2017 CIK-FIA Best-Of: Köhler: the European surprise of the KZ2 year

Three Competitions were on the programme of the CIK-FIA European KZ2 Championship which gave pride of place to the amateurs and enabled them to be noticed against some famous Drivers. The technical and meteorological hazards of the season allowed Leon Köhler, a young German Driver unknown at this level until then, to take the crown of European Champion.

Vigano wins the opener at Genk (BEL)

Leon Köhler (Tony Kart / Vortex / Bridgestone) was a revelation in the Qualifying Practice and Heats. But Matteo Vigano (Tony Kart / Vortex / Bridgestone) took the lead on the second lap of the Final to conclude a win despite the threat from Alessandro Irlando (Sodi / TM / Bridgestone). Riccardo Longhi (Birel ART / TM) lost 3rd place after a poorly positioned front fairing penalty and Köhler recovered it while Martijn Van Leeuwen (Energy / TM / Birdgestone) and Tom Leuillet (Sodi / TM / Bridgestone) completed the top five.

Ippolito imposes himself on the first step at Le Mans (FRA)

Paolo Ippolito (Lenzo / LKE / Bridgestone) was one of the great protagoniusts of the French Competition with poleman Alessandro Pelizzari (CKR / TM Racing / Bridgestone) entered as a “Wild Card”. Vigano was back in the Final, until his engine let him down on the last lap. Ippolito won the race ahead of Rokas Baciuska (Sodi / TM Racing / Bridgestone) and Pelizzari. 4th in front of Irlando, Köhler scored valuable points in the Championship.

Renaudin triumphs in the rain and Köhler relishes his title at Kristianstad (SWE)

Holder of the Pole Position, Tom Leuillet (Sodi / TM / B’stone) also dominated the Qualifying Heats in Sweden. But the weather was getting worse and the Drivers started the Final on slick tyres on a wet track. Adrien Renaudin (Sodi / TM Racing / B’stone) was in 1st place on the first lap and won the race convincingly despite a penalty of 10” for an incorrectly positioned front fairing. He had caught up and lapped 16 Drivers including Vigano and Irlando. Gaetano Gomes E.S. Di Mauro (CRG / TM Racing / B’stone) and Van Leeuwen completed the podium while Köhler won the title after finishing 14th.

Leon Köhler (47 pts) was crowned European Champion ahead of the Italians Paolo Ippolito (42 pts) and Alessandro Irlando (42 pts). Matteo Vigano (41 pts) and Tom Leuillet (39 pts) were in the top five.

Info CIK-FIA / © Photo KSP