With figures worthy of a Winter Cup of the classic era, 334 drivers, 51 nations and Four categories, the WSK Super Master Series in Lonato truly launched the international season last weekend. The simultaneous organisation of the IAME Winter Cup by RGMMC in Valencia with 99 Senior, 50 Junior and 53 Mini drivers must also be taken into account. The potential of the top level competitors and teams already appears very high at the beginning of February.
New names have appeared at the top of the rankings in all the FIA Karting international categories to establish a new hierarchy at the beginning of the year with the promise of surprises and revelations.
Statistics released by Kartcom give some interesting insights into the starting point of the top level in 2023. With Italy numerically dominating on home soil, 60% of the field is from Eastern and Northern Europe. The country that is no longer named is still very much present, along with Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. The Parolin and Kart Republic chassis lead the way in terms of numbers, followed by Tony Kart, Birel ART and CRG. In terms of engines, TM was in the lead with more than half of the field, ahead of IAME, with a quarter of the engines, and Vortex with 15% on its OTK chassis.
Turkey was in the spotlight with two winners, Aksoy Alp Hasan (Tony Kart/Vortex) in OK-Junior and Iskender Zulfikari (Parolin/Iame) in Mini. The Tony Kart Racing Team won both OK-Junior and OK with James Egozi giving the lie to his reputation as a late season performer. Birel ART confirmed its competitiveness in KZ2 with Cristian Bertuca winning and six drivers in the top 11. Sodikart was not well represented in shifters in Lonato, but took 2nd place with Emilien Denner, while Maranello / SRP confirmed its level against CRG. The Mini category of the under 10 years old continued to validate its sporting interest. The excellent performance of Alessandro Truchot (Parolin/TM), who was leader for a long time and finally 4th in the Final, should be noted.
The private teams Koski Motorsport and Forza Racing shone in the direct drive categories with Ward Racing and Ricky Flynn Motorsport. Frenchman Jimmy Helias (Tony Kart/Vortex) was 3rd on the OK podium in the Ward Racing colours. In the youngest category, Babyrace Driver Academy won against Team Driver Racing Kart, Gamoto and Kidix Driver Performance. KZ2 remains the domain of the factory teams in the absence of several CPB Sport drivers.
The next round of the WSK Super Master Series, from 16th to 19th February in Franciacorta, will confirm or deny this first assessment on a track quite different from the one in Lonato. KR Motorsport is expected to increase its strength in OK-Junior and especially in OK after its participation in the IAME Winter Cup.
Finally, it should be noted that the first OK-N competition in history took place in the United States on the Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson (Arizona) within the framework of the Challenge of the Americas series. Nine drivers were entered, Jesus Vasquez Jr will remain as the first OK-N winner in the Final on Saturday, with Blake Nash succeeding him on Sunday.
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