Superkarts at Assen: Second round in front of a crowd

The second CIK-FIA Superkart European Championship Competition will take place on August 4th and 5th at the TT circuit in Assen, the temple of speed. This must-see event for the discipline is very popular. Indeed, Superkarts are incorporated in the programme of the “Gamma Racing Day”, an event which always attracts numerous spectators, with more than 90,000 last year. This year a demonstration from the Renault F1 team will be orchestrated by Nico Hulkenberg.

Donington’s results and the Assen track may contribute to prolonging the uncertainty about the outcome of the CIK-FIA European Superkart Championship. Indeed at this circuit the favourites have to deal with outsiders who often get mixed up in the battle, which favours sharing out the points. A few less than 40 participants are expected with a strong British delegation of 11 Drivers.

In theory, it should be the usual confrontation between the two favourites: the reigning double champion, the Czech Adam Kout (MS Kart / DEA) against the German Peter Elkmann (Anderson / VM), a duel mediated by the Belgian Yannick de Brabander (MS Kart / VM). But then, the vagaries of the opening Races somewhat redistributed the cards at the end of the Donington Competition. Peter Elkmann still has an incredible momentum. Winner of a race at Donington, he nevertheless had to retire while leading the first. Historically, the Assen circuit is less successful for the German, which has more difficulty finding a good balance between power and set-up, but this may not be the order of the day as he has changed chassis. Kout, slightly behind at the start of the season, regained momentum in the first European Competition, although he also had to retire once. The biggest beneficiary of this situation is for the moment Yannick de Brabander who scored a victory and a podium in Great Britain to take the lead in the provisional classification. Moreover, Assen has good memories for the Flemish Driver, as it was there that he took his first victory in Superkart last year.

Several protagonists should be highlighted. On a track where he succeeds quite regularly, the Dutchman Marcel Maasmann (Anderson / VM) can be counted on as he is regularly on the podium at home and victorious in 2015. As an opponent he will face the Briton Liam Morley (Anderson / DEA), 2nd at Donington and in the provisional ranking. The track is favourable for his top speed as shown by his two podiums in 2015, and his performance in 2016. Daniel Clark’s (Anderson / VM) progress should also be followed as he has been at the front since last year and is highly motivated following his podium at Donington.

Of the Germans, the other leading driver should be Andreas Jost (Anderson / VM) who has found his fighting spirit this year. The French torch will be picked up by Julien Goullancourt (Anderson / DEA) who has now returned to top form. The Dutch will have several representatives but Leo Kurtsjens (MS Kart / VM) has acquired consistency and experience that puts him in a favourable position. The female Driver Priscilla Speelman will return to the discipline, a former Netherlands Superkart Champion who rejoins her usual team (MS Kart / VM).

The CIK-FIA Superkart Mono Cylinder Cup will not only be decided between the experienced Gavin Bennett (Anderson / DEA), a former European Champion in twin and already winner of the Cup in 2016, and Paul Platt (Anderson / Gas Gas), a multiple British Champion, regaining form and now the provisional leader. Australia’s Jordan Ford (Anderson / DEA), victorious at Donington, has decided to return to Europe to participate in the entire Cup, in which he will be a serious candidate.