A Very Open Championship

After 4 races, the Championship of France is mid-way through the season. Although a few strong pilots have already emerged, a very tight ranking leaves competition very open in the next four races. Interest in the Championship of France is not fading and the participation of foreign pilots, especially from Belgium, remains high and of excellent level. All things considered, the weather was nice on Saturday, but a strong rain – that sometimes turned into an outpour – constantly fell on Salbris international circuit. Thanks to the new regulations, it was possible to see up to 42 karts lined up on the circuit of Salbris, a racetrack that is particularly suitable to host such a high number of competitors.

Lacaze and Frijns in KF2
On Sunday, under a reasonably nice sun and on a dry racetrack, Charles Lacaze (F –TonyKart/Vortex) conquered it all, from timed qualifying to the final, reminding everybody that he did not become Champion of France by accident. However, Robin Frijns (B – Birel/TM) was a formidable opponent. It was Kenny Vermeylen (B – Tecno/Iame), however, who conquered the second place in the final, while William Benedetti (F – Komsic/Vortex) and Loïc Réguillon (F – Sodikart/Iame) reached 3rd and 4th position. On Sunday it rained, just as expected. Already very fast the previous day, Guillaume Barbarin (F – TonyKart/Vortex) scored the best time during timed qualifying. In the final, Olivier Tilkin (B – Redspeed/MRC) showed everyone how comfortable he feels in wet weather conditions. Robin Frijns proved a worthy opponent and took the lead of the race, soon joined by Charles Lacaze in 2nd position. Sami Luka (B – CRG/Iame) , 4th, finished in good position and William Benedetti scored important points. This week-end Julien Deschamps, Clément Bluy and Sébastien Bailly did obtain the results they were hoping for. In KF2 Championship of France, Lacaze became leader ahead of 5 Belgian pilots, with a 6 point advantage over Frijns.

The Reds dominated the race with Zéfirini and Mich These two pilots, member of Birel/TM, both won their finals. Enzo Zéfirini conquered his first victory in the Grand Prix on Saturday, while Thomas took a dominant win on Sunday, despite wet weather conditions that he did not find particularly inspiring. Thomas Letailleur (F – Mirage/TM) conquered 3rd and 2nd position in the finals. Norman Nato (F – Intrepid/TM) also showed excellent performances. Emilien Grosso (F – Intrepid/Pavesi) had to face a series of adjustment problems throughout the week-end. Pierre Krypciak (F – Alpha/Maxter) was very fast, but not capable of conquering a podium. Abbasse, second on Saturday, did not score any result on Sunday owing to a series of troubles with his carburettor. Zéfirini is now leader of the Championship, ahead of Grosso and Abbasse. Mich is again 4th, but these 4 pilots are all close in terms of points.

De Ridder, Hélias and Maïsano left their mark on KF3 Despite his young age, Jonathan Hélias (F – Intrepid/TM), the favourite of Equipe de France FFSA Karting, has shown all his potential, regardless of track conditions, by finishing second both under the sun and in the rain. Brandon Maïsano (F – Intrepid/TM) won the final on Saturday and was 3rd the following day. On a soaking wet track, Guillaume De Ridder (B – Kosmic/Vortex) won it all on Sunday: timed qualifying, pre-final and final. He is now leader of the Championship. Michael Heche (CH – Intrepid/TM), Jeffrey Schmidt (CH – Maranello/TM) Adrien Leidinger (B – Swiss Hutless/TM) and Clemente Picariello (B – CRG/XTR) were the best foreign performers behind the leaders. Young Kevin Petit’s performance (F – PCR/XTR) is worth mentioning: on Sunday he fought hard in the top 5. In the overall ranking, Picariello is second behind De Ridder, while Maïsano climbs back in 3rd position ahead of Heche and Hélias, only 10 points away from the leader.

Next round of FFSA Karting Grand Prix will take place on 17 and 18 May on the circuit of Essay, in Orne, for what promises to be a decisive meeting. The programme will be integrate by a promotion category, Formule FFSA, open to everybody at very attractive conditions. Don’t miss this opportunity!