Tonykart Junior Team Further Statement
We can confirm that a small trace of cannabis was found in Tonykart Junior driver Flavio Camponeschi’s sample, which he provided to the stewards at the CIK FIA KF2 World Cup at La Conca, Italy in September 2008.
When team manager, Paul Spencer was informed by the panel of stewards of their findings, he asked his driver what had happened and Flavio explained the situation to him.
Flavio said he had attended a party, where a small amount of the drug in a ‘joint’ had been passed around. With an uncharacteristic loss of judgment, he momentarily smoked it and immediately regretted doing so.
A small amount of cannabis can stay in the body for 80 days, explaining why Flavio was found to have a trace amount in his system.
Flavio deeply regrets his actions and wholly accepts the CIK’s punishment, a 6 month ban and the loss of his World Cup victory. Paul Spencer said, “What he did was utterly stupid. Here at the Tonykart Junior Team we deplore the use of drugs but I think we need to apply some common sense to the situation. We cannot condone his behaviour and that will be dealt with internally. However, Flavio has shown great remorse and is undergoing further education on the dangers of drugs. He has also promised to use his experience to explain to young kart racers why drugs have no place in a champion’s life. He has also offered to work closely with the CIK-FIA Anti-Doping Commission to publicise their doping awareness and prevention campaign.”
Flavio says, “I wish to apologise to everyone my fans, the team, my competitors, the officials, my family and especially, Mr. Robazzi (the owner of Tonykart). I was naïve and selfish. That one moment has undone so much hard work and I am genuinely sorry for that. I will do everything I can to repair the damage I have done.”
In May 2006 the CIK-FIA launched its anti doping programme in association with the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) using the message ‘Race True’ to enlighten young drivers about the dangers of doping. Both drug-taking and doping are considered to be rare in karting and motor racing because the effects of doing so are particularly dangerous. Cannabis is illegal in many countries throughout the world and is on the WADA list of banned substances. Often referred to as a ‘social’ rather than performance enhancing drug, due to its sedative and sometimes mildly hallucinogenic properties, cannabis use carries many risks. According to the www.talktofrank.com website, cannabis affects concentration and coordination and contains harmful chemicals that can cause lung disease and cancer. It has also been linked to mental health problems and can also induce heart attacks.
By Tony
Rotax Finals @ La Conca
The 9th ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS will take place on the awesome track of La conca – Muro Leccese, Italy from 25th November to 30th November, 2008.
After Portugal 2006 the grand finals touch European ground again. This time Italy – at no doubt the home of the kartsport- will host the grand finals of the biggest race series of the world.
The track of La conca in Muro Leccese is 80 km south of Brindisi and close to the city of Otranto in the beautiful region of Apulia.
La Conca
This region is well known for it´s beauties, hospitality, history as well motor sport , the track of La conca is for sure amongst the very best karting facilities on earth. It´s simply the best place to host the ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS 2008:
Beside this it is as well one of the warmest and driest area of Europe, which let us hope that we will see perfect conditions even late in the year.
La Conca will see 216 drivers that qualified via national as well as international race series – means it will be a “battle” amongst the best of the world – coming from more than 55 nations of all 5 continents.
For 1 week La Conca will become the center of interest for anybody involved in the ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE worldwide program - the place where everybody wants to be. ROTAX, it’s distributors and partners who support this fantastic championship look forward to making a very exiting event.
By Rotax
Rotax Max World Finals La Conca Preview
Yes, the Rotax Worlds come to Europe!
Schumacher at La Conca some years ago!
The 9th Rotax Max Challenge Grand Nationals will be held in Italy at the impressive track of La Conca in Muro Leccese, southern Italy, from November 25th to November 30th 2008.
The track of La Conca in Muro Leccese is 80 km south of Brindisi and close to the city of Otranto in theRotax Grand Nationals Logo beautiful region of Apulia. This region is well known for its beauty, hospitality, history as well as motorsports. The track of La Conca is unquestionably among the very best karting facilities on earth. Furthermore, the region of Muro Leccese is one of the warmest and driest areas of Europe, which benefits from perfect weather conditions even late in the year. La Conca will welcome 216 drivers whom have qualified for the race via national as well as international race series. This rivalry will definitely be a battle among the best in the world for a week, La Conca will become the center of interest for anybody involved in the Rotax Max Challenge worldwide program, the event where every karting enthusiast wants to be. Rotax, its distributors and partners who support this fantastic championship is looking forward to making a very exciting event.
Here is a Video from the Track. By KRS