The European Championships in the KZ1 and KZ2 classes raced this weekend on the Raceland Prokart Circuit at Wackersdorf in Germany produced two fine Champions. In winning the Final the Dutchman Bas Lammers claimed victory in the principle class of gearbox karts (KZ1) whilst the Italian Angelo Lombardo dominated the second division (KZ2).

With the European KZ1 Championship contested over only one weekend (and therefore with only one decisive final) the suspense was maintained at an intense level this Sunday afternoon. All of the weekends work could bear fruit or be destroyed in just one race of 25 laps over 30 kms.

Leading at the end of the qualifying races, Bas Lammers (Intrepid-TM) had dropped down to 5th place by the pre-final, primarily because of a tyre problem. But the 23 year old Dutchman drove a perfect race in the final. Already 3rd at the first turn, he successfully passed the best in the shape of Marco Ardigo (Tony Kart-Vortex) and his team member Jeremy Iglesias (Intrepid-TM) to collect his second European Title following that in Formula A (100cc direct drive) in 2003.

“Considering what happened in the pre-final I didn’t think I could lift the title” he acknowledged all smiles afterwards. “But I got a good start in the final and I was immediately into my rhythm by the time I took 2nd place. When I saw Jeremy make a very small error which enabled me to renew my challenge, I said to myself I must give it my all. I found an opening 5 laps from the end. But the last 3 laps have been the longest of my career!”

With the French Spaniard Jeremy Iglesias coming second, the Intrepid factory achieved a fantastic double, combined with the best time being set in qualifying practice by Norman Nato. The revelation of the competition, the 16 year old Frenchman finished the final in 8th place.

Behind the two Intrepid drivers, the podium was completed by Jonathan Thonon (CRG-Maxter). The European Champion and twice World Cup Winner refused to be downcast. “We missed just a little something to be able to achieve victory”, he suggested. “But I am very happy to be on the podium. It proves that we are always in contention and the next World Cup cannot come soon enough.”

Despite all his misfortunes the Italian Marco Ardigo (Tony Kart-Vortex) whilst failing to make the podium finished 4th in front of his compatriot Davide Fore (CRG-Maxter), Dutchman Thomas Knopper (PCR-TM), the always green Alessandro Piccini (Intrepid-TM), Norman Nato (Intrepid-TM), the Dutchman Arjan Kievitsbosch (CRG-TM) and the Belgian Rick Dreezen (CRG-Maxter), who completed the top 10.

Unlike the KZ1 class, the European Championship in KZ2 (the second division of gearbox karting) was contested over two events. After the opening event at Muro Leccese in Italy, it was here in Germany that the title was determined. Driving a cautious race the Czech Patrik Hajek (Tony Kart-Vortex), double winner in Italy, lost all hope late in race one when he was struck by British driver Jack Hawksworth (Energy-TM) when he occupied 3rd place.

These two contenders for the title being eliminated, it was the third man the Italian Angelo Lombardo (Tony Kart-Vortex) who benefited. Starting from pole position after dominated the qualifying heats the 19 year old Sicilian was initially headed by Jack Hawksworth. But when he took command of the situation midway that was the signal to claim Race 1 in front of his compatriot Devid De Luchi (Intrepid-TM) and the Dutchman Jorrit Pex who had benefitted from the clash between Hawksworth and Hajek.

Before Race 2 Angelo Lombardo knew that he had every chance of taking the title in the event of another victory. Resisting the pressure perfectly the Italian drove a masterful race. Jorrit Pex and Devid De Luchi swapping places to once more join him on the podium.

“I am really very happy”, the young Sicilian said timidly. “I lost so many points in Italy, in particular following mechanical problems, and I didn’t think I would be able to win the title here. From now on I shall be thinking of the KZ1 World Cup which I will contest next September at Sarno in Italy when I shall face all the top drivers”.

With the Championship Angelo Lombardo finally finished in front of the unhappy Patrik Hajek, the Italian Ricardo Piccoli (CKR-TM), Devid De Luchi and the two Dutch Pex brothers with Jorrit the junior in front of the older Yard (both on CRG-TM).

By PaddockTalk

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Steve says, “I meet a lot of people who very quickly become jaded with big awnings. They can become places where people get lost and forgotten, or simply find that they’re paying for someone else’s weekend. We’re not like that. We pride ourselves on DR Racing Kart UK being a neat little package. Everyone’s important and we all pull together to help each other.”

He adds, “I see picking the right team like choosing your child’s school. You ask yourself, will they learn something positive, make friends, be safe and at the end of the day, come home happy?

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“Recently, Danilo came over to Whilton Mill to assist with a test. His depth of knowledge is incredible and he’s passionate about sharing it with DR Kart drivers. He’s even said that DR owners can call him for set-up advice or driving tips.”

Luke Varley capped a faultless weekend at Buckmore Park (13/14 June) by leading his team-mate, Joseph Reilly across the line to record the team’s first Rotax podium 1-2 of the season.

From the outset, Varley was in scintillating form. Fastest in timed qualifying, he then comfortably won both his heats - setting the fastest lap in both races - to seal pole position for the first final.

Last year’s Junior Max champion Joseph is really beginning to get to grips with the rigours of the Senior class, illustrated by being fifth quickest in qualifying and taking excellent second and third place finishes in the heats.

As the lights flicked to green, Luke made good his advantage and disappeared into the distance. Joseph had a tougher race against more experienced opposition, but came through to take an excellent fifth.

The nature of the challenging Kent circuit often produces first lap crashes, but by combining a clear circuit ahead of him with great reactions, Luke was again able to avoid the dramas unfolding behind him as the second final got underway. Also capitalising was Joseph, who quickly slotted into second spot and matched his team-mate’s speed through every one of Buckmore’s twists and turns to secure his first Super 1 Senior Max podium.

Strawberry team boss Warwick Ringham said “We were confident beforehand that Luke would be there or thereabouts but didn’t expect him to be quite so dominant. He just drove away from everybody”.

He added, “I’m over the moon with Joseph. He’s really improved and come on. Like Luke, he’s doing everything right. I’m just delighted.”

In the Junior category, Josh Webster was joined by new signing Barrie Pullinger. In a close timed qualifying session, Josh finished sixth overall, just a tenth of a second shy of the pole time. Barrie’s twenty first place, showed how close the Junior Max class has become, with him three tenths off the front-running pace.

Tripped up in each of the heats by the almost inevitable crashes, Josh came through with a pair of top ten finishes, whilst Barrie also showed character to deliver his best performances since joining the squad.

Josh was again the victim of startline incidents in both finals, but gamely fought his way back into the top ten, with ninth and eighth place finishes respectively. Barrie was also on a rollercoaster of luck bringing his Tony Kart home in sixteenth and thirteenth.

Warwick said, “Barrie’s coming on in leaps and bounds. I’m well pleased with his progress. Buckmore was only his third race with us and he impressed me with the way he went about his job. As for Josh, well, like all the other lads he really buckled down. He had bad luck making it through the first corner, every time. He didn’t have the sort of weekend he can usually expect but he’ll bounce back. In fact, it’s all looking good from here.”

Ben Cooper, Chris Lock and Guilherme Silva all showed character and mettle to deliver strong performances in challenging conditions at Rowrah last Sunday (7 June).

Changeable weather and a recently resurfaced track presented a stern test to all the competitors - not least the team’s brilliant Brazilian, Guilherme who had never seen the Cumbrian circuit before, so racing in a former quarry must have been something of a culture shock.

KF1 points leader Ben Cooper overcame the effects of a big accident in the second heat and powered through from 13th on the grid to take 4th spot in the first of the day’s two finals. In the following race, he went two places better to take a well-judged runner-up finish and retain his position at the top of the Championship table.

Chris Lock’s consistency throughout the weekend ensured that he was never outside the top ten – from timed qualifying, through to the heats and finals. The reigning European Max Champion took valuable points with 8th in the first final, before demonstrating blistering pace to rise up the order in the second encounter to snatch the remaining step of the podium with a brilliantly judged move on the last lap, setting a new lap record in the process.

Guilherme Silva is winning scores of new fans with his exciting, flamboyant driving in the KF3 class. Making his Rowrah debut, he was initially off the pace in qualifying but became the pace-setter in the first heat, taking 3rd place and recording the fastest lap. He was third again in his second heat and earned the same grid position for the first final.

A dramatic and thrilling race was only resolved when the talented youngster crossed the finishing line in a creditable fifth place.

An opening lap clash in the second final knocked Guilherme down to 10th, forcing a gritty fightback. Patiently he picked his way back through the field to cross the finishing line in 5th, earning praise from his team boss, Paul Spencer - “Guilherme was brilliant. He’s never raced here before and is still very inexperienced in terms of his understanding of the British style of racing. Nevertheless, he gave an excellent account of himself.”

He added, “It was a tough weekend for everyone in the team. But I think each one deserves praise for sticking to their task and taking away something positive. Ben, another trophy and retaining the series lead; Chris was back on the podium and set a lap record, and Guilherme deserved a podium but was unfortunate. But he learnt a great deal and again showed that he’s a big talent.”

All three drivers are now in Genk, for this weekend’s (12/13 June) fourth round of the WSK Championship. Timed qualifying commences on Saturday morning with the first series of eliminatory heats in the afternoon. The all-important finals will run on Sunday.