Drivers pulled out of the KZ final at the Champions Of the Future round in Spain on the weekend, dissatisfied with the quality of the supplied control tyre.
Just 11 karts faced the starter for the final and only three of them (the CPB Sport Sodikart drivers) took the chequered flag!
The day prior, around 20 drivers signed a document requesting the FIA change the tyre for the KZ category, threatening that without a prompt response, they might boycott the Final.
The drivers claimed “unacceptable performance and consistency of the Dunlop tyres”, proposing a switch to either LeCont or Vega. Of course, that wasn’t going to happen, so most of them did not contest the final, and the majority of those who did, pulled in to “retire” prior to the end of the race.
- Excellent report from Vroom on the situation HERE
- kartcom reporting the driver’s demands HERE
- Read Alan Dove’s take on the issue HERE
As a matter of interest, in the KZ2 Final, New Zealand’s Jay Urwin was classified 23rd having earlier qualified 21st in the 53-kart field.
The next COFT Shifter round is at Franciacorta, Italy, on October 1 to 4.
- full results from the Valencia round HERE
- full stream from Finals day, below
Event summary from COTF
After the success of the first edition of the Champions of the Future Shifter in Portugal in 2024, RGMMC made the decision to organise another edition of the international competition for 125cc gearbox karts. Once again, many teams and drivers appreciated the warm welcome and extremely professional organisation they experienced in Spain.
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KZ2: Max Orlov makes the difference in the Final
Kasper Schormans (NED) got his competition off to a perfect start with pole position, then went on to win all three of his heats. With a win each, Max Schleimer (GER), Juho Valtanen (FIN) and Max Orlov also showed that they had every intention of putting the pressure on the leader. Schormans confirmed his determination by winning his Super Heat, with the other going to Schleimer.
In the Final, Schormans didn’t waver when the lights went out and held on to the lead, but Orlov leapt from the second row to run in his wake while It all came down to the wire in the last few seconds. Schleimer manoeuvred perfectly to secure himself 2nd position, leaving his rivals to battle it out.
It was Thien who took the third step of the podium with a gap of just 42 thousandths over Schormans. Fast and consistent in Valencia, Elie Goldstein (BEL) completed the top five despite pressure from Jean Luyet (SUI).
KZ: Perfect control by Mattéo Spirgel from the first to the last lap!
In Valencia, Mattéo Spirgel (FRA) was dominant: pole position, two wins out of three in the heats, another success in the Super Heat and a solo victory in the Final. Only Jean Nomblot (FRA) managed to beat him in a heat and he was then rewarded with 3rd place in the Final, after giving way to Senna Van Walstijn (NED), who went from strength to strength as the race progressed and crossed the finish line in 2nd place.
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