Compétition

2015 CIK-FIA Best-Of : Sargeant, an american KF-Junior World Champion

Always lively, KF-Junior lived up to its reputation during its last World Championship raced at the La Conca International Circuit. The enthusiasm of over a hundred contenders aged 13-15 years old resulted in severe clashes in the first Qualifying Heats with many 10” penalties for fairings coming unhooked during unsportsmanlike contact. Focused on his objective, the young American Logan Sargeant did not let it intimidate him. Solid as ever, he gained the ascendancy early on Saturday morning and never left the 1st place until the chequered flag of the Final on Sunday afternoon. Thirty-seven years after Lake Speed’s title, an American victory in a World Karting Championship should have a positive impact in the US.

Logan Sargeant (FA Kart-Vortex-LeCont) did not leave hope for his opponents. Leader of the Qualifying Heats, he won successively in Prefinal 1 and the Final, pulling away and leaving his rivals to battle for the runner-up positions. Four Drivers from South America were in the top 10 after the Qualifying Heats. The Venezuelan Sebastian Fernandez Wahbeh (FA Kart-Vortex-LeCont) stated his ambitions by winning Prefinal 2 ahead of the Belgian Ulysse De Pauw (BirelART-Parilla-LeCont). Far behind Sargeant, who was unrivaled on the road to the title, the Frenchman Clement Novalak (Tony Kart-Vortex-LeCont) and the promising young Brazilian Caio Collet (Kosmic-Vortex-LeCont) indulged in a long duel, with Novalak eventually taking 2nd from Collet. Fernandez conceded the 4th position to another rookie, the Briton Sami Worship (FA Kart-Vortex-LeCont).

The young American Logan Sargeant has completed his career in the most impressive way by dominating the 2015 CIK-FIA World lKF-Junior Championship at the La Conca circuit. This is the first World karting title won by the United States since that of Lake Speed in 1978, a victory which confirms the current revival of the discipline throughout the American continent.

Can you tell us about your beginnings in karting?
– It all started for me at the age of 5, when my father gave me a kart for Christmas. I started competing and victories followed quickly. Encouraged by my first successes in the US, I had the chance to continue my learning in Europe in 2012. This was the best way to reach the highest level, because I had the ambition to become World Champion.

How was the 2015 season?
– For my third season in KF-Junior, I was more confident and was able to take several victories. But not everything was simple. During the first round of the European Championship at Portimao, we did not achieve the expected performance. We seemed to have trouble with the tyres. I was faster in England, but I made a mistake in the Final and compromised my chances in the championship.

And the World Championship?
– I must say that everything went perfectly. I was a little nervous beforehand, but everything was in place as soon as the engine started. RFM has done a magnificent job, and the engine prepared by One Engines was also at the top. After my second fastest time in qualifying, I won four of my five heats, then Prefinal 1. I made a good start again in the Final. I was able to outrun my opponents after a few laps and keep up a good pace to the finish. It was an amazing weekend!

What are your projects ?
– I think logically to cars, but I have not finished with karting. I will go into the top OK category next year, still with RFM.