2007 CIK-FIA KF1 WORLD CUP/ ASIA PACIFIC KF2 CHAMPIONSHIP - SUZUKA, 25TH -27TH MAY

SUZUKA HOSTS GREAT KARTING

THE KF1 AND KF2 CATEGORIES WILL BE RACING FOR TWO TITLES WHICH ARE SYNONYMOUS WITH PRESTIGE AND TRADITION

Next weekend the beautiful and prestigious track of Suzuka will host two major events of international karting: the KF1 World Cup and the Asia-Pacific Championship for the KF2 category. Both the best drivers of the international scene and Asian drivers, who will have the advantage of ‘playing at home’, will race for the two titles. Birel’s official team will be present with 4 official drivers in KF1, as well as the fast Giacomo Patrono in KF2. In the top category Sauro Cesetti will race with a blade engine, similarly to the Japanese driver Hattori. Both Marco Wittmann and Jamie Croxford will race with TM engines. Worthy of notice will also be Birel Pacific’s drivers Mesquita and Ishii, whereas among the most formidable opponents taking part in the races will be Forè, Ardigò e Catt – just to mention a few . There will be big names for KF2 too, where almost half of the drivers will race with Birel’s colours. As mentioned Giacomo Patrono, Birel Mororsport’s tester, will be one of them and he will wear the colours of Winforce-Yamaha, the brand promoted by Birel Pacific in the Asian region. Sato, Hiraki and the Italian Merlini will also be wearing the colours of the company from Lissone. The drivers to be defeated will be Da Costa, Monras, Pivoda, Tarancon and Stevens. On the eve of the race, these are the expectations of Birel’s drivers:

Sauro Cesetti:” I like the track of Suzuka and I think one can be competitive there. In the last two races (European and Open) we had a few little problems relating to electronics which also jeopardize our attempts at defining the best set-up. This weekend we hope to be able to do a good job and race well.”

Jaime Croxford: “ The Tm engine is constantly developing and has by now reached the top. Today the technical packet of chassis-engine allows us to aim at the podium without problem.”

Giacomo Patrono: “ I never raced at Suzuka, although this is also true for my main European opponents. In any case, whenever I took part in important races on tracks I was not familiar with, I always did very well. We are also very happy with the latest tests carried out with the Tm engines, so I think the conditions are right to be competitive. Also, thanks to my role I cover many km with the kart but not so many races; when an occasion such as this one presents itself, I have particularly good reasons for wanting to do well.”