Kees van de Grint Vice-President
I always enjoy a CIK-FIA event in Kristianstad (SWE) but this year was special because I was invited together with some other stakeholders in karting to “The Rock & Roll house”. This particular evening it was not about lap-times, engines or tires, but performing and listening to music. One song by Bob Dylan came to […]
I always enjoy a CIK-FIA event in Kristianstad (SWE) but this year was special because I was invited together with some other stakeholders in karting to “The Rock & Roll house”. This particular evening it was not about lap-times, engines or tires, but performing and listening to music. One song by Bob Dylan came to my mind: Times they are a changing.
Yes they do and as far as I am concerned in the case of the CIK-FIA for the better. When President Shaikh Abdullah bin Isa Al Khalifa and myself took charge of the CIK-FIA back in 2011 we set ourselves quite a few targets. Among others introducing a new engine for direct drive karts, lowering the age of eligible competitors and last but not least introducing a Promoter for the CIK-FIA Championships. Looking back now I think that 2017 proved that we made the right moves. Lowering the age not only boosted the grids but it also proved the critics wrong. Age does not mean a thing. It is talent and education that counts. Two rookies Brit Jonny Edgar (OK-J) and Moroccan Sami Taoufik (OK) were both crowned as European Champions.
The Competition this year was great, congratulations not only to all our champions but also to everyone who participated and last but not least the organisers who did all they could to make their event a success. I was especially impressed with the work conducted in short time at the Alahärmä circuit and the huge number of spectators that filled the stands during this event. Of course all was not perfect and it would be wrong if I would not mention the difficult circumstances the competitors were faced with during the European Championship at the Fernando Alonso track. Mistakes happen and I assure you that the CIK-FIA has learned a lesson. The World Championships events at Wackerdorf (KZ) and PFI (OK & OK-J ) were classics with record number of participants.
Am I satisfied with the 2017 season? Yes, very much! Is there still work to do? No doubt. For example we need to find a better modus for the gearbox class competition, safety is an issue especially now that the CIK-FIA will introduced Minikarts for 10 and 11 year old.
Times they are changing, what the future will bring we do not know but what I do know is that we owe WSK Promotion, Luca de Donno and his dedicated staff a big thank you for the work they done in the past five years to make the CIK-FIA Championships what they are today.
CIK-FIA Best of 2017 / © Photo KSP
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