What place is there for the great Italian classics?

With the rise of the WSK Promotion series and the arrival of the Champions of the Future Euro Series by RGMMC, the range of international competitions has increased over the last decade. At the same time, competition has continued to evolve towards greater professionalism of the teams and a double objective: to shine in the FIA Karting Championships and to prepare the most ambitious ones to move quickly into cars.

From then on, the pre-eminence of the great Italian classics was challenged. Thanks to the strong will of their respective organisers, the Winter Cup in Lonato and the Trofeo Andrea Margutti have adapted to this new situation in order to continue their prestigious history. These two great events have found a new positioni that is worth considering.

The Trofeo Andrea Margutti, whose 34th edition has just finished in Lonato, is in the spotlight. This event was launched in 1990 in memory of the young Andrea Margutti, who tragically died on the track two months earlier at the age of 14. The Trofeo organised in his memory started on the Pista d’Oro in Rome before moving to the legendary track of Parma where it established its worldwide reputation. The definitive closure of the Parma track in 2009 was a blow for the Trophy, but the energy of the Margutti family and Parma Motorsport enabled it to continue first at the 7 Laghi circuit in Castelletto, and then at Lonato from 2012.

The Trofeo Andrea Margutti’s record of achievements includes an exceptional number of renowned drivers, some of whom have gone on to compete in Formula 1. Giancarlo Fisichella, for example, took four victories, but the names of Robert Kubica and André Lotterer also figure prominently alongside Sophie Kumpen, the mother of Max Verstappen. Most of the great karting champions have written their names in the Margutti guest book: Alessandro Manetti, Sauro Cesetti, Massimiliano Orsini, Tony Vilander, Davide Fore’, Jean-Philippe Guignet, Jérémy Iglesias, Carlo Van Dam, Oliver Oakes, Ben Hanley, Henki Waldschmidt, Edoardo Mortara, Marco Ardigo, Gary Catt, Brandon Maïsano, Daniil Kvyat, Logan Sargeant, Daniel Ticktum, Max Fewtrell,…

In order to last, Parma Motorsport has been able to adapt by adding more categories such as KZ2, Mini and more recently the X30 Junior and Senior in order to keep a large field. Today the Trofeo Andrea Margutti offers many drivers the opportunity to make their mark in the absence of the big international teams in a prestigious competition that is now more affordable than the modern series. The memory of Andrea Margutti is perpetuated thanks to the true lovers of great races who allow the history of the Trophy to continue the passionately while offering an attractive alternative.

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