A year of success upon success

Sodi finished the season with a bang at Essay, where this year’s FFSA 2006 Grand Prix Karting meeting was held.

> Formula A: 6 Sodi chasses in the top 7 places
> ICA: A second consecutive French title for Anthony Abbasse
> Junior: Victory in the final saw Norman Nato take the runner’s up spot in the 2006 French championships

Sodi was firing on all cylinders in Formula A at Essay ! By the end of the weekend the other drivers were sick of the sight of Sodi SR5s ! The French make seemed to be everywhere and five of its drivers were among the first eight over the line, two of them on the podium, with a fastest lap as bonus. Franck Le Beller, the team’s chief mechanic, could hardly contain his enthusiasm after this extraordinary overall result. “I was delighted to see all these private entrants doing as well as our works drivers. That’s proof, if any was needed, of our desire to supply the best chassis to absolutely everyone. The technical support we offer our customers has paid dividends and I would like to congratulate all the teams who have chosen to race the Sodi chassis this season. It’s no coincidence if we have taken all the places from 2nd to 7th in this year’s French championships.”
Jean-Eric Vergne made sure of his runner’s up spot ahead of five other Sodi drivers – Florian Alfano, Laurent Miskiewicz, Nathanaël Berthon, Kevin Breysse and Arnaud Sarrazin. Breysse finished the season in style by taking 2nd place on the podium at Essay, just ahead of Florian Alfano, who did his standing in the championships a power of good, and who turned in Sunday’s outright fastest lap in his pre final race. The fastest lap in the final went to Arnaud Sarrazin.

Abbasse at the double
In the ICA class, Anthony Abbasse took no chances during the weekend and cruised to his second successive French crown. No more than he deserved because he has been outstanding all season ! On the back of his triumph in the World Cup at Angerville, Mike Courquin didn’t do so well this time round but nevertheless went on to claim 4th place in the championship. Other Sodi runners took advantage of the last race of the national season to shine. Elie Bluy, 6th in the pre final race and Loïc Reguillon, 5th in the final were cases in point.
The star of final stages of the Junior category was undoubtedly Norman Nato. He was in devastating form ! After winning a heat on the Saturday, he made his presence felt in the pre final race before leaving everyone for dead in the final, further increasing his margin for the honorary title of 2006 vice champion of France. “I am dead pleased I joined the Sodi works team this seaso n!” said Norman. “I already knew they made a great chassis, because it was on a Sodi that I won the French “Cadet” class championship last season. Once again, the French works has shown what a great chassis maker they are. This weekend was just perfect”.
At just turned 14, Jim Pla proved once again what a promising young talent he is with a great hack through the field from 13th to 5th place, after being forced to drop out of a heat earlier in the weekend. He took the final flag in 6th place and finished the season in a promising 7th spot in the overall championship standings.
All in all it has been a great season for Sodi. The works now has its sights firmly set on the future and intends to be even better shape for the start of the 2007 season.