Decisive races in the three categories competing at Portimao

Located within the Portimão automotive complex, the Kartódromo Interncional do Algarve was the scene of hotly contested races as well as a disruption in the rankings last year for its first appearance on the CIK-FIA calendar. Its 1531 metre long track, full of elevation changes, proves to be both technical and selective due to its balanced alternation between fast sectors and twisty parts. Little used in competition, its surface offers new conditions for the teams. 171 Drivers, including nine "Wild Cards", representing 49 countries, are expected in Portugal. France is the first in the ranking of nations with 17 drivers, ahead of Spain (13) and Russia (11).

CIK-FIA EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP: BASZ EMERGES AS THE LEADER

With 41 Drivers, the number of entries in the new OK category increased slightly compared to previous Competitions. The reigning World Champion Karol Basz (Kosmic / Vortex / Vega) is in 1st position at the moment ahead of the Junior World Champion Logan Sargeant (FA Kart / Vortex / Vega) and the 2013 KF World Champion Tom Joyner (Zanardi / Parilla / Vega), showing that the standard is raised. In 4th position, Pedro Hiltbrand (CRG / Parilla / Vega) took an important victory in the Final at Adria and could shake up the situation if he keeps going. Attacks are quite possible from Marta Garcia Lopez (Evokart / Parilla / Vega), Christian Lundgaard (Ricciardo Kart / Parilla / Vega) or Martijn Van Leeuwen (BirelART / Parilla / Vega). Note the unusual participation by two Drivers from the KZ category: Jorge Pescador (Praga / TM Racing / Vega) and Marcus Armstrong (Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega).

CIK-FIA JUNIOR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP: WATT RANKS FIRST

Noah Watt (FA Kart / Vortex / Vega) has led the standings since the start of the Competition, but his opposition is becoming more pressing behind him, including Isac Blomqvist (Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega), Caio Jotta Collet (BirelART / Parilla / Vega), Finlay Kenneally (FA Kart / Vortex / Vega) and David Vidales Arenjo (Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega), the winner at Adria. Well-placed outsiders Kiern Jewiss (Exprit / Vortex / Vega), Dennis Hauger (CRG / Parilla / Vega), Charles Milesi (Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega) and Ulysses De Pauw (BirelART / Parilla / Vega) definitely have their part to play in the quest for victory.
The CIK-FIA European Championship will have its outcome at the end of July during a particularly attractive Competition at Genk (BEL).

CIK-FIA KARTING ACADEMY TROPHY: BRADSHAW ON TRACK

This one-make Competition aimed at revealing young talents from around the world this year uses new equipment provided by the OTK Kart Group. The 51 drivers from 39 nations are using Exprit chassis with a Vortex OK-Junior type engine, and Vega tyres. During the first of the three Competitions on the circuit of Essay (FRA), the Briton Callum Bradshaw asserted his claims vigorously against the Dane Mads Eielso Hansen and the Frenchman Thomas Mialane. The Briton Oliver Clarke and the American Jagger Jones also showed brilliant form. The Trophy will end in September as part of the CIK-FIA World KZ Championship organised at Kristianstad (SWE).

LIVE STREAMING ON CIKFIACHAMPIONSHIP.COM AND CIKFIA.TV. SPECIAL TV REPORT ON MOTORS TV.

As usual, it will be possible to follow the final day of the round on 26th June on cikfiachampionship.com and cikfia.tv. The streaming will start at 10:30am with the drivers’ parade, then the Pre-finals and the Finals of the three categories. Don’t miss, the following week, the special report with the highlights of the event on Motors TV.