FIA CIK KART Magazine 2018 No. 3 Grantham / Great Britain by Publications

NO.

FIA KART SPORT AND KART CULTURE.

KART GRAND PRIX GREAT BRITAIN GRANTHAM 18 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 20 MAY 2018

EXPERT OPINIONS

RACE PREVIEWS

DRIVER INTERVIEWS

EVENT POSTER

AND MUCH MORE

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KART MAGAZINE 2018 // EDITORIAL

AFTER AN EXCITING FIRST ROUND OF THE OK AND JUNIOR CLASSES AT SARNO LAST MONTH IT IS ANYONE’S CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE MOMENT. PF International is one of the world’s best circuits, I couldn’t think of a better place to host a FIA Karting European Championship. Not only is the complex one of the world’s best which many champions have raced on, the staff of Trent Valley Kart Club is absolutely second to none with a professional and friendly working mentality – PFI truly is the complete package. Over the past 20 years, I have had the pleasure to be a very frequent visitor to PFI. Having raced at the track for many years myself, it is wonderful to see Mr Fletcher’s ambition and motivation to improve the sport of karting have maintained its momentum and if anything increased. After an exciting first round of the OK and Junior classes at Sarno last month, it is anyone’s championship at the moment. PFI will be particular interesting as you have a few front running contenders who are locals to the circuit and can benefit of the experiences they have of the track. To all the drivers and teams, I wish you the best of luck!

JAMES GEIDEL PRESIDENT OF RGMMC

KART MAGAZINE 2018 // INTRODUCTION

WHERE BETTER TO HOST A CIK-FIA CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT THAN AT THE EXCITING PAUL FLECHTER INTERNATIONAL KARTING TRACK. The facility breaths karting and so does the owner and the organising club. No wonder that they were honoured twice as best event of the year. This weekend the racing karts in action have much more refined technology than the very first British tractor built in nearby Grantham back in 1896. At 145 kg and with engines capable of reaching 16.000 rpm the performance of the OK class is second to none at this challenging circuit. After his podium success last year at this track, I am sure that Harry Thompson is confident to take revenge for his defeat during the Italian Grand Prix. On the other hand wins in Sarno (I) by Roman Stanek (OK) and Paul Aron (OK-J) must have made them hungry for more top glory. It is clear that the race is on and it promises to be an exiting weekend. May the best driver win!

Yours faithfully

KEES VAN DE GRINT CIK-FIA VICE-PRESIDENT

KART MAGAZINE 2018 // INTRODUCTION

THE STANDARD OF RACING AT PFI NEVER FAILS TO IMPRESS AND JUST GOES TO SHOW THAT KARTING OFFERS THE TOUGHEST COMPETITION AND CLOSEST RACING OF ANY TYPE OF MOTORSPORT. Here we go again, with more world-class karting in the UK, and on behalf of the Motor Sports Association (MSA) I am delighted to welcome you to the CIK-FIA European Kart Championships at PF International. It is fantastic to see the CIK-FIA’s premier European titles returning to Paul Fletcher’s state-of-the-art venue, where so many of motorsport’s famous names, such as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, cut their teeth. The standard of racing at PFI never fails to impress and just goes to show that karting offers the toughest competition and closest racing of any type of motorsport. The depth of talent on the entry list proves that winning at this level requires true talent and a real determination to succeed. The UK’s world-renowned reputation in motorsport is testament to the continued success of our home-grown talent. MSA British Cadet Kart Champion, Taylor Barnard, was recently selected as one of

two drivers on Nico Rosberg’s Driver Development Programme, and the 13-yearold is competing this weekend, along with CIK-FIA OK-Junior European ViceChampion Harry Thompson. This is Harry’s first year competing in the OK class and he has already impressed, achieving a thirdplace finish in the opening round of the championship at Sarno last month. Last year’s CIK-FIA World Championship right here at PFI was superb, with British drivers Danny Keirle and Dexter Patterson winning both titles, and I am very optimistic for another amazing weekend. Whichever nation you are representing, may I wish you a safe and successful weekend’s racing with the excellent Trent Valley Kart Club (TVKC).

Best wishes,

ROB JONES CHIEF EXECUTIVE MOTOR SPORTS ASSOCIATION

KART MAGAZINE 2018 // INTRODUCTION

IT’S MY PLEASURE TO EXTEND A CHEERFUL WELCOME TO YOU ALL! Paul’s involvement in motorsport began shortly after leaving the RAF at 22 years of age. He joined Sheffield Hallamshire Motor Club during the late 50’s when the club had one of the top auto test teams in the country. Paul became a team member and competed at national level. In 1960, Paul was approached with a view to trying ‘Go-Karting’. A course was laid out at the Fletcher’s bakery in Sheffield, and from there on the karting bug had bitten. He first raced in April 1960 and continued to compete non-stop for the next 25 years, taking part in 680 meetings and winning over one third of them. Despite this impressive win rate, the World and European Championships eluded him. Paul admits “I always seemed to be unlucky when it came to International Championships”. That said, he did claim third in the World Championship and second in the European Championship. Paul currently runs the PF International Karting Team and maintains his sponsorship interest with team drivers, Oliver Hodgson and Archie Tillett who are competing here this weekend on home soil and hoping for great things.

Paul has devoted a lot of his time, effort and money into karting in the UK. His dreams of owning the best kart racing circuit in the country finally became a reality in 1994 when PF International Kart Circuit was born. He has, and in a remarkably short time, through his drive and commitment, created a circuit of international standard and having gathered a highly motivated and enthusiastic team from Trent Valley Kart Club to support him, the dream has become reality – staging the 2017 CIK-FIA World Championships at PF International Kart Circuit! In October 2011, the new track extension (including a bridge!) took the overall circuit length to 1382m, this extension made it possible for the circuit to be awarded its International Track Licence – the only kart track in the UK to have achieved this circuit grade! 2018 is another high point in the history of Paul Fletcher, PFI Kart Circuit and UK Karting, Paul hopes you all enjoy your time at his venue, whether competing or spectating.

PAUL FLETCHER OWNER OF THE TRACK

TABLE OF CONTENT EDITORIAL

JAMES GEIDEL

INTRODUCTION

BY KEES VAN DE GRINT, ROB JONES & PAUL FLETCHER

PFI FLASHBACK

2013 WINNERS AND WHERE THEY ARE NOW

5 THINGS WE LEARNED

FROM SARNO

BY NUMBERS

SARNO

RACE PREVIEW

GREAT BRITAIN

EVENT POSTER

VLAD LOMKO

DRIVER INTERVIEWS

CENYU HAN & TAYLOR BARNARD

TIMETABLE

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

ENTRY LIST

OK & OK JUNIOR

INFORMATION

OFFICIALS OF THE MEETING & LIVE-TIMING

CONCEPT / DESIGN RGMMC AND WEINBLUM + STAHL // PHOTOGRAPHY / INTERVIEWS BY THE RACE BOX 9

KART MAGAZINE 2018 // PFI FLASHBACK

PFI FLASHBACK – 2013 WINNERS AND WHERE THEY ARE NOW In 2013 on the 1st September, PF International hosted it’s third CIK-FIA event in as many years which would be one of it’s biggest yet in the shape of the World Championship. To be specific, at the event would be round one of the World KF Championship and the International KF Junior Super Cup.

As the race got underway, Max was kept honest by the likes of Ben Hanley and Nicklas Nielsen for about three laps but it was as if they knew Max would never be beaten as they battled for 2nd with Tom Joyner briefly filling the position. Max went on to win the final ahead of Nielsen and Hanley by 2.8 seconds.

Clearly the sport has grown at CIK-FIA level since the switch to OK engines with the grids far from extortionate with 53 drivers on the grid in KF class and 26 on the grid in KF Junior.

Max went on to win the KZ World Championships but failed to wrap up the KF World Championship after being excluded at the second round at Bahrain for a ‘bad manoeuvre’ in the final which left Tom Joyner to take victory.

KF – Max Verstappen (Formula One, Red Bull Racing) The big name coming into the World Championship in the KF class was the fast rising Max Verstappen. Max came into the World Championship having had a dominant season where he had gone virtually unbeaten winning the European Championship in both the KF and KZ class. To win the World Championship would just be the cherry on top for the driver who already looked destine for Formula One. Leading up to the final the weekend had gone perfectly for Max who took pole position before winning all four of his heats. He had no problems in the Pre-Final either winning by just shy of four seconds. Going into the final it would be a huge surprise if Max were not to win despite the level of competition behind.

KF Junior – Lando Norris (FIA Formula 2, Carlin & McLaren Young Driver) Lando Norris was the new kid on the block in the CIK-FIA World in 2013 but he made an immediate impact winning the European Championship on his attempt. He had dabbled in the KFJ class in 2012 but had done nothing like the European Championship. He won that season on countback having tied on points with Dan Ticktum and Martijn van Leeuwen. Coming into the World Championships on home soil, Lando would have undoubtedly had his targets set at the win but fellow Brits Enaam Ahmed and Ticktum would have both been desperate to do the same in front of a huge British crowd. Throughout the heats Ahmed and Norris scored the exact same points but it was Ahmed who came

out on top when the two went head to head in their third heats. But the all-important Pre-Final races saw Lando take pole position for the final and Ahmed’s 2nd place in his would put him 4th on the grid. The final didn’t get off to the best of starts for Lando who dropped back to 3rd place before regaining it again four laps later. From there it wasn’t exactly a smooth ride to the flag initially with Alessio Lorandi taking the lead for one lap before Lando started to stretch his legs and win by 2.5 seconds! Lando went on to finish 4th in the World Championship that year and the following year would jump up to the KF class where he finished 3rd in the European Championship and won the World Championship.

KART MAGAZINE 2018 // PFI FLASHBACK

KART MAGAZINE 2018 // 5 THINGS WE LEARNED

5 THINGS WE LEARNED FROM SARNO

KART MAGAZINE 2018 // 5 THINGS WE LEARNED

1. ROSBERG RACING

It sounds pretty straightforward but yes, one thing we did learn at Sarno which we did not know before was about Nico Rosberg’s new Rosberg Racing Academy. As we all know the drivers currently in the programme are Taylor Barnard and Lorenzo Travisanutto. Run in association with his former team boss Dino Chiesa, Nico seemed happy to be back and his appearance had motorsport fans all around the world talking about karting.

2. TYRE STRATEGY IS KEY!

With the added heat this season, one of the talking points at the press conference was around tyre strategies. One choice seemed to be using a set for qualifying and the heats and then going brand new for the final. Or in the case of Pedro Hiltbrand, using a set for qualifying and the final and the second set for the heats. The seniors in particular had to really take care of the tyre over the weekend making qualifying even more crucial than ever before! This is something that will be interesting to follow as we move through the season to tracks that are perhaps more harsh on the tyre and on the flip side more lenient, too.

3. FELIPE MASSA IS TAKING HIS ROLE VERY SERIOUSLY

One face that everyone enjoyed seeing around the paddock was new CIK-FIA President, Felipe Massa. I think we can now all agree that Felipe is taking his role extremely seriously having spent a full weekend at the track. Felipe spoke with drivers, teams, parents, staff, you name it. He was everywhere getting as much feedback as possible to help take this sport forward. His presence alone brought over 4.1 million people on social media to the event in some form so if that does not say his appointment was a good thing we don’t know what else will!

4. DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

In both classes we saw some new faces making huge impacts which may have caught one or two people’s unawares. In Juniors we had a podium filled with new faces. Even if Paul Aron had done some events last year, Gabriele Mini and Kai Askey hadn’t and can already be labelled title contenders. As for the Seniors it was all about the graduates with both Roman Stank and Harry Thompson on the podium, split by the hugely experienced Pedro Hiltbrand. Several new faces have appeared towards the front this year making PFI a very hard meeting to predict.

5. WE COULD BE IN FOR THE BEST SEASON EVER

Looking at all of the above, we believe it is fair to say this could be one of the most exciting seasons in recent history. With over 80 of the world’s best drivers in each class, the championship is so wide open and although we have two championship leaders that scored maximum points it is unlikely we will see such dominance again.

KART MAGAZINE 2018 // SARNO BY NUMBERS

SARNO BY NUMBERS 6.000

31.476

TYRES TRANSPORTED BY BRIDGESTONE

LITRES OF FUEL SOLD

2.400

SLICK TYRES SOLD BY VEGA

158 57,162

8.038 FASTEST LAP (by Zane Maloney)

LAPS COMPLETED

DRIVERS ENTERED

36 NATIONS REPRESENTED

14 DIFFERENT RACE WINNERS

5 FORMER EUROPEAN AND WORLD CHAMPIONS PRESENT 15

KART MAGAZINE 2018 // RACE PREVIEW GREAT BRITAIN

LOCATION 39KM E. OF NOTTINGHAM GPS: 53°2´22´´ N / 0°39´28´´ W

RACE PREVIEW GREAT BRITAIN Four weeks after the successful launch of the CIK-FIA European Championships in Italy at Sarno, the OK and OK-Junior drivers will meet for the second of four competitions on the calendar in the United Kingdom from 18th to 20th May 2018 at the PF International Circuit on the occasion of the British Kart Grand Prix. The show should be exciting.

OK: Everyone in pursuit of Stanek Roman Stanek (CZE), the big winner in Italy, took many contenders by surprise, and they intend to take advantage of this second Competition to move the situation to their advantage. Pedro Hiltbrand (ESP) and Harry Thompson (GBR) are best placed to dethrone the current leader, but others such as Kas Haverkort (NLD), Juho Valtanen (FIN) and Zane Maloney (BRB) remain in ambush. Young British rookies such as Dexter Patterson, Christopher Lulham and Jonny Edgar are likely to prove formidable on their home ground against consistent contenders like Danny Keirle (GBR) World Champion and David Vidales Ajenjo (ESP), Vice-World Champion, in 2017 on this track, or Hannes Janker (DEU), Callum Bradshaw (GBR), Nicklas Nielsen (DNK) and Lorenzo Travisanutto (ITA).

EAGERLY AWAITED BRITISH MEETING FOR OK AND OK-JUNIOR

A true temple of British kart racing, the 1.382 metres of the PF International track had been the scene in September last year of intense fights for the CIKFIA World Championship and World Junior Championship. The Lincolnshire track once again demonstrated its selectivity by rewarding sometimes surprising contenders. Knowledge of the track and the subtleties of the English competition are often some of the assets needed to win in Brandon, in addition to excellent management of the races. The PF International venue, with its warm welcome reflecting the passion for Motorsport of the population, always offers a high-level sporting spectacle. Recoveries and suspense are among the elements that contribute to the interest of an event capable of attracting a large audience, in addition to participation by several drivers and teams in the Union Jack colours. It will also be a strategic moment to enable competitors who experienced setbacks at Sarno to move up the provisional rankings of the two Championships. First they will have to negotiate the difficult exercise of the Qualifying Heats before they can play their trump card during the Final.

Aron comfortable in the lead of OK-Junior The demonstration by Paul Aron (EST) in Italy was impressive, while the young Kai Askey (GBR) and Gabriel Mini (ITA) confirmed their rapid progression to the top in their first season in the category. Other rookies were particularly brilliant with names to follow like Conrad Laursen (DNK), Taylor Barnard (GBR), Josep Maria Marti Sobrepera (ESP) and Nikita Bedrin (RUS). However, it is too early to forget the potential of more experienced drivers such as Kirill Smal (RUS), Dino Beganovic (SWE), Luca Bosco (ITA) and Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA). Here again, the prognosis remains uncertain, so much the better for the sport!

KART MAGAZINE 2018 // RACE PREVIEW GREAT BRITAIN

THE TRACK Just over 20 years ago, Paul Fletcher had the idea to create an international kart circuit in the United Kingdom. After attempting to merge close to one of the larger house hold names, circumstances lead him to obtain a plot of land in the country side of Lincolnshire. It took until 2011 with the help of Trent Valley Kart Club to upgrade the circuit to full CIKFIA international status. Expanding the circuit, renovating the facilities and here we are today, one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best tracks which also has the rare site of a bridge.

PF International Kart Circuit Stragglethorpe Lane Brandon, Grantham, Lincolnshire Tel.: 01636 626747

Track Length: 1.382 meters Track Width: 8 meters

www.kartpfi.com track@kartpfi.com

VLAD LOMKO 18

KART MAGAZINE 2018 // EVENT POSTER

Photographer: ALEX VERNARDIS

Location: SARNO / ITALY

Race Class: JUNIOR

Date: 22.04.2018

Event: CIK-FIA EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP / ROUND 1

Team: VDK RACING 19

KART MAGAZINE 2018 // DRIVER INTERVIEWS

„

DRIVER INTERVIEWS

My ultimate goal? Become F1 World Champion.

“

CENYU HAN KART REPUBLIC

– Oh haha, It was after I saw the Disney cartoon film named “Cars”. The chief hero’s name is Lightning McQueen so...

– My Dad enjoys racing and competed when he was younger. He drove in Formula Renault, Formula Master, Ferrari Challenge and Porsche Carrera Cup. I often went to cycle with him and when I was six years old I told him, I want to drive and now we’re here.

– Everything has changed! My life is very different than before. Everything is new!! New school, new classmates, new friends, new environment. Three years ago, I moved to Rome and this year we have now moved to Densenzano as it is better for my racing career. It is not easy for kids – that I am so far from my big family and my good friends. I hope in the future there are some good driver academies in China, then the kids who want to learn to drive better do not need to leave their hometown. Maybe I will do it!

Where did the nickname McQueen come from?

How did you get into karting?

Who was your first racing inspiration?

– Lightening McQueen!

How has life changed since moving to Italy for you?

What sacrifices have you had to make for your racing? – I do not think I make any! I enjoy it!

When did you decide that you wanted to move over to Europe to race?

– My first driver coach, an Italian guy called Andrea Caldarelli, works for Toyota Racing in Super GT and Super Formula in Japan. He is my Dad’s friend. My Dad asked him to teach me. I told him I want to be the best driver. He said you have to come to Italy with me, only in ltaly that’s possible. So I came over!

– Last year was my first full season in Italy. I was in the 60 Mini category. I was so fast, and was in the top five. This year for me is a very new year moving to OK Junior. I hurt my ribs last October, I had to stop and couldn’t do any testing or racing. Eventually I came back last

How are you finding your first season so far?

month. Sarno was almost the very beginning of my OK Junior career. It hasn’t been very easy, but round one was very good. I had the speed but was unlucky crashing in two heats. My team is satisfied with me which is a good start!

What was it that brought you to the Kart Republic team? – Dad always gives me the best support he can! So he gave me 2 to 3 choices when it came to teams. After I met Dino, I thought he was so nice. So I decided to join the Kart Republic team. Maybe it was down to how I felt or about Dino’s career, everybody knows what he’s done!

What is your ultimate racing goal?

– My ultimate goal? Become F1 World Champion. That is my dream and Chinese’s dreams!!! I know all of China will stand by me. The other hope is that I can improve the Chinese kart racing level, so the kids can study driving in China. It will be much easier for them, but that is in the future. For now, I want to go step by step, stay down-toearth, keep learning and start winning.

KART MAGAZINE 2018 // DRIVER INTERVIEWS

„

I don’t feel pressured; I feel proud of the opportunity which motivates me more.

“

TAYLOR BARNARD ROSBERG RACING

Where were you when you first found out you will be joining the Rosberg Academy? What were your initial feelings? – We were on our way to the airport after a race at Lonato that got cancelled and my Dad rang me and he had told us and we all couldn’t believe it! It felt a bit surreal, but very exciting at the same time!

How was it meeting Nico for the first time? What is he like as a person? – I was feeling a bit nervous about meeting him, but he is actually really easy to talk to and he is also very supportive.

Did Nico have any advice for you on finals day at Sarno?

– After a DNF in one of the heats I was starting further back in the final than I had hoped and he told me I just needed to concentrate on what I was doing and move forward.

Do you feel any added pressure carrying his logo on your kart? Or has it motivated you more? – I don’t feel pressured; I feel proud of the opportunity which motivates me more.

How has this helped boost your profile online? – My social media has been very busy! Each time he has tagged me in a post I have gained lots of followers. He has a lot of support on social media and that definitely boosted my profile.

Has Nico given any secrets away about what the future could hold? – We know he has a long term goal but we are focused on the here and now.

What were Nico’s current opinions on the sport? Did he share any? Did he have any memories to share? – He enjoyed spending time at the track and it brought back lots of memories of when he raced for Dino. He wants to give something back to karting where it all began for him and he is excited about where we can take Rosberg Racing.

KART MAGAZINE 2018 // TIMETABLE

TIMETABLE 19 MAY / SATURDAY Hour

Pre-Grid Closing

Class

Group

Laps

09:30 – 09:45