IWF23: Pressure mounts ahead of IAME’s major international event

Founded in 2012 in the wake of the success of the Bruno Grana International Trophy, named after one of the founders of the IAME engine factory, the IWF is one of the most eagerly awaited and prestigious events on the world karting calendar. With 380 drivers entered in four categories, the 12th edition promises to be a grand and intense affair on the Algarve circuit at Portimao in southern Portugal. The first Free Practice sessions will start on Monday 23rd October and the winners will be celebrated on Saturday 28th October 2023.

A new circuit for the 12th edition
After Lyon (FRA) in 2012 and 2013, Le Mans (FRA) from 2014 to 2019 and in 2022, as well as in Adria (ITA) in 2021, the IWF will for the first time take place on the Portimao circuit, which has already hosted a large number of prestigious international events in the past. With the decision to reserve the IWF for the X30 Mini, X30 Junior, X30 Senior and X30 Master categories, the week’s programme will be much more balanced than in previous years. In terms of the sporting schedule, the principle of the Super Heat will be introduced to replace the Prefinals, while the Masters will benefit from a more appropriate schedule.

Top organisation
The organisation put in place by IAME Motorsport has long since proved its worth. In 2023, the Italian organisation will place its trust in the RGMMC group, which also promotes the IAME Euro Series and the IAME Games. The event will benefit from the latest advances in race control, timekeeping and TV production, with high-quality live streaming. A VIP area will be set up near the pre-grid and the track.

380 drivers, 41 nationalities, 5 continents
In Portimao, the drivers who have been lucky enough to obtain an entry ticket for the 2023 IWF are preparing for an absolutely unique event. After administrative checks on Saturday and Sunday, Free Practice on Monday and Tuesday, followed by Qualifying on Wednesday, all the competitors will be invited to the Welcome Party at the Algarve Race Resort restaurant-hotel located close to the circuit. The following day, the grand parade will once again bring together the 380 drivers for an intense moment of emotion and sharing. On Friday evening, after a total of 64 Qualifying Heats, the drivers selected for the Super Heats will be announced, before the Finals on Saturday afternoon and the eagerly awaited podium ceremony to celebrate the 2023 winners.

The IWF23 promises suspense
With so many drivers taking part (138 in the Senior category, 105 in the Mini category, 93 in the Junior category and 44 in the Master category), it’s hard to pick favourites, but the face-off between competitors from all over the world should make for lively, uncertain racing. The Algarve’s 1,531-metre circuit has a habit of adding to the spectacle thanks to its hilly layout, which encourages overtaking. At Portimao, you sometimes have to wait until the last bend to see who will emerge first to cross the line as the winner.

Provisional programme for IWF23

> Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd October
Arrival and administrative control

> Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th October
08:00 – 18:30 Free Practice

> Wednesday 25th October
08:00 – 09:35 Free Practice (5 mins)
09:45 – 12:06 Qualifying Practice (6 mins)
12:50 – 18:05 Qualifying Heats
19:30 Welcome party (Algarve Race Track Hotel)

> Thursday 26th October
08:00 – 09:35 Warm up (5 mins)
09:55 – 18:15 Qualifying Heats
19:00 Drivers’ Parade

> Friday 27th October
08:00 – 09:55 Warm up (5 mins)
10:05 – 10:27 Qualifying Practice X30 Master (6 mins)
10:41 – 18:45 Qualifying Heats

> Saturday 28 October
09:00 – 10:15 Warm up (5 mins)
10:30 – 13:05 Super heats and Qualifying Heats X30 Master
14:20 X30 Master Final
14:50 X30 Mini Final
15:20 X30 Junior Final
15:50 X30 Senior Final

Categories
> X30 Mini: Age 9-12. Weight 110 kg. X30 Water Swift 60cc RL TaG engine. CIK-FIA chassis. Komet K1D-M slicks / K1D-Wet tyres.
> X30 Junior: Age 12-14. Weight 145 kg. X30 125cc RL TaG Junior restricted engine. CIK-FIA chassis. Komet K2H slicks / K1Wet tyres.
> X30 Senior: Age +14. Weight 158 kg. X30 125cc RL TaG engine. CIK-FIA chassis. Komet K2M slicks / K1Wet tyres.
> X30 Master: Age +30. Weight 167 kg. X30 125cc RL TaG engine. CIK-FIA chassis. Komet K2M slicks / K1Wet tyres.

Follow the event on social networks, on the IAME Motorsport app and on the iame-motorsport.com website.

This press release is for information purposes only and has no regulatory value.

IAME – Press release

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