125 SUPER ICC WORLD CUP - CAROLE (FRANCE) – SEPTEMBER 5TH–6TH–7TH, 2003

BIREL COLOURS STAND OUT WITH DIRKS

LM RACING TEAM’S DRIVER LEADS THE COUPLE BIREL-TM TO VICTORY DURING THE PRESTIGIOUS WORLD CUP. GANDOLFI AND LAUDATO MISS THE PODIUM AFTER A LAST EXCITED LAP.

The 125 category was engaged again in a world meeting with the World Cup competition, while during the last season it only gained the continental title. The competition took place on the racing track of Carole, near Paris. This track is at least anomalous if compared to traditional go-karting tracks because it is characterized by long and very quick straight stretches where slipstreams play a fundamental role. It is almost impossible to succeed in gaining a lead and the final result of a race is almost always decided during the last lap. And the Final of the World Cup was not an exception because everything occured during the last lap. During the whole race the two Birel drivers Laudato and Gandolfi, together with Cesetti, Forè and Manetti are leading, alternating at the head of the group. Also Robert Dirks and Ammermuller succeed in slipstreaming them, while behind the lines Renaudie, author of the pole position during qualifying sessions, and Birel-Solgat team’s driver Peter Elkmann follow respectively in the 7th and 8th position. Davide Forè and Cesetti start the race leading the group, followed by Francesco Laudato, who is ready to exploit their slipstream during the last quick stretch in order to gain the first position. As a matter of fact, considering the most recent competitions in Carole, it is more advisable to run the last lap behind the leaders. But, just to make the situation more complicated, Alessandro Manetti recovers very well joining the others and so finally, starting from the 4th position, he is leading and drags in his slipstream Gandolfi as well. The three leaders are forced to run the last curve but one following unfortunate trajectories and then they also have to give up their place to Dirks. But the race is not finished yet: Gandolfi risks everything attacking Manetti. Unfortunately the two drivers have an accidental touch and, while Manetti is forced to withdraw from the race, the scrimmage rewards Robert Dirks who succeeds in coming in first, running alone under the chequered flag. Tony Kart team’s drivers Forè and Cesetti gain the podium being placed respectively 2nd and 3rd, while Gandolfi has to accept the 4th position, preceding his team-mate Laudato. Ammermuller is placed 6th, preceding Renaudie and Elkmann. For Birel colours the success obtained in the World Cup is a very important result, which confirms again the ten-year leadership in the 125 category of the Lissone based company.