Breathless Races & A Big Show at Wackersdorf 


  15 July 2014
 
  • CIK-FIA report from Euro KZ/KZ2 round. Results and finals day wrap previously published HERE

The second out of three Competitions for the three categories at Wackersdorf completely fulfilled its duty to revive the struggle for the titles. The sinuous and selective Bavarian track, allied with the changing weather conditions generated a rare intensity of racing. In the CIK-FIA European Championship, the Belgian Rick Dreezen took control in KZ, the Lithuanian Simas Juodvisris in KZ2, while the Japanese Kakunoshin Ota leads the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy. 

Richard Verschoor (NLD), 2nd in the Final Karting Academy Trophy, Wackersdorf
Above: Richard Verschoor (NLD), 2nd in the Final Karting Academy Trophy, Wackersdorf
pic - CIK/KSP

Following the decision to approve a new front fairing attachment to fight against incidents on the track, the CIK-FIA chose to implement for the first time at Wackersdorf in the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy. Remember that this is to avoid excessive contact between karts, with an attachment which reacts in case of abuse. "We hope, through this new regulation, to change the mindset and behaviour of Drivers on the track. The conduct of races must become more sporting,” said Mr. Kees Van de Grint, Vice-President of the CIK-FIA. "The Drivers of the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy are the future of our sport. This is why we have produced a consistent target for the younger generations to aim at with this new system. The results of this first use demonstrated the accuracy of our vision. We saw races contested in a very good spirit. Drivers used the force of their talent, producing great battles, without any wrong moves to interfere in the Competition. All this is very encouraging. Once we have made some adjustments, we expect to meet with general approval on this new practice in karting from the 2015 season."

In the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy Vromant won and Ota took the lead

The youngest Drivers at Wackersdorf didn’t, for the most part, take long to adapt to their new front fairing attachment. Those who did not want to change their attitude were punished as allowed in the regulations. Switzerland’s Lucas Légeret began by taking pole in Qualifying Practice ahead of the Ukrainian Illya Zamula who was successful after the Qualifying Heats. The Japanese Kakunoshi Ota, the winner in Belgium, regained the lead in the Prefinal ahead of three consistent Drivers always at the forefront, the Dutch Drivers Rinus Van Kalmthout and Richard Verschoor and the Turkish Berkay Besler. The Final was contested by these four names, but the surprise came from the French Driver Alexandre Vromant, just qualified by taking sixth position in the Second Chance Heat. It took him ten laps to reach the leading group in full fight and then he escaped to victory. The fight for the podium continued until the last lap with Verschoor taking 2nd place from Ota, Besler finished 4th and Van Kalmthout 5th. Max Hesse was 6th ahead of Légeret who finally recovered well to 7th position. 

Ota takes the lead of the provisional classification of the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy ahead of Van Kalmthout and Besler. 

Podium of the 2014 CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy, Round 2 (Final), with from left to right: Kakunoshin Ota (JPN), Alexandre Vromant (FRA) & Richard Verschoor (NLD)
Above: Podium of the 2014 CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy, Round 2 (Final), with from left to right: Kakunoshin Ota (JPN), Alexandre Vromant (FRA) & Richard Verschoor (NLD)
pic - CIK/KSP

Victory and KZ2 leadership for Juodvirsis 

Whether in the rain or on a dry track, the level of sportsmanship did not decrease in the CIK-FIA European KZ2 Championship at Wackersdorf. The Poleman Simone Brenna (TB Kart-Modena-B'Stone) kept up the pace during the Qualifying Heats although Jan Midrla (Birel-TM-B'Stone) beat him by just a point. Midrla also won the Prefinal ahead of Brenna and John Norris (Mach1-TM-B'Stone). Brenna was delayed in the first lap of the Final, Midrla went ahead before being replaced by Maik Siebecke (CRG-Modena-B'Stone). The race started on a wet track which gradually dried. The wet tyre pressures used by all Drivers played an increasingly prominent role over the laps. This was the backdrop to the relentless return of Simas Juodvirsis (Energy-Maxter-B'stone) from his 13th place on the grid. Second from the 7th lap, he would gain 4’’ from Siebecke in nine laps and grab the lead. The same thing happened for the places of honour. While Juodvirsis crossed the finish line as winner, Midrla passed under the chequered flag 17'' later ahead of Norris and Siebecke. But a penalty of 10'' Midrla gave the second step of the podium to Norris and 3rd to Siebecke. 

Simas Juodvirsis (LTU), Winner of the KZ2 Final
Above: Simas Juodvirsis (LTU), Winner of the KZ2 Final
pic - CIK/KSP

With this great achievement, Juodvirsis also takes the lead in the standings of the CIK-FIA European KZ2 Championship ahead Andrea Dalè had a difficult  weekend this time. Midrla moves up to third place ahead of Andreas Sebastian Hansen (Tony Kart-Vortex-B'stone) who scored no points in Germany. 

In KZ, Thonon wins and Dreezen takes the lead 

The leader of the CIK-FIA European KZ Championship from Genk, Marco Ardigo (Tony Kart-Vortex-B'stone) again played a leading role at Wackersdorf until the end of the Qualifying Heats, although Rick Dreezen (Zanardi-Parilla -B'stone) and Felice Tiene (CRG-Maxter-B'stone) been ahead of him during Qualifying. It was however Bas Lammers (Formula K-Parilla-B'stone) who won the Prefinal ahead of Dreezen, Tiene and Ardigo. In a superb Final, all these great Drivers gave the best of themselves, but Jonathan Thonon (Praga-Parilla-B'stone) had to time his attack well to make a difference. Ardigo retired in mid-race due to a mechanical problem while holding 5th. Behind Thonon, Dreezen managed to get the better of Lammers five laps from the end, Flavio Camponeschi (Tony Kart-Vortex-B'stone) regained five positions to finish fourth from Jordon Lennox-Lamb (CRG-Maxter-B'stone).

KZ final winner Jonathan Thonon (BEL)
Above: KZ final winner Jonathan Thonon (BEL)
pic - CIK/KSP

Suffering several mechanical problems since the beginning of the Competition, Paolo De Conto (Birel-TM-B'stone) erased the negativity by moving up from 27th to 7th place. 

Dreezen made a good move by taking 1st place in the CIK-FIA European KZ Championship by 15 points ahead of Ardigo. Thonon moved up eight positions at once, taking 3rd place.

euro wackersdorf
Above: Rick Dreezen (BEL), 2nd in the KZ Final
pic - CIK/KSP

Marco Ardigo (ITA) was 1st after the Qualifying Heats
Above: Marco Ardigo (ITA) was 1st after the Qualifying Heats, KZ
pic - CIK/KSP


Above: Bas Lammers grabbed 3rd in the KZ Final
pic - CIK/KSP


Above: KZ podium, Round 2 (Final), with from left to right: Rick Dreezen (BEL), Jonathan Thonon (BEL) & Bas Lammers (NLD)
pic - CIK/KSP

2nd in KZ2 was John Norris (IRL)
Above: 2nd in KZ2 was John Norris (IRL)
pic - CIK/KSP

Maik Siebecke (DEU), 3rd in the KZ2 Final
Above: Maik Siebecke (DEU), 3rd in the KZ2 Final
pic - CIK/KSP

KZ2 press conference (left to right) John Norris, Simas Juodvirsis and Maik Siebecke
Above: KZ2 press conference (left to right) John Norris, Simas Juodvirsis and Maik Siebecke
pic - CIK/KSP

Academy winner Alexandre Vromant (FRA)
Above: Academy winner Alexandre Vromant (FRA)
pic - CIK/KSP

Japan's Kakunoshin Ota was 3rd in the Academy Trophy Final
Above: Japan's Kakunoshin Ota was 3rd in the Academy Trophy Final
pic - CIK/KSP

Lucas Legeret (CHE), 1st after the Qualifying Practice Overall
Above: Lucas Legeret (CHE), 1st after the Qualifying Practice Overall
pic - CIK/KSP

 

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