Following Arthur Dorison's victory in Genk a fortnight ago and in Varennes-sur-Allier last weekend, it was tempting to draw a parallel between the FIA Karting Academy Trophy and the French Junior Karting Championship.
The French Junior Karting Championship, operated by the FFSA Academy, has been the first detection and training stage of the French Motor Sport Federation since 2017 following the French Karting Schools. This Championship follows the pattern of the FIA Karting Academy Trophy over five races across France. The Exprit/Vortex one-make equipment is randomly drawn and the engines can be exchanged at any time. Some twenty drivers, 22 this year, take part in this turnkey competition which is distinguished by the attention paid to training. Two seminars precede the opening of the season and the unique facilities of the FFSA Academy in Le Mans are used extensively for physical and mental preparation. During each event, experienced coaches supervise the drivers in small groups, carry out personalised debriefings after each driving session and ensure their progress. Another special feature is that the mechanics who maintain the karts are also apprentices under the responsibility of their trainers.
A member of the French FFSA Espoir Karting Team, Arthur Dorison, 13 years old, is in 1st place in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy after his victory in Genk. He is also competing in the French Junior Championship, in which he has to fight against strong competition. Although he still has the edge in the title race, he is far from dominating the French competition and offers a benchmark for the best. The FFSA can be pleased with the standard of its operation whose training sometimes shows its benefits several years later. It is part of the federal system which continues with the same criteria in the French F4 Championship operated by the FFSA Academy. Pierre Gasly in F1, Théo Pourchaire in F2, Victor Martins and Isack Hadjar in F3, all come from this network, as did Jean-Eric Vergne and Stoffel Vandoorne in their time.
In addition Helmu Marko trusts the French F4 to prepare the two young Japanese drivers of the Red Bull Junior Team, Souta Arao and Yuto Nomura.
Upcoming races This weekend, all eyes will turn to Sweden for the third of the four races of the FIA Karting European Championship - OK and OK-Junior on the Kristianstad circuit. This is an important meeting for the conquest of titles before the final countdown. The predictions are still unreliable at this stage and the outcome of the competition is unpredictable.
Meanwhile, in France, the second of four rounds of the National Series Karting, the French reference series for Rotax and IAME-powered Minimes, will take place. Race control and live-streaming testify to the quality of a Championship that is very much appreciated in France and organised by 3MK Events, this year celebrating its 10th anniversary.
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