European Championship KZ/KZ2, a new beginning

A new season, a new start and probably new protagonists. These are the three "ingredients" which will make up what awaits us in the coming hours and months. The two reigning classes are ready to come to life again after a difficult but certainly spectacular 2020 which launches the assist to the new year to do even better at the level of spectacle and the highest expression of international karting. 

It will be the German circuit of Wackersdorf to open the dances starting tomorrow with the first qualifying session of the season. Fast but above all challenging with slow and medium speed stretches, the "Pro Kart Raceland" will make selection right from the start with the possibility of rain awaiting all drivers for Sunday's finals. 

KZ - Birel Art against all
After winning last year's European Championship and recent official outings, Birel Art is definitely the team to beat with a Marijn Kremers more on form than ever. For the Dutchman and the team from Lissone, the facts speak for themselves and above all the data of the last few years, free of any doubts for the initial forecasts. Kremers will have to defend his title, first of all from his teammate and Team Manager, Riccardo Longhi, who is looking for a great result after the last seasons at the highest levels. A duo that scares the competition, led by the solid entry-list of CRG. The "All Blacks" have monopolised the market movements of the pre-season, in order to work hard and arrive in the best conditions at the great appointment. As World Champion, Jeremy Iglesias will be the main candidate to oppose the overwhelming power of Birel Art. The Frenchman has always maintained his will to continue his career at the highest level and to put CRG back on the roof of karting. Besides Iglesias, the team can count on Alex Irlando, another important addition, Paolo Ippolito, who confirms his potential, and the ex-F1 driver Jaime Alguersuari, but not for the beginning of the season. The Spaniard, in fact, will not take part in the first stage due to some problems with his ribs. Among the pretenders also the returning and already winning Emilien Denner for the Intrepid Kart colours. Sparkling start of the season for the former KZ2 champion with the victories in the last WSK races and not only. A lot of curiosity also for the new dimension of Pedro Hiltbrand with Lennox Racing colours. The team will also line up the expected reigning European KZ2 Champion Viktor Gustavsson and Matteo Viganò.
Tony Kart will be at the starting blocks with a new trio led by the usual Simo Puhakka followed by Lorenzo Camplese and Noah Milell. Sodi Kart will bet more on Adrien Renaudin, Parolin on Francesco Celenta, Kart Republic will instead count on the experience of Stan and Jorrit Pex Among the favorites for Wackersdorf also Fabian Federer for SRP Racing. 

KZ2 - 102 unknowns or confirmations
There will be 102 protagonists in the new KZ2 2021. A very rich entry-list which will certainly keep the attention of all the experts high with the numerous heats before the final clash on Sunday. Also in this case Birel Art is the favourite with Giuseppe Palomba, always very competitive during the FIA Karting seasons and several times close to the success he would have deserved. The Campania-born driver will take to the track followed by Alessio Piccini, rediscovered under Birel Art management and constant on the podium in the last season's appointments. Talking about the competition, all eyes are on the young David Trefilov, home driver in Wackersdorf with SRP Racing and already able to "blow away the odds" last season in Genk.
For KZ2, CRG will line up Paavo Tonteri, another newcomer from the market of the beginning of the year, Lorenzo Giannoni, Brandon Nilsson and the expert Jorge Pescador. Also the NGM Motorsport men are back among the CRG brands with Giacomo Pollini ready to repeat what he did in the last part of 2021 with the third place in the International Super Cup and Natalia Balbo. 
Well-stocked line-ups especially for the French of the CPB team with Arthur Carbonnel above all and Senna Van Walstijn. Not to be outdone Kart Republic with Danilo Albanese, Leonardo Marseglia among the new arrivals. First experience in the European KZ2 Championship for the multi-champion Lorenzo Travisanutto with Parolin, Laurens Van Hoepen highlighted instead for the team Lennox Racing. 

Many names that only from tomorrow's qualifying will begin to mix and battle for the final trophy. Qualifying starts at 16.30. Category heats as usual scheduled for Saturday before the grand finale on Sunday 20 June. Timing and streaming on fiakarting.com

S.C.
Credits: FIA