Deutsche Kart Meistershaft, Round 3 – Genk, July 17 2016

After Wackersdorf and Ampfing, the German Kart Championship travelled to Genk for the third of overall five events. 189 top-class drivers started in the classes DKM, DJKM, DSKM and DSKC. Two weeks before the CIK-FIA European Kart Championship finale at the same location, numerous teams and drivers used the races as preparation – which made the ranked races accordingly exciting.

DSKC: premiere victories for Prosperi and Kreutz

Between the 34 drivers in DMSB Shifterkart Cup, fastest driver of qualifying was Max Tubben (CRG Holland), but he had to pass on his lead to Enrico Properi (Renda Motorsport) during the course of the heats.

The Spaniard had the best starting position after the heats and was able to use this during the first ranked race. Andreas Johansson (CRG Holland) and Tobias Mähler (Kartshop Ampfing) fought hard for the runner up position, but during the sixth lap, the duo collided and both had to end the race prematurely. Nico Jöcker (Kartshop Ampfing) took the position of the first pursuer in front of Christoph Hold (Maranello Kart), Maximilian Paul (NKS for Racing) and Patrick Kreutz (RS Motorsport).

“I’m very content and happy about my first victory at the DSKC. Towards the end of the race the pressure from behind became a bit stronger, but I was able to hold my position”, the Spaniard summed up.

Prosperi replies his best start in the second race, but he had to drop out of the race after four laps due to a technical difficulty. Kreutz took the place at the front, but he had to fight against his pursuers Max Tubben in second and David Detmers (MSR Motorsport) in third.

“This is an unbelievable feeling. After taking the lead I was able to drive away from the field easily. In the end it got really close again though and I had to fully attack”, said Kreutz.

Championship ranking DSKC after the third round:
1. Symen Wiggers (106 points)
2. Max Tubben (103 points)
3. Christoph Hold (92 points)
4. Maximilian Paul (79 points)
5. Patrick Kreutz (71 points)

DSKM: fight for the title stays exciting

Maranello Kart factory driver Tommaso Mosca (Maranello Kart Srl.) got the best time during qualifying. Czech Patrik Hajek (Kosmic Kart Racing Departement) won the heats though. From pole position, Hajek continued his success drive during the first final race. After a perfect start the Czech drove into the first bend as the leading driver and didn’t give his opponents any chance for attacks. He didn’t win in the end though. Towards the middle of the race he had to drive into the off due to a defect. Anthony Abbasse (Sodi Kart Racing Team) took his place, but the Frenchman held the top position only for a short while too. Marco Ardigò (Tony Kart Racing Team) rushed forward and took the lead. During the remaining laps the multiple Kart World Champion was the fastest driver of the field and drove away from his opponents. Abbasse achieved a safe second place followed by Davide Foré (Gold Kart Racing Team), Jorge Pescador (Praga Kart Racing Team) and Tommaso Mosca.

“Our tactic worked. My new tires were the fastest of the field and secured the second victory of the season”, the Italian rejoiced.

Paolo de Conto (CRG Holland) had the right tire tactic during the second race. With four new tires he rushed passed his opponents and won his first DSKM final of the year. The rest of the places were taken quickly as well. Frenchman Abbasse finished second again in front of Jorrit Pex (CRG Holland). The former DSKM-four-time Champion fought his way forward on his home track from the field of pursuers to third position. Local driver Bas Lammers (Sodi Racing Team) followed on fourth place in front of Marco Ardigò.

“We knew that the tires would be an advantage for us and wanted to use this. It was a great race and everything worked. The result fills me with confidence regarding the European Championship in two weeks as well. All the top drivers started here”, the Italian summed up.

Championship ranking DSKM after the third round:
1. Jorrit Pex (132 points)
2. Marco Ardigo (113 points)
3. Davide Foré (106 points)
4. Paolo de Conto (95 points)
5. Patrik Hajek (86 points)

DJKM: Hauger and Vidales win

The two guest drivers Isac Blomqvist (WARD Racing) and Victor Martins (VDK Racing) dominated the events during qualifying and the heats. On Saturday evening Martins was in the lead with two victories and a fourth place.

The first final race of the juniors started spectacularly as usual. Numerous favorites already dropped out during the first bend. In the meantime Dennis Hauger (CRG Holland) fought his way to the front position. The Norwegian overtook Oscar Piastri (Ricky Flynn Motorsport) and drove towards a safe victory. Behind him, the two guest drivers Martins and Piastri held their grounds and ended up on the remaining podium positions. The leading driver of the Championship Chales Milesi (Tony Kart Racing Team) narrowly missed this on fourth place. David Vidales (KSM Schumacher Racing Team) from Spain achieved fifth position.

“I’m driving in Genk for the first time, which makes it even better to win immediately. Thereby I’ve collected important points regarding the Championship”, the CRG-protégé rejoiced at the finish line.

Vidales showed a sensational start from the third starting row during the second final race and already drove to the front of the field during the first lap. While his pursuers fought hard fights for positions, the KSM Schumacher Racing Team’s driver achieved a considerable lead. An accident in midfield interrupted his victory course though. The race was interrupted and undid Vidales advance. He kept his nerves though and drove away from his opponents again. The youngster’s first victory causes new excitement regarding the fight for the Championship title. Hauger followed on second place in front of Theo Pourchaire (Kosmic Racing Departement), Martins and Kas Haverkort (CRG Keijzer Racing).

“This was the first race on this track for me. I immediately felt comfortable and would like to thank my team and my family for their outstanding support. I still have all chances regarding the Championship with my third place.”

Championship ranking DJKM after the third round:
1. Charles Milesi (155 points)
2. Dennis Hauger (136 points)
3. David Vidales (107 points)
4. Petr Ptacek (72 points)
5. Mads E. Hansen (64 points)

DKM: double victory for CRG TB Racing Team

Alexander Smolyar (WARD Racing) from Russia dominated the events on Saturday. After pole position at qualifying he was able to defend his lead during the heats with a victory and a second place.

At the beginning of the first final race everything went in favor of the Russian driver. From behind, German Hannes Janker (CRG TB Racing Team) put pressure on him though and took the lead after only two laps. Until crossing the finish line he didn’t let anyone take it from him then. With a secure distance Smolyar followed on second place. Third winner Paavo Tonteri (CRG TB Racing Team) was the best DKM regular. Fourth place went to Tony Kart-factory driver Clement Novalak followed by reigning Kart World Champion Karol Basz (Kosmic Racing Departement).

“We used this weekend as Euro-preparation and are in the best mood after the victory”, the Franconian commented on his success.

After achieving third place at the first race, Tonteri came out on top during the second final of the German Kart Championship. Together with his team mate Janker he drove away from the rest of the field during the first few meters and took the lead. Janker lost some ground though and fell back to fifth place during the remaining course of the race. Tonteri was unstoppable and increased his overall lead with his second victory of the season. Second winner Basz drove a calm race as well in front of Smolyar, Bent Viscaal and Janker.

“The team did a great job again. The Championship stays interesting despite my small advance”, the Finnish rookie rejoiced at the finish line.

Championship ranking DKM after the third round:
1. Paavo Tonteri (150 points)
2. Karol Basz (129 points)
3. Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer (111 points)
4. Bent Viscaal (85 points)
5. Clement Novalak (70 points)