Press release

Victory for Lavanant and Energy

Victory for Lavanant and Energy Just like last year, Energy Corse Team made its debut in the European 125/KZ2 Championship with a victory! In a category where a...

Victory for Lavanant and Energy
Just like last year, Energy Corse Team made its debut in the European 125/KZ2 Championship with a victory! In a category where as many as 104 pilots were racing, Tony Lavanant really impressed from the very beginning, by conquering the pole position. Always at the lead, Mathias Gallepe completed the success of the Energy official team by remaining in the top 7 in each of the two finals.

On the French Angerville circuit, Energy’s blue, red and white colours were everywhere throughout the weekend. After conquering the pole position, Tony Lavanant never left the first row, until Sunday afternoon. The French pilot drove an almost spotless race, winning four out of five heats and setting four record laps.

“The job made by the team this winter is bearing its fruits” said Tony. “Our chassis was already performing well last year, but in 2008 it is really formidable! I had already realised it one month ago, at the WSK and this first round of the European Championship has only confirmed it. It is fast on the single lap but also throughout the race”. In race 1, Tony Lavanant continued his demonstration. Fighting for victory against British Hawksworth, he was soon informed of the 10 second-penalty imposed on the latter for an early start.

“When I realized that I could easily control my pursuers, I didn’t take useless risks with Hawksworth, because I knew that victory would be mine”, explained the Energy pilot. “I couldn’t dream of a better way to start this European Championship. Last year, it was my turn to be penalised for an early start. This time, I was careful not to waste the wonderful job made by my team”. The third step of the podium was the reward for another excellent performance by Tony in race 2. “This last final was very hard fought between Demanse and Hawksworth. I came close to winning again, but I didn’t want to compromise this good weekend. By finishing first and then third, I obtained a very useful result for the Championship. This is really promising for the rest of the season”.

As to Mathias Gallepe, he was always on the heels of his team mate and compatriot. With a victory and four second places in the heats, not to mention the best lap in his group during warm-up, on Sunday morning, he provided proof of the competitiveness of Energy chassis. Starting 5th in race 1, he defended his position against the attacks of the group of pursuers. “I wanted to improve this result in race 2 and to be able to conquer a podium, but I couldn’t find a passage at the start so I lost touch with the leading group. I finished this race in 7th position but I scored important points; so now I can still hope to play an important role in the Championship”.

Michele Panigada’s viewpoint, team manager of Energy

“The weekend was excellent for Energy pilots; indeed, many of them fought in the top 10. Our main objective is to make sure that all our pilots are competitive, and thanks to the qualities of our chassis, as well as to those of our technical team, we have reached that goal. Tony Lavanant gathered all his experience to win and to become a candidate to the title of European Champion: he is on his way to conquer the second position and he is just four little points away from the leadership”…

Publié le 09/05/2008