Of Karts and Men

Although the weekend spent by Equipe de France FFSA Karting in the Walloon region did not bear all the expected results, the cause of it was not a lack of motivation or talent on the part of our four pilots. Once again, it was the potential of karts that determined race outcome: winning the European Championship at Mariembourg required most of all the best engine and the best chassis. Several excellent pilots had to face that harsh reality. In this context, performance analysis showed that all Equipe de France pilots did everything they could.

Just like most karting races in 2008, the weather complicated qualifying practice and pilots racing in the second heat had to drive in completely different weather conditions from one series to another. Luckily, summer made its appearance, at last, in the final phases.

The Trainer
Thanks to his deep knowledge of the environment and his thorough commitment under every circumstance, Julien Poncelet could provide maximum support and advice, so that Equipe de France could really begin to take shape. In Belgium, he was helped by famous kinesitherapist from INSEP Sébastien Menant, whose massage table was always busy during the weekend.

KF1
Intense work made by Team Compétition Sodikart – whose KF1 pilots include Anthony Abbasse and Alban Varutti – on some chassis has not been rewarded yet, but there are very important lessons to be learned from the Mariembourg meeting, which will be useful for season end. The two pilots started to develop a new and potentially interesting set-up. However, their reactions were quite different:
“Alban can see the positive side of things better than I do”, Anthony Abbasse commented before the finals. He has a greater margin and he takes advantage of each single improvement. I aim at victory above all and since we are still far from it, it is not easy for me. Now we work in a sort of complementary way and this is really good”.
Apart from the 20th place in timed qualifying as well as in the heats and despite a good 9th place by Varutti in the second heat, the Sodi boys had a difficult first race. Alban ended 26th and Anthony withdrew. Alban gained 5 positions in Race 2, while Anthony took advantage of his less worn out tyres to reach 13th position.

KZ1
Mariembourg was the second and last round of the European KZ1 Championship. Thomas Mich ranked 4th, just like in 2007. In his first season in this category, Norman Nato conquered an incredible 7th position. These two pilots are both the youngest and the best ranked of their teams and brands. Once again, Thomas gave his best in all four races and showed amazing performance regularity. Unfortunately his equipment did not allow him to aim higher. Norman Nato showed an extraordinary adaptation capacity to this category, which requires great experience. It was a real exploit for this 15-year old pilot. Once again, at Mariembourg he was given a doubtful penalty that deprived him of a heat victory, with all the consequences that ensued for the rest of the round. On his first participation, he could have reasonably aimed at a podium in the race.

Coming Events
KF1: European Championship debut at Braga (P) and World Championship at La Conca (I) in September.
KZ 1: World Cup at Varennes-sur-Allier, early September.

But before that, Brandon Maïsano, Jonathan Hélias, Charles Lacaze, Loïc Réguillon, William Benedetti and Julien Deschamps will face the delicate European qualifying round in KF2 and KF3 categories, at Zuera (Spain) in two weeks’ time.