IAME European Open - Event report

Three classes took part - IAME Cadet, X30 Junior & X30 Senior - providing a grid of each. 
Despite mixed prior forecasts, the weather held for the race days and competitors enjoyed extended track time within the relaxed timetable.  The racing built up into a spectacular set of Finals, all of which provided sensational races!

In the IAME Cadet Final, a 10 kart train at the head of the pack meant a grandstand finish which had the crowd on its feet!  Bray Kenneally (AIM Motorsport/Zip) took a sensational win with Alex Simmonds (AIM Motorsport/Zip) second and Joseph Taylor (Fusion Motorsport/Synergy) third.  The top 3 cadet drivers walked away with free entries to the MSA Kartmasters British Kart Grand Prix (to be held at PFi from 4-7 August 2016) plus cash prizes of €1000 (1^st), €500 (2^nd) and €250 (3^rd).
X30 Junior looked to be settling into a rhythm when all hell broke loose with two laps to go. At the front though Callum Bradshaw (BKC Racing/Exprit) showed maturity and class to take a well-deserved win (along with €3000 cash prize, an entry to the IAME X30 World Finals at Le Mans in October), runner up was a worthy Owen Byatt (Privateer/Kosmic), and the final podium spot went to an ecstatic Mario Mills (JM Racing/RK).  Byatt and Mills also received cash prizes of €2000 and €1000 respectively and also secured their places to Le Mans later on in the season.  Entries to the Kartmsters GP were also awarded to the top 3.

IAME X30 Senior, looked to be the property of Oliver Hodgson who dominated proceedings, even upto the last corner of the Final, but a sensational overtake by underdog Danny Keirle stole the show. A stunning end to some brilliant racing!  1st Danny Keirle (Jade Karts/Gold)  - winning the €3000 cash & IAME X30 World Final Ticket, 2nd Oliver Hodgson (PF International/Birel ART) – receiving €2000 cash & IAME X30 World Final Ticket, 3rd Tom Joyner (AMT/Zanardi) – awarded €1000 cash & IAME X30 World Final Ticket.  Just as the other two categories, the top 3 in X30 Senior also received entries to the forthcoming Kartmasters GP event, due to take place later this Summer.

Trent Valley Kart Club would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the drivers and teams who competed at this inaugural event, to IAME, Tillotson & JM Engineering for all their kind contributions and valued support and to all of the TVKC volunteer Officials for their hard work and commitment.  We hope to be back with the second running of the IAME European Open in 2017 so watch this space!

For the full results information, please visit http://www.tagheuer-timing.co.uk/results/tvkc/2016/20160619.html

For a ‘behind the scenes’ glimpse of events, please visit the IAME European Open Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/iameeuropeanopen/

Photo by: Kartpix