Sodi Junior Team: New Ambitions in Rotax

The French company Sodikart, world’s leading manufacturer of karts, has increased its presence in Rotax competitions this season through its Junior Team structure – which was established last year – by getting officially involved in the Rotax Max Euro Challenge. A comprehensive programme, official drivers, a dedicated manager: Sodi has invested seriously at high level in a discipline that enjoys growing popularity.

Sodikart president Gildas Mérian talks about his collaboration with the biggest kart engine manufacturer: “We have a long-standing privileged business relationship with Rotax. We have imported Max 125 engines to France since 1988 and we have organised specific competitions such as the Challenge Rotax France since 1999. We have intensified our presence at Rotax events in the last two years by providing chassis for the Junior and Senior Rotax Grand Finals. 2012 marks a turning point: Sodikart celebrates its 30 years of existence and embarks on a new adventure by creating a competition structure dedicated to major Rotax events. We believe that an important part of today’s karting is taking place there”.

In accordance with the principle that led to the creation of the Sodi Junior Team in 2011, Sodi drivers will race in their regular teams throughout the year and will join the SJT for the Euro Challenge and Open International. Multiple French Champion Anthony Abbasse will start his new career as team manager on that occasion, with the technical support provided by Mikael Brégé, an engine mechanic of great experience. A regular at Rotax as well as at endurance races, Antoine Lepesqueux (Win Max Racing Kart) will defend Sodi colours in DD2. Revealed by his 5th place at the U18 World Championship in 2011, the Briton Henry Easthope (Taylor International Motorsport) will race in Rotax Senior together with French hopeful Hubert Petit (Ludo Racing).

During the 4 rounds of the Euro Challenge, the Sodi Junior Team will make available to the 3 official drivers, as well as to all the other Sodi entrants, its hosting and reception structure and its technical facility. They are therefore planning to host Emilien Carde (Matec Service), Thomas Benisri (Win Max Racing Kart), the Swedish driver Erik Stillman (Wallberg Motosport), Nicolas Picot and Maxime Gravouille (Kart Pro Racing), Cécile Martini (Martini Racing Kart), and Christophe Adams (Sodikart Netherland).

These are the comments by team manager Anthony Abbasse:
“I am very happy with my new team manager role for the Junior Team and with this opportunity to share my experience with very promising young drivers. This will not be an easy challenge to meet, considering the fierce competition level in Rotax, which is in no way inferior to that of the KF classes. We have already performed some tests with new Sodi chassis, and they are very encouraging, though I know that a lot of hard work will be needed!”

Rotax Euro Challenge 2012
– Round 1: 28 March-1 April. Genk, Belgium
– Round 2: 9-13 May. Wackersdorf, Germany
– Round 3: 25-29 July. Kristianstad, Sweden
– Round 4: 12-16 September. Salbris, France

– Rotax International Open 2012: 24-28 October (circuit still to be communicated)

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