Spring Highlights

With the FIA Karting season in the gearbox categories delayed due to the late delivery of Dunlop tyres, OK and OK-Junior are in the spotlight as far as top-level racing is concerned. The Val d’Argenton circuit will take centre stage this week in the Champions of the Future Euro Series as a preliminary to Round 2 of the European Championship. This will be the first of the season’s two great unknowns before the discovery of the Slovakia Ring in June. The European hierarchy could take a decisive turn at these two circuits, where teams and drivers are still finding their feet, providing a good opportunity to showcase everyone’s ability to adapt.

WSK Promotion is the only organisation to offer international competitions outside FIA Karting in KZ2 and KZ2 Master. The first round of its WSK Open Series at Franciacorta on LeCont tyresfulfilled its role last weekend for gear-shift enthusiasts. Back at the wheel of a Birel ART, Davide Foré had a great time in the 35+ category, beating Manuel Cozzaglio, but the field was not very large. There were plenty of entries in KZ2, however, and Sodi scored well with victory for Senna van Walstijn (Sodi/TM) and 3rd place for Giuseppe Palomba (Sodi/TM). Cristian Bertuca (BirelART/TM) in 2nd place proved to be van Walstijn’s most serious rival, with Markus Kajak(Maranello/TM) and Viktor Gustafsson (CRG/TM) logically completing the top five. With six drivers in the top 12, Sodi played a leading role. Tony Kart’s performances were not easy to assess, with Marijn Kremers (OTK/Vortex) retiring and Tom Leuillet (OTK/Vortex) finishing 25th after being delayed on the first lap. Francesco Celenta (OTK/Vortex) nevertheless finished 7th. OK-N and OK-NJ continue to grow in importance on the Italian karting scene, alongside Mini Gr.3 andU10. The second round of the WSK Open Series will take place at La Conca in a month’s time.

In France, the FFSA is beginning preparations for the 1st Trophée Anthoine Hubert, scheduled to take place on the Angerville track from May 10th to 12th. It’s always a challenge to launch a new competition at a time when calendars are full. However, the initiative deserves to be a success in the tradition of the great classics honouring the memory of departed champions. The model remains the Trofeo Andrea Margutti, which celebrated its 35th edition a few weeks ago with a strong field despite the regrettable closure of its original venue in Parma. The Trophée Anthoine Hubert, which will start in France this year, offers an interesting opportunity to compete in an important national event before the start of the French Championships on the track which hosted a World Championship in 2006. This first edition will be a national event open to the Mini 60, National, Senior and KZ2 federal categories, bringing together a large number of drivers and spectators for a weekend of intensity.

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