Two Intrepid Drivers on the Podium!

Brandon Maisano and Pascal Belmaaziz made sparks fly at the Monaco Kart Cup KF3. Always in the top positions throughout the weekend, they brought Intrepid’s colours on the famous podium of the Principality, while the company’s official structure showed its innovation ambitions by presenting the BioKart ®.

After the title of French Champion and several victories at the WSK, which he finished in second place, Brandon Maisano thrilled the public with an astonishing success in the final. Third in the pre-final, just behind the other Intrepid kart driven by Pascal Belmaaziz, the Frenchman made an excellent start and put immediately under pressure the leader, AaroVainio. On the second lap, Brandon took command of the situation. Taken aback by his rival when Vainio braked at the Bureau de Tabac on the 18th lap, the driver from Intrepid France was forced to give in his place on the following bend. There, Maisano had only five laps to go to reconquer the first place.

“In Monaco, the track is narrow and overtaking is difficult”, Brandon commented. “On the last lap, he braked very early and I could not avoid touching him. But since he was on the inside, it was impossible to pass him. Then I took my chance, I accelerated and I managed to pass him before crossing the finishing line”. On the first step of the podium, Brandon found again Pascal Belmaaziz, 3rd in the final, after an excellent performance with his Intrepid chassis.

“Unfortunately”, Brandon added “the ranking is now on hold because the Maranello team has made a complain and we have appealed against it. After the decision, I will be either first or second, but I hope to be the winner, so that I can dedicate this victory to my whole team, which did a wonderful job here in Monaco”.

Leaders in Innovation

The official Intrepid structure was at the Monaco harbour on 18 and 19 October within the framework of its partnership with BioKart ®. Developed in cooperation with Oral Engineering and its creator, AAD Organisation, the BioKart ® aims at reconciling motor sports and ecology by demonstrating that driving can be equally exciting, even with a lower carbon impact. 2009 will also witness the launch of the “BioKarting ® Series”. Held during several events in France, Italy and Spain, this series will host Intrepid Cirius 2009 karts, equipped with an Oral Racing 4 TK engine with pre- catalyst and ceramic catalyst, especially developed for Super Ethanol fuel. This monotype one-make formula, which prevents a race to increasing expenditure, is a turn-key project proposed by the organiser. Prizes will be awarded at each race. In Monaco, the Intrepid Team made a spectacular demonstration of the BioKart ®, which reached a peak speed of 150 km/h on this circuit, which used part of the Formula 1 Grand Prix track, from La Rascasse to the Bureau de Tabac, through the swimming pool “S’s”. Monegasque Stéphane Ortelli (Oreca driver in Endurance), French Jules Bianchi (winner of F3 Masters and former Intrepid driver) and Swiss Simona De Silvestro (Formula Atlantic driver in the US) made every possible effort to thrill the thousands of fans at the Principality, at the presence of several interested Intrepid official drivers, such as Roberto Toninelli, Jérémy Iglesias and Norman Nato.

Comments by Mirko Sguerzoni, in charge of Intrepid

“The Monaco Kart Cup weekend was very important for the Intrepid brand. On the one hand, we proved once again the reliability of our equipment thanks to the double success by Brandon Maisano and Pascal Belmaaziz. My compliments to the LM Karting, Action Karting and Intrepid France teams for their expertise. On the other hand, we presented officially our partnership with AAD Organisation and Oral Engineering for the launch of the BioKart ®, which marks the arrival of the Super Ethanol fuel in competition karting”.