Vroom Kart International #178 - April 2016

EXCLUSIVE HAND BRAKE, YES OR NO

FINALLY WE FOUND OUT WHAT HAPPENS DURING HARD BRAKE USING BOTH SYSTEMS: ONLY REAR BRAKE AND “MANUAL” FRONT BRAKES

N. 178 APRIL 2016 € 5.00

W W W.V R O O M K A RT.C O M

INTERNATIONAL

KARTING

USA CALLING

WITH TWO MASSIVE EVENTS THE 2016 SOFINA FOODS FLORIDA WINTER TOUR IS OVER. NEW CHAMPIONS DIRECTLY FROM THE STATES

SPECIAL OK

THOUGHTS AND IMPRESSIONS COMMENTS FROM THE PADDOCK ON NEW WEIGHT LIMIT

ELECTRIC KART PART 5 PHOTO CODY SCHINDEL

BASICS OF ELECTRICITY

TECHNICAL SIDE COMBUSTION PROCESS AND KNOCK - PART II TELEME...TRICKS SENSORS AND LINEARIZATION TABLE

from the editor EXCLUSIVE HAND BRAKE, YES OR NO

FINALLY WE FOUND OUT WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN HARD BRAKE USING BOTH SYSTEMS: ONLY REAR BRAKE AND ALSO “MANUAL” FRONT BRAKES.

Fia has come up with the idea of having an eKarting Cup 2017.

Those of you who have been with us for a long time can but acknowledge that we have a certain predisposition USA CALLING in following up innovations that concern our world of karting. And among these tendencies there' s the electric SPECIAL OK kart is the latest ones that are being documented in ELECTRIC KART BASICS OF ELECTRICITY these pages for some time now (in this issue, you will find part five), as this solution, quite futuristic, but also a current one stimulates us quite a bit, and the Fia Press Release the one that communicates their intention to set up a championship for electric karts has been rather gratifying for us. Almost to say that we at Vroom were already aware of this from times gone by, and although there is a bit of scepticism for this racing innovation, we are just as sure that once the validity of this project has been verified, several people will have to change idea.

Respecting our editorial philosophy where we do try to give some thorough answers to our readers, well, while International Vroom is yet to be printed, the team led

by Maurizio Voltini with OiP collaboration is on the track testing a kart powered by an electric engine. In May' s issue of Vroom you will see the results.

In the meanwhile, back to the present and waiting for the first round of the European Championship at the end of April, we don' t want to lose track of the racing season that is getting more and more to the heart of racing. Starting with the two WSK meetings, held in Italy at Castelletto di Branduzzo and in Sarno, not to mention the Margutti hosted at the South Garda in Lonato.

Taking a wider view around the world: in the USA the Florida Winter Tour has just ended, with the last two weeks of racing divided between Rotax and RoK. In UK, the first round of the Super One series has been hosted at Rowrah, in the county of Cumbria. As usual Vroom also keeps an eye on what is going on in Asia; Sepang has hosted the Rotax MAX Asia Challenge. With this issue we have gone as far as Australia where they have had the second round of the Australian Karting Championship, and then again in New Zealand, where drivers competed in the National Sprint Series.

Obviously you don' t only have races here, but also technical actuality. In April the CIK should decide if the weight for the new OK class is really OK, and we have gathered the opinions of those who live international karting every day.

While awaiting some updating, last but not least, we advise our readers to go and read the exclusive report on page 66. This time we didn' t settle for just trying the chassis a given engine, but we decided to look into one of the most important aspects felt during a race, i.e. ª brakingº . You see, up till now no one had looked into what actually happens when you brake, nor the difference there is really (for a direct drive) between braking with just a rear disc or also with a front braking system with manual control, the use of which has been forbidden on an international level. So, you can find out lots of interesting things, but this is all we are telling you, the rest you can read for yourself page after page of this sensational issue of Vroom.

Giuliano Ciucci Giuliani N. 178

APRIL 2016 € 5.00

W W W.V R O O M K A RT.C O M

INTERNATIONAL

KARTING

WITH TWO MASSIVE EVENTS THE 2016 SOFINA FOODS FLORIDA WINTER TOUR IS OVER. NEW CHAMPIONS ARE COMING DIRECTLY FROM THE STATES.

THOUGHTS AND IMPRESSIONS COMMENTS FROM THE PADDOCK ON THE NEW WEIGHT LIMIT.

PHOTO CODY SCHINDEL

PART 5

TECHNICAL SIDE COMBUSTION PROCESS AND KNOCK - PART II TELEME...TRICKS SENSORS AND LINEARIZATION TABLE

ELECTRIFYING TRENDS AND NEW DISCOVERIES

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 3

CONTENTS APRIL 2016 26

66

IS YOUR WEIGHT

OK? NEWS 14 MONDOKART CLOSE UP 20 BABY ROTAX 24 HELMADE 26 IS YOUR WEIGHT OK?

84

RACE REPORT 30 WSK SUPER MASTER SERIES CASTELLETTO DI BRANDUZZO (ITA) 32 WSK SUPER MASTER SERIES SARNO (ITA) 34 27th TROFEO MARGUTTI LONATO (ITA) 38 FLORIDA WINTER TOUR JUPITER (U.S.A.) 46 AUSTRALIAN KART CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORIA (AUS) 50 NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL SPRINT HAMILTON (NZ) 54 ROTAX MAX ASIA CHALLENGE SELANGOR (MAL) 58 SUPER ONE SERIES CUMBRIA (UK)

38

TECHNICAL SIDE

30

66 TRACK TEST BRAKING SYSTEMS SINGLE AND DOUBLE 78 ELECTRIC KARTING BASICS OF ELECTRICITY 84 TELEMETRICKS SENSOR AND LINEARIZATION TABLE 88 TECHNICAL SIDE COMBUSTION PROCESS AND KNOCK - PART II 92 VINTAGE THE SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN FARMER WHO MAKES KARTS

COLUMNS 3 10 62 98

www.vroomkart.com 4 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

info@vroom.it

www.facebook.com/vroomkart

EDITORIAL VROOMGAMES VROOMBOX 2016 INTERNATIONAL RACING CALENDAR

twitter.com/vroomkart

OKKART Srl Registered office: Via Mozart, 50 - 04011 Aprilia (Italy) info@vroom.it - www.vroom.it Giuliano Ciucci Giuliani (Editor in chief) cggiuliano@vroom.it FABINA GAVILLUCCI (Executive editor) fgavillucci@vroom.it WALTER GUCCI wgucci@vroom.it MARIA VERRENGIA mverrengia@vroom.it SPECIAL COLUMNS Maurizio Voltini CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE A. Becherini, C. Schindel, Canadiankartingnews, Fast Company, Gordon Cooper, FM Press, Lee Hanatschek, Kartpix.net, Bethany Lawson, B. Leong, Motorsport@ Officineinprogress, M.Nassi, OTK&MC, D. Paolicelli, D.Pastanella, A. Roca, RGMMC, S. Suardi, F. Weir SUBSCRIPTIONS info@vroom.it ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION Europe 62 Euro USA, Canada 93 Euro Rest of the world 104 Euro BACKDATED ISSUES: 5 Euro per copy PRINTERS: GMG GRAFICA srl via Anagnina, 361 - 00188 Roma - Italy on behalf of Grafiche Professionali via Sequals, 4 - 00188 Roma - Italy Registered at Law-court in Latina N°714 date: 19.10.2000 © Copyright 2000 – all rights reserved.

RESPONSIBILITY: Unauthorized repro-

duction wholly or in part of texts and graphic material and translations of the same is forbidden unless prior authorisation has been given by publisher. All reports and illustrations received as contributions by the publisher will not be returned even if these are not published, and the magazine assumes no responsibility for their safety, even in case of rare examples. Neither dvoes the magazine assume any responsibility for articles published therein or any errors contained. All articles published are without patent right; furthermore articles bearing a registered trade mark will be used at contributors risk.

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vroomgames

BY W. GUCCI WITH AYRTON BECHERINI

Last month we talked about the difference between “arcade” games

LA STORIA DEI SIMULATORI DI GUIDA

and the real driving simulators.

Before dealing with each one individually, let’s see their history and how the idea of making driving simulators came into being. This column will be divided into two parts, here we are going to see how it was set up and developed up to 1998.

Today we can fins lots of excellent products for what concerns graphics and quality of the same thanks to skilled programmers who have a passion for car racing, whose aim is to come up with the most realistic simulator there has ever been.

Competition from the various product developers has made it possible over the years to put only the best on the market. “Arcade” has contributed to improve the quality in visible realism, attractive and with improved simulation makes the vehicle more physically reactive too. Over the years, some titles have stood out for their innovation, they are so outstanding that they have reduced to nil the work of others, and have become reference points from which to start, take for example the latest “Racing Setup” made by Kunos Simulazioni, an Italian team that had already worked with the “Ferrari Virtual Academy” and there’s the revolutionary “Grand Prix Legends” made by Papyrus in 1998.

10 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

1984

1984 Back in 1984 in England a young graduate with a degree in physics, Geoff Grammond was working on REVS, a game that had been developed for the BBC microcomputer and later it was also available for the COMMODOR 64.

REVS is a Formula 3 single seater simulator set on the racing circuit in Silverstone and although it was in the early days, it does allow for changes to be made on the setup and aerodynamics of the vehicle. Being very hard to drive, it wasn’t as successful as expected, but it did make Grammond’s name stand out on the scene and enable him to build up his career with the best manufacturing businesses and make him famous for being the first to come up with a game that tries to simulate the behaviour of a racing car.

When REVS+ came out again in 1987 there were also the circuits following circuits Donington, Oulton, Snettorn and Nurburgring available.

1989 In USA automobile sport race on oval circuits, the best one being Indianapolis.

David Kaemmer and Omar Khudari, founders of Papyrus, work on the “Indianapolis 500: The simulation”. A game that reaches shop display

windows in 1989 and it is very successful indeed. It is published by Elettronic Arts per MS- DOS and Amiga.

Despite being limited by modest graphic performance of that time, it does have the elements to make you feel as thought you have spent a day racing on that fantastic circuit.

So, thanks to their hard work both Grimond and Papyrus have opened a way to the future: Indianapolis 500 remains in history for being the first racing simulator that uses a form of artificial intelligence, that is, with virtual opposition run by CPU with which the person playing can for the first time compete with a driving simulator.

1991 In 1991 Geoff Grammond created a Formula One Grand Prix, which was later developed and published

by Microprose. The game is the first of a lucky series, for the first time an elementary multiplayer system is introduced, where you can compete in two, two players sharing a screen. Furthermore, there are new regulations for set up and the physical engine of the software has been renovated and this is a big step forward in the evolution of simulated driving.

Even if there aren’t any fast internet lines yet the fans however start competing at a distance and

1989 1984

1991 1989

1993

1991

1995

1995 publishing their own hotlaps, the community starts to get moving, starting with exchanging set up for the vehicle, replay of races and timed practice.

Terms and concepts of set up of the vehicle being used is only carried out in rooms specialised for real motorsport becomes daily bread also for virtual drivers. These things make rivals come up with other new titles at the same level.

1993 The quality of the products has always been high thanks to the competition level and inevitably, not just on the track but also with set squares used by

programmers: Kaemmer and Papyrus are soon there, in 1993 responding to the Formula One Grand Prix the IndyCar Racing come out in USA...

The game, sequel of the Indy series, simulates the whole championship on different circuits with a new engine, among them there’s the track in Laguna Seca. The famous bottle opener turn and the difficult ups and downs finally manage to convince the most demanding European public that had underestimated the previous exits based on oval circuits.

Another step forward has been taken in a short time: la body of vehicles and their reaction to

the changes in set up are much truer than their European cousin Formula One Grand Prix, in fact, IndyCar Racing is now the reference point for simulation engines.

1994 Kaemmer and the Papyrus excellent quality as far as the body of the engine is concerned, Nascar Racing was put on the market in 1994.

The game is set in the covered wheel series and it has been more successful in the States, it allows you to drive on tracks used for championships with excellent design that has never been seen before,

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 11

vroomgames 1995

1997

1995

graphics, body, sound and running the multiplayer are much better. There are cars, drivers and official circuits used for the 1995 season, furthermore it comes with an arcade modality for opening the market to drivers with less experience who don’t need much and play just for the fun of it.

This too is as successful as its predecessor and sells more than 800 copies.

the 3d models make the most of the advent of DVD readers and the power of the latest 486 processors.

Nascar Racing is a great success, which sells a million copies and marks the official birth of the ondine multiplayer: despite extortionate telephone bills they can at last guarantee a first experience of virtual racing where you can challenge real competitors.

1995

1997

Papyrus again, riding the wave of success doesn’t give you any advantages to European competition and in 1995 they go back to the open wheel with IndyCar Racing II. The engine body is even more advanced and uses improvements that had already been introduced with Nascar Racing, you can race on fifteen tracks and you can learn from scratch, or improve your drive style with a training module. Thanks to the new svga form the design can run at maximum resolution of that instant (640x480).

Even with all the characteristics to double the success of the previous editions the title TITOLO doesn’t manage to sell as expected. The lack of success hoped for and the scission in the real motorsport of the Formula Indy championship with that of IRL convinces Papyrus to abandon the series.

At the same tome in 1995 the answer comes from Europe with the long awaited MicroProse, Grand Prix 2 sequel.

12 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

1997

The game gains the official licence from the FIA international automobile federation proposing again in detail the 1994 Formula One series.

Grammond this time is surprising with a design never seen before and with the program at maximum resolution the mosaic effect disappears.

We are at the dawning of modern design.

Grand Prix 2 is very successful on the European market thanks to its ”open source” characteristics that allows the fans to put in tracks, car and personalised graphics. Modding is officially “born”, a set up of expert designers and/or programmers who, because of their passion, make up racing tracks, vehicles or even series of complete championships that can be included in a game that already exists.

1996 In 1996 Papyrus releases Nascar 2, which compared to its predecessor it has been improved,

1997 1997 marks Microsoft’s official entry with the name Cart Precision Racing, a game that gives opportunities to choose road routes, European and oval circuits. It makes the most of the characteristics of video card but it doesn’t convince the fans of pure simulation.

The player can count on a virtual mechanic who helps to find the best setup.

In that same year, Ubisoft gets the official FIA licence from Microsoft Grand Prix with the F1 Racing Simulation. The schematic engine is in step with the 3D design forms, the environment surrounding the vehicle has been dealt with very well indeed, You can choose the modality of atmospheric conditions, and the sound allows for full immersion in racing thanks to original sounds recorded from the Renault F1, They reproduce the 1996 Formula 1 championship with cars and drivers and circuits.

mondokart NEWS & PREVIEWS

CHASSIS PARTNER ANNOUNCED FOR THE ROTAX MAX GRAND FINALS 2016 BRP’s 17th edition of the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals (RMCGF) taking place at the Circuito Internazionale di Napoli in Sarno, Italy from October 16 to 22, 2016 will be supported by its well-known and long-term chassis partners.

During the week-long event 360 chassis will be on the track.

BirelART will support the Rotax 125 MAX DD2 and 125 Mini MAX categories. IPKarting provides Praga chassis for the Rotax 125 Junior MAX and 125 Micro MAX classes and Sodikart will support the Rotax 125 MAX class as well as the 125 MAX DD2 Masters category with its chassis.

“We are pleased to announce that our longtime business partners BirelART, IPKarting and Sodikart will supply the chassis for the RMCGF in 2016,” said Helmut Voglsam, supervisor of Rotax kart engines.

“All of them supported us in the past already.”

RECENT DECISIONS OF THE FIA WORLD MOTOR SPORT COUNCIL CONCERNING KARTING At its meeting of March 4th, 2016 in Geneva, the FIA World Motor Sport Council took the following decisions on the basis of the proposals of the International Karting Commission (CIK).

The WMSC has validated the tender won by the manufacturer LeCont for the supply of tyres to the 2016 CIK-FIA Endurance Championship which will

14 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

take place at the Le Mans 24 Hours Karting on 17th and 18th September 2016.

The WMSC approved the 2016 CIK-FIA European Superkart Championship calendar.

• 20-22/05 Lédenon (FRA) • 03-05/06 Donington (GBR) • 05-07/08 Assen (NLD) The CIK-FIA reminds that the closing date for entries to the three Competitions of the CIK-FIA European KZ

and KZ2 Championships will be on 16th March 2016.

The cost of entries will then rise from EUR 1560 to EUR 2080 until March 23th, 2016. Entries solely for the Competition at Essay (FRA) for Wild Card Drivers will end on March 16th, 2016 for an amount of EUR 520 before increasing to EUR780 until March 23rd, 2016.

WHEN PRECISION COUNTS!

SINCE 1986 UNIPRO HAS DEVELOPED AND DELIVERED PIONEER PRODUCTS TO ACTIVE RACE DRIVERS WHO WANT TO IMPROVE THEIR RESULTS ENSURING PRECISION, QUALITY AND FLEXIBILITY

UniTire UniTire uses a flexible cable between the handle and the gauge, and that means that all the air that is normally wasted in the hose, is no problem in UniTire. Having the air pressure sensor is placed in the handle no more air is wasted. The handle itself is angled in a way that allows for easy access to the tire valve and with dual valves for letting out air, the handle can be used by both left and right handed users. If you need to let a lot of air out, both buttons can be pressed at the same time. The standard pressure range is 0-5 bar.

Another unique feature is the stealth mode for “secret� tire pressure operation. No more need to try to hide the pressure gauge for prying competitors!

The UniTire - IR model is adding a infrared temperature sensor at the top for measuring tire and asphalt temperature.

UniStop is the right choice when you want an easy to use stop watch with the high quality and elegant design that comes standard with the Unipro products. You can take lap- and split times on up to 4 drivers.

W WW.U N I PRO L A PT I ME R.COM

UniGo 6005 is both a Laptimer and a Data Logger. It means that all data are stored in the Laptimer at up to 60 times per second. It makes it possible to transfer the results to a PC or MAC for further analyzing. The included analyze program will give you the complete overview together with the possibility to compare results between drivers, training sessions and heats.

mondokart NEWS & PREVIEWS

Spring break in Lonato LAMBORGHINI SQUADRA CORSE LAUNCHES THE KART DRIVERS PROGRAM

Lamborghini Squadra Corse announces the Kart Drivers Program, an initiative that invests in the GT champions of the future that broadens its programs dedicated to young skilled drivers.

New presence record for 2016: 293 drivers out of 298 entered in the eleven categories on grid for the 27th edition of the Spring Trophy held on March 20th. A new record not only for Lonato, but also throughout Italy.

This edition of the Spring Trophy is a huge success thanks to the weather, a renewed track and great organization. The race is valid for the Regional Championship Lambardia and for the Rok Cup Area North. Ninety-eight drivers have been competing for the Regional Championship Lambardia, and one hundred ninety-five for the Rok Cup Area North, important numbers, particularly the Rok Cup which underline the growth of the single branded championship by Vortex.

WINNERS: Dante (KZ2), Antonelli (Entry Level), Enders (60 Mini), Cesari (Prodriver Under), Scagnelli (Over), Micheletti (Club), Scarfò (Mini Rok), Guidetti (Junior), Trombelli (Senior), Cinti (Super) and Zani (Shifter).

16 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

This program represents a further step to the existing Young Drivers Program, Formula Junior Program and GT3 Junior Program. As an added dimension to the Kart Drivers Program, Lamborghini Squadra Corse has partnered with DR Racing Kart, a team founded by five-times kart world champion Danilo Rossi who, with his team, is engaged in all aspects of the karting world: from design and production of kart frames, through to commitments on track in the most important international series such as WSK and CIK-FIA European and World championships, in the OK Junior (for ages 12 and up) and KZ2 (from 15 years and up) categories.

The goal of Lamborghini Squadra Corse is to identify the most talented young drivers, offering them the opportunity to become part of the most advanced driver programs and climbing each step that Lamborghini’s motorsport department has established since 2014: from the world of karting with the Kart Drivers Program to a training category such as F4 with the Formula Junior Program, which currently operates in Japan. Participants then move on to the Young Drivers Program for drivers under 26, who are involved in the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo and have the opportunity to participate in development of the Huracán LP 620-2 Super Trofeo while aspiring to become a member of the GT3 Junior Program. This ultimate step of Lamborghini Squadra Corse’s youngster programs allows drivers to test and develop the Huracán GT3 and race in the most important GT Championships worldwide.

Giorgio Sanna, Head of Motorsport of Automobili Lamborghini, commented on this new initiative: “The Kart Drivers Program is another milestone in our training programs for youngsters, which aim to select the best drivers who decide to invest in our motorsport programs to further their racing careers. Every young driver has the ambition to reach the pinnacle of the open-wheel Formula, but the GT world is a solid alternative to becoming a professional racing driver. Lamborghini Squadra Corse wants to help the most deserving youngsters in achieving this dream.”

F-SERIES ROK SHIFTER CATEGORY LOOKS REWARDING FOR 2016 For the past five years it has been proven by our friends that gearbox kart racing is alive and very healthy. With Vortex currently offering the Rok Shifter for virtually the same price of a single speed engine it is pretty cool to get six gears for the same investment. For anyone that decides they are ready to accept the challenge of being a shifter pilot, it gets really exciting when they see that the top three Rok Shifters at each event will receive a substantial cash payout. And if you have what it takes to come out on top of the point standings at the 2016 Gearup Challenge, how about an all inclusive trip to Italy to attend the Rok Cup International. Once in Italy it only gets better with

an official tour of the OTK and Vortex engines Factory. Gearup as the Challenge begins at GoPro Motorplex on 4/15-4/16/2016.

1st Place $300 2nd Place $200 3rd Place $100

www.vortex-rok.com 2016 ROK INTERNATIONAL FINALS TRIP – LONATO, ITALY CHAMPIONS PACKAGE INCLUDES:

Flight Hotel Accommodations Transportation Event Entry Registration at: http://www.thefseries.com

KORRIDAS E KOMPANHIA AWARDED ROTAX KART DISTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR 2015 RP’s Rotax kart distributor Korridas e Kompanhia, responsible for Portugal and Spain, was honoured with the 2015 Distributor of the Year Award.

“We congratulate all our distributors to their success and thank them for their commitment and for the effort they put into their daily business to claim the points of our annual award program”, said Helmut Voglsam, head of Rotax kart business.

The annual award program is based on six parameters to evaluate each distributor’s performance. The evaluation identifies those who claim the most points in terms of excellence in marketing and services.

“This is a proud moment for us and we

dedicate this award to all our employees at Korridas e Kompanhia and our partners.

They all work hard throughout the year to achieve the goal and with no doubt, the best appreciation is the positive feedback of our satisfied customers”, said Rui Riviera, one of the owner of Korridas e Kompanhia.

During the past years Korridas e Kompanhia has accumulated extensive experience in successfully supporting and promoting the Rotax kart business with its outstanding marketing activities into their local markets and beyond.

For more information about the Rotax karting business and its racing series, the Rotax MAX Challenge, please visit http://www.rotax-kart. com/en/Max-Challenge/MAX-Challenge/ About- ROTAX-MAX-CHALLENGE

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 17

mondokart NEWS & PREVIEWS

CRG RETURNS TO CANADA

CRG West revive the presence of the worldchampionship caliber CRG chassis and product line on the Canadian Market.

Virtually non-existent in Canada during the 2015 season, CRG is set to make a comeback in 2016 with Danny Kacic and CRG West Motorsports. Kacic, the owner of CRG West, has been contracted by the CRG Nordam factory team as the new North American factory race team director.

“With my new position, I have had the privilege of working very closely with CRG and the factory staff and I have seen first-hand the incredible development in the CRG product line,” expressed Kacic. “I am so impressed with not only the quality but also the competitiveness of the 2016 product line and I am so proud to be bringing CRG back to Canada.”

CRG West will be concentrating all its efforts in 2016 into building and supporting a strong Canadian CRG dealer network in order to supply and support Canadian CRG teams and drivers.

CRG West will be concentrating all its efforts in 2016 into building and supporting a strong Canadian CRG dealer network in order to supply and support Canadian CRG teams and drivers. If you are interested in becoming a part of the new Canadian CRG dealer program, please contact info@crgwest.ca or phone 250-979-8051.

18 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

EMS breakthrough!

This year’s big news is the launch of a new system for regulating recreational karts. The EMS (Equality Management System) has been designed to balance the performance of Sodi karts in the framework of recreational races and simplifying work for the pit crew.

Drivers should be able to race under fair and equal conditions. Sodi kart has introduced a patented technology solution called «EMS - Equality Management System». The EMS offers the ability to quickly adjust the engine power and obtain a fleet of karts with fair and equivalent performance levels. By simply turning the potentiometer you can regulate the power of the kart (there is a screw lock on the potentiometer). It’s easy to calibrate the karts.

EMS Racer offers the possibility to “virtually” add extra weight to equalize the power-toweight ratio for all the karts/drivers. This evens out the performances and ensures that the race is totally fair. EMS Racer replaces the traditional lead box and all the problems it entails.

Virtual weight is easily added using a special key, in 2 kg increments, up to a maximum of 30 kg. EMS Racer has an LCD screen showing the virtual weight added, reducing the risk of errors.

BABY ROTAX 20 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

CLOSE UP BABY ROTAX

FOLLOWING THE FIA MOTOR SPORT COUNCIL AND CIK’S RECENT DECISION, YOUNG DRIVERS HOLDING A NATIONAL LICENSE CAN PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL COMPETITIONS OUTSIDE THEIR HOME COUNTRIES, WITH PERMISSION OF THEIR ASN. LET’S SEE HOW THIS DECISION AFFECTS THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS IN SARNO, ITALY.

EARLY IDEA OF A STAND-ALONE RACE FOR THE ROTAX 125 MICRO AND MINI MAX DRIVERS

The initial idea for a stand-alone race was born some time before the first event took place in 2011 in Portugal.

More than one decade ago, the market demand was to support even younger kart enthusiasts than the Rotax Junior MAX drivers. Hence, in 2004 the Rotax 125 Mini MAX engine, developed for kids of the age between 10 to 13 years, was introduced to the market followed by the Rotax 125 Micro MAX engine for the age between 8 and 10 years in 2007. The engines for the youngest kart drivers quickly gained popularity REPORT: ROTAX PRESS OFFICE and the number of kids racing karts is constantly increasing.

Especially because the organization team wanted to give the youngest kart enthusiasts and their parents a CHASSIS SIZE* AND MINIMUM WEIGHT* better understanding 125 Micro MAX: Chassis 950 mm, minimum weight 105 kg of the Rotax MAX 125 Mini MAX: Chassis 950 mm, minimum weight 125 kg Challenge (RMC) AGE LIMITS* they decided to invite 125 Micro MAX: 8th birthday before October 16, 2016 and may them to the Rotax not have his/her 11th birthday before December 31, 2016 MAX Challenge Grand 125 Mini MAX: 10th birthday before October 16, 2016 and may Finals (RMCGF). not have his/her 13th birthday before December 31, 2016 Between 2012 and TYRES* 2015 the races for the 125 Micro MAX: One set MOJO C2 + one set MOJO CW from youngest classes took free practice to final place as invitational 125 Mini MAX: One set MOJO C2 + one set MOJO CW for races and were called free practice and one set MOJO C2 + one set MOJO CW from Rotax Grand Festival. qualifying to final The idea was to let *TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE ITALIAN ASN them experience the professionalism behind the RMC concept and being part of this elite program.

NEW CONCEPT FOR ROTAX 125 MINI MAX AND MICRO MAX DRIVERS Due to the recently announced decisions of the FIA World Motor

Sport Council, the CIK rules have changed. “Together with our Rotax kart distributors we worked out a new concept making the Rotax 125 Micro and Mini MAX classes more attractive”, informed Helmut Voglsam, supervisor, Rotax kart engines.

Drivers, who hold a national licence will be able to participate in national competitions outside their home countries, provided they have permission from their ASN. “Nevertheless, for the Rotax Micro and Mini MAX drivers participating in the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals, the race stays a national competition with international participation”, said Voglsam.

ROTAX MICRO AND MINI MAX CLASSES INTEGRATED INTO ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS During the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals (RMCGF) in Sarno, Italy this year there will be granted 36 starting places in the Rotax Micro MAX and 36 in the Mini MAX class to the Rotax kart distribution network. The participants of these two categories will have to qualify for the RMCGF via their national Rotax MAX Challenge (RMC). The winner(s) out of these national RMC races will represent its country at the Grand Finals. “We expect that drivers from more than 25 nations will represent their country in the Rotax 125 Micro MAX and Mini MAX classes at the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals in 2016”, said Voglsam.

The concept for the youngest kart racers will be equal to the one of the RMCGF; meaning that the Rotax 125 Micro MAX and Mini MAX drivers will receive the same support as the international classes. This includes the single brand chassis with trolley,

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 21

CLOSE UP BABY ROTAX tool box, the sealed Rotax engine and MOJO tyres on a loan basis for the duration of the event as well as fuel, tent space and trackside support – all free of charge.

“We want them to experience the feeling of a racing event, organized on a high level”, mentioned Voglsam. The children will also have to enter the Parc Fermé and they will receive the same

“WE WANT THEM TO EXPERIENCE THE FEELING OF A RACING EVENT, ORGANIZED ON A HIGH LEVEL.” HELMUT VOGLSAM

22 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

support as their heroes in the RMCGF. “If they would like to force their racing career and if they would like to grow in motorsports, they have to get an insight how races are handled and how they have to deal with”, is Voglsam convinced.

The two categories will be supported by the well-known chassis manufacturers BirelART in the Rotax 125 Mini MAX class and IPKarting who will provide

its Praga chassis for the Rotax 125 Micro MAX drivers in Sarno, Italy where the 17th edition of the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals will take place from October 16-22, 2016.

RACE TRACK IN SARNO, ITALY, WILL SEE THE LONGEST KART LINE-UP EVER In a break from tradition the participation of the Rotax 125 Micro and Mini MAX drivers will arrive and register the same time as their idols at this year’s Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals and not only midweek. The raffle of the Rotax 125 Micro and Mini MAX karts will take place the same day as for the participants of the international event. As many as 360 chassis will be lined-up at the start-finish line at the Circuito Internazionale di Napoli in Sarno, in the province of Salerno, on Sunday, October 16, 2016. “To see the kart line-up of 288 chassis was already impressive in the past, but the audience in Sarno will see the longest kart line-up ever – 360 karts will be tremendous” asserted Voglsam.

The Rotax MAX Challenge (RMC) is a professional kart racing series established, owned and organized

by BRP and its Rotax kart engine distributors. Approved by and in compliance with CIK / FIA, the RMC is a “one-make-engine” formula: only Rotax kart engines that are checked and sealed (for equal performance) will be used. The success in the competition is mainly up to the skills of the driver.

CLOSE UP HELMADE

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24 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 25

IS YOUR WEIGHT O

26 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

CLOSE UP

T OK?

THE SEASON HAS STARTED AND WE HAVE COLLECTED THOUGHTS AND IMPRESSIONS FROM THE PADDOCK ON THE NEW MINIMUM WEIGHT FOR THE OK CLASS. DOES THE NEW WEIGHT LIMIT SUIT EVERYONE? BY A. ROCA

T

here was once the KF class, now it’s time for the OK class: clutch, electric starter, electric wiring, battery and the front brakes have been removed. Engine displacement remains 125cc, but engines now are more powerful and, thanks to the removal of front brakes and all the unessential engine components, the whole kart is much lighter and responds better: the new minimum weight is 70 kg (without fuel) for the machine, and 145 kg for both driver and kart, driver’s safety equipment included. This means that, to comply with the minimum imposed by CIK, OK drivers should theoretically weigh 75 kg with their racing equipment.

The minimum weight for karts is 70 kg, but generally speaking they are heavier, so with this minimum weight, heavier drivers are penalized. What does the international paddock think about this new category and its related rules? We have heard and collected different thoughts from some insiders and we cannot wait to hear your opinion! Send us an e-mail to info@vroom.it and we will include your opinion in a report.

Fernando Morandi

Press officer Lonato South Garda Karting “Clearly heavier drivers are disadvantaged, and these drivers are generally the older ones who often compete both in OK and KZ2, such as Felice Tiene, Pedro Hiltbrand and others. These driver are firstly struggling with the absence of front brakes, which is also related to their weight, but in my opinion it is just a matter of time before they re-educate themselves to the new technical standard.

More important are the new rules regarding dislodged spoilers and the absence of the electric starter, which means that an accident could ruin a whole week-end. These new factors led us to fewer accidents but it slightly affected the competitive spirit that we were used to seeing during a karting event. Generally speaking drivers are really happy with these new rules, however talking about the weight reduction is important to some.”

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 27

CLOSE UP IS YOUR WEIGHT OK? Riccardo Imperio

Press officer OTK Kart Group “The new limit suits perfectly the international environment of the OK class: we are talking about the most competive expression of karting.

Things change if we think to this limit within the national context, where it could create some problem to some heavy drivers. Generally speaking, we agree with this new limit.”

Luca Corberi

Tony Kart KZ2 driver “Following the last race at Lonato South Garda, I think that these rules are well constructed. I have been talking with some OK drivers, and they told me that these new engines are really powerful and now karts are real fun to drive. They also noticed that the difference in performance between OK Junior and KF Junior is not as relevant as those between OK and KF: in the past KF2 and KF3 had very similar performance, but nowadays the senior category is definitely much quicker. Moreover without front brakes you have to plan the overtaking, and this will highlight and improve the driving skills.

Regarding the new weight limits, I personally think that they are just right. The competitors in the direct-drive classes are drivers who are racing at professional level, and in recent years there was the opposite problem: they had to add weight. These classes are different from the KZ2 where there are a lot of amateur drivers who sometimes participate in international competitions, however in OK and OK Junior they compete as professional drivers on a regular basis. I believe that there is no point in thinking that these limits could force drivers to pass in KZ2 class, because the difference in weight between the two categories is mostly related to the kart’s components. The margin of the driver’s weight is almost insignificant.”

Marcello Somera

CIK-FIA Commissioner “During the Winter Cup at Lonato a detailed survey on the weight within the OK class was conducted, in order to check if there are grounds to change the new limit, increasing it by 3 or as much as 5 kilos. I felt that some competitors were not happy about the new limit, especially drivers who compete in national championships.

The main aim of this new regulation is to align national rules with international ones: we will probably have in national championships not only pro-drivers, who generally are fit and in perfect shape, but also amateur drivers who may not be as fit as the pro ones and perhaps heavier. International and the pro scene of karting has to be ruled thinking of the whole karting environment.

This will be a topic that the CIK Technical Working Group will consider in April, when we will have much more information from different types of races.”

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GIANCARLO TININI

Steve Tillett

Tillett Racing Seats “I am convinced that the weight limit is wrong in the OK class. The CIK say that they surveyed the drivers at the Winter Cup and were happy that they had made the right decisions on the weight limit of 145 kg.They did not take into account the fact that a heavy driver would not bother entering in the first place, which is maybe why only 32 drivers were present.

It seems that they are stating with this rule, that a driver of 70 kg is too heavy to compete in the sport of karting at the highest level.

What is the reason for this low weight? It certainly does not help the class become successful at national level. Nor does it help the engine manufactures recoup their investment in tooling for these new OK engines. Perhaps the reason is that they actively want to encourage the 14 to 15 year old drivers to spend one year in OK and then go motor racing. Is that how they see karting, as a feeder class? I don’t know. I am left bemused that they do not want to attract as many drivers as possible into the new class. The fact that they are rejecting a kid of 15 because he is 70 kg is plainly evident from their reply. I have always been a supporter of CIK international kart racing, all through the unsupported Formula K 135 days and even the flawed KF classes.

There is no gain for our top level being used only to prop up car racing grids. The new OK class should be trying to get adult karting back to it’s best with fantastic racing with the best kart drivers in the world competing.

MARCELLO SOMERA

STEVE TILLETT Unfortunately the CIK seem to think that once you weigh over 65 kg you are not suitable and you need a gearbox kart to shift your huge body around.”

KEES VAN DE GRINT

Kees van de Grint

CIK-FIA Vice President “The 21st Winter Cup was a huge success, a fantastic promotion for karting at top level.

Concerning the weight of the OK and OK-J I am not aware of any issue with the minimum weight of the OK-J class and the figure seems to be correct.

The contrary is true about the imposed minimum weight of 145 kg for the OK class. I know that there is some hesitation however the vast majority is really happy about it but I realize that when new regulations are introduced you will never satisfy everybody. I think that the CIK have come close because of what one person said to me last week: “I was skeptical about the weight reduction but I now know that it is possible to achieve”.

Let me tell you some facts for a better understanding: the weight reduction for the OK classes did not come out of the blue. It was felt within the FIA and CIK for quite some time that the weight in general of karts was too heavy, the main question was how to reduce the weight. With the

introduction of the (lighter) OK engines and the removal of the front wheel brake system there was an opportunity to propose a reduction of the minimum weight of a complete chassis from 75 to 70 kg. Among others the manufacturers representative in the CIK commission confirmed that this minimum weight of 70 kg was acceptable. If you than take in consideration the average weight of boys and girls competing in OK, setting the weight at 145 kg total is not unrealistic. To check if the above theoretical weight is in line with reality we asked our technical man Marcello Somera to check the total weight and the separate weight of the drivers, karts and carried ballast during the Winter Cup. The collected data gives some interesting reading. Out of the 32 competitors I would say that 7 raced at an uncompetitive weight disadvantage, including one that was even 3 kilo heavier that the old weight for KF and more important none of them used a chassis at the minimum weight limit. In other words there is room for those drivers overweight to improve. All in all I would say that 4 competitors who raced at the Winter Cup will struggle in the future to get down to the minimum weight even if they use the lightest chassis available because of their personal weight.

So the 145 kg does not look too bad at all for the majority however I do understand the concerns of those with too much (over)weight. As those “heavy weights” especially at a national level are as important to me as those at the other end of the scales it is my duty to judge if the arguments in favor or against the 145 kg make sense or not but as I said before it is not possible to please everybody.

The subject might be on the agenda of the CIK Technical Working Group held in April if there is a need to do so and I am open to any realistic suggestion, but please note that a 5 kilo increase as suggested to me last week will not help those overweight drivers to reach the minimum weight limit.”

Giancarlo Tinini

CRG Kart President “My opinion regarding OK engines is positive: if the performance of OK Junior engines is really close to the old KF Junior engines, the new OK class has been definitely improved from the performance point of view. Also the spectators are enjoying the new regulations. I think that the use of only a rear brake is correct and the same can be said for the simplified valve, even if in my opinion it could have been removed.

Regarding the weight limit, it is true, we are on the edge, but we have to say that it is not impossible to remain under that limit. Moreover the OK class is the most competitive direct drive class, so a considerable effort from everybody is only to be expected.”

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 29

RACE

WSK SUPER MASTER SERIES CASTELLETTO DI BRANDUZZO, PAVIA (ITALY) 6h MARCH 2016 - 1st ROUND

SODI KART SMASHED THE FIRST ROUND An amazing performance of Sodi Kart drivers gives them a great victory over Paolo De Conto. Nielsen confirms himself in the OK class, while the Moroccan Taoufik triumphs within the OK Junior.

Incredible week-end and victory for Francesco Pizzi in the 60 Mini.

TEXT BY: A. ROCA / PHOTO CREDIT: D.PASTANELLA

30 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

A difficult week-end goes on scene at Sette Laghi circuit, near Castelletto di Branduzzo, Pavia (Italy): ought to the incredibly bad weather condition, the qualifying races scheduled on Saturday have been cancelled and the prefinals starting grinds are based on the results of qualifying. The weather on Sunday is better, and it allows drivers to race this first appointment with the WSK Super Master Series.

KZ - Paolo De Conto (CRG-Maxter-Vega) conquers the pole position on Saturday morning in front of Marco Ardigò (Tony Kart-Vortex-Vega) and the French Anthony Abbasse (Sodi Kart-TM-Vega).

The pefinals show an unstoppable domain respectively for De Conto in the prefinal A, and Ardigò in the prefinal B.

In the final, the spotlight are pointed on the prefinals’ winners but they do not take into account the incredible pace of the Sodi Kart duo, composed by the Anthony Abbasse and Bas Lammers.

The battle starts after the green flag when a contact between Ardigò and De Conto pushes the Tony Kart driver back in the group, while De Conto is leading the race followed by Abbasse. After an exchange of positions at the top, it is the moment for Bas Lammers to overtake Paolo De Conto, grabbing the third position during the sixteenth lap. Just two laps of waiting, and Lammers gets the better of his teammate, that does not give up and passes first under the checkered flag. Stan Pex (CRG-VortexVega) wins the KZ2 class.

Left, the podium featuring Abbasse, Lammers and De Conto.

Above an aggressive KZ group led by Ardigò and De Conto.

Left, Nielsen (203) winning in OK

OK – The American Logan Sargeant (FA Kart-Vortex-Vega) starts the prefinal in front of Pedro Hiltbrand (CRG-ParillaVega) and Nicklas Nielsen (Tony KartVortex-Vega). The American seems to be the winner of the prefinal until the eleventh lap, when the Spaniard Hiltbrand makes his move on the Ricky Flynn Motorsport ensign, cumulating a good gap until the finish line. Thomas Joyner (Zanardi-Parilla-Vega) emulates Hiltbrand, overtaking Nicklas Nielsen in the same lap, earning the lowest step of the podium after a tight battle. In the final race a contact after the start between Sargeant and Joyner ruins the race of the American driver, who finishes twentieth after a recovery from the bottom. Also Karol Basz (KosmikVortex-Vega), Lorenzo Travisanutto (Tony Kart-Vortex-Vega) and Martijin Van Leeuwen (BirelART-Parilla-Vega)

have been involved in the tangle of the first corner, throwing away their chances for the victory. Hiltbrand is the leader of the race until the ninth lap when Thomas Joyner overtakes him inside the turn one, gaining the leadership of the race. Few laps later Nicklas Nielsen decides to repeat the victory achieved at Lonato two weeks ago, and he overtakes Hiltbrand and later he grabs the first position passing Joyner, mantaining it until the end of the race. Also Hiltbrand, Lungaard and Jean Baptiste Simmenauer (Tony Kart-Vortex-Vega) overtake Joyner, who finishes fifth. Great recovery for Christian Lungaard (Energy-TM-Vega) who started eleventh on the grid, taking home another third place after Adria one month ago.

OK Junior - Ulysse De Paw (BirelARTParilla-Vega) conquers the pole position

in the qualifying, but the prefinal A is the stage for an amazing performance of Timothy Peisselon (FA Kart-Vortex-Vega) who wins after a great recovery from the seventh place on the grid. Runner up place for David Vidales (Energy-TM-Vega) followed by Kiern Jewiss (Ricciardo Kart-Parilla-Vega). Sami Taoufik (FA Kart-Vortex-Vega) conquers the prefinal B in front of Fin Kenneally (FA Kart-Vortex-Vega) after an overtaking during the eighth lap.

Third place for Isac Blomqvist (Tony Kart-Vortex-Vega). The poleman Peisselon loses three positions after the green flag of the final race, sliding down the classification to the seventh place. Sami Taoufik takes the leadership, and behind his shoulders the Swedish driver Blomqvist gets the better of his opponents, grabbing a great second place in front of Vidales and Kenneally.

60 Mini - Mallet Evann (CRG-TM-Vega) wins the pefinal A in front of Francesco Pizzi (Energy-Iame-Vega) and Nikita Bedrin (Energy-TM-Vega). Francesco Crescente (EVO Kart-TM-Vega) wins in solitude the prefinal B, followed by Leonardo Caglioni (EVO Kart-TM-Vega) and Adam Putera (CRG-TM-Vega).

The final race outlines the talent of Francesco Pizzi (Energy-Iame-Vega): the Italian driver starts perfectly in the final, leading the group until the checkered flag. Second position for Caglioni who has been chasing the leader during all the race, managing his advantage on the third Adam Putera.

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 31

RACE

WSK SUPER MASTER SERIES SARNO, NAPOLI (ITALY) 20th MARCH 2016 - 2st ROUND

ARDIGO’ CHALLENGES ABBASSE

Marco Ardigò triumphs ahead of Anthony Abbasse, challenging him for the KZ title. Pedro Hiltbrand is the man to beat in the OK class, whilst Shvetsov leads. Gabriele Mini sweeps the 60 Mini.

TEXT BY: A. ROCA / PHOTO CREDIT: D.PASTANELLA

32 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

The second round held on Sarno circuit, Napoli (Italy) is just a preview of the final round of the WSK Super Master Series at La Conca, Lecce (Italy), that will be the stage for the ultimate battle between Marco Ardigò and Anthony Abbasse. A lot of drivers and very hard fought races are the ingredients of another awesome week-end of international karting.

KZ - Anthony Abbasse (Sodi KartTM-Vega) leads the group since the qualifying, being faster than Leonardo Lorandi (Tony Kart-VortexVega) and Lorenzo Camplese (Paroli-TM-Vega). Throughout the qualyfication heats, Leonardo Lorandi is the fastest winning both manches and earning the pole

position in the prefinal ahead of Sodi’s trio: Abbasse, Bas Lammers (Sodi Kart-TM-Vega) and Jeremy Iglesias (Sodi Kart-TM-Vega). In the prefinal A the protagonist is Marco Ardigò (Tony Kart-VortexVega): the Tony Kart ensign shows his talent winning the racing with a great come back from the seventh position in front of Abbasse and Flavio Camponeschi (CRG-ParillaVega). The prefinal B is a matter for Sodi drivers, with Abbasse passing first under the checkered flag in front of Iglesias and Paolo De Conto (CRG-Parilla-Vega). From the fifteenth position in the qualifying, Marco Ardigò starts the final race from the pole position, fighting against Sodi drivers until the fifth lap, when he starts showing the

WSK SUPER MASTER

Championship standings after two events

KZ RESULTS Pos. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

N. 3 24 2 25 19 5 1 11 9 16

Name ARDIGO' MARCO ABBASSE ANTHONY DE CONTO PAOLO LAMMERS BAS IGLESIAS JEREMY CAMPONESCHI FLAVIO PEX JORRIT DREEZEN RICK HAJEK PATRIK PESCADOR JORGE

Equipment Tony Kart/Vortex Sodikart/TM Crg/Maxter Sodikart/TM Sodikart/TM Crg/Parilla Crg/Vortex Ricciardo kart/Parilla Kosmic/Vortex Praga/Parilla

Nat. ITA FRA ITA NLD FRA ITA NLD BEL CZE ESP

Pt 142 140 100 93 74 49 33 28 26 25

Equipment Crg/TM Crg/Vortex Energy/TM DR/TM Tony Kart/Vortex Crg/TM Tony Kart/Vortex Crg/TM Tony kart/Vortex Crg/Maxter

Nat. ITA NLD ITA ITA ITA SWE ITA ITA ROU ITA

Pt 150 112 73 70 57 42 41 39 38 30

Equipment Energy/TM Energy/Iame Crg/TM IP Karting/TM Evokart/LKE Energy/Iame Tony kart/TM Tony Kart /TM Crg/TM Crg/Tm

Nat. ITA ITA ITA ITA ITA CZE SGP ITA ITA FRA

Pt 100 95 77 70 60 53 49 48 38 31

Equipment Crg/Parilla Tony Kart/Vortex TonyKart/Vortex Tony kart/Vortex Tony Kart/Vortex FA Kart/Vortex Birel Art/Parilla Zanardi/Parilla Crg/Parilla Energy/TM

Nat. ESP DNK ITA GBR FRA USA NLD GBR DEU DNK

Pt 130 106 80 51 42 36 27 25 23 22

KZ2 RESULTS Left, KZ podium: Ardigò, Abbasse and Di Conto. Above, Travisanutto between Novalak and Hiltbrand way from the top spot. Behind his shoulders, Abbasse finishes second ahead of Paolo De Conto, whilst his teammate Bas Lammers gives up the fight for the runner up position during the twelfth lap. Giacomo Pollini (CRG-TM-Vega) triumphes within the KZ2 class.

OK - After the unlucky first round, Karol Basz (Kosmik-Vortex-Vega) re-gains the lead signing the fastest lap in the qualifying ahead of Tony Kart’s duo composed by Clement Novalak (Tony Kart-Vortex-Vega) and Nicklas Nielsen (Tony KartVortex-Vega). The qualifying heats show Nicklas Nielsen in first place followed by Felice Tiene (CRGParilla-Vega) and Karol Basz. Pedro Hiltbrand (CRG-Parilla-Vega) starts from the twelfth position in the prefinal race, and the Spaniard wins thanks to an incredible start after the green flag, gaining the first position during the fourth lap.

Nicklas Nielsen finishes in second position and Lorenzo Travisanutto (Tony Kart-Vortex-Vega) rounds out the podium after a good race.

It is precisely this driver who wins the final race after a tight battle against Nielsen and Thomas Joyner (Zanardi-Parilla-vega). Second position for Novalak followed by Hiltbrand in third.

OK Junior - Pavel Bulantsev (Tony Kart-Vortex-Vega) starts well being the fastest in qualifying ahead of Giuseppe Fusco (Lenzo-LKE-

Vega) and Caio Collet (BirelARTParilla-Vega). At the end of the qualyfication heats, the classifaction shows Isac Blomqvist (Tony KartVortex-Vega) in first position thanks to his three victories, followed by the Russia’s Bogdan Fetisov (Tony Kart-TM-Vega) and Noah Watt (Tony Kart-Vortex-Vega). The Swedish driver is still on top after the prefinal races, staring the final race from the top spot. The winning cavalcade stops during the ninth lap, when Blomqvist is forced out from Watt. Ivan Shvetsov (Tony KartVortex-Vega) thanks his opponents, and wins the race. Second place for Fetisov with Ulysse De Pauw (BirelART-Parilla-Vega) on the lowest step.

60 Mini - During the qualifying Dan Skocdopole (CRG-TM-Vega) is the fastest driver ahead of his teammate Marcos Flack (CRG-TMVega), and Luca Micelli (EVO KartTM-Vega) completes the top three.

After ten manches, Gabriele Mini (Enenrgy-TM-Vega) conquers the pole position in front of Kiril Smal (Energy-Iame-Vega) and Alexandros Kattoulas (Tony Kart-TM-Vega), and he repeats himself in both prefinal and final, sweeping the week-end.

Behind the unstoppable Mini, Michael Paparo (IP karting-TM-Vega) concludes in second place starting the race in fifth, getting the better of Alessandro Bizzotto (CRG-TMVega).

Pos. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

N. 122 101 107 129 102 110 123 131 113 120

Name POLLINI GIACOMO PEX STAN ALEX SIMONI MAURO LORANDI LEONARDO TORNQVIST PERSSON B. PICCINI ALESSIO MUSIO LUIGI MARCU DIONISIOS ROSATI FABRIZIO

MINI RESULTS Pos. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

N. 546 529 553 538 505 530 506 525 522 517

Name MINI GABRIELE PIZZI FRANCESCO BIZZOTTO LEONARDO PAPARO MICHAEL B. CAGLIONI LEONARDO STANEK ROMAN KATTOULAS ALEXANDROS DELLI GUANTI PIETRO CAMPLESE RICCARDO MALLET EVANN

OK RESULTS Pos. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

N. 206 203 214 204 205 227 215 208 210 220

Name HILTBRAND PEDRO NIELSEN NICKLAS TRAVISANUTTO LORENZO NOVALAK CLEMENT SIMMENAUER JEAN B. SARGEANT LOGAN VAN LEEUWEN MARTIJN JOYNER THOMAS JANKER HANNES LUNDGAARD CHRISTIAN

OKJ RESULTS Pos. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

N. 305 345 326 301 343 330 308 327 324 307

Name SHVETSOV IVAN VIDALES DAVID TAOUFIK SAMI BLOMQVIST ISAC FETISOV BOGDAN WATT NOAH DE PAUW ULYSSE PEISSELON TIMOTHY KENNEALLY FINLAY COLLET CAIO

Equipment Tony Kart/Vortex Energy/TM FA Kart/Vortex Tony Kart/Vortex Tony Kart/TM Tony Kart/Vortex Birel Art/Parilla FA Kart/Vortex FA kart/Vortex Birel Art/Parilla

Nat. RUS ESP MAR SWE RUS DNK BEL FRA GBR BRA

Pt 103 100 80 80 60 48 44 40 35 32

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 33

RACE

27° TROFEO MARGUTTI SOUTH GARDA KARTING, LONATO (BS) MARCH 13th 2016

LONATO CONQUERED One hundred and fifty-seven drivers come to a sunny Lonato South Garda Karting circuit for the 27th “Andrea Margutti” Trophy, dedicated to the late driver who died in 1989. Giacomo Pollini holds high the Italian flag in KZ2.

Russian drivers win the 60 Mini with Fomin and Smoylar grabs win in the OK class, whilst Swedish Shvestov wins the OK Junior. TEXT: A. ROCA - PICS: FM PRESS

34 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

RACE 60 Mini – Alessandro Cenedese (Tony Kart-TM-Vega) and Rusian Fomin (Tony Kart-TM-Vega) show off in the qualifying, and the duo rule also the qualifying heats, with the Russian driver who wins all the three rounds, gaining the pole position for the prefinal race.

Second place for Cenedese ahead of Evann Mallett (CRG-TM-Vega), steadily second during the qualifying heats.

In the prefinal Cenedese starts well grabbing the leadership, but Fomin is unstoppable, and the Russia’s driver wins also the prefinal. After the green

Above, Giacomo Pollini (130) wins the duel against Alexander Schmitz grabbing first after a hard fought KZ final race. Top, the KZ podium: Pollini, Schmitz and Cavalieri who confirms himself after a great prefinal race.

flag in the final race Fomin loses some positions finishing in sixth position, and Mallett tries to open a considerable gap. The Russian driver starts gaining positions and wins the race with a gap slightly more than a tenth of a second on Mallett. Third place for Kiril Smail (Energy-Parilla-Vega) who started from the tenth place. Cenedese finishes the final race in sixth position, but he is

penalized with ten seconds of penalty after the race, throwing him back to fifteenth position.

OK Junior –The Danish Noah Watt (Tony Kart-Vortex-Vega) sets the pace grabbing the pole position ahead of Ivan Shvestov (Tony Kart-VortexVega) and Alessandro Giardelli (Tony Kart-Lke-Vega). Anyway is the Ward Racing’s ensign Ivan Shvestov who starts from the pole in the prefinal race, thanks to two victories in the qualifying heats. Alongside the Swedish driver on the first row there is Noah Watt, with Hampus Ericsson (Tony Kart-Vortex-Vega) third. The

leading duo wins the prefinal, and Bogdan Fetisov (Tony Kart-TM-Vega) rounds out the podium. The Ward Racing’s triumphal week-end finishes with a one-two with Shvestov in front of his connational Pavel Bulantsev (Tony Kart-Vortex-Vega), protagonist of a come back which gives him five positions and allowing him to conclude in front of Fetisov.

OK – The OK category, strangely, has only eight drivers on the starting grid.

Alexander Smolyar (Tony Kart-VortexVega) shows his intentions during the qualifying and sets the fastest lap ahead of Emil Dose (Kosmic-Vortex-

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RACE

27° TROFEO ANDREA MARGUTTI

ABOVE, RUSSIA’S SHVETSOV (307) WINS THE OK JUNIOR FINAL RACE HOLDING BACK AN AGGRESSIVE GROUP. Vega) and Simon Ohlin (Tony Kart-Vortex-Vega). The leading trio remains unchanged until the prefinal starting grid, when Mads Damlund (Tony Kart-Parilla-Vega) gets the better of Ohlin earning the lowest step of the podium. The final race is only another day in the office for Smolyar who passes first under the checkered flag with a gap higher than three seconds on Dose, and more than seven seconds on Ohlin.

Above, Mini podium with the winner Rusian Fomin between Evann Mallet and Kirill Smail. Right, Francesca Raffaele (24) is one of the protagonists of the prefinal race in which she came up 13 places

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60 MINI FINAL P N Driver 1 19 Fomin Rusian 2 12 Mallet Evann 3 40 Smail Kirill 4 33 Cecchi Federico 5 55 Miotto Francesco 6 8 Camplese Riccardo 7 24 Raffaele Francesca 8 26 Spina Alfio Andrea 9 5 Caglioni Leonardo 10 16 Kattoulas Alex 11 20 Soldatov Maxim 12 18 Villa Edoardo Ludovico 13 48 Giardelli Luca 14 29 Bedrin Nikita 15 60 Lomko Vladislav 16 39 Pizzi Francesco 17 28 Crescente Francesco 18 57 Antonelli Andrea Kimi 19 47 Variawa Saood 20 4 Ignatov Dmitry 21 53 Bosco Luca 22 7 Flack Marcos 23 38 Stanek Roman 24 56 Urbeltz Moar 25 1 Victorsson Philip 26 3 Zhivnov Andrev 27 32 Bizzotto Leonardo 28 27 Stenshome Martinius 29 25 Svensson Lucas 30 21 Gravlund Sebastian 31 15 Cenedese Alessandro 32 49 Wulf William 33 52 Kharitonov Tikhon

Nat. RUS FRA RUS ITA ITA ITA ITA ITA ITA SGP RUS ITA ITA RUS RUS ITA ITA ITA ZAF RUS FRA AUS CZE ESP SWE RUS ITA NOR DNK DNK ITA DNK RUS

Equipements Tony Kart / Tm / Vega Crg / Tm / Vega Energy / Parilla / Vega Crg / Tm / Vega Ipkarting / Tm / Vega Crg / Tm / Vega Evokart Srl / Iame / Vega Evokart Srl / Lke / Vega Evokart Srl / Tm / Vega Tony Kart / Tm / Vega Tony Kart / Tm / Vega Tony Kart / Lke / Vega Tony Kart / Lke / Vega Energy / Tm / Vega Energy / Tm / Vega Energy / Parilla / Vega Evokart Srl / Tm / Vega Exprit / Tm / Vega Kosmic / Tm / Vega Energy / Tm / Vega Tony Kart / Tm / Vega Crg / Tm / Vega Energy / Parilla / Vega Evokart Srl / Tm / Vega Tony Kart / Tm / Vega Energy / Tm / Vega Crg / Tm / Vega Ipkarting / Tm / Vega Energy / Parilla / Vega Crg / Tm / Vega Tony Kart / Tm / Vega Fa Kart / Tm / Vega Tony Kart / Tm / Vega

Gap 12 Laps 0.125 0.927 1.791 2.302 2.499 2.637 3.280 4.711 5.348 5.522 5.772 5.909 6.213 6.298 6.503 6.591 7.015 9.201 9.966 10.174 10.435 13.274 14.493 15.831 16.284 16.568 20.840 21.453 22.320 23.997 3 Laps 12 Laps

OKJ FINAL P N Driver 1 307 Shvetsov Ivan 2 301 Bulantsev Pavel 3 331 Fetisov Bogdan 4 316 Watt Noah 5 315 Giardelli Alessandro 6 302 Ericsson Hampus 7 344 Eteki Adam 8 338 Petecof Gianluca 9 326 Michelotto Mattia 10 308 Zheng Jianian 11 341 Genis Civico 12 330 Rosso Andrea 13 325 Dzitiev Yuriy 14 345 Serravalle Antonio 15 304 Morozov Ilya 16 342 Boedler Cameron 17 327 Raspudic Verleih Luke 18 318 Ferrari Lorenzo 19 305 Nilsson Alfred 20 303 Kriklywi Magnus 21 306 Nord Gabriel 22 322 Kosarev Artem 23 332 Eichenberger Tara 24 339 Gerner Carl Anton 25 335 Sjodal Mikkel 26 310 White Stuart 27 324 Falch Andreas 28 337 Chovet Pierre Louis 29 347 Sommerlund Lucas 30 336 Koslowski Leon 31 314 Genisi Nicolò 32 311 Wankmuller Luke 33 343 Jurisic Matija 34 328 Palomba Giuseppe

Nat. RUS RUS RUS DNK ITA SWE FRA BRA ITA CHN ESP ITA RUS CAN RUS RUS DEU ITA SWE DNK SWE RUS CHE DNK DNK ZAF DNK FRA DNK DEU ITA DEU HRV CHE

Equipements Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Tony Kart / Tm / Vega Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Tony Kart / Lke / Vega Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Crg / Parilla / Vega Energy / Parilla / Vega Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Croc Promotion / Tm / Vega Birel Art / Tm / Vega Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Crg / Parilla / Vega Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Mach1 / Tm / Vega Fa / Tm / Vega Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Tony Kart / Tm / Vega Crg / Parilla / Vega Fa / Vortex / Vega Fa / Vortex / Vega Kosmic / Nd / Vega Tony Kart / Parilla / Vega Crg / Parilla / Vega Energy / Parilla / Vega Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Formula K / Tm / Vega Birel Art / Tm / Vega Lenzokart / Lke / Vega Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega

Gap 16 Laps 1.308 1.387 2.344 2.676 3.090 3.591 4.992 5.588 5.865 7.919 8.776 11.122 11.279 12.116 14.384 14.436 14.581 14.860 15.095 15.105 16.412 16.508 17.256 17.921 18.221 18.459 18.967 21.863 24.207 26.329 41.383 16 Laps 16 Laps

KZ2 FINAL P N Driver 1 130 Pollini Giacomo 2 134 Schmitz Alexander 3 122 Cavalieri Alberto 4 116 Lundberg Douglas 5 110 Carlton Gary 6 102 Skaras Emil 7 121 Bernardotto Enrico 8 143 Pelizzari Alessandro 9 115 Tilloca Luca 10 101 Dahlberg Alexander 11 141 Torsellini Mirko 12 131 Ercoli Gianmarco 13 149 Habulin Kristijan 14 109 Mahler Tobias 15 107 Veit Alexander 16 125 Mazzucchelli Matteo 17 118 Van Moorsel 18 137 Myszkier Pawel 19 127 Medeghini Luciano 20 148 Zani Christopher 21 133 Pieruszek Kevin 22 132 Pomidori Kevin 23 108 Weber Stefan 24 142 Korbela Lukas 25 106 Mosca Tommaso 26 114 Lorandi Leonardo 27 152 Piccini Alessio 28 135 Spinelli Loris 29 144 Zanchi Matteo 30 136 Stell Daniel 31 140 Romkema Ricardo 32 105 Dante Massimo 33 126 Luyet Jean 34 139 Palomba Giuseppe

Nat. ITA DEU ITA SWE USA SWE ITA ITA ITA SWE ITA ITA HRV DEU AUT ITA NLD POL ITA ITA DEU ITA DEU POL ITA ITA ITA ITA ITA DEU NLD ITA CHE ITA

Equipements Crg / Tm / Vega Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Maranello / Modena E. / Vega Mach1 / Tm / Vega Formula K / Parilla / Vega Tony Kart / Tm / Vega Ckr / Tm / Vega Ckr / Tm / Vega Gp Racing / Tm / Vega Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Exprit / Tm / Vega Pcr / Tm / Vega Tb Kart / Tm / Vega Praga / Tm / Vega Eks / Tm / Vega Crg / Tm / Vega Mach1 / Tm / Vega Mach1 / Tm / Vega Vrk / Tm / Vega Dr / Modena E. / Vega Birelart / Maxter / Vega Parolin / Modena E. / Vega Praga / Tm / Vega Tony Kart / Tm / Vega Maranello / Tm / Vega Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Parolin / Tm / Vega Gp Racing / Tm / Vega Crg / Modena E. / Vega Birelart / Maxter / Vega Maranello / Tm / Vega Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Mad Croc / Modena E. / Vega

Gap 22 Laps 0.077 3.809 5.344 5.819 6.714 9.825 9.977 11.475 12.187 12.966 14.905 15.014 16.163 16.891 17.812 19.408 21.718 22.005 22.440 22.603 23.227 27.289 29.505 1 Lap 1 Lap 1 Lap 1 Lap 4 Laps 5 Laps 10 Laps 14 Laps 22 Laps 22 Laps

OK FINAL P N Driver 1 202 Smolyar Alexander 2 208 Dose Emil 3 201 Ohlin Simon 4 203 Damlund Mads 5 211 Travkinov Sergey 6 206 Hansen Mikkel Meyer

Nat. RUS DNK SWE DNK RUS DNK

Equipements Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Kosmic / Vortex / Vega Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega Tony Kart / Parilla / Vega Exprit / Vortex / Vega Lh / Tm / Vega

Gap 22 Laps 3.197 7.896 10.043 12.264 8 Laps

KZ2 – Fourtynine drivers ready to fight for

the first place within the gear class, and the German driver Douglas Lundberg (Mach1TM-Vega) leads the pack from the qualifying ahead of Giacomo Pollini (CRG-TM-Vega) with a gap of only twentyone tousandth of second. Another German driver shows off: Alexander Schmitz (Tony Kart-Vortex-Vega) who wins two qualifying rounds, earning the pole position in the prefinal race. Behind his shoulders there are Giacomo Pollini and Tommaso Mosca (Maranello-TM-Vega). The prefinal race finishes with Schmitz and Pollini on top and Alberto Cavalieri (MaranelloModena Engines-Vega) who rounds out the podium. In the final race Pollini wins a very tight race on Schmitz, with Cavalieri still in third position.

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RACE

FLORIDA WINTER TOUR PALM BEACH KARTING, JUPITER (USA) MARCH 13th 2016 – ROK CUP, 3rd ROUND

ROK CHAMPIONS DANNY FORMAL ON DR KART TRIUMPHS

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Top, Jimenez sweeps both race and Master Shifter ROK championship. Right, Austin Garrison wins the championship finishing the race second.

The 2016 Sofina Foods Florida Winter Tour presented by FIKSE Wheels is over, and it has its own winners. The last round of the ROK Cup championship crowns seven drivers taking home the prestigious FWT title, after a hard fought weekend on Palm Beach Karting which features long parallel straights that allow drivers to reach extremely high speed during the race, ensuring some intense action.

TEXT BY: A. ROCA / PHOTO CREDIT: CODY SCHINDEL/ CANADIANKARTINGNEWS.COM

Seven categories as many title assigned: an intense week-end of races gives some driver a huge emotion, and to other a heartbreaking disappointment.

It is all included in the meaning of the word racing. Anthony Honeywell wins the Master ROK title with two victories within the championship. In the Senior ROK Kirkwood settles for a second place which gives him the first position in the championship, and the same is for Austin Garrison in Shifter ROK. Within the Junior ROK Ramirez is the back-toback champion, after the 2015 title. In

the Master Shifter ROK Jimenez sweeps title and race, whilst in the Micro ROK the driver to beat is Oliver Denny. Mini ROK drivers show us an incredible race, with a stellar performance of Luca Mars, while Crawford takes home the title.

MASTER ROK UNSTOPPABLE HONEYWELL Anthony Honeywell shows the way from the top spot since Friday, when he is able to sign the fastest lap in the qualifying session ahead of Adam Pettit in second and Daniel Rieger in third position.

The prefinal race was a piece of cake for Honeywell who turns laps over two tenths faster than his opponents. Daniel Rieger and Adam Pettit fight hardly for the second place, with the latter scoring the runner-up position ahead of Rieger.

It takes just a few corners for Anthony Honeywell to gain a good gap, but in the second half of the race Adam Pettit starts closing the gap on him, but it has to settle for the second place. Third place for Daniel Rieger, unable to have the same pace as the leaders.

SENIOR ROK KIRKWOOD WINS THE CHAMPIONSHIP, NORBERG WINS THE LAST ROUND Kyle Kirkwood tops the chart in the Senior ROK since the qualifying, being faster than Alain Sisdeli and Ryan Norberg for over three tenth of second.

The prefinal race is an exciting battle to

watch with Ryan Norberg gaining the leadership on the fifth lap, but behind his shoulders Sisdelli and Kirkwood don’t give up.

The leading trio heads up an hard fight for the victory, braking away from the group. Kirkwood steals the top spot on the final lap, with Sisdelli in second and Norberg third. The same drivers fight also in the final race, swapping their positions several times per lap, until Ryan Norberg gets the better of Kirkwood, who has to settle for second place. Zach Holdens rounds the podium out, being third with over five seconds of gap.

JUNIOR ROK RAMIREZ CONFIRMS HIMSELF, LATIFI SHOCKS EVERYONE A very tight battle starts on Friday, when Ryan MacDermid, Michael d’Orlando, Mathew Latifi and Jeff Noland all qualifying within a tenth of a second.

The Junior ROK prefinal shows what was expected, starting with a thrilling battle for the lead, but it is only a matter of laps before Matthew Latifi takes the top sopt and advances his lead to over a second on the field. Second place for d’Orlando, while Patrule finishes third.

On Sunday Latifi is simply brilliant: there is no way to stop him. Ramirez thinks to the final classification, and settles for a second place which give him his second championship in as many years,

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FLORIDA WINTER TOUR

RYAN NORBERG WINS IN SENIOR ROK while Michael d’Orlando completes the podium finishing third.

SHIFTER ROK DANNY FORMAL TAKES SECOND WIN AS GARRISON WINS TITLE Austin Garrison, Oliver Askew and Danny Formal checks away from the field and decide the outcome of the race between themselves as the three drivers all qualify within two tenths of each other.

In the prefinal Danny Formal takes the lead on the green flag followed by Garrison and Askew. From the fifth lap, Garrison shows how to drive and leaves his two opponents fight for the runner up position. On lap twelwe, Askew holds off Formal to cross the line in second place.

In the final race, the three drivers quickly brake away from the pack, but Askew is forced to give up ought to a broken shifter rod. Formal and Garrison lead the race until the checkered flag, 40 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

with Garrison knowing it was enough to win the championship. Colin Daly rounds out the podium and the championship podium as well.

SHIFTER MASTERS ROK JIMENEZ SWEEPS BOTH RACE AND CHAMPIONSHIP Victor Jimenez wins the race thanks to a great move in the final corner overtaking Carlos Fonseca and passing first under the checkered flag. He is also the new class champion. Third place for Farshad Bagheri.

MICRO ROK FINAL CORNER PASS SCORES OLIVER DENNY THE SEASON SWEEP Oliver Denny starts the week-end greatly leading the qualifying session ahead of Anderson Leonard and Jeremy Fletcher. Denny’s domain is interrupted in the prefinal race which shows a massively exciting race with the leading four drivers swapping positions.

Denny brakes away, but Connor Zillich passes from fourth position to first with an impressive move. Two laps to go, Freddie Slater wreaks reveng on him, crossing the line first. Second place for Fletcher and Zillich third. In the final race Connor Zilisch leads for the majority of the race, until polesitter Freddie Slater makes his move for the lead in the final corner on the penultimate lap. A breathtaking final shows Oliver Denny taking the second position from fourth, chasing and overtaking Fletcher before the finish line. With Fletcher defeated in second place, Zillish completes the podium. Denny is the only driver to win all the rounds of the Florida Winter Tour this year, being the champion as well.

MINI ROK A STELLAR LUCA MARS WIN A CONFUSE RACE, CRAWFORD WINS THE TITLE Reece Golds takes the pole position

WITH TWO VICTORIES AND A SECOND PLACE, ANTHONY HONEYWELL IS THE NEW FLORIDA WINTER TOUR CHAMPION:

TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP OF THIS CALIBER, YOU CAN NOT DO IT ALONE, IT TAKES A LOT OF HELP AND SOME RACING LUCK

“About a week prior to the first event at Homestead, I was contacted by Tanda Racing, a local Praga team, asking me if I would like to race the ROK Cup series with them. Having never raced the motor package, tires, or track before, I expected things may be difficult at first, but I enjoy a new challenge. My tuner, Kyle Kuntze, was great throughout the entire series getting the Praga chassis dialed in. At Homestead, we were learning something every time we got on track and getting faster, ultimately driving up to a second place finish. By the time we arrived at Ocala for round two, we had found some more speed and I was able to qualify on pole and win the race. Chris and Mario at Ocala Gran Prix handled all of my engine tuning throughout the series, helping me stay up front.

As the series progressed to the final round at Palm beach, Kyle and I continued to find more speed in my driving and the chassis. Once again, we qualified on pole and won the race and this helped me win the prestigious FWT Championship. To win a championship of this caliber, you can not do it alone, it takes a lot of help and some racing luck. This was the first time I have raced the Florida Winter Tour. Throughout the USA, all kart racers recognize the FWT as a series with tough competition in all classes. I really enjoy the format of the series, having three heats, a pre final, and a final. Depending on the event, they have around 70 laps of competition. MAXspeed, the promoter of the event also does an excellent job of keeping the races running smoothly. They have extra time built into their schedule, so that they do not have to shorten races if they fall behind. Overall, it is a professional and fun series to race.”

RESULTS SENIOR ROK 1) 348 Ryan Norberg; 2) 328 Kyle Kirkwood; 3) 322 Zach Holden; 4) 347 Roman De Angelis; 5) 304 Olin Galli; 6) 363 Robby Seward; 7) 318 Stirling Fairman; 8) 314 Mauricio Hernandez; 9) 351 Julia Boos; 10) 308 Gustavo Rafols; 11) 309 Sean Andros; 12) 399 Matthew Paesch; 13) 317 Brandon Collins; 14) 303 Alain Sisdeli; 15) 397 Carlos Rodriguez Lopez; 16) 320 Franco Carabetta; 17) 300 Zach Banks MASTER ROK 1) 677 Anthony Honeywell; 2) 614 Adam Pettit; 3) 613 Daniel Rieger; 4) 679 Janos Eiler; 5) 675 Josh Martin; 6) 669 Ryan Gordon; 7) 676 Troy - Trei Smith; 8) 601 Bruno Fusaro MINI ROK 1) 188 Luca Mars; 2) 152 Jak Crawford; 3) 162 Matheus Morgatto; 4 )155 Reece Gold; 5) 165 Ashton Chilton; 6) 158 Sebastian Montoya; 7) 174 Tyler Maxson ; 8) 123 Santiago Trisini; 9) 148 James Egozi; 10) 173 Anthony Willis; 11) 184 Alex Yankowski; 12) 122 William Robusto; 13) 172 Andres Francisc Castro; 14) 124 Felipe Bartz; 15) 144 Devin Gomez; 16) 199 Arturo Alcalde; 17) 151 Isabella Robusto; 18) 177 Travis Devendorf; 19) 120 Donald Whorton Ii; 20) 136 Justin Arseneau SHIFTER ROK SENIOR/MASTERS 1) 437 Danny Formal; 2) 429 Austin Garrison; 3) 422 Collin Daley; 4) 431 Cole Mathewson; 5) 466 Don Whittington;

6) 441 Jason Alden; 7) 493 Dominic Legrand; 8) 414 Gianfranco Mazzaferro; 9) 412 Augusto Soto-Schirripa; 10) 427 Andrew Bujdoso; 11) 523 Victor Jimenez; 12) 516 Carlos Fonseca; 13) 517 Andres Fonseca; 14) 505 Farshad Bagheri; 15) 578 Michel Legrand; 16) 501 Scott Davidson; 17) 566 Louis Jean Boucher; 18) 458 Johnathan Law; 19) 405 Oliver Askew; 20 )533 Ariel Castro MICRO ROK 1) 43 Oliver Denny; 2) 22 Jeremy Fletcher; 3) 72 Connor Zilisch; 4 )27 Freddie Slater; 5) 88 Nicholas Terlecki; 6 )18 Anderson Leonard; 7) 3 Leandro Juncos; 8) 14 Jack Jeffers; 9) 77 Emmo Fittipaldi; 10) 7 Nikita Johnson; 11) 70 Ian Aguilera Ituart; 12) 4 Jacob Gerke; 13) 98 Ryker Mattes; 14) 33 Jesse Carrasquedo; 15) 66 Nicolas Ambiado; 16) 76 Frankie Iadevaia; 17) 10 Alex Popow; 18) 6 Victor Cerrillo; 19) 2 Tanner Garvin; 2)0 24 Sebastian Guerra JUNIOR ROK 1) 218 Matthew Latifi; 2) 258 Mathias Ramirez; 3) 251 Michael Dorlando; 4) 280 Gabriel Paturle; 5) 216 Ryan Macdermid; 6) 250 Jett Noland; 7) 257 Tyler Gonzalez; 8) 299 Arias Deukmedjian; 9) 211 Pedro Goulart; 10) 292 Henry Cubides; 11) 215 Nicholas Dorlando; 12) 220 Emiliano Richards; 13) 255 Jose Alvarado; 14) 282 Jesus Sulaiman; 15) 256 Zachary Hollingshead; 16) 288 Pedro Lopes; 17) 230 Lachlan Defrancesco; 18) 208 Nicholas Sanchez; 19) 242 Dillon Defonce; 20) 212 Mark C Donato

ahead of James Egozi and Sebastian Montoya, but the prefinal race shakes everything: the Mini ROK prefinal starts with a massive contact between the top-ten drivers, knocking frontrunners James Egozi and Derek Caramante out of contention early in the race. Luca Mars begins the prefinal in 13th position moving to fifth position in the first lap, and gaining the leadership lap by lap until the checkred flag. Second place for Jak Crawford with Matheus Morgatto in third position. The final race is a private question between Mars, Crawford and Morgatto: after a tight race, each driver has been the leader for a portion of the final lap, until Luca Mars gets the better of his opponents, with Crawford in second position and Morgatto in third.

Not a big shame for Jak Crawford, who wins the title.

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RACE

FLORIDA WINTER TOUR PALM BEACH KARTING, JUPITER (USA), MARCH 20th 2016, ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE, 3rd ROUND

MAX ATTACK Not an easy last round for Rotax MAX Challenge drivers, affected by changing climatic conditions throughout the week-end. Palm Beach Karting hosts the last episode of the 2016 Sofina Foods Florida Winter Tour presented by FIKSE Wheels, where other seven titles are assigned.

TEXT BY: A. ROCA / PHOTO CREDIT: CODY SCHINDEL/CANADIANKARTINGNEWS.COM

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Show is guaranteed with the Florida Winter Tour, which ends on the Palm Beach Karting circuit after three rounds: a week-end characterized by changing weather conditions which prove drivers and tuners. Kyle Kirwood wins the Senior MAX title, after the title earned the last week-end, starting the season greatly. Within the Senior MAX, Michel Abboissa takes home the first place with a considerable gap on Christophe Adams. Tyler Gonzalez earns the crown in the Mini MAX, while Tiner triumphs between the Micro MAX. Nick Brueckner dominates the Junior MAX with a gap of slightly less than two hundred points on Latifi. The gear classes are won by Askew in DD2 and Schiavo within the DD2 Master MAX.

Left, Senior chase.

Above, Lachlan DeFrancesco is getting concentrated

ROTAX SENIOR MAX KYLE KIRWKOOD IS THE NEW CHAMPION A perfect performance for Kyle Kirkwood, who is able to adapt himself to changing conditions taking home the Senior MAX title. He starts well in qualifying, topping the classification ahead of Gianfranco Mazzaferro and Zachary Claman Demelo. During the wet prefinal, Oliver Askew seems to be the winner, but he slams his kart into the barrier due a brake failure during the last lap and Kirkwood wins the race with David Malukas in second and Zachary

Claman Demelo in third. In the final race Kyle Kirkwood and David Malukas starts an intense battle under wet conditions, but the poleman is able to outperform his opponent, winning the race. Austin Garrison completes the podium.

ROTAX MASTERS MAX ADAMS WINS DUEL AGAINST ABBOISSA Nick Turker leads the group in the qualifying session, lapping over a tenth faster than Michel Aboissa, and over three tenths faster than Adrian Ortiz.

With wet condition in the prefinal race, Aboissa shows an incredible pace lapping four tenths faster per lap than Cristophe Adams in second position.

The latter responds to the winner in the final race, crossing the line in first position with Aboissa settling for the runner up position, enough to win the championship. Alessandro De Luca finishes third, thanks to a contact between Scott Roberts and Nick Tucker.

ROTAX MINI MAX MORGATTO WINS THE RACE, GONZALEZ THE TITLE Tyler Gonzalez posts the fastest lap in the qualifying session ahead of Emiliano Richards and Matheus Morgatto, and he wins also the prefinal with a flag-toflag race. Second place for Matheus Morgatto, who wreaks revenge on Gonzalez dominating the final race since the third lap. Tyler Gonzalez wins the title in second position, while Austin Torgerson rounds out the top-three.

ROTAX DD2 MAX ASKEW VS WICKENS FINISHES AFTER THE RACE The rivalry between Oliver Askew and Robert Wickens continues in the final round, with Askew lapping faster than his opponent in the final minutes. In the prefinal Askew finds some speed outperforming the DTM driver and easily winning the prefinal, with Luke Chudleigh in third. The final race shows and intense battle between the two drivers, with Askew leading and winning the race. After the race the winner recives a ten second penalty, whilst Wickens disqualified in tech. Marco Signoretti wins the race ahead of Askew and McCarthy, with the #438 winning the title.

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ROTAX DD2 MAX MASTERS SCHIAVO THE FASTEST With the tenth overall chrono, Luis Schiavo is the fastest between the DD2 MAX Master. Over a tenth slower is his championship contender Christian Cornejo in second position, followed

by Rony Censore. In the prefinal, Cornejo is dominant: driving perfectly in wet condition, scored an overall eighth position leaving the rest of the Masters away. The final shows an exciting battle between Schiavo and Cornejo, with no other Masters drivers near them. First place for Schiavo, while Cornejo has to settle for second place winning the title with only sixteen points more than his opponent.

ROTAX MICRO MAX TINER IN PERFECT SHAPE Ashton Torgerson gains the pole position in qualifying ahead of Karsten Defonce and Josh Pierson, but in drying conditions everything changes and Brayon Tiner wins the prefinal ahead of Pierson. The Micro MAX class finishes with a

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Top left, Kyle Kiwrkwood receives his prizes. Left, Branyon Tiner leads the Micro group.

Above, Matheus Morgatto thumps the air on the finishing line.

RESULTS massive battle for the lead between numerous drivers, with Tiner winning the final and the title with Jeremy Fletcher in second and Josh Pierson in third.

ROTAX JUNIOR MAX BRUECKNER WINS EASILY Michael d’Orlando is the fastest driver in the qualifying session, outperforming Mathias Ramirez and brother Nicholas d’Orlando. In the prefinal, Ramirez scores another win crossing the line in front of Nick Brueckner and Ryan MacDermid. The runner up shows off in the final race, taking an early lead and winning the race. Behind his shoulders, Mathew Latifi and Stephen Malozzi run wide during a hard fought battle, finishing the race with more than six seconds of gap. With this victory, Nick Brueckner takes home the title.

SENIOR MAX 1) 328 Kyle Kirkwood 2) 379 David Malukas 3) 329 Austin Garrison 4) 314 Gianfranco Mazzaferro 5) 312 Matt Solarczyk 6) 322 Zach Holden 7) 345 Darren Keane 8) 394 Bryce Choquer 9) 315 Luke Selliken 10) 388 Carson Kapica 11) 337 Davide Greco 12) 377 Conner Ford 13) 307 Austin Bialaski 14) 371 Nicholas Hornbostel 15) 311 Yan Liang 16) 344 Christian Brooks 17) 301 Jordan Sherratt 18) 370 Sting Ray Robb 19) 352 Andrew Palmer 20) 308 Logan Cusson MASTER MAX 1) 666 Christophe Adams 2) 608 Michel Aboissa 3) 619 Alessandro De Luca 4) 685 Bobby Greene 5) 609 Daniel Robertson 6) 651 Adrian Ortiz 7) 606 David Shutiak 8) 677 Peter Courteau 9) 626 Peter Hecht 10) 670 Nick Tucker 11) 628 Scott Roberts MINI MAX 1) 162 Matheus Morgatto 2) 157 Tyler Gonzalez 3) 181 Austin Torgerson 4) 187 Jeremy Fairbairn 5) 120 Emiliano Richards 6) 109 Noel Jesus Leon Vasquez 7) 131 Dale Curran 8) 195 Elio Giovane 9) 158 Sebastian Montoya 10) 133 Chloe Chambers 11) 118 Caleb Bacon 12) 144 Aidan Fox 13) 199 Arias Deukmedjian 14) 168 Ethan Ho 15) 145 Yuven Sundaramoorthy 16) 121 Jade Hubert DD2/DD2 MASTERS 1) 413 Marco Signoretti 2) 438 Oliver Askew 3) 407

Michael Mccarthy 4) 412 Dev Gore 5) 492 Christian Munoz 6) 439 Luke Chudleigh 7) 408 Ethan Simioni 8) 425 Alessandro Bizzotto 9) 546 Luis Schiavo 10) 481 Moises De La Vara 11) 501 Christian Cornejo 12) 516 John Cariati 13) 599 Rodrigo Ospina 14) 409 Didier Carre 15) 526 Scott Davidson 16) 543 Rony Censore 17) 446 Sebastian Herrera MICRO MAX 1) 69 Branyon Tiner 2) 22 Jeremy Fletcher 3) 14 Josh Pierson 4) 02 Ashton Torgerson 5) 36 Justin Arseneau 6) 12 Marcello Paniccia 7) 17 Ian Aguilera Ituart 8) 27 Paige Crawford 9) 48 James Egozi 10) 43 Santiago Trisini 11) 59 Juan Pablo Cepeda 12) 10 Andreus Asmar 13) 77 Emmo Fittipaldi 14) 44 Jack Jeffers 15) 47 Karsten Defonce 16) 7 Nikita Johnson 17) 3 Leandro Juncos 18) 33 Jesse Carrasquedo 19) 6 Dimas Mota 20) 84 Alex Yankowski JUNIOR MAX 1) 274 Nick Brueckner 2) 269 Aidan Keel 3) 211 Stephen Mallozzi 4) 218 Matthew Latifi 5) 214 Dylan Tavella 6) 251 Michael Dorlando 7) 210 Kilian Meyer 8) 281 Payton Durrant 9) 215 Nicholas Dorlando 10) 292 Henry Cubides 11) 253 Riley Dickinson 12) 258 Mathias Ramirez 13) 225 Juan Diego Villacis 14) 221 Zoey Edenholmm 15) 239 Andres De Alba E 16) 282 Manuel Sulaiman 17) 293 Maxwell Waithman 18) 256 Zachary Hollingshead 19) 229 Brayden Werner 20) 288 Arthur Leist

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RACE

AUSRALIAN KART CHAMPIONSHIP PUCKAPUNYAL KART TRACK, VICTORIA (AUS) MARCH 27th 2016 – 2nd ROUND

David Sera backs on the podium with Fife and Kremers

v

SERA’S BACK Sera backs in winners circle for first time since 2014, having spent the most of 2015 on the sidelines due to injury. David Sera is making up for lost time with a strong showing during the opening two rounds of the Australian Kart Championship.

TEXT: LEE HANATSCHEK / PHOTOS: GORDON COOPER

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The second round of the Australian Kart Championship shows a great recovery of David Sera in KZ2, while Scott Sorensen wins the KA1 class. Jack Doohan wins his first championship round within the KA2 while Cody Donald leads the KA3.

Benito Montalbano is the winner for the KA4 Junior and Brendan Nelson is the leader within the TaG 125.

The winners list continues with Alex Nonovic within the Cadet 9 and it

finishes with Kobi Williams within the Cadet 12. The next round of the Australian Kart Championship presented by Jayco and Castrol EDGE will be conducted at the Monarto Karting Complex across the weekend of May 13-15.

KZ2 The 17-time Australian Champion qualified fastest and won all four heat races at the opening round before an ambitious move in the early laps of the final dropped

ADAM MERCER LEADING THE X30 FIELD INTO TURN ONE

him to ninth place at the finish. His consistency however had him placed on top of the KZ2 standings entering round two in Puckapunyal, Victoria.

It was at this event where he had to endure one of the toughest battles of his illustrious career.

After once again qualifying fastest, Sera went on to win three of the four heat races and secure pole position for the 25-lap final where he had to endure multiple challenges. Heat four winner, Kyle Ensbey took it to Sera aboard his CRG early on. Sera jumped in front of Ensbey at the start, however the Queenslander would not be denied.

Mid-race, Sera left the door open heading into turn one and Ensbey pushed down the inside. The result of the move was that Sera dropped back to fourth position and was forced to bide his time.

A move from Joshua Fife on Ensbey allowed Sera to come back into the picture. Forcing his way into the lead Sera established a gap before struggling to match the pace of his rivals pace aboard his Deadly Kart. Fife, from the Tom Williamson Motorsport stable, put in his most spirited KZ2 drive and was soon on the tail of his older combatant.

Sera showed all the guile that has led him to become the most prolific Australian Champion in history to hold

out the 15-year-old Canberra driver.

Meantime, Ricciardo Kart’s Marijn Kremers was closing the gap to the top two after managing his MG Tyres and getting up into third position from deep on the grid. At the end of the race, an exhausted Sera said that he had to push hard to keep the competition at bay to secure his first KZ2 win since 2014.

“It was tough, I was really doing everything to keep the field behind me, I didn’t have the pace if I was to be honest,” Sera reflected. “I am exhausted, it was a really taxing fight, but a good feeling to be back on top, it has been a while!”

KA1 Harrington Doyle Racing Arrow Karts’ Scott Sorensen returned to the top step of the podium in KA1 taking a comfortable victory in what was an entertaining final. Round one winner Reece Sidebottom took his Reevu Helmets Kosmic to second - while 14-year-old category debutant, Cory Arnett came home in third position in an impressive showing. Defending Australian Champion, Liam McLellan was fourth in his Holden Kart Teambacked JC Kart.

KA2 Queenslander Jack Doohan won his first-ever elite junior Championship round. The son of five time 500cc World Motorcycle Champion, Mick Doohan had a difficult weekend, however it all came good for him in the final. He

worked his way through the field in his Kosmic Kart to take the win.

He led home a Kosmic trifecta that also saw Cameron Longmore score his best ever finish in the category in second and Lachlan Hughes finish third. Longmore and Hughes both had stints in the lead of the race. Adam Mercer put on a clinic in the X30 category, taking a victory by 2.5 seconds. Mercer was supreme during the final and continued to eke out the lead. Despite having speed all weekend, CompKart Australia’s Joshua Car had no comeback for Mercer and settled for second whilst defending Australian Champion, reigning champion Daniel Rochford maintained his Championship lead by finishing third.

TaG 125 Brendan Nelson made it two on the trot in his FA Kart taking a comfortable victory. After being shuffled in a turn one skirmish, all eyes were on Josh Car’s charge forward, eventually getting up to fourth position.

Liam Ford and Mitchell Hewitt rounded out the podium places behind Nelson.

KA4 Junior The KA4 Junior final produced arguably the best race seen since the inception of the Australian Kart Championship era. No less than five drivers were involved in the battle for the win with the lead swapping on multiple occasions. At the end of the 16lap final, Benito Montalbano emerged

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RACE

AUSRALIAN KART CHAMPIONSHIP

JACK DOOHAN TAKING THE WIN IN KA2 SCOTT SORENSEN LEADING REIGNING CHAMPION IN KA1

THE KA2 PODIUM

100CC YAMAHA LIGHT CHAMPION DANIEL KINSMAN

RESULTS Cadet 9 1) Dominic Attard 82 2) Carter Mobbs 75 3) Ryan Tomsett 70 4) Ben Holliday 67 5) Leon Cordato 65 Cadet 12 1) Kai Allen 122 2) Kobi Williams 102 3) James Wharton 100 4) Fletcher Harris 63 5) Blake Purdie 59 KA4 Junior 1) Travis Worton 120 2) Benito Montalbano 104 3) Cooper Webster 87 4) Oscar Preist 84 5) Broc Feeney 56 KA2 1) Lachlan Hughes 104 2) Jack Doohan 79 3) Harrison Hoey 76 4) Broc Feeney 72 5) Cameron Longmore 58 KA3 Senior 1) Cody Donald 95 2) Jordan Nicolaou

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94 3) Matthew McLean 73 4) Justin Francis 64 5) Dean O’Brien 58 TaG 125 1) Brendan Nelson 140 2) Joshua Car 98 3) Mitchell Hewitt 80 4) Luke Van Herwaarde 5) 2 5 Brooke Redden 43 X30 1) Daniel Rochford 113 2) Adam Mercer 93 3) Morgan Feast 69 4) Joshua Car 64 5) Adam Lindstrom 61 KA1 1) Reece Sidebottom 123 2) Scott Sorensen 97 3) Liam McLellan 90 4) Marijn Kremers 55 5) Daniel Edmonds 53 KZ2 1) David Sera 130 2) Joshua Fife 89 3) Christopher Hays 56 4) Troy Loeskow 56 5) Kyle Ensbey 53

victorious for Scuderia PCR Australia with Cooper Webster bringing his kart home second on his birthday and round one winner, Travis Worton finishing third.

KA3 KA3 fell the way of Cody Donald. The Arrow driver had enjoyed a fierce battle with Shamick Racing’s Jordan Nicolaou throughout the course of the weekend and it looked as though it would be the same in the final, however Donald got to the lead and then started pulling away. The 15-year-old in just his second AKC race was ecstatic with victory, whilst Nicolaou came home second and Spencer Ackerman brought his Tony Kart home in third after a sensational weekend.

AUSRALIAN KART CHAMPIONSHIP

TaG 125

Cadet 12 In Cadet 12, Kobi

PRESENTED BY JAYCO AND CASTROL EDGE ROUND 2 – TOP THREE

1. BRENDAN NELSON (QLD) – FA KART/IAME 2. LIAM FORD (VICTORIA) – KOSMIC/ROTAX 3. MITCHELL HEWITT (NSW) – REDSPEED/ROTAX

Cadet 9

X30

1. ALEX NONOVIC (NSW) – TB KART/VORTEX 2. DONINIC ATTARD (QLD) – EXPRIT/VORTEX 3. LEON CORDATO (NSW) – MONACO/VORTEX

1. ADAM MERCER (QLD) – ARROW/IAME 2. JOSHUA CAR (NSW) – COMPKART/IAME 3. DANIEL ROCHFORD (VICTORIA) – ARROW/IAME

Cadet 12

KA2

1. KOBI WILLIAMS (VICTORIA) – FA KART/VORTEX 2. FLETCHER HARRIS (VICTORIA) – HAASE/VORTEX 3. JAMES WHARTON (VICTORIA) – CRG/VORTEX

1. JACK DOOHAN (QLD) – KOSMIC/VORTEX 2. CAMERON LONGMORE (NSW) – KOSMIC/VORTEX 3. LACHLAN HUGHES (QLD) – KOSMIC/VORTEX

KA4 Junior

KA1

1. BENITO MONTALBANO (NSW) – PCR/IAME 2. COOPER WEBSTER (VICTORIA) – ARROW/IAME 3. TRAVIS WORTON (VICTORIA) – ARROW/IAME

1. SCOTT SORENSEN (QLD) – ARROW/VORTEX 2. REECE SIDEBOTTOM (VICTORIA) – KOSMIC/VORTEX 3. CORY ARNETT (VICTORIA) – KOSMIC/VORTEX

KA3 Senior

KZ2

1. CODY DONALD (VICTORIA) – ARROW/IAME 2. JORDAN NICOLAOU (VICTORIA) – ARROW/IAME 3. SPENCER ACKERMAN (VICTORIA) – TONY KART/IAME

1. DAVID SERA (VICTORIA) – DEADLY/IAME 2. JOSHUA FIFE (ACT) – ENERGY/TM 3. MARIJN KREMERS (NETHERLANDS) – RICCIARDO/IAME

Williams’ pace from Saturday continued, taking the win over Fletcher Harris. That came after a battle that also involved Shamick Racing CRG pilots, James Wharton and Kai Allen. The two Victorians had every opportunity to back up their Dubbo Cadet 12 quinella, however ended up fighting among themselves in the closing stages, thus squandering any chance of that happening. Wharton salvaged third at the end of the race.

Cadet 9 Meantime, in the Cadet 9 final, Alex Ninovic was able to emerge the victor in the final. It looked as though much had been lost after not setting a time in qualifying yesterday, however the Stanley Motorsport TB Kart driver shot through for a 3.2 second win over Dominic Attard and Leon Cordato.

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 49

RACE

NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP GRISEA NZ RACEWAY, HAMILTON (NZ) MARCH 27th 2016 – 1st ROUND

KINSMAN BROTHERS RULE THE CHAMPS MEETING IN HAMILTON The annual Easter event attracted over 150 of the country’s top karters to the KartSport Hamilton club’s Agrisea New Zealand Raceway opposite the city’s international airport, with fast, exciting action - as well as several surprises - across nine different classes catering for drivers aged from 6 to over 50.

TEXT / PHOTOS: FAST COMPANY

v

125CC ROTAX MAX LIGHT CHAMPION MATHEW KINSMAN

Rain played a role on Saturday but otherwise the weekend’s racing was conducted in warm, dry conditions.

Auckland’s Kinsman brothers, Mathew and Daniel, claimed a class title and runner-up spot apiece at the Giltrap Group 2016 KartSport New Zealand National Sprint Championship meeting in Hamilton over the Easter weekend.

The older of the pair, Mathew, earned his third consecutive national sprint title in the 125cc Rotax Light class on Saturday

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with younger brother Daniel finishing a close second. Then Daniel won the New Zealand Senior 100c Yamaha Light title from a fast-finishing Mathew on Sunday.

125cc Rotax Max Heavy - Mathew Kinsman was one of two drivers to completely dominate a class, he and 125cc Rotax Max Heavy title winner Campbell Joyes from Hamilton the only pair to qualify quickest and win both heats as well as the Pre-Final and Final races in their

respective classes. Several other drivers came close though. Not even Urban could match the pace set by local ace Campbell Joyes in 125cc Rotax Max Heavy however. Urban qualified third in that class behind Joyes and fellow former class title holder Simon Hunter from Christchurch, and though he finished second to Joyes in the Pre-Final, Urban was beaten to the line in the Final

by Joyes, defending class title holder Lane Moore from Australia, Hunter

CADET ROK CHAMPION MASON POTTER. FASTEST QUALIFIER IN ROTAX MAX JUNIOR CLASS, 15-YEAR-OLD MADELINE STEWART

RESULTS KZ2 1. Matthew Hamilton; 2. Daniel Bray; 3. Rhys Tinney; 4. Aaron Marr; 5. Simeon Woolsey; 6. Gary Cullum.

125cc Rotax Max Light 1. Mathew Kinsman; 2. Daniel Kinsman; 3. Daniel Connor; 4. Jacob Cranston; 5. Jaden Hardy; 6. Christopher Cox. 125cc Rotax Max Heavy 1. Campbell Joyes; 2..Lane Moore; 3. Simon Hunter; 4.

Keith Wilkinson; 5. Ryan Urban; 6. Samuel Carpenter 100cc Yamaha Light 1. Daniel Kinsman; 2. Mathew Kinsman; 3. Josh Hart; 4. Andy Schofield; 5. Alex Geary; 6. Dylan Drysdale 100cc Yamaha Heavy 1. Ryan Urban; 2. Lane Moore; 3. Aarron Cunningham; 4.

Simon Hunter; 5. Taylor Harte; 6. Campbell Joyes

Rotax Max Junior 1. Kaleb Ngatoa; 2.

Callum Hedge; 3. Rianna O’Meara-Hunt; 4. Madeline Stewart; 5. Joshua Bethune; 6.

Reece Hendl-Cox

100cc Junior Yamaha 1. Jaden Ransley; 2. Ryan Wood; 3. Tom Greig; 4. Joshua Parkinson; 5. Callum Hedge; 6. Samuel Wright

Vortex Mini ROK 1. Breanna Morris; 2.

William Exton; 3. Connor Davison; 4. Jackson Rooney; 5. Ryan Crombie; 6. Louis Redshaw.

Cadet ROK 1. Mason Potter; 2. Kaden Probst; 3. Bo Hill; 4. Ryan Hancock; 5. Logan Manson; 6. Logan Evans

and emerging Auckland driver Keith Wilkinson.

KZ2 - Auckland-based international Daniel Bray was the quickest qualifier in the KZ2 class and won both heats and the Pre-Final before losing out to archrival Matthew Hamilton on a damp track in the Final. The win gave Hamilton his 13th NZ Sprint title, the Christchurch driver having won his first in 1996.

100cc Yamaha Light - Cambridge ace Andy Schofield was another to qualify quickest and win both his heats but slipped to second behind former international Josh Hart from Palmerston North in the Pre-Final then ended up fourth - behind the Kinsman brothers and Hart - in the Final.

Cadet ROK -

South Island class champion Louis Sharp was also unlucky to clash with North Island counterpart Luke Thompson early in the Cadet ROK Final after winning the first heat and Pre-Final. That left the title fight to fastest qualifier Kaden Probst and class National Schools’ champion Mason Potter with Potter prevailing in the Final from Probst and young Nelson karter Bo Hill.

100cc Yamaha Heavy - Aucklander karter Ryan Urban also found he had his work cut out defending his 100cc Yamaha Heavy title and challenging for the New Zealand 125cc Rotax Max Heavy title he last won in 2014. Tauranga driver Taylor Harte pipped Urban for the top spot in Yamaha qualifying on Friday and won the second Yamaha heat before Urban - who won his first NZ Sprint title in the Midget class back in 1993 and his class at last

year Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final in Portugal - prevailed to win both the PreFinal and Final.

Rotax Max Junior - Reigning North Island sprint champion Kaleb Ngatoa from Palmerston North eventually prevailed in Rotax Max Junior, winning an all-action Final from Aucklander Callum Hedge and Wellington’s other emerging fast female, Rianna O’MearaHunt, with Madeline Stewart fourth and fastest class qualifier, class South Island sprint champion, Joshua Bethune from Dunedin, fifth.

Vortex Mini ROK - One of the major talking points of the meeting had to be Breanna Morris’ impressive debut Nationals win in Vortex Mini ROK however. The 12-year-old Takapuna Normal Intermediate School pupil had to take on and beat the best of the class’s current stars to do it, but beat them she did, winning the second heat from eventual runner-up and reigning South Island class champion William Exton from Picton, and the Final from Exton and fastest qualfier and heat one winner Connor Davison from Hamilton.

100cc Junoir Yamaha - Finally, Jaden Ransley added a New Zealand Sprint title to the NZ Schools’ one he currently holds in the 100cc Junoir Yamaha class,

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RACE

NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP

100CC YAMAHA LIGHT CHAMPION DANIEL KINSMAN 100CC YAMAHA HEAVY TITLE WINNER RYAN URBAN 125CC ROTAX MAX HEAVY CHAMPION CAMPBELL JOYES

making the Final his after a best finish of fourth through the heats and PreFinal. Wellington driver Ryan Wood ended up second afer winning both the second heat and Pre-Final, with heat one winner Tom Greig from Palmerston North third and last year’s Vortex Mini ROK title winner, Joshua

Parkinson from Auckland, improving as the weekend went on to claim fourth.

Class title winners at the Giltrap Group 2016 KartSport New Zealand Natonal Sprint champioship meeting at Hamilton’s Agrisea NZ Raceway over the weekend included Mathew

Kinsman (#1 125cc Rotax Max Light), brother Daniel Kinsman (#31 100cc Yamaha Light), Kaleb Ngatoa (#NI Rotax Max Junior), and Breanna Morris (#50 Vortex Mini ROK)).

Photo credit: Fast Company/Graham Hughes

GILTRAP GROUP 2016 KARTSPORT NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIPS KARTSPORT HAMILTON’S AGRISEA NEW ZEALAND RACEWAY AIRPORT RD HAMILTON THURS-SUN MARCH 24-27 2016 52 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

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RACE

ROTAX MAX ASIA CHALLENGE SEPANG INTERNATIONAL KARTING CIRCUIT, SELANGOR (MAL) FEBRUARY 28th 2016 – 1st ROUND

ASIAN SOUL

Sunny and windy conditions greeted the drivers at the Sepang International Karting Circuit for the 1st round of the Rotax MAX Asia Challenge. REPORT M.NASSI / PHOTOS B.LEONG

v

After the Rotax Invitational Race held on the Sepang International Karting Circuit, the Rotax MAX Asia Challenge starts on the same track. Seventyfour drivers divided into four categories are seeking a place for the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals.

The series will leave Sepang behind as it heads to Elite Speedway for Round 2 and 3 respectively April 2nd and April 30th.

Micro MAX - The race started with India' s driver Shahan Ali Mohsin on pole

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and Malaysian driver Oscar Ng alongside him. Shahan Ali was the quickest in the time trial but he faced serious challenge from his own teammate Oscar Ng and Xu Zhen Ng throughout the weekend.

In the prefinal, Shahan started in third managed to beat Oscar Ng and in the last lap, overtook Xu Zhen Ng to grab the pole in the final.

In the final, it looked like Shahan would be taking the chequered flag as he led the race from the start with Oscar

following close behind him for the whole 14 laps. At the 2nd last corner of the last lap of the race, Oscar made his move to overtake Shahan and held on for the win. Oscar took home his first win of the season followed by Shahan (2nd), Xu Zhen Hu (3rd), Hayden Haikal (4th) and Amer Harris (5th)

DD2 MAX - Senna SN had made amends compared to Rotax Invitational Race as he made a clean-sweep of proceedings

ABOVE, SENNA SULAIMAN NOOR. LEFT, JUNIOR STARTING GRID.

ABOVE, OSCAR NG FIGHTS AGAINSTÂ SHAHAN ALI MOHSIN

Mohamad Nor Ariff came in 3rd ahead of Nayan Chatterjee 4th. Both drivers were involved in a tussle middle of the race but Nor Ariff managed to retain his position. James Veerapen took home 5th in the DD2 senior category. He managed to salvage his not so perfect weekend race at the very last min in the Finals. There was some slight issue with his kart and it was only resolved in the final, good enough for him to make it to

Junior MAX - Indonesian driver, Prassetyo Hardja, grabbed the chequered flag in the final but the victory was shortlived as he was penalised 20 seconds for overtaking under yellow flag. Rotax Invitational 2016 winner, Alexander Brown, was also penalised for overtaking under yellow flag and dropped them both further down the pack. Malaysian driver Muhammad Amirul Haikal was declared the winner

the podium. Riki Tanioka (Japan) took the win for the DD2 Master category. Riki showed that he still has what it takes to grab the win from the other master and even senior drivers.

after finishing second behind Prassetyo.

Thai driver, Kane Shepherd finished 3rd after dropping to 5th in the opening laps and fought back up to 2nd before losing the position to Amirul Haikal. Malaysian

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RACE

ROTAX MAX ASIA CHALLENGE

Top right, Micro Max and DD2 podium.

Right, a lovely scene between father and son. Right, #251 Silvano Christian ready to start

CHAMPIONSHIP DD2 1) 342 Senna Sulaiman Noor 89 2) 401 Riki Tanioka 83 3) 327 Rahul Raj Mayer 83 4) 300 Long Mohammad Nor Ariff 81 5) 369 Nayan Chatterjee 78 6) 322 James Veerapen 76 7) 317 Nazim Azman 72 8) 311 Brendan Paul Anthony 71 9) 313 Oscar Ruiz De Luzufiaga 68 10) 312 David Sitanala 68 11) 577 Lee Lung Nien 63 12) 412 Ong Chee Mang 63 13) 419 Thiru Kumaran 61 14) 525 Handi Hargja 58 15) 336 Hafizi Samad 58 16) 321 Najiy Ayyad Abdul Razak 58 17) 422 Eric Yong 51 18) 515 Oliver Dennis 50 19) 444 Lim Seng Leo 50 20) 488 Peter Chua 47 21) 351 Zahir Ali 46 22) 514 Eric Asgirmur Hughes Mancini 44 23) 400 Johnny Shang 44 24) 555 Kong Chun Keat 43 SENIOR 1) 251 Silvano Christian 89 2) 210 Darryl Wenas 85 3) 208 Ricky Donison 82 4) 250 Gabriella Teo 78 5) 257 M.Ferrel Fadhill 78 6) 209 Barrichello Noor 73 7) 202 Adam Haikal Mazrul Haizad 73 8) 225 Izzat Hanif 69 9) 253 Rifqi Rakamulya 69 10) 268 Nabil Hutasuhut 67 11) 297 Jethro Jevon Arman 67 12) 269 Yu Hsuan Cheng 67 13) 248 Ahmad Gunadi 63 14) 215 Pasha M Shaquille 59

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JUNIOR 1) 177 Kane Shepherd 85 2) 125 Muhammad Amirul Haikal 84 3) 138 Arsh Johany 82 4) 131 Lin Tsu Han 78 5) 105 Alexander Dimaano Brown 77 6) 115 Nik Zamir Zakwan 75 7) 135 Muhammad Sidqi Ahmad Said 73 8) 134 Manav Sharma 70 9) 168 Prassetyo Hardja 70 10) 171 Romain Leroux 69 11) 101 Danial Frost 67 12) 108 Akheela Chandra 66 13) 106 Alex Huang 60 14) 172 Alvito Hardianto 60 15) 178 Ryan Chapman 60 16) 153 Anathorn Tangnainatchai 57 17) 175 Iman Jazlan 51 18) 126 Anakawee Tangnainatchai 50 19) 121 Akmal Mohammad Ashibli 50 20) 174 Ariel Bahran 49 21) 173 Bianca Bustamante 49 22) 127 Shin Ting Hau 45 23) 179 Tayaphol Kongsuwan 36 MICRO MAX 1) 22 Oscar Ng 87 2) 11 Shahan Ali Mohsin 86 3) 18 Xu Zhenhe 81 4) 81 Hayden Haikal 78 5) 77 Amer Harris 78 6) 90 Sergio Noor 78 7) 55 Dylan Bondi 74 8) 20 Adam Mikail 73 9) 21 Yevan David 69 10) 17 Nikhil Bohra 68 11) 99 Krit Boonyang 66 12) 33 Askay Bohra 63 13) 10 Ruhaan Alva 61

driver, Arsh Johany finished 4th after fighting it with Kane Shepherd and Amirul Haikal. Singapore driver, Romain Leroux started at 15th but slowly made his way up to 5th.

Senior MAX - Silvano Christian repeated his fine performance from the Rotax Invitational 2016 to the AMC Round 1 bagging both win in the PreFinal and Final. However it wasn’t all easy as Silvano had to keep pushing to pull away from Darryl Wenas and Ricky Donison who looked to threaten his position at any time. Immediately after the formation lap in the Final, Silvano powered on to take the lead and didn’t slow down. Although he managed to build a small gap but he knows he can’t take a break to relax fearing that Donison who was behind him might eventually catch up. But it was Darryl Wenas who pushed harder having dropped to 5th from 2nd at the start and eventually working his way up the pack, passing his team mate, Gabriella Teo, and overtaking Donison in the last 2 laps.

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RACE

SUPER ONE SERIES ROWRAH KARTING CIRCUIT, CUMBRIA (UK) MARCH 20th 2016 – 1st ROUND

TREMENDOUS START The Awning Company Super One Series starts a new season at the Rowrah kart facility with a new record of 206 drivers. An exciting battle has already started.

TEXT: BETHANY LAWSON / PHOTOS: KARTPIX.NET

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The first round of the Super One 2016 season got off to a tremendous start at Rowrah, in Cumbria’s Lake District, arguably one of the most technical circuits in the UK. Racing conditions for the record entry of 206 in Britain’s premier and only recognised British and National Series were perfect throughout all the weekend. Thompson imposed himself twice within the Iame Cadet and once in the Honda Cadet, while Gibson won the second final. Tom Canning swept the Mini Max after a brutal fight against Jonny Edgar. Bradley White and Kristian Brierley divided the victories in the TKM Junior and the KR-Sport driver Jonathan Hoggard dominated the Junior Max. Matthew Taylor dominated the TKM Extreme. Josh White and Jack McCarthy won within the Senior Rotax.

IAME Cadet Harry Thompson took an eight point lead from the first round after two narrowly won victories.

Both finals for the IAME 60cc 2-stroke engines resolved into four way scraps for the wins. In Final One Thompson slotted in behind polesitter Joseph Taylor until Taylor Barnard leapfrogged both. Thompson briefly led but had to slot back in behind Taylor once more with Barnard alternating between third and fourth. A great pass on the last lap sealed victory for Thompson.

Thompson started on pole for Final Two, the televised race, and ended up taking victory. However, it wasn’t made easy for him as he was closely pursued

by GP plate driver, Taylor Barnard right from the word go. The race came to an unfortunate end, 10 laps in, due to a red

Left, Brierley wins the Junior TKM. Below, Tom Canning sweeps the Mini Max. In the other page, the Fusion Motorsport’s drivers.

flag because of an incident between Oliver Denny and Harrison Skinner, both drivers thankfully walked away.

This put the results back a lap meaning Thompson was 1st, Barnard 2nd and Bray Kenneally 3rd.

Honda Cadet The same Harry Thompson won also the first final within the Honda Cadet category, passing first under the chequered flag ahead of Ben Kasperczak and Cadet McQueen.

Thompson started from the pole the second final and held the lead until lap 10 with Kasperczak only 0.1 seconds behind. Kasperczak took charge for a few laps before dropping to second on the last lap, giving first place to Caeson Gibson. After a strong race from Thompson, he was holding on to second but unfortunately dropped to sixth on the last lap. Gibson took the chequered flag ahead of Kasperczak who was later excluded for “driving in a manner incompatible with general safety” therefore, Caden McQueen took

second and Archie Brown was third.

O-plate driver Wesley Mason finished 15th after climbing up 17 places! He had a very good day on Saturday finishing 3rd and 4th in the heats, but had a disappointing final one after he was forced to retire. Oliver Bearman, who was second fastest in timed qualifying, was excluded from the meeting after the first heat for a fuel anomaly, but he has appealed the decision.

Mini Max Both Mini Max finals were exceptionally close, especially between Jonny Edgar and Tom Canning who disputed the victory hard. Canning ended the race, the same way he had started it in P1. Edgar took 2nd and after closing the gap on the last lap, Strawberry Racing driver, Lorcan Hanafin finished in 3rd. Jenson Butterfield had an amazing drive in final two, making up 15 places to finish 4th after an unfortunate final one.

Junior TKM Going into Sunday this

was really Bradley White’s race to lose after he dominated proceedings on Saturday. He started on pole for final one and was challenged on several occasions by Kristian Brierley but had all the answers required. However, final two was a different story. White lost the lead in the opening laps as Brierley took over and led the grid of 19 until the end with Abbi Pulling on his tail. Some last lap over taking and place changes saw Brierley take the win ahead of Joe Fowler in second and Pulling a close third. White finished fourth. Pulling, the Tal-Ko supported driver, also took the “Girl Power” trophy for scoring the most points throughout the weekend out of every other girl who had entered.

Junior Max KR-Sport dominated in final two with Jonathan Hoggard finishing first and Joe Turney runner-up. Hoggard took the lead from third on the grid straight away and never looked back eventually winning by just under 2 seconds. Behind him was William Pettitt

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 59

RACE

SUPER ONE SERIES

Above left, Josh White sets a fourth place in Senior Rotax. Above, Matthew Taylor leads the TKM Extreme group

CHAMPIONSHIP TKM Extreme 1) 29 Taylor Matthew 194; 2) 12 Whitton Christopher 192; 3) 4 Sproat Kyle 180; 4) 25 Moore Harry 178; 5) 93 Smith Phil 173; 6) 27 Fowler Sam 173; 7) 1 England Matt 162; 8) 17 Golba Dean 160; 9) O Allnutt Matthew 156; 10) 5 Rosser Owain 151; 11) 52 Back Louis 147; 12) 48 Bruce-White Charlie 145; 13) 39 Owen Tom 143; 14) 73 Hogan John 137; 15) 13 Edwards Ryan 136; 16) 40 Mills James 131; 17) 44 Monks Paul 130; 18) 90 Stockford Joe 127; 19) 24 Haughton Matthew 126; 20) 97 Springfield Kyle 124 Honda Cadet 1) 68 Gibson Caeson 188; 2) 2 Thompson Harry 188; 3) 42 Mcqueen Caden 183; 4) 46 Walker James 171; 5) 72 Brown Archie 160; 6) 99 Ellingham Lucas 157; 7) 85 Swinscoe Archie 157; 8) 66 Duhy Reggie 152; 9) 15 Cooper Dylan 147; 10) 6 Fayers Ben 145; 11) 53 Mcdonald Toby 141; 12) 61 Eades Alex 140; 13) 57 Heading Sam 140; 14) 55 Marsh Ollie 140; 15) 23 Lebbon Tom 140; 16) O Mason Wesley 140; 17) 28 Rigby Alfie 137; 18) 25 Stevenson Casper 130; 19) 75 Garman Harry 129; 20) 64 Greenall Oliver 128 IAME Cadet 1) O Thompson Harry 195; 2) 6 Taylor Joseph 187; 3) GP Barnard Taylor 184; 4) 10 Kenneally Bray 182; 5) C Wilkinson Jonny 175; 6) 52 O’sullivan Zak 172; 7) 23 Dimitrov Georgi 161; 8) 16 Rattican Joshua 157; 9) 17 Barrett Alicia 155; 10) 34 Simmonds Alex 152; 11) 14 Knapton Van 151; 12) 15 Askey Kai 149; 13) 53 Mcdonald Toby 145; 14) 66 Duhy Reggie 138; 15) 35 Rees Matthew 138; 16) 95 Lindblad Arvid 136; 17) 12 Read Tyler 130; 18) 77 Kasperczak Ben 129; 19) 73 Skinner Harrison 128; 20) 33 Dodds Maxwell 128 Junior Rotax 1) O Pettitt William 191; 2) 96 Turney Joe 181; 3) 88 Charpentier Axel 177; 4) 6 Hoggard Jonathan 175; 5) 47 Kimber Mark 169; 6) 8 Turner Thomas 168; 7) 41 Hudson Rory 162; 8) 25 Chesterton Tyler 162; 9) 11 Ide Luke 157; 10) 14 Apps Myles 154; 11) 62

60 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

Sullivan Tyler 153; 12) 16 Barrett Bradley 149; 13) 53 Foster Tommy 140; 14) 29 Thomson Cameron 139; 15) 80 Brown Jordan 138; 16) 61 Mccarthy Connor 136; 17) 32 Brown Jenson 132; 18) 15 Edmunds Tom 128; 19) 24 Hepworth Jemima 124; 20) 39 Lamport Daniel 117 Junior TKM 1) 6 White Bradley 190; 2) 9 Brierley Kristian 187; 3) 49 Pulling Abbi 183; 4) 31 Fowler Joe 181; 5) 36 Bach Ocean 166; 6) 19 Sparrow Adam 166; 7) 16 Burney Lydia 160; 8) 50 Whittingham Lee 157; 9) 41 Sisson Ian 157; 10) 28 Chapman Jordan-Lee 154; 11) 40 Roberts Kurt 151; 12) 86 Deal Ross 149; 13) 55 Butterworth Daniel 148; 14) 48 Page Alexander 141; 15) 52 Pashley James 139; 16) 35 Mcintyre Scott 138; 17) 33 Page Leanna 126; 18) 30 Pinchin Hatrry 125; 19) 78 Wells Nathan 120 Mini Max 1) 21 Canning Tom 191; 2) 17 Edgar Jonny 183; 3) 12 Patterson Dexter 176; 4) 58 Bunce Finlay 174; 5) 23 Hanafin Lorcan 172; 6) O Butterfield Jenson 169; 7) 14 Hunt Rufus 166; 8) 75 Ravenscroft Clayton 164; 9) 77 Kooiker Klaas 156; 10) 48 Lloyd Alex 150; 11) 52 Cunnington Guy 146; 12) 66 Pryer Oakley 144; 13) 62 Martland Brandon 142; 14) 26 Burgess Ben 141; 15) 11 Jermey Kieron 138; 16) 16 Bush Dominic 136; 17) 28 Johnson Owen 132; 18) 25 Abraham Brandon 128; 19) 45 Oates Zak 125; 20) 18 Bentley Alex 119 Senior Rotax 1) O Mccarthy Jack 191; 2) 43 Skelton Josh 187; 3) 5 Turner Charlie 184; 4) 17 White Josh 176; 5) 26 Thomas Harrison 173; 6) 11 Davis Ben 166; 7) 10 Collings Josh 165; 8) 22 Scholl Nicholas 161; 9) 85 Rose Morgan 156; 10) 8 Russell Danny 152; 11) 6 Johnson James 152; 12) 15 Le Vesconte Stephanie 151; 13) 72 Watson Kasey 141; 14) 64 Van Beusekom Carol 137; 15) 71 Ellis Rob 135; 16) 77 Croydon Tom 126

for most the race, before Turney usurped the ‘O’ plate champion to third at the end. Two drivers fell foul of the new 10s penalties for incorrectly positioned front fairings.

TKM Extreme It was amazing to see the return of a full, talented, TKM Extreme grid at Super One. This is a race that has been highly anticipated over the winter with names such as Phil Smith, Charlie Bruce-White, Jake Campbell-Mills and Paul Monks all returning. And it’s fair to say it certainly delivered! On Saturday the racing was very close in the heats and this continued in to Sunday, not only at the front of the grid but all through it! Christopher Whitton took pole for final one but it was Matthew Taylor who took the win, putting him on pole for final two. Taylor made a brilliant start and held on to the lead for half the race, before Whitton found his way through. He led for a few laps but Taylor was not prepared to settle for second and eventually re-took the lead and victory! Whitton finished a solid runner-up and in third was reigning champion Matt England after showing all the qualities of a reigning champion. Dean Golba came all the way from the repechage to tenth place.

Senior Rotax After a battle with Josh Skelton, Jack McCarthy won final one and took his place at the front of the grid in final two. He couldn’t hold on to pole for long as Charlie Turner took the lead within the first lap but it wasn’t long before negotiated his way to the front and brought the win home for Coles Racing. McCarthy finished in second and Turner third.

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the star of 2016.

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VROOMBOX USA – CHALLENGE OF THE AMERICAS PHOENIX KART RACING ASSOCIATION, GLENDALE (AZ) FEBRUARY 28th 2016, 2nd ROUND

Rotax Masters Mike Jones

The 2016 Challenge of the Americas continued with its championship series on February 26-28, returning to the Phoenix Kart Racing Association facility in Glendale, Arizona. The 7/10-mile course was the stage for the seven categories that continued their championship chase - five representing the Rotax Max Challenge with two Shifterkart divisions. Those drivers that have a shot at battling for the titles at the series finale in Northern California next month were determined after Round Three and Four completed at the famous Formula K Raceway.

Nash Motorsportz Senior Max - Christian Brooks, went from zero to hero in the exciting 25-lap main event. The Round Two winner suffered a mechanical problem in qualifying and was stricken with a flat tire in the Prefinal, putting him at the back of the 24-kart field for the Final. Brooks put in a championship performance, fighting his way through the entire field to claim the checkered flag over Canadians Coltin McCaughan and Kellen Ritter. McCaughan returned the following day as the driver to beat, leading qualifying and Prefinal. A mechanical issues in the opening laps

62 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

of the Final put the title contender on the sideline, thus allowing visiting South African driver Jordan Sherratt to take the reigns. The third-place finisher at the 2015 Rotax Grand Finals led all 25-laps, holding off a charging Brooks and Texas driver Nathan Adds Rolison Performance Group Junior Max - Nick Brueckner kept his streak intact following the two rounds and extending his perfect score to four. The 2015 vice-champion led every session in both rounds of competition on the weekend to increase his point lead heading to the series finale in April. Canadian Matthew Taskinen ran second with Junior rookie Hannah Greenemeier earning her first series podium on Saturday. The two swapped positions alongside Brueckner on Sunday.

Cambrian Go-Karts Masters Max - Mike Jones took over the championship lead with his two win performance in Phoenix. Jones fought his way to the front of the field by the end of the main event on Saturday, besting David Pergande and Billy Cleavelin. He backed it up with a sweep of the Sunday round, leading all sessions to earn maximum points. Cleavelin added

another trophy with a second place finish while defending series champion Paul Bonilla ran third.

Energy Kart USA Shifter Senior - Kolton Griffin took advantage of the home track knowledge to score his first series victory in the category. Griffin ran away with the win over Tucson double winner Jake French with Harold Gottsacker IV earning his first series podium in third. Griffin led qualifying and the Prefinal on Sunday, but lost the holeshot to begin the main event.

French took control and led all 25-laps for his third win of the series. Griffin ran a close second with Jacob Neal placing third.

Dallas Karting Complex Shifter Masters Darren Elliott evened the score in the win column and the championship standings for Masters division. Elliott came back from a mechanical DNF in the Prefinal Saturday to win the main event over Tucson double winner Ryan Kinnear with Juan Garcia in third. Elliott came back to win comfortably on Sunday over Kinnear and Nick Firestone. Kinnear and Elliott are tied in the point standings heading into the series finale in Sonoma.

USA - GOPRO MOTORPLEX KARTING CHALLENGE

USA - CALIFORNIA PROKART CHALLENGE

Beautiful spring weather and mostly sunny skies with a brief rain shower gave way to Round Two of the GoPro Motorplex Karting Challenge Presented by Hoosier Racing Tire series on Saturday. It was a full day of actionpacked racing with close battles between a total of 103 competitors within our 11 divisions.

The Willow Springs International Raceway was the site of Round Two of the six-race championship series, featuring 11 Honda and IAME categories for all ages. Weather was a fleeting yet big factor, as rain hit the area briefly, forcing officials to declare it a rain race. Every racer that took the track after that declaration received 100 bonus points, per the regulations.

GOPRO MOTORPLEX KARTING, MOORESVILLE (N.C.) MARCH 26th 2016, 2nD ROUND Go Kart Hero Mini Max - Austin Torgerson became another first time series winner: he outlasted the competition on Saturday, holding off a charging Dustin Salaverria with Cooper Becklin finishing third for his first podium result of the season. Tucson double winner Marco Kacic bounced back from a crash Saturday to lead the way in Round Four. Kacic won the Prefinal and Final, helping to keep him in the championship lead. Torgerson finished second with Salaverria capping off a twopodium weekend in third.

Ruthless Karting Micro Max - Ashton Torgerson extended his win streak to three in the Micro class. He swept the action in Round Three, besting Carson Morgan and Brock Boyse. Sunday, the streak came to an end with Morgan able to beat Torgerson to the checkered flag with a last lap pass. Aden Rudolph was right there in the battle, completing the podium for his first in the series.

Junior Rotax Nick Brueckner

WILLOW SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, ROSAMOND (CA) MARCH 10TH 2016, 2nd ROUND

RESULTS:

IAME Mini Swift Division 1. Sam Corry; 2. Danny Dyszelski; 3. Sofia D’Arrigo Briggs LO206 Junior Division Sponsored by Race City Mobile Detailing 1. Seth Gentry; 2. Alex Keadle; 3.

Jadyn Daniels Briggs LO206 Cadet Division 1. Aiden Baker Crouse; 2.

Bree Miller; 3. Tyler Wettengel Yamaha Junior Division 1. Emory Lyda; 2. Taylor Stanford; 3. Chase Carey Yamaha Senior Division 1. Keith Carlson IAME Swift Division Sponsored by HMS Motorsport 1. Devin Gomez; 2. Aiden Baker Crouse; 3. William Robusto IAME Heavy Division 1. Laurentiu Mardan; 2. Nick Tucker; 3. Cristian Vomir IAME Junior Division 1. Lance Fenderson; 2. Brooke Natchmann; 3. Drew Lindley Briggs LO206 Senior Division 1. Billy Duff; 2. Dan Koehler; 3. Eddie Gliss IAME Senior Division 1. Dusty Davis; 2. Nick Losito; 3.

Austin Schulz Kid Kart Division 1. Jett Miller; 2. Damian Gutierrez; 3.

Connor Adkins

RESULTS:

2Wild Karting S1 Pro Stock Moto 1. Jimmy McNeil; 2.

Billy Musgrave; 3. Jacob Neal Phil Giebler Racing X30 Senior 1. Christian Brooks; 2.

Billy Musgrave; 3. Philippe Denes Leading Edge Motorsport S2 Semi-Pro Stock Moto 1. Kyle Wick; 2. Kol Bailey; 3. Hunter Pickett Vemme Kart X30 Master 1. John Crow; 2. Tim Meyer; 3.

Brian Phillipsen Nash Motorsportz S4 Master Stock Moto 1. Darren Elliott; 2. Alan Michel; 3. Robert Marks Mike Manning Karting S4 Super Master 1. Ken Schilling; 2. Darrell Tunnell; 3. PP Mastro Ryan Perry Motorsport X30 Junior 1. Zoey Edenholm; 2. Oliver Calvo; 3. Tomas Mejia PKS Professional Kart Support Mini Swift 1. Anthony Willis; 2. Carson Morgan; 3. Jace Jones Top Kart USA Micro Swift 1. Kai Sorensen; 2. Cooper Hunt; 3. Frankie Mossman Outsource Utility Contractor S3 Novice Stock Moto 1. Royal McKee; 2. Garrett McKelvie; 3. Adrian Yong Rolison Performance Group S5 Junior Stock Moto 1.

Dean Heldt; 2. Ricco Shlaimoun

RESULTS MicroMax 1) 02 Ashton Torgerson; 2) 88 Carson Morgan; 3) 20 Brock Boyse; 4) 63x Tuesday Calderwoovd; 5) 21 Graysen Andrews; 6) 14 Enzo Swan; 7) 8 Gabby Brienza; 8) 17 Patrick Molnar; 9) 9 Aden Rudolph Rotax Masters 1) 604 Mike Jones; 2) 608 David Pergande; 3) 658 Billy Cleavelin; 4) 651 Paul Bonilla; 5) 649 Justin Peck; 6) 609 John Breidinger; 7) 627 Perry Needham; 8) 619 Brian Taylor; 9) 652 Mike Weatherman; 10) 612 Roman Alekseenkov; 11) 605 Chad Wallace; 12) 654 Steve Wiener; 13) 692 Christopher Patterson; 14) 669 Philip Stoelman IAME Cadet 1) O Thompson Harry 195; 2) 6 Taylor Joseph 187; 3) GP Barnard Taylor 184; 4) 10 Kenneally Bray 182; 5) C Wilkinson Jonny 175; 6) 52 O’sullivan Zak 172; 7) 23 Dimitrov Georgi 161; 8) 16 Rattican Joshua 157; 9) 17 Barrett Alicia 155; 10) 34 Simmonds Alex 152; 11) 14 Knapton Van 151; 12) 15 Askey Kai 149; 13) 53 Mcdonald Toby 145; 14) 66 Duhy Reggie 138; 15) 35 Rees Matthew 138; 16) 95 Lindblad Arvid 136; 17) 12 Read Tyler 130; 18) 77 Kasperczak Ben 129; 19) 73 Skinner Harrison 128; 20) 33 Dodds Maxwell 128 Rotax Senior 1) 344 Christian Brooks; 2) 320 Coltin McCaughan; 3) 399 Kellen Ritter; 4) 330 Michael Michoff; 5) 313 Nathan Adds; 6) 328 Christopher Mann; 7) 351 Josh Sarchet; 8) 319 Jim McKinney; 9) 318 Walker Hess; 10) 301 Jordan Sherrat; 11) 335 Spencer Kunz; 12) 305 Kyle Loh; 13) 380 Toni Breidinger;

14) 308 Logan Cusson; 15) 332 Whitney Stevenson; 16) 398 Phillippe Denes; 17) 388 Derek Wang; 18) 326 Adam Smalley; 19) 345 Davey Hamilton Jr.; 20) 315 Noel Dowler MiniMax 1) 188 Austin Torgerson; 2) 183 Dustin Salaverria; 3) 191 Cooper Becklin; 4) 112 Corbyn Andrews; 5) 102 Ashton Torgerson; 6) 125 Cole Ciraulo; 7) 168 Ethan Ho; 8) 136 Logan Calderwood; 9) 169 Carsen Kunz; 10) 110 Townes Allen; 11) 134 Jaden Stohr; 12) 151 Marco Kacic; 13) 105 Joe Brienza II; 14) 156 Diego LaRoque Shifter Senior 1) 4 Kolton Griffin; 2) 6 Jake French; 3) 69t Harold Gottsacker IV; 4) 37 Sabre’ Cook; 5) 36y Hunter Pickett; 6) 3 Jason Campbell; 7) 86k Kol Bailey; 8) 33 Jacob Neal; 9) 71c Darren Elliott; 10) 2 Austin Wilkins; 11) 85 Ryan Kinnear; 12) 55 Ben Schermerhorn; 13) 26 Andretta Young; 14) 613 Juan Garcia; 15) 23 Joe di Vito; 16) 66 Don Whittington; 17) 110 Alan Michel; 18) 388 Colby Yardley; 19) 25 Lonnie Hochstetler; 20) 396 Lawson Nagel Junior Rotax 1) 274 Nick Brueckner; 2) 227 Matthew Taskinen; 3) 208 Hannah Greenemeier; 4) 281 Payton Durrant; 5) 267 Shawn Harmon; 6) 205 Max Fedler; 7) 202 Derek DesLauriers; 8) 276 Everest Fedler; 9) 209 Nick Persing; 10) 256 Carter Herrera; 11) 221 Zoey Edenholm; 12) 210 Filip Niemkiewicz; 13) 211 Ryan Tate; 14) 226 Alexis Apodaca; 15) 271 Mason Buck; 16) 215 Jacob Gulick; 17) 206 Griffin Dowler; 18) 223 Ellie Musgrave

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 63

VROOMBOX X30 CHALLENGE EUROPA SETTE LAGHI CIRCUIT, PAVIA (ITALY) 27th MARCH 2016 - 1st ROUND

X30 CHALLENGE EUROPA RETURNS ON SCENE

X3

Pos 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

X

Po 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10

v

X

X30 SUPER KEVIN BREYSSE

Exciting races and incredibile domains for the X30 Challenge Europa, with Vincent Fraïsse winning in Senior, Kevin Breysse in Super, Matteo Vigano in Super Shifter and Graham Hill in the Master. A confused Junior class gives victories to Chris Lulham and Victor Martins. Alessandro Famularo complete the list of winners in the Mini class.

TEXT: A. ROCA - PHOTOS: CTPHOTOS

64 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

X30 SUPER SHIFTER MATTEO VIGANÒ

X30 Junior – Chris Lulham gets the

better of Adam Eteki and David Malukas in race one, while race two tells another business in which Lulham is no longer the leader: he drops to 4th position in the early stages, and than ends his race due to a technical failure. So the second race is a matter for David Malukas and Callum Bradshaw who fight hardly, so hardly that Victor Martins joins the leading duo thanks to their slower pace. Afer the race the leading duo is penlized and excluded for overtaking each other under yellow flag, so Victor Martins earns the first place hardware ahead of Rens van Pelt and Adam Eteki, who hasn’t the same pace shown during race one.

X30 Senior – In race one Geoffrey

Baudot takes the lead in the beginning ahead of Vittorio Russo, but the defending World Champion Vincent Fraïsse finds some serius speed, and steals the first position taking with him Oliver Hodgson and Guillaume Barbarin who round out the podium. Saul Robinson amazes the crowd in race two: he finishes third behind the winner Vincent Fraïsse and Oliver Hodgson after catching them up the top from the 16th position on the grid.

X30 Super – Another French driver dominates both finals within the X30 Super class, and he is called Kevin Breysse. He finds in Victor Compere his main rival, but his country man settles for second in both races.

Thomas Ricci completes a French

Po 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10

X30 SUPER RESULTS

Pos. N. Name 622 BREYSSE Kevin 1) 602 COMPERE Victor 2) 623 RICCI Thomas 3) 688 POTTY Maxime 4) 633 LITCHFIELD Mark 5) 631 DE PAUW Ulysse 6) 620 OBERG Viktor 7) 615 PICOT Nicolas 8) 613 COLLIGNON Corentin 9) 10) 650 VAN BOGAERT Lennert

X30 MASTER RESULTS Pos. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

N.

358 350 312 301 383 305 303 508 323 302

Name

HILL Graham LECARPENTIER Wilfried CAVALLONI Gérard DUCHATEAU Nicolas GHERARDI Davide BOUHET Jesse LAINE Mikko DONADEI Tino * CHABRIAIS Cédric CREPALDI Christian

X30 MINI RESULTS Pos. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

N.

Name

17 5 18 13 2 4 3 16 14 19

FAMULARO Alessandro LANTZIS Ioannis FAMULARO Anthony WEUG Maya LECERTUA GARCIA Lorens ESSER Luis RAUSENS Kilian BIANCHI Tomasso PONS Pietro Valdo PANAEV Alexander

Points 176 166 155 153 150 146 144 141 139 136

Points 176 162 156 155 150 147 140 138 135 131

Laps 12 +4.585 +5.190 +5.274 +5.724 +6.030 +9.603 +10.540 +10.685 +10.872

X30 SENIOR RESULTS Pos. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

N.

203 104 144 151 124 266 173 146 176 147

Name

MATTU Fabio SOTIROPOULOS Fotis LAY Gilian FONTECHA MARTINEZ Laia HASKETT Roman CAPPELLO Christopher MARKIEWICZ Nicolas ESCARTIN Orso ARNAUD Hugo MC MAHON Sean

Points 164 162 159 153 152 149 144 144 142 135

BNL KARTING SERIES FIRST ROUND AT THE CIRCUIT OF GENK

Before hosting the first round of the Rotax MAX Euro Challenge 2016, the circuit of Genk is warming up its engine hosting the BNL Karting Series Kick Off. Here the full results:

X30 SUPER SHIFTER RESULTS Pos. N. Name 401 VIGANO Matteo 1) 483 POLLINI Renda 2) 448 LAPINA Lorenzo 3) 411 TILLOCA Luca 4) 412 SOUSA Yohan 5) 437 PIIRIMAGI Sten 6) 425 ALLEN Scott 7) 418 DI PIETRO Andrea 8) 450 DELRE Thierry 9) 10) 414 MAASSAD Karl

X30 JUNIOR RESULTS Pos. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

N.

Name

35 43 81 48 31 41 34 53 30 57

ETEKI Adam MARTINS Victor LAHOZ LOPEZ Alejandro VAN PELT Rens SANSON Julien HAWKEY Ethan CHAPPARD Franck LULHAM Chris MOYA Rubén KUWABARA-WAGG Julian

Points 176 162 159 153 149 145 143 140 136 135

Points 162 161 148 147 142 139 138 138 130 129

DD2 RESULTS Pos. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

N. 609 612 691 621 610 613 651 604 653 635

Name Kevin LÜDL Martin HENCKEL M. Constantin SCHOELL Fabio STEGER Jordy LIEVENS Philipp SEEWER Stephen BULL William VAN DER KAAIJ Michael COOL Joey ALDERS

JUNIOR RESULTS podium in race one, whilst Maxime Potty jumps on the third step in race two.

X30 Super Shifter – Super shifter are Matteo Vigano’s races to lose: the Italian drivers dominate the category, and Vigano wins both races. In race one the winner has Renda Pollini on his tail for the entire manche with Luca Tilloca in third, while in race two the podium is formed by Vigano, Lorenzo Lapina and Pollini.

X30 Master – Graham Hill is simply dominant in this first round of X30 Challenge Europa: he wins race one with a flag-to-flag dominance, passing on the finishing line with almost seven seconds of advantage on the French duo composed by Wilfried Le Carpentier and Nicolas Duchateau. The story repeats in race two, with the Brit on the top spot ahead of Gerard Cavalloni and Le Carpentier.

X30 Mini – The smallest category shows a clear victory of Alessandro Famularo with over than four seconds of gap ahead of Ioannis Lantzis and his teammate/brother Anthony Famularo.

Pos. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

N. 98 8 73 9 22 50 17 5 85 44

Name Leroy JAGESAR Lukas DUNNER Kenzo AERTS Enzo VALENTE Tamino BERGMEIER Hugo ANDERSSON Sebastian ESTNER Ilian BRUYNSEELS (R) Felix JANSSON Antoine PERCEVAL

SENIOR RESULTS Pos. 1) 2) 3) 4)

N. 300 205 484 206

Name Johnathan HOGGARD (R) Vincent JEWELL Noah ROOVERS (R) Glenn VAN PARIJS

226 224 202 236 317 238

5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

Jessica BACKMAN Adrien RENAUDIN Rinus VAN KALMTHOUT Denis MAVLANOV Louis HENKEFEND Danny KROES (R)

MICRO RESULTS Pos. N. Name 1) 3 Lucas SCHOENMAKERS 2) 24 Kris HAANEN (R) 3) 151 Patriks LOCMELIX 4) 22 Liewe RUTTEN 5) 7 Daniel Sugar 6) 41 Senna VERSLUIJS 7) 6 Daniel Krausz 8) 61 Omer Asa KOLOT (R) 9) 19 Bryan LAUDENBERG 10) 51 Maksims KUBAREVS

MINI RESULTS Pos. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

N. 7 22 27 93 1 31 21 9 77 15

Name Mike VAN VUGT Kobe PAUWELS Luca LEISTRA Rick BOUTHOORN Thomas MARTENS (R) Ralph WINKEL Kai RILLAERTS (R) Ricardo SCHMITZ Gilles STADSBADER Dante RAPPANGE

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 65

TRACK TEST BRAKING SYSTEM SINGLE AND DOUBLE

HAND BRAKE, YES OR NO WITH THE HELP OF THE COMPLETE DATA ACQUISITION FROM OFFICINE IN PROGRESS, WE HAVE FOR THE FIRST TIME STUDIED HOW THE BRAKES OF A DIRECT DRIVE KART WORK; WE TRIED BOTH THE SINGLE SYSTEM AND THE ONE WITH FRONT MANUALLY CONTROLLED BRAKES. THIS IS WHAT WE FOUND OUT… TEXT: M. VOLTINI - PICS: D. PAOLICELLI

66 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

Sometimes even trying new karts can be quite

brakes on direct drive karts.

frustrating, even if it' s always fun. The thing is,

Everyone knows that on the KF and also on some

looking at things professionally, all in all the vehicles

direct drive karts you can have a double and distinct

are more or less the same ± like anyone can see even

braking system; the single rear braked controlled

without using particular measuring instruments -

by a pedal, and front discs controlled by a lever on

and what is often decisive is set up for that particular

the steering wheel. And we also know that in the

track or on that particular day. Then, if we want to

new OK classes, either because they wanted to save

be nostalgic to the core, we do miss a track like the

on weight or because they wanted to go back to a

one in Parma, where you could immediately see

concept that is closet to the origins of karting, you

how a kartº workedº in the different circumstances.

are not allowed to have front brakes. Well, why not

So, making the most of the karts given to us, the

try to see what actually happens on a track when

lads from Officine in Progress, together with their

a kart uses or doesn' t use a front braking? On the

sensors and data acquisition instruments decided

contrary, even more: what actually happens to the

to expand the range of our tests a bit. One of the

brakes of a kart? A question, the last one, which we

first things that came to mind to ª testº from a more

have been able to come up with an answer thanks to

technical point rather than to see the sensation you

the use of numerous sensors that OiP mounted on

get is a very current topic: manually controlled front

the kart we used for our test.

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 67

track test BRAKING system SINGLE AND DOUBLE

In Viterbo with Tredicine e Pulcini

We had an Vortex powered FA kart for the test, one that Stefano Tredicine’s KGT team kindly let us have for the test. But this isn’t all, he asked test driver Leonardo Pulcini to come along too. Leonardo has been working with motor sport for a while now, first in Formula 4 and more recently in Formula 3. «I hadn’t been on a kart for about two and a half years», the driver from Rome said, but in any case he showed us what runs in his DNA, he only needed a few laps to get back into the swing of things and be at home in a kart and on the track in Viterbo.

In fact, our test has been hosted at the 1300 meter long track in Viterbo: it’s ideal for this sort of test because apart from braking which is relatively “soft” at the first turn (this is because you brake on corner entry and with wheels turned) and then immediately after there are other braking points that are much more decisive. They are the one at the first turn and more so the one at the end of the fast internal transversal

straight that ends in quite a narrow turn even if it’s less than 180°. Well, two braking points that enable you to register the peak values with the two braking systems. Two more braking situations have been added to this where you have to be able to manage corner entry well: in a few words, in Viterbo you must know how to use the brakes well…

The track in Viterbo has two important braking points: the one befor

68 Vroom international magazine

EXPERIENCE FROM YEARS AGO

Obviously after Pulcini’s first laps the first thing that came to mind was to ask him what it was like to try the two types of braking system. And we only found balanced by absolute tranquillity on behalf of the driver… «I didn’t have any particular problems – said Leonardo – I just got to get the hang of karting and using this circuit, find a few reference points». We can assure you that he soon found them… «However I am used to using both systems, especially with the one with just rear brakes, when I used top race with the KF Junior», a class with which he has taken some great satisfactions. «Then I also did some races with the KF2 – he continues – But I really wasn’t very lucky there». In any case, he gave us some important support for our test; he also gave us some answers to our deductions “on the pc” regarding how you should tackle the various turns.

re the first hairpin and the one at the end of the internal straight

A view from above allows you to appreciate the path-lines that Pulcini followed and are memorized by the GPS system. We highlight the one with the braking point before the internal hairpin, which we have taken as reference point in this column, but also the ones of an important point like the “chiocciola” snail and at the second hairpin, where on exit you nearly always go beyond the curb.

Vroom international magazine 69

track test BRAKING system SINGLE AND DOUBLE

70 Vroom international magazine

Sensors under the

magnifying glass

Vroom international magazine 71

TRACK TEST BRAKING SYSTEM SINGLE AND DOUBLE

REAR HYDRAULIC PRESSURE SENSOR

WIDE RANGE OF SENSORS

FRONT HYDRAULIC PRESSURE SENSOR

For information found that are necessary for our “exploration” on what happens to kart brakes, Andrea Saccucci and Daniele Parravano from OiP mounted a nice chain of sensors, on the kart given to Pulcini.

Besides what is now normal (for them) regarding the usual working and motoring parameters, amongst which we underline the tri-axial GPS and a lambda probe on the exhaust, with a, and a small simonised camera with the data picked up, other more specific probes were mounted for what we were testing. For example, the infrared sensor “pointed” to the rear disc that allowed us to pick up the working temperature whilst moving. Then there are those that tested the pressure INFRARED SENSORS AND WHEEL REVS

LAMBDA AND EXHAUST GAS TEMPERATURE SENSORS

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present in the front and rear hydraulic systems on braking. Also the sensor on the axle that measured the rotation speed of the wheels, together with the engine speed: in this case, more than the kart speed (moreover already picked up by the GPS) it helped to register brakes blocking on braking.

Obviously, the combination of all this do put things right data gathered is what enables you to read, on graphs on the computer, and see what really happens on braking, something that no mechanic had been able to “measure” yet. Also because – for some reasons, those concerned are more careful watching out on making sure that their driver doesn’t brake before the others instead of keeping track of other amenities.

UNDER PRESSURE Pictures 1 and 2 are the ones that gather the most significant data during a fast lap carried out with the two types of braking systems. In the first case, you use both the front brakes and the rear brakes. Studying the measurements starting from low down, and therefore, testing pressure on the rear hydraulic circuit (PfrenoPost) and the front one (PfrenoAnt) you can see how in several turns you tent to let go of the front brakes that the rear ones, a manoeuvre that allow for improved corner entry.

However, in a very strong braking manoeuvre, a long one like the one at the internal turn, when you are close to 800 metres, you tend to use really from start to finish all the available braking power.

A strange thing, which is underlined also in the graph of the diagram of the derivative regarding rear power

(Deriv_Pfrenopost), a parameter that tells you how much aggressiveness goes onto the brake, it shows us how a tester continuous to correct rear braking to put it right, it looks as though after a first ÂŞ strongÂş braking he has to release continuously to prevent the engine from blocking too much, and this happens repeatedly during the course of the same braking. It really looks as thought the driver concentrates more on the front brake and therefore it is not as accurate compared to the rear brake.

Then it acts almost like a physical and instinctive ABS, and we checked how

1 2

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 73

TRACK TEST BRAKING SYSTEM SINGLE AND DOUBLE

this occurs with intervals of 4 tenths of a second: puts Bosch to shame!

In the second picture that shows just rear braking (you can see that front pressure is always equal to zero) braking is more homogeneous and net, even if it’s always decisive: This can also be seen in the “Engine” graph. Obviously, it is the engines speed, but being a direct drive kart, it is obvious that it’d the engine speed, but being a direct drive kart, it’s obvious that the engine and wheels turn in direct harmony. So, you can see the wheels block early on, but it is less accentuated and more constant than with the other system. The rear disc (infrared) temperature measurement allows us to see how this oscillates between 139 and 172 degrees centigrade when it rests only on the rear brake; if not the front brakes makes the work of the rear brake lighter, so the temperature of the latter varies from 109

3 4

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to 130 degrees. These values are quite contained compared to what happens in other motoring specialities. We must also underline that temperature peak is not at the end of the strongest braking point, but of the following one (at the so-called “chiocciola”) because besides it too being quite long, you reach it without having completely disposed of the heat accumulated previously.

VARIABLE SPEED

In picture 3 we take an even closer look at the braking manoeuvre in question, the one of the small internal turn, directly

WITH ONLY REAR BRAKES, BRAKING HAS BECOME LONGER, FROM 33 TO 39 METRES matching what happens with the two different braking modalities: the black line with just the rear brake, the blue line with both systems. It’s interesting to see how just with the rear brake you have to brake earlier and it blocks slightly more; then with both systems speed is lowered faster – which in simple words means “it brakes more”, this is obvious – in fact, more than half the final phase of the braking speed is definitely less. The same applies also for corner entry it’s faster having used just the rear brake, in any case, also in terms of time something is gained, as you can see in the “reference” graph below. However, immediately after you can also see that this faster corner entry speed doesn’t allow you to accelerate again so soon as when you have braked more, so you again lose something on corner exit and along the following straight.

As for this “hard braking” we can give you some more information that probably we’d all like to know, for example, how long braking lasts in both cases. Well, with both brakes, the braking starts at the 781st meter of the lap and ends at 815th, it’s 32.8 metres long. Instead, with just the rear brake it lasted from the al length of 39.1 metres. Well, the second braking did start earlier, but it also ends later and more “within the turn”.

You can see a comparison of both types of braking

throughout the lap in picture 4, with speeds, longitudinal accelerations and total pressure put on brakes (here the black line is for both, and the blue line is just for the rear brake). Another couple of parameters to tell you are for example that deceleration reaches 1.2 g with both brakes and 1.0 g with just the rear brake.

Both are remarkable values seeing that they have been obtained on track which wasn’t optimum and especially with tyres that weren’t particularly soft (Bridgestone used for the Rok Cup). To conclude, the strength of the braking is confirmed by the hydraulic pressure values in the two systems: to conclude, the braking strength is confirmed by the hydraulic pressure values of the two systems: 33 bar with just the rear brake and a total of 47 bar (front + rear) braking with both.

While maximum and minimum speed is similar, both at about 106 km/h before the braking point and 46 km/h round the turn.

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TRACK TEST BRAKING SYSTEM SINGLE AND DOUBLE 5

COLDER AND MORE LOADED

Number 5 is a rather strange graph that shows how deceleration of a kart varies according to the total hydraulic pressure in the brakes. The black line for the double system, which in fact reaches more extreme values on both fronts, the blue line is for just the rear brake. This time too we are considering braking during a lap, the best lap, in both cases. Even if we see a rather rounded braking with just the rear system that shows a smooth approach to that turn, here you can see how “good” braking has been according to the way it “flattens” downwards and it’s more pointed towards the right.

If you want to know more on graphs like this one, you could do one of the courses held by the lads from Officine in Progress, which among other things, with their experience also in other motor sports fields they have given us the chance of “summing up” the kart’s braking performance. For example, deceleration is good, but what surprised us is the high hydraulic pressure generated in the circuit, nearly 50 bar.

With racing cars, similar pressure is only registered with some GT, but in that case we also have about a thousand kilos more to slow down… Moreover the material used is quite different, and this also makes you see why there are so many problems concerning

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sealing with our normal “rubber washers”. This when with racing motorbikes a front braking system (the rear one is practically never used) reaches about 20 bar.

Among other things with motorbikes we talk about “hard braking” when you drop from 330 to 80 km per hour, not from 106 to 46 as in our case. The same applies for motorbikes you reach temperatures of about 300-350°C. This is talking about steel brake discs, when on cars you usually have carbon or carbon-ceramic discs, for these the normal working temperature is quite different and closer to a thousand degrees. Well, the rear disc of a kart hasn’t gone over 180°C even when used alone, therefore an incredibly low temperature range in comparison. Who knows, maybe this could be another field to explore, also using different brake pads. We’ll see…

TESTER

LEONARDO PULCINI BORN IN 1998 - ROMA

Leonardo started karting rather late in life, at the age of 12 in KFJ and Junior Rok; First he stood out in the latter winning the Italian championship and the World Championship in 2012, then the year after he did even better in KFJ with lots of wins in the WSK and Italian championship, not to mention a top title on a European and world championship level. Then he has a few races in KF2 to his credit but 2014 sees him concentrated in passing to car racing, first in Formula 4 (with various podiums) and in Formula 3 later, a class where he is getting ready to compete in this year too, after having already taken home Winter Series win.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CARRY OUT THIS TEST THANKS TO THE CONTRIBUTION OF STEFANO TREDICINE’S KGT TEAM (ESPECIALLY FABIO THE MECHANIC) AND THE LADS FROM OFFICINE IN PROGRESS

TECHNICAL FORM CHASSIS

FA VICTORY

CIK HOMOLOGATION

42/CH/11

HEIGHT FRONT/REAR

LOW/AVERAGE

TRACK FRONT/REAR

2.5 SHIMS / 139.5 CM

SUPPLEMENTARY BARS

FRONT ROUND

TOE-IN

OPEN 2 MM

CAMBER

NEUTRAL

CASTER

ALL UNLOADED

AXLE

Ø50X1030 TYPE N

THIRD BEARING

NOT FIXED, NO GRAINS

ENGINE

VORTEX DVS

CARBURETTOR

IBEA Ø24 MM

RATIO

12/78

FUEL

4% ROK LUBE

CONTACTS KGT RACING TEAM VIA MORBEGNO 59 - 00166 ROMA (I) TEL. +39.339.7059522 WEB: WWW.KGTMOTORSPORT.COM

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 77

electric karting

PART FIVE

WE ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU SOME BASIC ELEMENTARY CONCEPTS CONCERNING ELECTRIC CURRENT, SOMETHING THAT IS MORE DIFFICULT TO HANDLE AND UNDERSTAND COMPARED TO PETROL. REPORT: M. VOLTINI ven the best kart mechanics (but we may add in motorsport in general) may not know precisely how the chemical reaction in fuel combustion occurs.

But this doesn' t mean that they know how to deal with the fuel in the tank, or ª to adjustº carburetion, and so on. In electric traction, though, things are done quite differently: in this case, the ª fuelº , that is, the current, is invisible.

This means that there are several problems or simple consequences; the first thing is to know what is happening and what we are doing, and we should know some basic theory.

OK, our aim this month is to give you this basic theory. Explain which parameters are fundamental and how the electricity ª actsº , so that you can ª handleº things as best as possible, in a correct and safer way ± when you have to work on an electric kart.

Obviously, anyone studying electronics will be smiling when reading what we are about to say, and probably also some of those in the habit of doing more than just changing a light bulb at home, but remember our aim is to explain the problems that may crop up also to those who don' t know much in this field. After all, teaching or showing things to those who ª already knowº wouldn' t be very logical, right?

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free electron

atom

conductor

neutral condition

similar charges (­−,−)

opposite charges (­+,−)

similar charges (­+,+)

conventional flow of electrical current

ELECTRIC CURRENT CONSISTS OF A FLOW OF ELECTRONS, NEGATIVELY CHARGED. MAGNETISM, WITH ITS ATTRACTION AND REPULSION EFFECT IS AN EXTERNAL MANIFESTATION VISIBLE

MOVING ELECTRONS We don’t intend to explain everything up to an atomic level, at least not more than tell you that protons are the part of the positive charge atom and the electrons are the negative charge. It is precisely according to the priority of one or the other charge that the poles of a battery are identified with the “+” and “—” (plus and minus) signs.

Connecting the two poles using an electric wire, you get a current flow with the electrons moving from — to + (even if through conviction one prefers to say that current goes from plus to minus). However, just the idea of an “electric wire” is something that can be studied: because if the electrons move, you have to have materials that allow this movement. Such material is known as “conductors”, while the ones that stop or make it hard for the electrons to pass are called “insulators”.

Even if a perfect conductor or insulator doesn’t exist, we know that metals are good conductors (and so are some watery solutions, such as acids and salts) while most of the non metal materials it is insulating.

Among the latter there is glass, ceramics (used for the spark plugs of thermal engines), and nearly all the plastic materials but also wood and air (as long as it is dry). The fact that we have lightening; moreover it means that you can go through an insulator if a certain amount of electric charge is applied, a high load (like the charge in lightening is certainly …).

MAGNETIC AND MECHANICAL EFFECTS Furthermore electric current is able to act on the surrounding space, creating an electric field. Interference between the electric fields of opposite signs gives attraction force,

while among those with the same sine you get repulsion: it is commonly known as magnetism. The intensity of the magnetic field around the wire is directly in proportion to the current, but it can be raised significantly by winding the wire in a spiral, to form a coil, and even more if this coil is wrapped onto a ferrous nucleus; this is how an electromagnet is made.

Placing a series of coils properly, they can attract or repel generating remarkable mechanical forces, and it is with this principle that electric engines are made; besides a lot of equipment is moved by electricity.

WHEN THE SENSE CHANGES We were saying that the connection between two poles with opposite signs bring about a flow of current: if this flow is constant and just in one direction, as it is when we get it from a battery, we call it “continuous

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electric karting

PART FIVE

POSSIBILITIES OF BATTERY CONNECTIONS PARALLEL SERIAL

SERIAL-PARALLEL

DEPENDING ON HOW THE BATTERIES ARE CONNECTED TOGETHER, THAT IS, IN SERIES OR IN PARALLEL, WHAT SUMS UP ARE THE VOLTS OR DURATION, WHICH IN TURN DEPENDS ON THE AMPEREHOUR (AH). currentº . In many applications, such as at home, the current is not continuous, but changes its sense of direction cyclically: it is called ª alternate currentº . The number of times that the current changes direction in a second is called frequency and it is measured in Hertz. However, this is not the only parameter that you need to know concerning electricity; we all more or less know how some values like tension and intensity are important, but it doesn' t end here.

and flow from one electrode to another occurs from the one with more charge than the other. If they have the same amount of charge, there is no difference in potential, there is no electric flow. Obviously, if we connect the two poles with opposite signs it is intuitive that there is a flow of current, but this also happens between two poles with different voltage. For example, if you connect a 24 Volt battery to a 12 Volt battery properly, you will get

USEFUL TENSION The value we all know when we talk about electricity is the one expressed in Volts and that commonly know as ª electric tensionº , although the more scientific/physics term is ª electric potential differenceº . We could say that the potential of an electrode is ª the amount of chargeº it contains,

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current flow going from the first to the second (that' s if the latter doesn' t burn¼ ). It' s thanks to this principle that we can recharge out cell phones by connecting them to a ª power bankº : when the cell phone battery is

flat, its voltage is lower than normal, so the spare accumulator (obviously if it is charged sufficiently) can supply some current.

PROBELMATIC PASSAGE So, current goes from the pole with the most tension to the one with less tension, and the parameter that comes intuitively immediately after answers the following question: but how much of this current passes?

The proper name for this dimension is ª electric currentº , that is, how many electric charges move in a given connection in a unit of time (the one we ª chargeº in a fluid dynamic field) and it' s measured in Amperes, which correspond to one Coulomb a second. It is a very important parameter; in fact, it is one of the seven fundamental units of measurements of the International

IT’S ALWAYS POWER Like it has been done on car

HOW MUCH DOES A BATTERY CONTAIN

Going on with our topic, we have “treacherously” introduced another parameter: AmpereHour (Ah). This unit of measurement is relative to “electric charge” and it is quite important in the electric traction field because, putting it simply, it tells you how much energy the batteries can contain, for a given voltage. Here is a practical example, a 40 Ah battery means that it can supply 40 Amperes and takes an hour to get flat or 80 Amperes in half an hour and so on. Obviously theoretically speaking, because as it gets flat the accumulator however loses “strength”, but a parameter remains that allows you to compare the different models and types of batteries effectively, making it possible for you to see more or less how long the battery will last before it gets flat.

registrations for a while now, also in the electric field you measure in Watts, or rather, in kilowatts (that is thousands Watts) which is more proportioned to what the engines for these karts express. However, a particularly interesting thing to know in our “electric kart starting course”, is that 1 Watt is equal both to 1 Joule per second (power is the amount of energy produced in a unit of time) and also to 1 V x A. This formula that connects power, tension and current together (is more or less the equivalent where Wh = V x Ah, relative to energy) is very important for evaluating and checking all the parameters concerned with an electric propulsive system and tackle any possibility in the right way.

Above all, it allows us to see that with six “simple” 12 V and 40 Ah car batteries that you can find at any

System. Even more important than tension, because cables are sized according to amperage (unless you want them to overheat and melt, besides causing useless resistance) and the danger of electricity is determined. We should always bare in mind the number of Amperes when we are dealing with the technical aspects of an electric kart.

VITAL CONNECTIONS Talking of batteries, it is very important to know how to connect them to each other, and the effects that you get with the different connecting systems. The main subdivision from this point of view is in circuits in series and in parallel circuits. In circuits in series, usually, the components are connected together to form an only route for the current; talking of batteries, you get this by connecting each pole of a battery with the one with the

opposite sign on the consecutive battery (well, plus with minus and vice versa). With this system, we will have a voltage equal to the sum of the batteries used at the two ends: so, using four 12 V batteries connected in series, we will have 48 volts.

Instead, in a parallel circuit we connect all the positive poles of theses batteries together with the same cable, and the same applies for all the negative poles in a second cable. At these cables tension doesn’t vary compared to the 12 v nominal value, while with the four batteries they last four times longer: so with 40 Ah accumulators we get a total of 160 Ah. There is nothing to stop us from connecting the batteries two by two in series and then in parallel, getting 24 V and 80 Ah. Obviously, you can carry out various combinations, always bearing in mind, though, that you

store, we’d have enough energy to lap for 10 minutes with a kart powered by a 23-24 horsepower engine. Multiply the number of batteries or their amperage, and everything grows in a directly proportional way.

W=V∗A Wh=V∗Ah W = Watt (power) V = Volt (tension) A = Ampere (electrical current) h = Hour (time) Wh = WattHour (Energy) Ah = AmpereHour (capability)

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electric karting

PART FIVE

ELECTRICITY AND WATER (ALMOST) EQUAL

WATER

LEVEL A

must not use batteries (or group of batteries) with different voltage and capacity.

ELECTRIC YIELD Logically, what we have previously mentioned in analysing the consequence of the following formula W = V x A is theoretical and “too good” compared to the actual working reality. Other factors must be taken in consideration, for example, dispersion and yield, which are greater for electric engines than for thermal engines, but just the same efficiency is far from 100%. If this acts unfavourably, however, we must also consider the favourable

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To try and explain how electricity “works” better, often you can compare it to a hydraulic circuit. After all, it is always current flow, even if in one case it’s electrons and in the other it’s water. So, you take two tanks full of water with an connecting pipe at the bottom. If there is a tap it’s better.

The tap acts as a switch; if you open it, or shut it off a bit, there is some resistance and flow is limited. If you connect the two tanks, the one where the level of the water is higher will let the water flow towards the other; the difference in level represents the difference in electric potential, that is, electric tension. Obviously the size of the pipe is important, a smaller pipe allows less water to pass through, that is load, just like when you have a bigger electric cable that helps the passage of electric current.

However, we must say that if flow is bigger the tank will empty earlier; a battery will last less when electric flow is bigger. So, the Ah of a battery can be compared to the amount of liquid contained in a tank: how to make the most of both depends on our ability, and how efficient the system is, and obviously besides on how “greedy” we are going to be in our use of electricity or water in either cases.

issues: for example, when we lap round a track we are never always in top power, on the contrary, more or less for 20 % of the time we are braking or releasing braking. But only in the case of electric engines, in fact, during braking it is possible to recuperate energy, in fact, on braking you can recuperate energy, transforming the kinetic energy into electric and recharging the batteries.

Above all this is without any particular complication.

KARTING AND ELECTRICITY OK TOGETHER We will analyse things concerning

LEVEL B

electric karts which are connected with yield and recuperating energy in more detail each time, when we deal with the single aspects like batteries, engines and so on.

However, we must underline the fact that the deeper we go into this field, the more interesting the technical aspects are, and we can see that there is a lot in common with electric traction and karting, aspect that help both. Well, it’s not just chance that the awakening attention for electric racing engines is being orientated also to karting, also on behalf of the Fia as you can read in a separate column. This is something that our environment just can’t let slip by.

ELECTRIC KARTING: FIA IS THINKING ABOUT IT TOO

ELECTRICITY TABLE PARAMETER

SYMBOL

ELECTRIC CHARGE

Q

ELECTRIC CURRENT

I

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL (TENSION)

V

RESISTANCE

R

POWER

P

ELECTRIC CAPACITY

C

FREQUENCY

ƒ

At the last Fia World Motor Sport Council meeting they also discussed about setting up a world championship for electric traction karts, with tender chassis and engines ª contractº . Driven by a greater interest in karts powered by electric engines, the International Federation has shown its intention in setting up a specific championship for these vehicles.

It will be called Fia eKarting Cup and it is under the aegis of Fia Electric and New Energy UNIT OF SYMBOL Championships Commission, COULOMB C the International Commission AMPERE A for ª alternativeº racing. Similar VOLT V to what it has already done with OHM Ω Formula E, besides looking WATT W for a prosperous promoter, it' s interesting to know that the Fia is FARAD F about to launch a tender for the HERTZ HZ supply of engines and chassis, which will be monotype.

Here you can see the original Fia stamp release: FIA Electric and New Energy Championships Commission Following the growth of interest in electric karting, the World Motor Sport Council acknowledged the intention of the FIA Electric and New Energy Championships Commission to create an FIA eKarting Cup. The FIA will launch a call for Expressions of Interest from potential Promoters, single chassis and single electric power train suppliers for a future eKarting championship.

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 83

TELEME...TRICKS

Sensors and linearization table INSTALMENT NUMBER 3 – In the last issue we talked about software used on data analysis sensors, which have an important role: they change physical sizes in electric sizes, allowing technicians to examine the information. This is the reason why we have to set and monitor sensors so that their measurements are always correct! Let’s talk about it…

TEXT: ANDREA SACCUCCI

Sensors are divided in two big families: active sensors (fed) and passive sensors (not fed). Active sensors can have integrated electronics or not.

To “talk to” the purchaser (that may be the only control-board, case of karts for example) we need to establish “the rules of the game”, this is the role of the linearization table. This tablefix the correspondance between volt read and physic sizes (i.e. bar, C,%, km/h). This data is usually written on sensor data-sheet (where avalaible), in case of integrated electronics sensors the dynamics is configurable instead.

MOTORSPORT@OFFICINEINPROGRESS.IT 84 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

.IT

Usually technicians carry out the operation of linearization “at home” because there is the need to edit the table just once (possibly limiting mistakes), it’s always better to save a copy of sensor set up.

It has to be said that a few markets products allow you to use any kind of sensor (more or less) because you can edit the linearization table, other products don’t allow you to write this table. This is not a limit if you want to use only sensors suggested by the business, but if you want to do more with the analysis you have to ask for information before buying the product, so… look out for its characteristics.

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 85

TELEME...TRICKS

VITAL SENSORS ON RACING TRACKS When you get to the racing track instruments and sensors have to be already set and the dashboard already set with alarm screen (possibly). Drivers have to know the operating directions; if an alarm indicator lights up on the dashboard, the driver must know if he has to turn the engine off or if he can keep going. Spending some time to explain drivers how it works is a good idea (drivers already have enough to do).

JUST LIKE MECHANICS PROVIDE FOR ALL THE SPARE PART OF THE KART OR OF THE ENGINE, ALSO TELEMETRIC EXPERTS HAVE TO PROVIDE FOR ALL SPARE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE PROVIDING SYSTEM: SENSORS, WIRINGS, BATTERIES, DOWNLOAD WIRES, MEMORIES ETC, NO DATA SHOULD BE LOST.

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Already during the warm up phase on the stand we can get information on sensors running and system running. Most systems have a display to visualize sensors conditions; if kart goes onto racing track with only one sensor that does not work, it means that the whole session has to be ª thrown awayº .

PRODUCER

MODEL

DAKTON STARLANE UNIPRO

DAKTON-XTRA + micro-box Corsaro PRO + wid Apro 6005 UniGo

N. SENSORS

4 5 5

FORMED AND INFORMED Technologies, materials and analisys methods are in costant evolution! So in the end of the season or in its pause it' s always important to spend time forming team technics, telemetrics and programs of developments for materials or settings that will be used on next season.

WHOEVER WANTS TO GIVE A TOPIC OR MAKE A SUGGESTION, CAN MAIL TO: MOTORSPORT@OFFICINEINPROGRESS.IT

In the next issue we will talk about driver analysis, which is an analysis of driver’s performance. Keep pushing!

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 87

TECHNICAL SIDE COMBUSTION PROCESS AND KNOCK – PART II

KNOCK KNOCK...

WHO’S THERE? HELLO ALL VROOM READERS! HERE WE ARE WITH WHAT YOU WERE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO: THE SECOND PARTS OF OUR COLUMN ON ENGINE KNOCK; I’M GOING TO TELL YOU ALL THE SECRETS ON HOW TO PREVENT KNOCK, FIGHT IT AND BEAT IT! NO, OK, THIS IS SIMPLY CRAZY.

BY SIMONE SUARDI

In any case, I must apologise to all the readers, maybe for some strange reason you were waiting for the next part of the column, but the magazine is always full of interesting articles, so maybe you haven’t missed anything! And I really didn’t think I should just write a few lines to finish the article. Not on engine knock because, whether you believe it or not, today this is probably one of the hottest themes (as if on purpose) concerning the panorama of the world championship, a subject for theses and research that starts at university and private set ups. Take a look at the index of SAE papers introducing “engine knock” as the key word and look at the myriads of articles that come up.

Therefore, clear results, which isn’t exactly a simple topic to go through and understand in all its implications, otherwise it would be right to ask if all that money (really a LOT) invested in research and development have been really well spent. Obviously, my aim here isn’t to give you a strictly engineering description of knock, and neither of all that is concerned with it: if it was, we’d end up in an infinitive loop of technicalities. As usual, what interests me most is to give you the concepts, with some simplifications, which some might seem as “incorrect” , so it’s more comprehensible for those who know something about the motoring world (and if you buy this magazine, you must know something), and not necessarily work ten hours a day in a frenetic research and development department. Ok, the time has come to talk about what, despite our hopes, as we were saying the past months, turns out to be controlled combustion… so, LET’S GO!

PETROL, NUMBER OF OCTANE AND DELAYED TIME TO SELF-IGNITION

petrol and the number of octane contained the better.

Every time that we have talked about combustion we’ve always

stand for Research Octane Number and Motor Octane Number,

said that, once the spark has occurred, the process is where

where the conditions of the test on the fuel change, it is more

fuel oxidisation starts and energy is released. It is trivially an

severe for the MON. Here we are going to adapt to motoring

exothermic reaction, that is, heat is released. Before this though,

terms, where one talks of, for example, “at 98 octane” petrol,

there is a lapse of time, depending on the conditions of pressure

referring to RON 98.

and temperature present in the chamber, in which endothermic

If you are interested in knowing how measurements are

reactions start, which on the contrary, absorb (in this case,

carried out and what the number refers to, you can find all this

simply) heat. This is what’s known as delay time.

information online. They are just descriptions of methods and

The delay time at self ignition is therefore the time that runs

definitions. As far as I’m concerned, it’s very boring, so we’ll skip

between when autoignition conditions are reached and the

it. All we need to know is that the number of octane as we may

instant the spark occurs. Therefore, its’ easy to see that, for us,

know does, in fact, represent the anti-knocking power of petrol

the longer and better this time is ,the better it is, the choice of

… but what does this really mean? It’s easier than one may think.

88 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

We won’t go into the difference between RON and MON, which

If you take two types of petrol that can be found at any

OK, THE ENGINE KNOCKS, SO WHAT?

petrol pump, the unleaded gasoline (RON95) and the super

We hove seen that engine knock is nothing but a second

(RON98), the latter has more anti-knock power because

trigger point in an area that is more or less perimetric

placed in the same identical pressure, and temperature

compared to the combustion chamber, simply because it is

conditions the delay anti-knock time is longer. This means

the areas that the main flame front reaches last, so, they are

that if it takes longer, with the same advance and duration

areas where it is obviously more likely that the fuel mixture

of the combustion process, it is more likely that the flame

completes its delay time to self ignition before actually

front reaches all the area in the combustion chamber and

being hit by the same flame front.

burns up all the fuel sooner than a second flame front starts

For this reason, it' s very important, as I have said in the

by itself. And the generating of this second ignition point

previous articles probably until you are sick of hearing it, for

is self-ignition/knocking, a phenomena that is absolutely

combustion to occur as fast as possible. Or, to be clearer, it

uncontrollable, at least in the strictest meaning of the term.

is important that the ª tailº of combustion is short. Let' s take

At this point everything starts going into a magic world of

a closer look; take the cycle of an engine that knocks either

probability and statistics.

through bad luck (or it' s not good enough, depends on how

Take an engine that on average tends to knock, we know

you see yourself) and there is a second independent flame

more or less the second primer point always takes place

front, independent from the main one. Some may say, ª Well,

in a certain area of the combustion chamber, (for example

what do we care? Combustion will end earlierº it would be

due to the presence of a particularly hot point, like a sharp

good if that was the case.

corner) but we don' t know where it is located or the exact

The area affected by self ignition doesn' t burn slowly like

moment in terms of angular crankshaft position, and

all the rest, it tends to ª explodeº , a bit as if a small bomb

neither do we know the intensity of the knock.

had exploded: lots of heat is released and shock waves

ADVANCE (DEG)

IGNITION ADVANCE VS RPM

Theoretical advanced ignition according to rotation speed of a 2-stroke engine, where it’s been assumed that first point of actual working on the track (that is, the revs below which you shouldn’t go) the one near the “knee” of the turn, hence, maximum advance value of the linear part that goes down. It is purely a qualitative reality it won’t be a simple straight line, but the trend is absolutely representative of real conditions.

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 89

TECHNICAL SIDE COMBUSTION PROCESS AND KNOCK ± PART II

PRESSURE [BAR]

COMBUSTION PRESSURE VS ADVANCE

ANGLE [°]

Combustion pressure flow when spark advance is changed. When the pressure peak increases it moves to the left towards top dead centre, remaining however, at about ten degrees after it. It is easy to conclude that the blue curve is the one with less spark advance; on the contrary, the purple one is the one with more “wicked” advance. The numerical scale has been hidden on purpose; however, the range checked is only 3°!

Evolution of mass of combustion burnt (“S” turn) and the intensity of ignition knock (in terms of heat release) on changing ignition advance at high speed. Less advance is represented by a blue curve, further to the left. You can see how, increasing spark advance advance, combustion seems to be remarkably faster in the central part, consequently pressure and temperature increases rapidly (as seen in pic. 2). Obviously, also the maximum reached is higher. We can also see how a slight increase in spark advance (just a few degrees) more than triples the intensity of engine knock and how this tends to happen, as explained in the article, at a stage that is already very advanced in the process of combustion.

90 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

are generated that travel (and reflect on the cylinder walls) at a supersonic speed, at about 2000 m/s, and this is the cause of the typical metallic noise from which the term “head knock” comes from. Together with all this, there’s a very dangerous rise in pressure peak inside the combustion chamber and unrestrained thermal exchange with the walls of the barrel and the piston crown, that degrades the efficiency of the combustion also because, a greater amount of energy is thrown away for nothing, usually three times as much compared to a normal cycle, to be honest, there is a function that sends our thermal group to hell.

These two effects combined mustn’t be underestimated, on the contrary, we could say they are disastrous, because these conditions occurring repeatedly, that is, combined high pressure peaks, which are much higher than usual, are the cause of the unfortunate holes in the piston crown with partial fusion of components.. At that point there’s only one thing to do, gather all our patience, with a bit of cursing and get a hammer (remember with plastic heads… don’t overdo it…) and disassemble everything and transform the “piston” into an ornament. Here I open a brief parenthesis. If you should end up in this unfortunate situation, disassemble your engine and check EVERYTHING, and I mean everything, don’t just change the piston. There are many thermal and mechanical charges when an engine knocks so much as to make a hole in the piston crown, this means that

Flame front evolution (after TDC) when knock occurs in a high specific power 4-stroke engine. You can see that on the left hand side on the centreline axis of the exhaust, you get a red area that shows the generating of a second flame front, which is independent of the main one that has yet to hit the sides of the combustion chamber. Unfortunately, I have no pictures at this time that can be freely published of engine knock simulation of a 2-stroke racing engine, but the phenomenon is absolutely the same.

not just the unfortunate piston is affected, but also the intake reeds, connecting rod, roller cages and main bearings, without

between practice are close they’d check everything without

mentioning the residues of material left. Just to give you an

really making sure that they had got rid of the problem from

idea, to reassure you, I can tell you that it is quite common to see

the roots … and at that point the only thing to do is just take it

pressure peaks increasing by 50% compared to normal condition

philosophically. Change to: The problem has occurred, and if

specified on the project. My advice it to change everything,

you are at a track where there is little time between practice

besides the piston, rollers, intake reeds and main bearings. Check

runs you may find that you have rushed the investigation of the

with a magnifying glass the cementation of the bottom end of

problem and not succeeded in eliminating it at the roots …. and

the conrod, make sure it isn’t “cooked”, so with bluish marks or it

at that point the only thing to do is just take it philosophically.

isn’t scratched, the same thing needs to be done with everything associated with the big end of the conrod. Usually you don’t have

Ok guys, unfortunately, we have to stop here for the time being. Due to purely a

to take the crankshaft apart, but you must check the trueness of

“logistic” issue (time and space for the column) there’s going to be a third part,

the crankshaft alignment, and it change to: would be better to

which I have already written, so there’s no need to panic and think that I will

change the crankpin. Usually if the barrel is honed to the next

skip another month! It’s going to be really intensive and rich in contents, so you

size any damage will be removed. Measure the barrel with a bore

will be able to see why it’s impossible to put it all in a single article… unless one

gauge; it’s not rare to find that it is slightly oval due to the heat,

cuts out some parts and, honestly I really don’t intend to. My aim is to try and

carefully measure a few times both on the exhaust axis and at the

give you a vision, a clear and complete one concerning this problem. Now you

gudgeon pin. In this case, hone it a bit and back you go to assemble

know which parameters have an effect on the duration of combustion and what

everything again… before switching on the engine again If the need arises, a lapping and off you go to reassemble everything again… before switching on the engine again if the need arises a lapping and off you go to reassemble everything again before staring the engine again, but work on what is causing the problem change to: before starting the engine check the piston clearance in the barrel and if the need arises hone the barrel again before reassembling the engine. If the motor is still tight investigate the cause.

It’s already happened that, especially on a track where at times turns

the well-known engine knock is “physically”: in the next issue we’ll know about bombs, that is, how to study and carry out measurements in a research and development department for engines. Therefore, we’ll be able to see how you can know HOW MUCH the engine is knocking, because, even if it knocks slightly, I twill always do so if we are dealing with an engine with specific high power; to conclude, we shall describe the criteria to define a level of acceptability for autoignition…which isn’t just whether there’s a hole in the piston or not, poor piston. Rock on guys, see you next month!

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 91

VINTAGE

THE SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN FARMER

WHO MAKES KARTS Robert Stanton principal at RobRon Inc makers of Dart karts

DURING THE EARLY 1970’S ROBERT STANTON OWNED PERFORMANCE KARTING IN BENNETTSVILLE SOUTH CAROLINA. HE WAS AN AGENT FOR RUPP MANUFACTURING SELLING TWO TO THREE HUNDRED RUPP DART A-BONES A YEAR. ALONG WITH OTHER MOTORIZED RECREATIONAL VEHICLES THE KARTS WERE MANUFACTURED BY HERB E ‘MICKEY’ RUPP IN MANSFIELD OHIO AND WERE MARKETED AS DART KARTS. RUPP SOLD HIS COMPANY IN 1973 TO F & W ASSOCIATES A CONSORTIUM LED

BY DRAG RACER JOE HRUDKA OF MR GASKET FAME. ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: FRANK WEIR

92 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

At the top, from left to right Pre-fabricated chassis components ready for placement in the welding jig.

The original welding jig from Mansfield on which thousands of Dart karts have been made.

Left, Robert’s dual B Bombs on a pristine 1971Rupp Mean Machine Enduro.

his wife Wanda, a lady who has had three terms as Mayor of Bennettsville South Carolina. The next thing after agreeing a purchase price for Rupp was to come up with a name for the company that needed to be set up to make the karts. Robert and Wanda’s family consisted of two boys, Robert Junior and Ronald and the name they settled on was RobRon. By the way Robert Junior is now The Honourable By early 1974 the consortium decided

representing Performance Karting. He

Robert Stanton Junior a sitting Judge in

that Dart kart production would cease

received a phone call from his wife who

the Bennettsville Court area and Ronald

leaving many dealers without a supply of

relayed the news that the new owners

deals with real live horsepower in his

what was considered to be a very good

of Rupp Manufacturing were prepared

equestrian business. Wanda presently

product. Robert Stanton was not too

to sell him the jigs, fixtures and tooling

manages the office at RobRon.

happy about this and telephoned the

to enable him to start manufacturing

At this time everything to make the

Mansfield plant to air his grievances with

Dart A-Bones and Chaparrals. At that

karts was in Mansfield Ohio. Robert

the new owners of Rupp Manufacturing.

time the purchase price had never been

would leave Bennettsville on a Sunday

By the time Robert’s telephone call had

discussed. Robert was also offered

and drive to Mansfield, load up the

ended he had offered to buy the Dart

the mini-bike operation as well but

Performance Karting truck till the chassis

kart operation from the consortium more

four wheel vehicles were Robert’s only

was almost touching the tires and then

in jest than reality.

interest.

drive through Monday night to be back

Back then Barnesville hosted the Winter

It is said that behind every successful

in Bennettsville by Tuesday morning.

Karting Nationals and Robert was there

man there’s a woman and with Robert it’s

This routine would last for months before

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 93

VINTAGE all the bits and pieces to make the karts

engine mounts, steering wheels etc to

mounts about and they can be sourced at

were transferred from Mansfield to

get their now vintage Dart chassis back

reasonable costs.

Bennettsville. Incidentally that truck with

on the track.

Throughout Robert’s shop are numerous

the Performance Karting livery has now

Unfortunately Robert decided along

parts to build Dart frames just ready

been retired to one of Robert’s farms.

time ago that he was going to use the

to be fitted into the welding jig. Items

Before new Darts could be manufactured

Azusa steering wheel on his Darts rather

such as seat back hoops, steering hoops

an order had to be made for chassis

than the Rupp wheel so he scrapped the

wide and narrow, front axles, are all at

tubing. It was not hundreds of feet but

tooling for that item. Robert preferred

hand and ready for use. There are boxes

thousands that Robert ordered. Then

the Azusa steering wheel saying that it

of small items such as throttle brackets

he had to familiarize himself with the

was stronger and came in cheaper. The

and the associated cable grips, engine

intricacies of bending the single piece of

tooling for the behind the seat fuel tank

vibration dampening bushes associated

tubing that forms the seat back and main

was also scrapped, he simply did not

with the motor mount, chromed engine

chassis rails of the A-Bone, a tricky piece

have the heavy press equipment required

mounts, turbine wheels; everything

of work on a hand operated hydraulic

to form the item. Today a re-popped

needed to produce the Dart kart from the

bender, no CNC controlled benders in those days! Robert was not working alone on this project; a staff of fourteen would eventually be employed at RobRon. Today only four folks are on the payroll and production is considered to be more efficient than in the past!

Fast forward to the end of the 70’s beginning of the 1980’s and the Dart

GENERAL LEE MAY BE AN INSTITUTION IN THE SOUTH; IN VINTAGE KARTING CIRCLES ROBERT STANTON IS EQUALLY AS WELL KNOWN, A FINE SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN

from the 1960’s had developed into the Mean Machine Dart, a sidewinder

Chilton fuel tank is used. The Rupp uni-

1960’s. Other hard to find exotic intake

with fibreglass seat and extended front

mount was of no interest to Robert and

manifolds for McCulloch and West Bend

axle. However the A-Bone was still listed

it was scrapped early on as well. This is

engines are also in stock as are pistons;

as a starter kart and was powered by

a decision Robert has thought about

Robert has it all.

a five horse Briggs. So good were the

over time but consoles himself by saying

I was also shown the drawing office

sales of the Briggs powered kart that

that there are enough of the cast alloy

area, normally off limits to visitors. Here

Robert offered to buy all of the Briggs five horsepower engine production having introduced dirt racing using this equipment. This time Robert’s offer was declined. Around this time Robert ventured into race promotion and Dunbar International Raceway was constructed close to Bennettsville.

Racing on Robert’s dirt circuit continued for a number of years however the venue is no longer in use.

Move on a few decades and vintage karting arrives on the scene. In 1961 it has been reported that Rupp sold 9000 karts. The numbers in the following years to about 1964 were probably similar; so there are a lot of old Dart karts about and the vintage enthusiasts are looking for new front axles, steering columns, turbine wheels, seat upholstery, spindles,

94 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

WELDING JIG FOR SPINDLES

Robert has every blue print to enable

be Heim joints as used by Rupp rather

the closeness of the meets which he

the A-Bones and Chaparrals to be

than substitute something similar but of

thinks might cause participants to pick

reproduced. Interestingly, along with the

a lesser quality. And if your latest order

and choose which venues they attend.

blue-prints came Rupp’s list of suppliers.

to Robert appears to be slow at arriving

Items such as the steel wheel stampings

rest assured that there’s something that’s

Like a lot of karting enthusiasts Robert is

were sourced from Taylor Metals in

not quite right and he needs more time

a hot rod fan at heart. He has premises

Mansfield, the turbine wheels were cast

to sort the problem. Parts will not be

just over the state line in Gibson North

in Pennsylvania, the upholstery came

dispatched from RobRon unless they are

Carolina where his rods and classic cars

from CE White Company in Mansfield

perfect. Robert’s market place stretches

are worked on and stored. There are

and the decals were all made in Fremont

much further than the United States.

also interesting karting items kept there

Ohio by Consolite. Consolite was

Recently a Chaparral chassis was air

as well, one in particular, a twin B Bomb

eventually sold and relocated overseas.

freighted to England; it’s hard to fathom

Rupp Mean Machine in pristine condition

Robert’s last batch of turbines was cast

but the rate was cheaper than the cost

circa 1971. One of Robert’s cars, a 1950

in Beaufort South Carolina. This casting

to take it to California! Parts also go on

Ford convertible completely restored is

Tube bender made by Rupp at Mansfield at the end of the fifties and still in use today.

The Big One 2009

facility has since closed and the wheel

a regular basis to Australia and New

used on occasions as a wedding car to

mould sits in a corner of Robert’s shop.

Zealand.

transport the newly married couple to

Robert recanted that Rupp ordered

Dart kart production is not the only

their reception.

turbines in batches of 3000, so there are

iron that Robert has in the fire. RobRon

Does Robert every take it easy? Yes he

plenty of wheels out there somewhere!

Incorporated undertake other metal

does and he likes nothing better than to

The upholstery for Robert’s Darts is made

working tasks fabricating racking for

indulge with Wanda in dancing to beach

in Virginia and decals are now sourced

Marley a large plant involved with

music, something I had never heard of

locally. Robert related that Rupp had very

electrical work nearby in Bennettsville.

until meeting Robert. Check it out, you

good drive chain sourced from Link Belt

Robert is also a farmer growing corn,

might like it, and if you do there’s always

based in Pennsylvania.

wheat, and soya beans. He also produces

a big gathering of fans at Myrtle Beach

Since owning the manufacturing rights

stock.

each September, Robert and Wanda will

and tooling to make Dart A-Bone and

Robert likes to attend at least a couple

be there for sure.

Chaparral karts Robert has endeavoured

of vintage karting events each year

to produce a product without defects

particularly enjoying his announcing work

General Lee may be an institution in the

and as exactly as the models ‘back in

that he did recently at Newcastle Indiana.

South; in vintage karting circles Robert

the day’. For example Robert is adamant

He has concerns about the very full

Stanton is equally as well known, a fine

that the track rod ends should always

calendar of vintage events and especially

Southern gentleman.

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 95

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2016 INTERNATIONAL CALENDAR 15.04 - 17.04 Kartodromo 7 Laghi ITA Campionato Italiano ACI Karting (1) OK, OK-Junior, KZ2

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BRING YOUR OLD KART ENGINE AND GET A DISCOUNT OF 2 € FOR EACH CC ON YOUR NEW ROTAX KART ENGINE!* *offer valid until 31.12.2016 and only with the purchase of a brand-new Rotax evo kart engine. Only one old kart engine and only kart engines from competitors will be accepted in exchange per purchase.

We offer up to EUR 2,- incl. VAT or the equivalent in your local currency per cc (cubic centimeter) for your old 2-stroke kart engine but up to a maximum of 125 cc, as well as EUR 1,- for your old 4-stroke kart engine up to a maximum of 270 cc.

Offer is limited to all Rotax kart distributors / service centers which are participating in this program. Limited trade in contigent available only.

www.rotax-kart.com ®

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