WORLD CUP 125 SICC – ICC EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP (3RD ROUND) - EUROPEAN FINAL 100 ICA/JUNIOR - MARIEMBOURG (BELGIUM), 1ST/2ND/3RD SEPTEMBER

LAUDATO FAILS TO DEFEND THE TITLE IN THE SICC

AN UNLUCKY WEEKEND INTERRUPTS THE LONG STRING OF BIREL SUCCESSES IN SICC (IN THE LEAD FOR 8 CONSECUTIVE SEASONS). CESETTI MANAGES A GREAT 3RD PLACE, WHILE FRASNELLI (NEW TEAM BIREL) HITS THE MARK IN THE ICC. IN THE JUNIOR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP ANTONFIELD JEOPARDISES HIS RACE IN THE PRE-FINAL BY GOING OFF TRACK.

A number one on Laudato’s kart represents Birel’s colours on the track at Mariembourg with; as well as being a proof of the title conquered during the last season, this is also a sign of a supremacy in the category 125 Sicc which spanned 8 seasons. Such a long string of successes represents an unrivalled record in the world of international motor racing. In Belgium too, despite not achieving full results, Birel’s colours have given a good performance by conquering 3rd position thanks to Sauro Cesetti. Francesco Laudato was however missing: the reigning champion was involved in an accident in one of the legs and, subsequently, in the collision which occurred during the first lap and which knocked out Manetti and Fanetti. With his kart in less than optimal conditions, Laudato then took position in the starting grid for the re-start, finishing in 8th position, just after the French driver Mich (Birel Mgt). Manuel Cozzaglio on the other hand, experienced various set-up problems and finished in 12th position. It should also be mentioned that, as well as the red flag having been waved for the accident at the 1st bend, the second part of the race was interrupted because of rain. A further 10 laps were then needed. In the first race the Belgian driver Thonon conquered success over Bianchi, Fore and Cesetti. In the second, final race on the other hand, Thonon wavered at the start, so that Forè was able to take the lead and win the race. However, because of the sum of times, the advantage of the winner was not enough to beat Thonon (who, in the 1st fraction had lost a 3” margin over the opponent). So it was the Belgian driver of Crg who ended up celebrating success. But surprises did not end here: the referees penalised both Thonon and Bianchi of 10” for early start and the tables changed once again in favour of Forè, who won the title in front of Thonon and Cesetti, respectively 2nd and 3rd. Renaudie finished the race in 4th place, followed by Toninelli and Bianchi.

100 Ica/Junior
Peter Antolfield and Matteo Viganò, the two strongest representatives of Birel, went off track in the pre-final, thus jeopardising their chances to achieve good results in the Final. All was well for the Spanish driver Monras, who won the pre-final and lead the final race from the 1st to the last lap. Jenkins finished behind him, whereas the Italian driver Tiene followed in 3rd place. After starting in the last position, Peter Antolfield managed to climb up to 14th position but, despite having managed excellent times, he was not able to catch up, partly because of the closed struggle which developed in the middle of the group.

125 Icc
Martin Frasnelli won race 2 in front of Romkema and Behrens, after having already climbed on the podium in Race 1, this time behind Behrens and Romkema themselves. For the driver of New Team Birel this result redeems his unlucky 2nd trial at the European Championship in France when, with a double stop, he jeopardised his climb to the title. For Birel on the other hand, this was a confirmation of competitiveness in what is one of the liveliest categories, even at national level. Thanks to the results achieved at Mariembourg, Frasnelli concludes the championship in 4th place, the title going to Behrens who deprived the Italian driver Giulietti of some points in Belgium. Unfortunately Mambretti, the Birel’s representative who drew attention to himself in the 2nd round of the championship, had a difficult weekend and could not take advantage of Giulietti’s false move: the Italian driver concluded the season achieving 6th place in the general tables. As far as Birel is concerned, Maik Kraske gave a noteworthy performance, finishing in 6th place both in Race 1 and Race 2.

The next rendezvous with International karting is going to be the main event of the season: the 100 FA Worls Championship, which will be held on 1st October at Angerville.