Breathtaking European Races and Championships in Sweden

The Competition that has just taken place on the Kristianstad circuit was particularly lively and spectacular. Rarely had the conquest of European titles been so full of suspense. The previous races, the demanding Åsum Ring layout and the changing weather conditions gave a unique flavour to the last European Competition of the season, especially as the Swedish organisers made a major contribution as part of the successful event ensemble. The CIK-FIA European Champions are now decided: Taoufik in OK, Edgar in OK-Junior, Köhler in KZ2 and De Conto in KZ, the only one who was assured of his title before the start.

The small world of karting was once again delighted to compete in a CIK-FIA Competition in Sweden. The organisers at the Kristianstad Kart Klubb had further improved the Åsum Ring site in different ways, the most visible undoubtedly being the large permanent grandstand recently built shortly after the start line, which can accommodate more than 500 spectators. The warm welcome and friendliness of the Swedish team always adds to the Competition.

Kristianstad’s rather wide track allows the Drivers to use original racing lines to try to outdo each other. This is where the difference is often made during intense confrontations. Several rainy periods on Saturday afternoon and Sunday made it difficult for the teams and Drivers, who reached the respectable number of 183.

OK: Taoufik Champion after Kenneally’s victory

Lorenzo Travisanutto (Zanardi / Parilla / LeCont) showed his ambitions in the Qualifying Practice, achieving the fastest time ahead of three perfectly equal drivers: Noah Milell (Kosmic / Vortex / LeCont), Pavel Bulantsev (Tony Kart / Vortex / LeCont) and Sami Taoufik (FA Kart / Vortex / LeCont). The Heats already saw some surprises with Finlay Jack Kenneally (Tony Kart / Vortex / LeCont) in front of Milell, Hauger, Bulantsev and Karol Basz (Kosmic / Vortex / LeCont). Some contenders for the title had lost some performance. Kenneally confirmed his return to form in the Final by distancing his opponents on a drying track, although it required the use of rain tyres. Basz replaced Hauger in 2nd place, and even came back to the leader at the end, but Kenneally finished five tenths ahead of the Polish Driver while Travisanutto was back in 3rd position in front of Hauger and Taoufik. Milell gave up at the start of the race, Hiltbrand a little later, while Theo Pourchaire (Kosmic / Vortex / LeCont) in 14th and David Vidales Ajenjo (Tony Kart / Vortex / LeCont) in 18th could not hope to challenge for the Championship.

Sami Taoufik (80 pts) was the winner of the CIK-FIA European Championship, the first title of this calibre won by a Moroccan driver. Russia’s Pavel Bulantsev (67 pts) took 2nd place ahead of Italy’s Lorenzo Travisanutto (66 pts), then Basz (63 pts) 4th and Kenneally (60 pts) 5th.

Junior: Winning weekend for Doohan – Crown for Edgar

Jack Doohan (FA Kart / Vortex / Vega) really was the man of the situation in the last Competition of the CIK-FIA European Junior Championship in Sweden. Both fast and very consistent in all conditions, the Australian took control at the end of the Qualifying Heats thanks to his three victories. While the Final took place on a fully wet track, Doohan led the race from start to finish and won with a lead of more than 7”, having naturally achieved the fastest time. His team-mate Harry Thompson (FA Kart / Vortex / Vega) was 2nd on the podium after the incorrectly positioned front fairing penalty sent Jonny Edgar (Exprit / TM Racing / Vega) to 4th behind Qualifying poleman Hugo Sasse (CRG / Parilla / Vega). Kas Haverkort (CRG / Parilla / Vega) completed the top five.

Britain’s Jonny Edgar (GBR) was named CIK-FIA European Junior Champion with 113 points, followed in 2nd place by Harry Thompson (99 pts) and Australian Jack Doohan (71 pts). Hadrien David (67 pts) finished 4th and O’Neill Muth (53 pts) 5th.

Victory for Hajek in front of Lammers in KZ

Already assured of the title of CIK-FIA European KZ Champion, Paolo De Conto (CRG / TM Racing / B’stone) took no unnecessary risks at Kristianstad. Marijn Kremers (Birel ART / TM Racing / B’stone) held the lead during Qualifying Practice and then the Qualifying Heats. But it was Patrik Hajek (Kosmic / Vortex / B’stone) who was the most comfortable in the rain in the Final and who beat Bas Lammers (Sodi / TM Racing / B’stone) while De Conto was on the third step of the podium.

Behind the Champion Paolo De Conto (100 pts) from Italy, Czech Patrik Hajek (80 pts) confirmed his 2nd place, with Dutchman Marin Kremers (74 pts) taking 3rd place.

Overwhelming victory for Renaudin in KZ2 Final, Köhler wins the Championship

The last of the three Competitions of the CIK-FIA European KZ2 Championship was not short of drama. Alessandro Irlando (Sodi / TM Racing / B’stone) was one of the favourites but was at the back of the Qualifying Practice which was headed by Tom Leuillet (Sodi / TM / B’stone). Leuillet continued to dominate in the Qualifying Heats against Riccardo Longhi (Birel ART / TM Racing / B’stone) and Matteo Vigano (Tony Kart / Vortex / B’stone). The situation was far from being fixed regarding the conquest of the title. Rain began to fall as the finalists were preparing to start on slick tyres on the grid. The procedure was not interrupted and the race started in very slippery conditions. Adrien Renaudin (Sodi / TM Racing / B’stone) took the lead while some Drivers lost control of their machines. Gaetano Gomes E.S. Di Mauro (CRG / TM Racing / B’stone) attacked Martijn Van Leeuwen (Energy / TM Racing / B’stone) for 2nd position. Renaudin continued to increase his lead at the front of the Race and lapped a total of 16 Drivers who were forced to return to the pits. Although penalized 10” for an incorrectly positioned front fairing, Renaudin was on the top step of the podium in front of Gomes E.S. Di Mauro and Van Leeuwen.

Although only 14th in the Final, Germany’s Leon Köhler (47 pts) was crowned European Champion in front of Italians Paolo Ippolito (42 pts) and Alessandro Irlando (42 pts). Vigano (41 pts) and Leuillet (39 pts) were in the top five.

Info CIK-FIA / © Photo KSP