KZ 2022, the battle is already on with protagonists and "luxury outsiders"

To explain exactly what "top karting expression" means to a complete stranger of the paddock, perhaps it would be enough to place him in the best seats just before the start of a KZ race. The level of speed, driving technique, strategy and sporting nastiness achieved is such that it is easy to fall in love with perhaps the most demanding motorsport discipline of all. 

Just two races in this 2022 have been enough to pick up some important signals on the course of this season, which promises to be not only fierce but also full of new hierarchies ready to be rewritten. After the first round, the Sodikart army seemed to be the one and only favourite at the beginning of the year, thanks to two wins out of two races (also considering the first trophy offered by WSK). A gearbox that is heading towards perfection and, above all, with more interpreters available, starting from Senna Van Walstijn and Emilien Denner, two names that started almost from nothing and are now constantly among the favourites. 

On these two occasions, both the Dutchman and the Frenchman have confirmed the value of all the artillery fielded by the French team, in one way or another always on the podium and prevailing in the final top ten. With the new set-up within the team, Sodikart seems to have returned to the golden days of Anthony Abbasse and Bas Lammers, among the best of the recent era for the team's colours. 

However, only a fool would cut the Lissone-based team to beat out of the fight. If the first race of the season had not been favourable for Birel Art (considering also the customer teams), in the recent second round of the Super Master Series, the Red Army confirmed to be always there. Pedro Hiltbrand and Giuseppe Palomba proved to be competitive and, above all, consistent throughout the weekend, except for a few mishaps such as that of Palomba in the pre-final on Sunday morning, in any case while he was in the top positions. More than positive the return on track of Matteo Viganò (Lennox Racing), immediately on the podium with the third place grabbed right at the end. 

If among the constructors the fight seems to be going to the Birel Art - Sodi duet, the counterpart is currently represented by the outsiders among which luxury names (the real one). The one who smiles most of all, at least for now, is Stan Pex with his SP Racing. The Dutchman manages, on his own, to hold his own against the manufacturers by defending himself in his own way (an unquestionable talent that we certainly don't know today), considering the victory obtained by the sound of constancy, patience and driving technique. It is also useful to observe how Pex brings up the only KR chassis of the lot with the difference of the engine, that is TM Racing. 

Among the guests at the party of outsiders also the promising David Trefilov, another "golden boy" of the generation of Denner or Van Walstijn, capable of taking charge of all Maranello Kart alone bringing it on the podium and fighting for success throughout the second round of Lonato. Promising data also from the whole CRG with strong and clear signals from Viktor Gustavsson (held back by some problems during the weekend), more than ever at ease with the new vehicle. Good answers also from Paavo Tonteri, Jeremy Iglesias (also hampered by some problems, among which the crash in the final caused by an opponent) and Alex Irlando. 

An all-round spectacle for KZ, waiting above all for the title races which, maybe, will bring someone to cheer their favourite driver or team in a battle which promises to be stellar. 

S.C.
Photo: Fotocar13