2017 CIK-FIA Best-Of: Xavier Handsaeme – A difficult World Championship for the winner of the Academy

As the winner of the 2017 CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy, Belgian Xavier Handsaeme was invited to participate in the CIK-FIA World Junior Championship by OTK Kart Group, the official supplier of the Exprit chassis and Vortex engines of the Academy Trophy. This is how he took the start of the PF International Competition at the end of September at the wheel of a Kosmic / Vortex / Vega with the factory Kosmic Racing Department team.

Unfortunately, Handsaeme’s first world experience did not meet his expectations. Starting from a very long way back after a difficult Qualifying Practice, he was not able to regain enough ground in the Qualifying Heats and was unable to qualify for the Final and reach his potential.

“I am very happy to have participated in the CIK-FIA World Junior Championship.” Xavier said. “I thank OTK Kart Group for allowing me to discover the Competition within a team as well-known as the Kosmic Racing Department and Olivier Maréchal. I am also very disappointed that it went so badly, but I know enough about the complexity of Kart racing to be able to overcome this feeling and move forward. Everything had started well as I was among the fastest in Friday’s Free Practice. Qualifying Practice went much less well. I did not have a good time in my session and the difference in performance between the three groups relegated me to 72nd place. From there, my chances of qualification were already very much compromised. The battle was very tough in the pack at the PF International circuit, but I had no choice but to attack as much as possible, with all the risks involved. I retired very early in the first Qualifying Heat and was penalised because of an incorrectly positioned front fairing at the finish. I wish I could have shown what I was able to do, but it really was not possible this time. However, I remain generally satisfied with the 2017 international season, thanks in particular to my victory in the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy.“

Info CIK-FIA / © Photo KSP