 / KZ2 GENTLEMAN - (LONG CIRCUIT)

21/06

Ledenon

Championnat de France

21/06

Genk

Academy Trophy

21/06

Genk

European Championship

21/06

Plessé

National Series Karting

28/06

Anneville

Championnat de France Endurance

28/06

Kristianstad

Champions of the Future

05/07

Septfontaine

Championnat de France

MASTER / GENTLEMAN / SENIOR / HANDIKART

05/07

Salbris

Championnat de France

JUNIOR

12/07

PF International

Rotax Max - Euro Trophy

ROTAX DD2 / ROTAX SENIOR / ROTAX DD2 MASTER / ROTAX JUNIOR

12/07

Kristianstad

European Championship

OK / OK-JUNIOR

19/07

Saint Amand

Championnat de France

NATIONALE / CADET / MINIME

19/07

Kerpen

Deutsche Kart Meisterschaft

26/07

Laval

Championnat de France

26/07

Essay

IAME - Euro Series

26/07

Adria

WSK - Euro Series

GROUPE 1 SENIOR / GENTLEMAN / MASTER F4 X30 SENIOR / X30 JUNIOR / X30 MINI

JUNE OK-JUNIOR / OK / KZ2 OK-JUNIOR / 60 MINI / OK F4 NATIONALE / CADET / MINIME

ACADEMY KZ / KZ2 DD2 / ROTAX MAX / DD2 MASTER / ROTAX MASTER / NATIONALE / CADET / MINIME GROUPE 1 OK / 60 MINI / OK-JUNIOR / KZ2

JULY

OK-JUNIOR / OK / KZ2 KZ2 MASTER / KZ2 GENTLEMAN / KZ2 / JUNIOR X30 SENIOR / X30 JUNIOR / X30 MINI OK-JUNIOR / 60 MINI / OK

AUGUST 30/08

Valencia

IAME - Euro Series

30/08

Mülsen

Deutsche Kart Meisterschaft

30/08

Le Mans

Championnat de France Endurance

30/08

Croix en Ternois

Coupe de France

X30 SENIOR / X30 JUNIOR / X30 MINI OK-JUNIOR / OK / KZ2 GROUPE 1 KZ2 MASTER / KZ2 / KZ2 GENTLEMAN - (LONG CIRCUIT)

CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER 06/09

Wackersdorf

Rotax Max - Euro Trophy

ROTAX DD2 / ROTAX SENIOR / ROTAX DD2 MASTER / ROTAX JUNIOR

13/09

Le Mans

Academy Trophy

13/09

Le Mans

World Karting Championship

13/09

Le Mans

International Super Cup

KZ2

13/09

Magny-Cours

Championnat de France

20/09

Salbris

National Series Karting

20/09

Adria

WSK - Open Cup

27/09

Pau Arnos

Championnat de France

KZ2 MASTER / KZ2 / KZ2 GENTLEMAN - (LONG CIRCUIT)

27/09

Budapest

Championnat de France

ACADEMY KZ

DD2 / ROTAX MAX / DD2 MASTER / ROTAX MASTER / NATIONALE / CADET / MINIME OK-JUNIOR / 60 MINI / OK

OCTOBER 04/10

Le Castellet

Championnat de France

04/10

Pers

Coupe de France des RÃ©gions

04/10

Genk

Deutsche Kart Meisterschaft

11/10

Castelletto

WSK - Open Cup

25/10

Le Mans (Auto)

European Championship

ROTAX OK-JUNIOR / OK / KZ2 OK-JUNIOR / 60 MINI / OK SUPERKART

NOVEMBER 01/11

Birigui

World Karting Championship

OK / OK-JUNIOR

01/11

Ledenon

Championnat de France

08/11

Angerville

Championnat de France Endurance

22/11

Lonato

WSK - Open Cup

OK-JUNIOR / 60 MINI / OK

29/11

Lonato

WSK - Final Cup

OK-JUNIOR / 60 MINI / OK

KZ2 MASTER / KZ2 / KZ2 GENTLEMAN - (LONG CIRCUIT) GROUPE 1

FIND THE COMPLETE CALENDAR ON

WWW.KARTCOM.COM 45

KARTCOM NEWS #57

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KARTCOM NEWS #57

INTERVIEW

JEAN TODT PRESIDENT OF THE FIA

As an essential basis for the development of the motor sport pyramid, karting is one of the FIA’s sporting priorities. First of all, I would like to acknowledge the work of the FIA Karting Commission, and its President, Felipe Massa, who is present and active in many areas, as well as all CIK members representing our ASNs, the promoter and manufacturers.

n 2019, all FIA Karting Competitions built on a solid foundation to strengthen their global impact. The sporting season has been very positive in terms of participation, quality and audience. The OK and OKJunior categories have consolidated their undeniable success in high-level competition with drivers from all over the world and the excellent level of entries observed over the past two years has been confirmed. The FIA World Karting Championship - OK and Junior - which took place in

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Finland, 17 years after the 2002 World Championship, proved, if there was any need, the enthusiasm of a people who produced so many Champions in the various motor sport disciplines. The ASN of Finland - AKK did an exceptional job in organising a high-level event. The FIA Karting World Championship KZ held in Lonato, perfectly organised in close collaboration with the ACI, was exceptionally well attended due to the popularity of the Italian circuit among competitors and spectators. The KZ category received a significant

number of entries, in line with the sporting and technical confrontation that characterises it. Congratulations to the 2019 winners, including World Champions Thomas ten Brinke, Lorenzo Travisanutto and Marijn Kremers, as well as the FIA Karting Rookie of the Year, Gabriele Mini’. The FIA Karting Academy Trophy has become even more representative by reaching a record number of 45 nations. The quality of the equipment and service provided by technical partner OTK Kart Group has contributed to intense and revealing races for new talents such as the winner Kajus Siksnelis. More than ever, karting is the best training for ascending to the most prestigious disciplines in motor sport.

INTERVIEW

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FELIPE MASSA PRESIDENT OF THE CIK-FIA

Felipe Massa, President of the CIK-FIA since the end of 2017, looks back at the 2019 FIA Karting season and the future directions for international karting.

«I

n line with 2018, this season has been very positive for international karting. Entries to the FIA Karting Competitions were confirmed to be at a very good level in the OK and OK-Junior categories, while significant progress was recorded for the FIA Karting World Championship - KZ and the FIA Karting International Super Cup - KZ2 in Lonato. New talents have emerged in all categories alongside the established Drivers. Congratulations to the 2019 Champions, especially Lorenzo Travisanutto (OK), Thomas Ten Brinke (Junior), Marijn Kremers (KZ), Emilien Denner (KZ2) and Kajus Siksnelis (Academy). The World Championships held in Alahärmä (FIN) and Lonato (ITA) were very successful.

Quality organisation, an exciting show and the presence of a very large audience made them particularly important events.

“ WE HAVE INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY THE KARTING AUDIENCE WORLDWIDE.“ After a first year that allowed me to take the pulse of karting in the field, substantive work started in close collaboration with the FIA, the CIK-FIA team and the FIA Karting Promoter RGMMC Group. The most visible action concerns the intensification of communication on social networks and television channels. A strong boost has significantly increased the karting audience worldwide. This is only the beginning.

In consultation with the manufacturers, it was decided to broaden the horizons of highg level karting beyond Europe. I am very happy that the 2020 FIA Karting World Championship - OK & Junior will be held in Brazil. The efforts made by the country and the state of Sao Paulo to facilitate the arrival of competitors to the Birigui circuit are to be welcomed. I am convinced that we will have an exceptional event that will be of great benefit to the karting community.

“ IT IS IMPORTANT TO BROADEN THE HORIZONS OF HIGH LEVEL KARTING BEYOND EUROPE. “ I wish a particularly interesting and positive 2020 season to all those who participate in this great sport and I will use all my energy to ensure that it continues to grow in the years to come.”

INTERVIEW

ANTHONY ABBASSE TAKES A NEW PATH

A great figure of 21st century French karting, Anthony Abbasse will perhaps be the last professional driver. At the age of 30, he chose to seize a great opportunity by buying a leisure karting track near Les Sables-d’Olonne on the Atlantic coast of the Vendée. This is an opportunity to look back over his long career and to envisage future possibilities with him.

nthony Abbasse’s track record makes him the most famous French driver of the last decade. Twice World vice-Champion in KZ, European vice-Champion, five times French Champion, multiple winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Karting and victorious in Las Vegas at the SuperNationals, these are the highlights of a career that has spanned almost 20 years. Anthony has shown his loyalty to Sodikart for no less than 16 years and became an official and professional driver in 2011. “Establishing a relationship of mutual trust with a

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brand over such a long period of time has been crucial,” he says. “It’s above all a personal story and I’m proud to have been close to Gildas Mérian throughout this time, to whom I owe a lot. The situation of karting has changed a lot and the status of professional driver is becoming more and more difficult to achieve for the younger generation. No doubt the economic model of racing is no longer adapted to the times. The lack of sponsors for the drivers, the absence of solid partners for the federations, all this means that the promotion and

spin-offs of this sport are very weak. I loved racing at the highest level in KZ, but this category, which should make young people and spectators dream, is struggling to gather a sufficient number of participants to enthuse the crowds.”

What is your best memory of those years of competition? - Without hesitation, I would mention the 2017 KZ World Championship at Wackersdorf, Germany. Of course I finished 2nd behind Paolo De Conto, but I was just recovering from an injury and I didn’t even think I would be able to participate. I had dislocated my collarbone in June during the Spanish round of the European Championship at the Fernando Alonso circuit in Oviedo. I was well supported for rehabilitation, but I was only able to get back behind the wheel a fortnight before the World Championship and I was still in pain during the race. It was therefore very emotional to take pole position in the

Timed Qualifying session. Then I kept the lead after the heats and fought against De Conto throughout the Final. I probably would have tried to overtake him under different circumstances, but coming back to 2nd place was the right thing to do after several weeks of immobility.

Tell us about your changes! - I wasn’t thinking of setting up my own team or coaching young drivers. Kart racing seems to be too fragile to me at the moment to commit myself in the long term in this direction. An excellent opportunity presented itself and I think it was the right time to take a new direction. I am now a young entrepreneur

with new challenges. I took over the Mécamax track in the Vendée with the aim of developing a leisure site with good potential. Of course it is about karting, but also about quad biking. I already have a federal diploma, the DE-JEPS karting diploma, and I was able to count on advice from Sodikart, as well as from my friends Anthony Prat and Fred Usureau from Karting de Nantes and Jean-Marie and Sylviane Vergne from Racing Kart de Cormeilles. The project started on 7th November, my 30th birthday, but it was completed in early February 2020. It’s all new!

INTERVIEW

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Do you already have plans? - Of course I do! I can rely on the former owner, who is staying by my side. We are going to develop the site and work on the attractiveness of the track outside the summer season when there is a lot of traffic. We have planned a party for the inauguration on 11th April with entertainment and surprises. The day will end with a 6-hour endurance race in twilight. For the occasion, we will reunite the winning crew of the 24 hours of Le Mans Karting with Bas Lammers, Adrien Renaudin and Jean Nomblot, to challenge the best specialists of leisure endurance. Not bad, is it?

It is impossible to avoid the question of racing in the future... - A page has been turned now, that of my career as a professional driver. Having said that, I don’t intend to avoid getting back behind the wheel of a racing kart. The passion is still there, and if I can indulge myself on occasion, without pressure, I’m sure I’d be up for it. I have

heard for example that there is a KZ World Championship at Le Mans this year...

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morning. Route de Challans 85340 Ile d’Olonne

Route de Challans 85340 Ile d’Olonne contact@mecamax.com

mecamax

5 Sodikart baby karts from 3 years old Open for race testing on Sunday

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ALREADY AN EXCITING STAR THE NEW YEAR

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RT TO

WSK Champions Cup ADRIA

KEY POINTS Organiser

WSK Promotion

Location

Adria Karting Raceway, Italy - 1302 m

Date 24 au 26 janvier 2020

Entries 170 pilotes – 3 catégories

One week after the WSK group tests • Good level of entries • Vega tyres in 60 Mini and OK-Junior • Bridgestone tyres in OK • Interesting races • Varied weather: dry, rain and fog • Slick tyres for Finals

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DOUBLE FOR BARNARD

rilliant at the beginning of the meeting, Andrea Kimi Antonelli (KR/Iame) fell ill and retired. Thomas Ten Brinke (Kosmic/Vortex) was brilliant in the heats. He faced Dilano Vantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hoff (Exprit/TM) in Prefinal A and pushed his opponent off the track, which earned him a heavy penalty. Barnard had the way open to win his second Champions Cup. Under the colours of Fernando Alonso Racing, Josep Marti Sobrepera (KR/Iame) moved up to 2nd before being sanctioned for weight and Kirill Smal (Energy/ TM) took 2nd place ahead of Harry Thompson (KR/Iame). Marcus Amand (KR/Iame) finished his first OK race in 15th position, Lola Lovinfosse (Tony Kart/Vortex) finished a great weekend in 17th position and Franck Chappard deserved better than his 21st.

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OK-JUNIOR

VICTORY FOR SPINA

fter pole position of Brando Badoer (KR/Iame), Arvid Lindblad (KR/Iame) took the lead and won Prefinal A while Martinius Stenshorne (KR/Iame) won the Prefinal B. The Final battle was between three drivers. Alfio Spina (KR/Iame) finally broke away to win the race, ahead of Stenshorne. Lindblad was losing ground and Ho was trailing 2nd on the line. In their OK-Junior debut, Loris ClĂŠricy (KR/Iame) was 17th and Maxens Verbrugge (KR/Iame) moved up to 22nd.

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60 MINI

FIRST SUCCESS FOR KHAVALKIN

aciej Gladysz (Parolin/TM) was on pole position and in the lead of the heats, but Dmitry Matveev (Energy/TM) and Anatoly Khavalkin (Parolin/TM) shared the wins in the Prefinals. Khavalkin escaped in the Final, but Gerasim Skulanov (IPK/TM) surprised by catching and attacking him. Khavalkin reacted and beat Skulanov, who made a small mistake. Rashid Al Dhaheri (Parolin/TM) reached 3rd place in a last-ditch effort. Guillaume Bouzar (Parolin/TM) finished in a very good 7th place before being penalised for his spoiler and falling back to 16th.

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ENERGY CORSE

A STRONG TEAM ALREADY ON THE PODIUM IN 2020 After a 2019 filled with many victories, the official Energy Corse team lined up a group of nine very promising young drivers at the WSK Champions Cup in Adria, which marked the opening of the 2020 international season for the OK, OK-Junior and 60 Mini categories. In the wet as well as in the dry, Energy Corse undeniably put itself in the spotlight during the three days of racing. A new recruit for 2020, the Russian Kirill Smal impressed on his debut with the Italian team, rising to 2nd in the Final in OK!

eading the list of WSK Champions Cup entrants revealed a strong vote in favour of Energy Corse, which was the fourth

best-represented chassis at Adria, ahead of several other major brands. Thanks to rigorous winter preparation, the team led by Mick Panigada showed

a high level of performance from the very start, with the support of its skilled technical team, the TM Racing brand and its expert engine tuners.

SMAL VICE-CHAMPION IN OK The American Enzo Scionti, along with Russians Maksim Soldatov and Kirill Smal, formed a formidable squad in this particularly difficult category. The latter two were in the top 10 in the Timed Qualifying session.

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Smal was unlucky in one heat, but managed to win afterwards and confirmed it with a magnificent Final phase. Kirill Smal came back to 8th position on the grid for the Final, but he kept on gaining positions to finally climb to the second step of the podium! Locked in the middle of the pack, Maksim Soldatov experienced a more difficult Final and could only save 18th place. Still a Junior in 2019, the young Russian has good progress ahead of him.

OK-JUNIOR: DE HAAN ON THE PACE As was already the case last year with the Energy Corse team, Robert De Haan was particularly competitive. He had a superb run in the heats with 4th, 1st, 4th and 7th positions. Alas, the Dutchman was penalised for his spoiler in the Prefinal and dropped out in the Final after only four laps after moving up

from 16th to 7th place! As for the young Alex Powell, he could congratulate himself for having made it to the Finals. The Jamaican had just started his strong progress when a racing incident forced him to retire. Leonardo Megna, with his Energy chassis from the ASD Revolution Motorsport team, finished 23rd.

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60 MINI: DMITRY MATVEEV CLOSE TO THE PODIUM With the four Russians, Dmitry Matveev, Yaroslav Trukhin, German Foteev and Kirill Dzitiev, the Energy Corse team looked good in Mini. After Qualifying, the numerous Qualifying Heats and the particularly hard-fought Prefinals, these four drivers achieved a great feat when they all won their tickets for the Final in this category with 75 entries. Winner of his Prefinal in front of his team-mate Foteev, Matveev unfortunately got locked up at the start of the Final. He managed to regain places afterwards, but could do no better than 4th. Dzitiev finished 12th after a gain of four places. Foteev, who finished 8th under the chequered flag, was penalised for a dropped spoiler and dropped back to 18th position in front of another Energy chassis, that of the Estonian Mark Dubnitski (Dan Holland Racing team). Trukhin was forced to retire when he was 8th on the first lap. The Norwegian Marcus Saeter (ASD Revolution Motorsport) moved up from 28th to 10th place.

MEMBERS OF THE 2020 ENERGY CORSE TEAM • MINI 60

Dmitry Matveev / Yaroslav Trukhin Kirill Dzitiev / German Foteev

• OK-Junior

Alex Powel / Robert De Haan

• OK

Kirill Smal / Maksim Soldatov Enzo Scionti

• KZ2

Alexander Dahlberg / Isak Sjokvist Joey van Splunteren / Kirill Smal

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PAROLIN

VICTORY AT ADRIA IN THE EUROPEAN SEASON OPENER The WSK Champions Cup marked the launch of the 2020 international season in Europe. With a new enlarged team gathering no less than 13 drivers in the three categories, Parolin Racing Kart asserted its ambitions. Anatoly Khavalkin’s victory demonstrated the competitiveness of the new Parolin Opportunity chassis recently homologated for Mini by the CIK-FIA.

he WSK Champions Cup, which took place on the Adria Karting Raceway from 23rd to 26th January 2020 in cool weather and changing grip conditions, brought together 170 international drivers eager to compete. After the winter test sessions, this first race was the opportunity to establish an initial hierarchy for the new season, in which Parolin is one of the major players. “It’s a great satisfaction to start the season with such good performances,” said Marco Parolin. “We have several reasons to be happy after this first meeting, which was not easy to manage given the track conditions and the intensity of the battles. Our brand is now

well established in several young teams with a third of the Mini category and good progress in OK-Junior. The performances of the new Mini chassis were extremely convincing: pole position, event record, eight wins including the Final, six fastest laps in the race and five Parolins in the top seven of the Final, so the results speak for themselves! Despite some incidents during the race, the potential was there in Junior and OK too:

Morgatto inspired us by regaining 34 places in the OK Final stages to finish in the top five!”

THE ‘GABRIELE MINI’ SPACE IS OPEN IN OK. Despite numerous hazards on the track, the three 2020 official drivers were very competitive in the OK category. After some complicated Qualifying Practice sessions, James Wharton and Hugo Sasse fought their way back to the front.

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Wharton was 9th in the heats and Sasse had a superb Prefinal with the fastest time. Alas, neither of them made it to the finish of the Final. A newcomer to the team, the Brazilian Matheus Morgatto faced two retirements in the heats after posting the 11th fastest time. However, he qualified in his Prefinal despite a loose spoiler and achieved a real feat in the Final in the dry with a 21-place climb and a magnificent 5th place finish. Giovanni Trentin started well with a victory in the first heat, but then, like his OK-Junior teammates, he encountered a series of setbacks that did not allow any of them to achieve significant results. They are looking forward to the next meeting to resolve the situation.

SHOCK FORMATION IN THE MINI CLASS Anything is possible this season with talented and motivated drivers using top equipment. Maciej Galdysz started from pole position and won three heats with the fastest lap each time. Anatoly Khavlakin confirmed his end-of-season performance by taking over the reins: victory and fastest lap in the Prefinal and a wide Final victory, so he is already at the top. Rashid Al Dhaheri, who started from 24th position, kept coming back up to finish on a magnificent Final podium. Guillaume Bouzar proved to be very combative to enter the top five of the heats. He managed to finish 7th in the Final, but lost places due to a spoiler penalty. With such sharp team-mates, Dmitri Matrenin is receiving a great education for his Mini debut. The Parolin Racing Kart team will be back in action at Adria next weekend during the first round of the WSK Super Master Series, with strong ambitions.

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FULL GRIDS AN CONTESTED

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ND HOTLY RACES

WSK Super Master Series 1/4, Adria

KEY POINTS Organiser

WSK Promotion

Location

Adria Karting Raceway, Italy - 1302 m

Date 31 janvier au 2 février 2020

Entries 231 drivers - 3 categories

One week after the WSK Champions Cup • Entries up sharply • Vega tyres in 60 Mini and OK-Junior • Bridgestone tyres in OK • Thrilling races • Overcast but dry weather

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60 MINI

SKULANOVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S REVENGE

he Energy Corse drivers were well represented at the beginning of the meeting with pole position for Dmitry Matveev (Energy/TM) and 1st place for German Foteev (Energy/TM) after the heats. Anatoly Khavalkin (Parolin/TM) and Kean Berta Nakamura (KR/ Iame) then won the Prefinal stages. Gerasim Skulanov (IPK/TM) took the lead at the start of the Final and won the race after facing Rashid Al Dhaheri (Parolin/TM) and Maciej Gladysz (Parolin/TM). Nakamura and Foteev crashed together, so Khavalkin took advantage of the last lap to reach 2nd place in front of Jimmy Helias (Tony Kart/ Vortex). Clement Outran (Energy/TM) finished 16th.

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OK-JUNIOR

ANOTHER VICTORY FOR SPINA

lfio Spina (KR/Iame) was 17th in Qualifying, dominated again by Brando Badoer (KR/Iame). Arvid Lindblad (KR/Iame) took the lead again, but Spina and Karol Pasiewicz (Tony Kart/Vortex) won the Prefinals. 5th at the start of the Final, Spina came back after four laps under full race yellow and escaped to the victory in front of Lindblad, who was penalised afterwards. Ugo Ugochukwu (Kosmic/Vortex) was finally on the second step of the podium, followed by his former team-mate Christian Ho (KR/Iame). Cristian Bertuca (Birel ART/TM) recovered 19 places to finish 11th and MacĂŠo Capietto (KR/Iame) was 23rd with the fastest lap in the race.

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HILTBRAND WINS A MEMORABLE FINAL

ikita Bedrin (Tony Kart/Vortex) set the fastest time in Qualifying, but Kirill Smal (Energy/TM) won all his heats. As winners of the Prefinals, James Wharton (Parolin/TM) and Joe Turney (Tony Kart/Vortex) shared the front row at the start of the Final. Turney led the race for a long time as the battle raged in the chasing group. Harry Thompson (KR/Iame) was replaced in 2nd position by the very fast Smal. Smal attacked the leader Turney at the end of the race, but the two drivers touched and Pedro Hiltbrand won this thrilling Final ahead of Taylor Barnard (KR/Iame) and Dilano Vantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hoff (Exprit/TM). Marcus Amand (KR/Iame) moved up 13 places to 13th, while Franck Chappard (KR/ Iame), 12th on the line, was 16th due to a loose spoiler.

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BIREL ART A PROMISING START TO THE SEASON AT ADRIA

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There is no shortage of reasons for satisfaction after the first competition of 2020 for the Birel ART Racing team on the Adria circuit at the opening of the WSK Super Master Series. In OK, it was Maya Weug’s strong progress that caught the eye alongside Clayton Ravenscroft’s solid run. Tymoteusz Kucharczyk made a perfect debut for the team in OK-Junior in addition to the fine performance from Cristian Bertuca.

«W

e had the pleasure of recording some good performances already,” explained Luca Filini, the team manager of Birel ART Racing. “Kucharczyk is very fast in OK-Junior, and so is Bertuca. This confirms that we have a good base and that we have worked well in the offseason. Our new recruits are gradually getting their bearings and we have several reasons for confidence. In OK, Pirttilahti proved his speed without being able to score a result, Ravenscroft is already on the pace and Weug made a good comeback. It’s still too early to evaluate our level in Mini, but Olivieri fought well. We will have time to learn a few lessons from this first experience before the next races at Lonato.”

KUCHARCZYK ON THE RIGHT TRACK At the wheel of his RK/TM Racing OKJunior kart, Tymoteusz Kucharczyk repeated his 2nd place in Qualifying Practice after the WSK Champions Cup. Motivated and advised by the presence of Robert Kubica himself, the young Pole gave his best to come out 4th in the heats with a fastest lap in the race. Meanwhile, Cristian Bertuca was in the top 10 of the heats, finishing with a significant 2nd place. The two drivers then each set the fastest time

in their respective Prefinals to the great satisfaction of the team with a strong 3rd place finish for Kucharczyk. Kucharczyk lost ground at the beginning of the Final, but finished in 8th place while Bertuca made a tremendous 19-place comeback despite a race neutralisation with four laps under full yellow. Andrea Frassinetti was far from the lead in the Timed Qualifying session and faced several incidents in the heats so was unable to qualify for the Final.

to 15th position. Nikolas Pirttilahti managed to qualify despite a spoiler penalty in the Prefinal and moved up nine places to 23rd in the final. Kobe Pauwels improved by 12 places thanks to some solid runs, but had to retire in the Prefinal. Finally, Matteo Massetani started the heats in the second half of the field with all the risks that this entails. His chances were definitively compromised because of a penalty and a retirement. The only official Birel ART driver in Mini, Emanuele Olivieri fought hard to get back into the heats, but two spoilers penalties didn’t help his situation. However, he regained six places in Prefinal B without being able to qualify for the Final. The next competition for the Birel ART Racing team will be the Winter Cup at Lonato in less than two weeks, with the debut of the KZ2 category.

WEUG IMPRESSES IN OK Supported again this year by the Richard Mille Young Talent Academy, Maya Weug turned the situation around by regaining no less than 22 places during the Qualifying Heats. She continued her effort in the Final stages to reach an excellent 12th position by moving up another 13 places. Among the newcomers to the team, Clayton Ravenscroft was convincing in the heats despite a spoiler penalty. He regained 10 places to finish 8th on the Final finish line before being penalised down

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PAROLIN

TOP PERFORMANCES AND MINI PODIUM FOR KHAVALKIN Held on the dry track of Adria, the first round of the WSK Super Master Series was graced by a very representative line-up. The Parolin chassis were up to the challenge by giving their drivers the opportunity to achieve very strong performances. The intensity of the races did not allow them all to achieve their goals, but Khavalkin’s 2nd place in Mini, Victorsson’s run in OK-Junior and Wharton’s top five in the provisional OK ranking are very encouraging indicators for the season.

«P

lacing three drivers in the top seven in the Mini Final always gives a certain satisfaction,” analysed Marco Parolin. “A better management of the Final between the team-mates would probably have led to even more positive results for our team. We had the pleasure of seeing interesting performances from young drivers at the wheel of our chassis within other teams and this looks promising for the rest of the season. In OK, average Qualifying times made it difficult for our drivers and only Wharton was able to do well. For the same reason, the

competition was difficult in OK-Junior, but Philip Victorsson’s track record suggests more successful weekends in the near future.”

MINI: KHAVALKIN, AL DHAHERI AND GLADYSZ ABLE TO FIGHT FOR VICTORY

pace in the WSK Super Master with three fastest laps in the race. With the 5th fastest time, he came back to 2nd after the Qualifying Heats and won his Prefinal. Delayed at the start of the Final in the outside lane, he recovered thanks to his speed and snatched a superb 2nd place in the Final as well as in the Championship standings. Maciej Gladysz lost time in one heat due to a loose spoiler, but came back to compete for the leading places in the Final. After a retirement in the first race, Rashid Al Dhaheri made a superb run to climb back up to 4th in his Prefinal. He was leading the Final several times before finishing in the top five. Guillaume Bouzar started very well and won two races before having to retire in his last heat. Penalised for his spoiler in the Prefinal, he unfortunately missed his qualification. As for Dimitri Matrenin, he moved up in each of his heats, without being able to reach the Final stages yet.

Anatoly Khavalkin was once again very convincing. After his victory the previous week in the Champions Cup, he set the

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VICTORSSON LEADS THE OKJUNIOR FIGHT The new Junior formation of the Parolin Racing Kart team is gradually getting its bearings. Philip Victorsson proved to be the best performer by climbing up to 5th place in his Prefinal. He was 10th in the Final after four laps under the slow procedure when he was eliminated from the race. Handicapped by several spoiler penalties, Giovanni Trentin managed to regain 18 places in the Final stages. Penalties and a retirement prevented Lukas Malek from Qualifying. Matvey Sonkin came back in each race, but he started too far back to reach the Final, while Arnur Shabdar had too many setbacks to succeed this time.

GOOD PERFORMANCES POORLY REWARDED IN OK The three OK drivers from Parolin made good progress in the Qualifying Heats. Matheus Morgatto was in the top 10 in Prefinal B when he was forced to retire. Hugo Sasse, who had climbed 23 places since the Timed Qualifying session, also had to give up in the Prefinal. James Wharton continued his progression and won Prefinal A. Unfortunately, he lost ground as he started from the outside lane in the Final and then fought his way to the finishing line to finish close to the top 10. His performance nevertheless earned him 5th place in the provisional ranking. The next major sporting event will take place in less than two weeksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time with the 25th edition of the famous Winter Cup, which will be followed, on the same Lonato circuit, by the second round of the WSK Super Master Series.

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BEARMAN

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IAME Winter Cup Valencia

KEY POINTS Organiser

RGMMC

Location

Kartodromo Internacional Lucas Guerrero, Chiva, Valencia, España - 1428 m

Date 6 au 9 février 2020

Entries 181 drivers - 3 categories

First meeting of the IAME season • MG Tires • Very good level of entries • Spectacular races • Nice warm and sunny weather • Excellent prizes worth €25,000 • Three tickets for the IAME International Final

N, HARRISON AND PERAL TAKE THE

FIRST WINS OF 2020

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X30 SENIOR

BEARMAN’S GRAND SLAM

ast year’s Junior winner Oliver Bearman (GBR Kosmic - KR Sport) set the fastest Senior time, with Daniel Nogales (ESP - KR - Kart Republic Spain) and Ruben Moya (ESP - Kosmic - Piers Sexton Racing) the leaders in Session 2 and 1 respectively. Bearman won three out of four heats and retained the lead on Saturday evening, followed by Callum Bradshaw (GBR Exprit - Fusion Motorsport) and Ruben Moya. On Sunday, Bearman continued his triumphant march in the Prefinal and then in the Final. Dean MacDonald (GBR - Tony Kart - Strawberry Racing) threatened him at the start of the race, but Bearman eventually broke away and won the race far ahead of MacDonald. Nogales was able to hold on to 3rd place ahead of Tyler Read (GBR - KR - Argenti) and Alejandro Lahoz (ESP - KR - Kart Republic Spain). The great animator of the meeting, Callum Bradshaw (GBR Exprit - Fusion Motorsport) did not finish.

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X30 JUNIOR

HARRISON WINS IN THE END

aron Walker (GBR - Tony Kart - Strawberry Racing) took pole position. Freddie Spindlow (GBR - Kosmic - KR Sport) set the fastest time in the heats, ahead of Daniel Guinchard (GBR - Kosmic - KR Sport) and Santiago Vallve (ESP - KR - Kart Republic Spain). Guinchard won the Prefinal, but his team-mate Alfie Rigby (GBR - Kosmic - KR Sport) attacked him at the beginning of a very competitive Final. A dozen drivers were regrouping for the battle for the finish. Freddie Slater (GBR - Exprit - Fusion Motorsport) attacked Walker a few metres from the goal, but Bart Harrison (GBR - Exprit - Mick Barrett Racing) took the opportunity to sneak into the chicane and won. Walker took 2nd place ahead of Oli Pylka (POL - FA Kart - DHR). Benjamin Hovelacque (FRA - OTK - DHR) finished 15th (+10 pl) after a very convincing meeting, but received another spoiler penalty while Romain Andriolo (FRA - Kosmic Racing Motor Sport) finished 27th with seven places gained.

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X30 MINI

PERAL IMPOSES HIS FIGHTING SPIRIT

he poleman Leo Robinson (GBR - KR - Fusion) also led in the heats, but Jan Peral Resurreccion (ESP FA Kart - Monlau Competicion) and Sandro Perez Sanchez (ESP - FA Kart - Monlau Competicion) were on the attack in the Final stages. Deprived of victory in the Prefinal by a penalty, Peral took his revenge in the Final by defending his position until the end against his team-mate Perez, while Robinson finished 3rd by less than 2 tenths.

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25TH WINT AT SOUTH GARDA

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TER CUP KARTING

Winter Cup Lonato

KEY POINTS Organiser

South Garda Karting

Location

South Garda Karting, Lonato, Italy - 1200 m

Date 13th to 16th February, 2020

Entries 301 drivers - 4 categories

Thrilling races in all categories • Super Heats replace Prefinals • Very nice weather • Mild temperatures • Large audience • Bridgestone in KZ2, OK and Mini Rok • LeCont in OKJ

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KZ2

BIREL ART DOES THE DOUBLE

n the heels of the World Championship, Birel ART reiterated its domination on the Lonato track. The internal duel between Riccardo Longhi (Birel ART/TM) and newcomer Giuseppe Palomba (Birel ART/TM) was finally won by the latter. Jeremy Iglesias (Formula K/TM) took 3rd place ahead of Alessandro Irlando (Birel ART/TM), while CPB Sport driver Jean Nomblot (Sodi/TM) took a solid top five finish. Two other French drivers finished in the top 10: Hubert Petit (Sodi/ TM) 9th and Adrien Renaudin (Sodi/TM) 10th.

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TURNEY REACHES HIS GOAL

rd last year, Joseph Turney (Tony Kart/Vortex) this time managed to win against his new team-mate Lorenzo Travisanutto (Tony Kart/Vortex) while Andrea Kimi Antonelli (KR/Iame) confirmed his rapid assimilation of the category. Two other rookies completed the top five: Robert De Haan (Energy/TM) and Nikita Bedrin (Tony Kart/Vortex), poleman with the Ward Racing team. Pedro Hiltbrand (Tony Kart/Vortex), in 9th place, delighted observers with his attacking style, whilst Taylor Barnard (KR/Iame) moved up from 85th to 10th position.

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OK-JUNIOR

STENSHORNE ON TOP

lex Powell (Energy/TM) took pole, but Martinius Stenshorne (KR/Iame) was almost unbeatable afterwards. He found a strong rival in Karol Pasiewicz (Tony Kart/Vortex), but it was the young Freddie Slater (Kosmic/Vortex) who took 2nd ahead of Arvid Lindblad (KR/Iame), while Tymoteusz Kucharczyk (RK/TM) was ahead of Ashkay Bohra (Kosmic/Vortex) in the top five. Evan Giltaire (Sodi/TM) put in some good performances and finished 13th, MacÃ©o Capietto (KR/Iame) came back to 22nd, while Arthur Rogeon (Tony Kart/Vortex), who was very effective, had a series of setbacks on Sunday morning.

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MINI-ROK

AL DHAHERI AHEAD OF MATVEEV AND FOTEEV

mitry Matveev (Energy/Vortex) was replaced by German Foteev (Energy/Vortex) at the front of Mini Rok, with Rashid Al Dhaheri (Parolin/Vortex) in ambush. The two Russians met for a Final duel, but Al Dhaheri showed his maturity by winning against Matveev and Foteev. Maciej Gladysz (Parolin/Vortex) finished 4th and Marcus Saeter (Energy/Vortex) 5th.

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VIDEO

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KARTCOM NEWS #56

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RS7-K Carbon is NOT compatible with FHR anchor systems or devices Air intake, rear spoiler, chin bar gurneys available separately

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SNELL K2015 APPROVED. Not approved on the road. Sizes : 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62. REFERENCEÂ : EQ761.23T

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Weight: 510 g (Youth size) - 521 g (Adult size) CE certified, homologated according to the 89/686 / CEE directive. REFERENCEÂ : EQ732.042T

FEATURES: Koroyd engineered core for superior impact absorption Reinforced exterior impact shell Rapid lock closure system for easy front entry Integrated X-Strap cleats EVA base absorbs impact energy

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VIDEO

PLAYER

ADRIA

WSK Super Master Series - OK Final

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George Robinson talks about fairness and sportsmanship in karting

R VIDEO

THE ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE Grand Finals 2020 heads to Bahrain

WSK SUPER MASTER SERIES 1st round in Adria

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