New challenges ahead…

After winning KZ1 World Cup (125cc gearbox) in 2007, Jonathan Thonon has made his comeback in racetracks and international paddocks, and he is once again with CRG Team, with which he won many titles. “I have been running for this team since 2001″, confirms the Belgian pilot. “They have always trusted me and this mutual confidence is something very important to me. Together, we have won many races and there are still many more to conquer”.

At 21, Jonathan has already had the chance to try his strength on a single seater, with very encouraging results, but his status of high-level pilot offers him huge possibilities for the future as well. “I adore karting. It’s a wonderful sport, both exciting and challenging, at mental, physical and technical level”. In 2008, this CRG pilot will have a very busy season, since he will compete in parallel in the two main categories of karting: KF1 and KZ1.

In Italy, the Winter Cup opened the season in Lonato as usual, on 17th and 18th of February. This test reassured Jonathan about the competitiveness of his equipment. “Maxter engines have made incredible progress during winter. In 2007, this recently approved engine was still in full development, but I immediately realized that it had a lot of potential. This is really encouraging for the rest of the season”. Thonon was 5th after heats and then 4th in the semi-final, but he still hoped he could fight for a place on the podium, at least until something unfortunate occurred. “Davide Fore’s engine broke and he went on a tailspin just in front of me. I had to move to the side to avoid him, but I found myself against protections and I overturned”.

He finished with a sprained ankle but he started immediately his rehabilitation to be “back on his feet” for the first round of WSK, a series that attracts all the best foreign pilots and teams. Determined to take his revenge on 15th and 16th March in Muro Leccese (Southern Italy), Jonathan appeared in excellent shape and obtained the best time during Super Pole on a full speed lap in KF1. “I was very pleased with my performance, especially after what happened to me a month ago. It was an excellent opportunity to show my opponents that I am back and that they will have to watch out for me, CRG and Maxter this season. This performance also improved the mood of my team, after all the effort they had made to obtain that result”.

Sponsored by many partners from the world of karting, as well as by Belgian companies Duferco (steel), Wanty (public works) and Loca Machine, Jonathan Thonon will return to WSK in early April to run in Angerville circuit, where he became European Champion Espoir (ICA) in 2002. This time, he will run in 125cc gearbox (KZ2). “My purpose is to defend the title I won in 2007 with CRG and Maxter, but also to get ready for possible future European races. Season 2008 has only just begun…”