Performance is there already !

More determined than ever, Intrepid is increasing its involvement in racing in 2006. The Italian firm has only been existence for a few years but it already has a high profile on the international circuit. With a brace of drivers who combine the right blend of youth, talent and experience, the Intrepid works team is bound to be in the news this season.

Arnaud Kozlinski, vice-champion of the world in 2003 and 2004, joined Intrepid at the start of the year. Since Kevin Breysse has also joined the official team, the Italian factory will have an all-French driving team in Formula A. “With Laumatec we got the most out of the Intrepid chassis last year, enabling me to finish the season as French vice-champion, with four outright victories and a podium place in a European championship race at the Belgian Grand Prix meeting. These results won me the confidence of the Italians, which I’m really thrilled about”, commented Kevin. Kozlinski, for his part, was highly impressed by his new team right from the beginning. “I have already completed several days of testing. The reactivity of the factory is very impressive so we can improve the material very quickly. We are developing it all the time”.
Alongside the French contingent we find multiple world champions Alessandro Manetti and Alessandro Piccini from Italy, who will be racing in 125s. In the Junior category young Briton Scott Jenkins and Spaniard Mark Otero will be carrying the Intrepid colours while in ICA the team will be represented by the promising duo of Daniel Zampieri from Italy and Aleix Alcaraz from Spain.

That this year’s car is competitive was amply demonstrated in the classic Winter Cup and Andrea Margutti races. “Our drivers were often at the head of the pack in all categories both in Lonato and Parma, said works head Mirko Squerzioni, but at both meetings the inclement weather conditions really counted against us. Rain and poor grip on the track were responsible for numerous incidents, during which too many of our drivers were eliminated”. However, some good news did come through from Japan, where Yuya Suzuki won the first round of the championship meeting in Suzuka.
Although the Italian factory provides its own high quality race support services, it knows it can count on its many importers in countries around the world. In France, the Intrepid importer is Alpha Karting and competition support is provided by Laumatec. Laumatec is in the very capable hands of former French Formula A champion Laurent Mazière. At the first meeting of the French championship in Angerville, Laumatec entered Kevin Breysse, along with four other drivers – Aurélien Forgeron, Ludovic Lombard, Julien Soulié and Benjamin Lejop.
On the same circuit on which the World Championships will be run, Breysse was soon amongst the leaders during qualifying, clocking the fastest lap in one of the heats. Starting from 4th place on the grid in the pre-final race, he was on his way to battle for victory when his kart suddenly lost all adherence due to another driver losing the contents of his radiator on the track just in front of Kevin. Nevertheless, from back in 23rd place, he climbed impressively up the field to take 9th place. “When you consider I clocked the 2nd fastest lap in the final race I can’t help thinking I missed out on something big. One thing is for sure though; I certainly proved that the Silverstone Pro model is a great performer.”
Laurent Mazière backed up his driver’s opinion. “The improvements we have made to the chassis this winter are definitely taking us in the right direction. Larger diameter stub axles give the front axle more bite, three point settings for the rear bearings allow greater precision for set up, braking is more powerful and precise, and magnesium parts are now fitted instead of aluminium ones”.
At Angerville, Intrepid was also present under the banner of Belgian team Burton Racing, comprising Nathan Da Silva from Brazil (ICA), Charlotte Coune from Belgium and Jean-Alex Pelegris from France (Junior). “Our drivers are still very inexperienced, commented team manager Caren Burton, but the progress we made during the weekend makes me optimistic for the rest of the season”.
In France, the season continues with the FFSA Grand Prix Karting Easter meeting in Varennes sur Allier.