Kristianstad 2016: A CIK-FIA landmark Competition

There was no shortage of reasons for satisfaction at the end of the Competition that has just finished in Sweden on the Kristianstad circuit. Good organisation produced a festive atmosphere, large crowds of spectators, the presence of Historic Karts and milder weather than forecast contributed to the sporting success. The Italian Paolo De Conto won his first World Championship in KZ, the Spaniard Pedro Hiltbrand took the CIK-FIA International Super Cup in KZ2, while the Dutchman Kas Haverkort won the Final and the Briton Callum Bradshaw won the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy.

The Swedes of the SBF and Kristianstad Karting Klubb had well prepared their case. Although it’s doubtful that they managed to influence the weather, everything else was obviously perfectly controlled. The attendance of the general public was at its height at the event with spectators filling the two grandstands and the entire perimeter of the circuit. The Drivers presentation, a ritual exercise, was a novel spectacle: the Band of the Kristianstad Guard, a spectacular parachute landing from Sky Dive Skane on the track at the feet of Drivers … On the other hand, the connections between the sports authorities, local authorities and entrepreneurs were obviously numerous and profitable. With kindness and calmness, the professionalism of the Kristianstad Karting Klub solved all the difficulties of such an event. Because of this, the atmosphere was particularly enjoyable for everyone.

As it had promised, WSK Promotion awarded a bonus of €750 to the top 15 Drivers in each of the CIK-FIA European KZ and KZ2 Championships who took part in the Competition at Kristianstad.

The 4th edition of the CIK-FIA Historic Super Cup met with great success at Kristianstad, both with the fans and the general public. Whether during their demonstrations on the track or their exhibition in a beautiful awning situated right in the centre of the paddock, the Historic Karts from all over northern and eastern Europe created new links and generated new interests.

De Conto takes his revenge by securing the World crown in KZ
Paolo De Conto (CRG / TM Racing / Vega) joyfully led the CIK-FIA World Championship for KZ at Kristianstad. Determined to take revenge after the title eluded him on the last lap of the 2015 Final at Le Mans (FRA), De Conto proved literally unbeatable this year in Sweden. Marco Ardigo (Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega) tried his luck with excellent starts in the Finals, but it was not enough. De Conto’s chances appeared to be poor early in the Final after a bad start when he was attacked by Lorenzo Camplese (Parolin / TM Racing / Vega) and Anthony Abbasse (Sodi / TM Racing / Vega), who also made a great start. Lying 4th on the fifth of the 25 laps he began a tremendous ascent that allowed him to pass Abbasse, the leader of the race, on lap 17 and won with the fastest lap, nearly two seconds ahead of the Frenchman. Ardigo completed the podium ahead of Bas Lammers (Sodi / TM Racing / Vega) and Simo Puhakka (CRG / TM Racing / Vega). The public followed the former F1 driver Rubens Barrichello (Birel ART / Parilla / Vega) whose simplicity, perseverance and progress attracted the admiration of the specialists. The aura of a celebrity in motorsport like Barrichello is positive for the popularity of karting and the Brazilian’s presence in Sweden should be welcomed.

Sumptuous victory for Hiltbrand in the International Super Cup for KZ2
A month after winning his first international title at Genk, the CIK-FIA European Championship in OK, the new top category of direct drive karts, Pedro Hiltbrand (CRG / Maxter / Vega) recorded another success, this time at the wheel of a KZ2 gearbox kart. Succeeding twice in a year is quite rare, to the credit of the Spanish Driver. And the season is not over… Hiltbrand was crowned at the Kristianstad Competition after an almost clear run. He only conceded a 2nd in a Qualifying Heat in the middle of a long winning streak. But Felice Tiene (CRG / TM Racing / Vega) took control in the Final before being demoted to 6th, then Tommaso Mosca (Maranello / TM Racing / Vega) took possession of 1st place. Mosca gave up a few laps later following a mechanical problem and only Hiltbrand could push for victory. Fabian Federer (CRG / Modena Engines / Vega) clinched 2nd place and Benjamin Törnqvist (CRG / TM Racing) 3rd place coming out of a group led by Tiene, back up to 4th, Matteo Viganò (Top Kart / Parilla / Vega) and John Norris (Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega).

Academy: Victory for Haverkort, the Trophy for Bradshaw
The last Competition of the 2016 CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy was first marked by the domination of a Swedish Driver. On the track where he started karting, Alfred Nilsson performed outstandingly in spite of his size. After taking the pole position in Qualifying Practice, he also won his two Qualifying Heats before winning again at the end of the Prefinal. In this race, however, he had to fight a pitched battle against the Belgian Elie Goldstein, the grandson of five-time World Champion in the 70s, François Goldstein. The Final was more open as the Dutchman Kas Haverkort joined the fight for victory. Nilsson started once again in the lead, Goldstein returned and passed in mid-race, then Haverkort won the race, followed closely by Goldstein, while Nilsson climbed on to the third step of the podium. This Final was marked by the total absence of penalties awarded for front spoiler movement, a first which proves that the younger generation are perfectly capable of learning to perform well on the track, and that the direction taken by the CIK-FIA is able to bear fruit.

The Briton Callum Bradshaw fought to the end to clinch 4th position in the Final, although the Trophy itself could not escape him, whatever the outcome. The winner at Essay and 2nd at Portimao, Bradshaw deserved to win the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy with his consistency at the front and his performance at every track. He totalled 64 points, ahead of Nilsson (46 pts) and Haverkort (42 pts). The OTK Kart Group team completed its first season as the official supplier of Exprit chassis and Vortex engines to the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy with a high index of satisfaction amongst the participants and their teams, demonstrating its very professional commitment to this important operation. OTK Kart Group have rewarded the winner Callum Bradshaw with the unique opportunity to participate in the upcoming CIK-FIA World Junior Championship in Bahrain as an official Vortex driver.