Japanese stage

Traditional Mecca of motorsport thanks to the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix, the Suzuka complex also comprises a superb Karting track which is conducive to lively races.

With its broad, rapid and fluid course, the Suzuka circuit often favours the draft effect, which is a token of close fights. There have been countless editions of the World Cup and Asia-Pacific Championship that were undecided until the very last yard. Even though there will be fewer participants this year than in 2009, but almost as many as in 2007, the CIK-FIA World Cup for Super KF and the CIK-FIA Asia-Pacific KF2 Championship – to be held on 20-23 May 2010 – are still very appreciated meetings for the Asian Drivers, who are pleased to be able to face a selection of the best European Drivers – for most of them, it is the only such yearly opportunity.

The Dutchman Nyck de Vries (Zanardi-Parilla-B’stone) is considered as a genuine young prodigy, who as a matter of fact has already been talent-spotted and sponsored by McLaren – will he be able to challenge the best Japanese Drivers just like he has already managed to make the most seasoned European professionals wonder? Although he is only a 15 year-old Super KF rookie, the 2009 European and German Junior Champion enjoyed a sensational season beginning in every single international non-Championship event in which he participated this year. And Suzuka will not be unchartered land for him as 12 months ago he attended the Asian meeting and, by way of gratitude, took part in a supporting national race in the Junior category.

Britain’s Oliver Rowland (Zanardi-Parilla-B’stone) will be another serious candidate to victory. Against these two Chiesa Corse team-mates, the local Drivers will be led by the Japanese KF1 Champion, Shota Koyohara (Tony Kart-Vortex-B’stone) and by the Japanese KF2 Champion, Shoya Kose (Maranello-Maranello-Dunlop). The national spectators and media will also follow with interest the performance of Hironobu Yasuda (CRG-Maxter-B’stone), a highly skilled kartman who is now exercising his talents in the very competitive Super GT Series in Japan at the wheel of a Nissan GT-R.

At Suzuka, the official or semi-official European teams have chosen to focus their efforts on the Asia-Pacific KF2 Championship. The Tony Kart Racing Team and its Junior Team have entered no fewer than four Drivers, with the Italian Ignazio d’Agosto, the Argentinean José Antonio Olmedo, the Briton Lindsay Butler and the Japanese Yu Kanamaru. Opposed to this four-some, the CRG Junior Team will enter the quick female Driver Michelle Gatting, while DR and Chiesa Corsa will respectively attend to every need of Kevin Susilo and Luca Ghiotto.

The KF2 entry list obviously includes a majority of Japanese, but Indonesia will also be well represented, with the three Drivers of the Sean GP team.

As always, the CIK-FIA will publish in real time the Drivers’ evolutions, from the first practice on Thursday 20 May to their final on Sunday 23 May. Rendez-vous on www.cikfia.com for those who will not be present at the Suzuka circuit!

Info CIK