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| November 09, 2010 |
| Easykart International Grand Finals Report |
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The Italians star among the over 330 enrolled drivers (from 26 different countries) conquering the whole set of world titles: Lombardo won in 60cc, Bertonelli in 100cc, Ruggeri in Light and Scotti in Heavy
Success which overcame expectations and changed the trend of National and International karting at the Easykart Single Brand International Finals raced at Castellettto di Branduzzo circuit from the 13th to the 17th of October. Starting from the number of verified drivers: an amazing 334 from 26 different countries. However, if big figures have been a constant feature for Birel’s single brand since its early years, figures which have also been confirmed throughout the last seasons despite the significant drop in the global market due to the financial crunch, the outstanding innovation was the massive media coverage reserved to the event: a total of 16 hours of live TV broadcasting on SKY channel 595 and in streaming on all Easykart sites worldwide, over Saturday and Sunday for an estimated audience of over 500,000. This huge television production, of a kind never performed for a karting event before, was supervised by Primocanale Sport which not only showed the races live, commented by Roberto Cinquanta and Giuseppe Sciortino, but also put on the air a number of reports on the weekend, including a great deal of interviews from the paddock. As regards communication, it must be pointed out that more than 50 journalists from 15 different countries were accredited, along with over 35 professional photographer; a proof of the great popularity of the promotional program backed by Birel Group and the Italian ASN.
Competition wise, the long weekend schedule featured qualification on Friday (pole for: Lombardo in 60cc, Dario Orsini in 100cc, Ruggeri in 125 Light and Mercatelli in 125 Heavy), while over 20 qualification legs took place on Saturday and Sunday was reserved to all the Finals. And, in the end, 4 Italian drivers won it all. The first grand slam for Italy at the International Finals after 9 editions! 60cc title for Davide Lombardo, 100cc for Diego Bertonelli, 125 Light for Alessandro Ruggeri and 125 Heavy for Riccardo Scotti.
Yet remarkable foreign drivers did not run short. Starting from 60cc with Grudzinski from Poland and Croatia-born GrobenskI, respectively 2nd and 3rd behind winner Davide Lombardo (Easykart Driver program driver and current Italian champion) in a race run at the top. Following, Italian Atlante seized an excellent 4th place in front of Czech representatives Podobsky, Javurek and Horsky. Venezuelan driver Baiz ranked 8th. Sophia Floersch (Germany) classified 9th after starting off in first row and being delayed by a contact occurred in the first laps, while Stowell, finished 10th preceding Beckhusen, Passa, Hesse, Ridolfi and Mancini. Still in 60cc class, the morning had been dedicated to the "D", "C" ad "B" Finals, to qualify the last 6 drivers for the International Final. Such races were dominated by Polish driver Karkosik (D Final), Italian Passa (C Final) and Panama representative Ramirez (C Final).
Diego Bertonelli, an Easykart Program Driver member like Lombardo, was successful in 100 class. He had to keep 2009 International Champion Nicolò Balsamo at bay in the early stages, but then the latter went off track after a couple of laps, leaving the path to victory clear for the Tuscan boy who cleverly controlled Riccardo Geltrude's comeback in the final part. At any rate, Geltrude was excluded from classification at race end due to a non-compliant engine part detected by the technical checks. Hence it was brilliant Mattia Drudi who climbed upon the 2nd step of the podium after being the best and conquering pole position in the Final. A little mistake in the first laps kept him back in 4th place, but he was then able to regain positions finishing 2nd; just like he did in 60cc last year. Dario Orsini ranked 3rd, while Roberto Roberti added his contribution to the great Easykart Driver Program team performance with his 4th place. And then, English driver Sowery preceded Cezch Republic representative Srdinko, Italy-born Cunati and Grainger, another English boy. Top ten also included Tommasin and Russian Malyshev, 9th and 10th. While Rinaldi had seized victory defeating Grainger and Kieran from England in the morning “B” Final.
125 Light was ruled by Alessandro Ruggeri, former 2007 International Champion and National Champion this year in Cervia. The boy from Bergamo was in the lead straight from the first laps, also thanks to the scuffle behind him, and won race and title with 14" advantage over English driver McCullough (who was the protagonist of an amazing recovery from the last places, after gaining qualification by winning the "B" Final) and over Italian Vender. The latter had been the best in qualification stages securing Final pole position with the leg yet, due to problems at start off, he lost contact with the lead and did not get beyond 3rd place. And, right behind him, two English drivers once again: Dimelov and Rice, respectively 4th and 5th on finish line. Then, Collini preceding Guerini, Moretti, Barbato and Carena, while Kramarski from Russia (current International Champion) only qualified 11th after being involved in a contact in start stage. As said before, "B" Final was won by McCullough in front of Turk Denktas and Italian Di Cillo.
To finish, English driver Pittingale was the leader in 125 Heavy early stages but then, while attempting to overtake a lapped kart in turn 11, the ACR team representative went off track and Riccardo Scotti was left alone in first position. He managed to deal with Ferri's return in the Finale winning superbly right in front of Ferri and Daniele Mercatelli who had started off in pole. 4th position was occupied by 2010 Italy champion Alessandrini, followed by Gibson from England preceding Lamanuzzi and fellow countryman Mace. The race was closed by Lorenzini, 8th, in front of Mantori and Russia-born Smelov. The morning "B" Final had been the magic moment for Greek driver Theodorou in front of Proni and English driver Bruce.
To complete the weekend, the extremely young children of the Training program were on the track, too. And the record figure of 58 participants should be given due consideration by the ASNs when it comes to basic karting promotion strategies. The Training program took place throughout Saturday and Sunday and also featured two enthralling live broadcast race simulations.
It must be said that, despite all the Sunday Finals were accompanied by a drizzle, no problems affected Birel Group’s experienced and professional organizational structure, which was once more extremely efficient relying on a staff of over 100. Also the services offered by the paddock club were highly appreciated. On such premises, covering over 600 square metres, all classifications were promptly displayed, supported by monitors broadcasting live images from the track along with real time classification. The paddock club also hosted a snack point by Food Company Beretta offering complimentary products for all drivers, a Red Bull stand distributing thousands of cans of the most popular Motorsport energy drinks and an area with an actual size F1 simulator; a real favourite for the youngsters. Remarkable race management organizational efforts jointly planned by the Organization and CSAI. Among the initiatives, a video recording system reserved to the Marshalls covering circuit and start stage and the presence of professional Track Marshalls from Monza Circuit. And more, staff including as many as 6 technicians in charge of technical checks, which, as usually, were performed to top standards. Thus, Easykart International Finals 9th Edition was a huge success. The outcome of the good regulation choices made by the Series Promoter.
The protagonists' comments:
Davide Lombardo (60cc, Winner): “A really tough race, especially because the track was still slippery and tricky for the Final. But these conditions have always suited me and also today I managed to be fast and keep Atlante, Grudzinski and Grobenski's attacks under control, despite their great calibre. I am satisfied also because I was at the top throughout the weekend, starting from the pole position conquered during practice and the first row obtained with the leg; so I think I fully deserved this title. This year I have already won the Easykart Italian Final and, in August, ranked 2nd with Birel in the 60 BABY Italian Championship. In other words, an excellent season so far. I believe it will be possible to integrate the Easykart program with some 60 MINI races with Birel team next year, just like the other Easykart Driver Program drivers have already done.”
Diego Bertonelli (100cc, Winner): "I had already won a National Easykart title in 60cc in the last years, but in the following last 2 seasons in 100cc, despite still being one of the fastest, I did not achieve remarkable successes due to a series of reasons. But everything worked out perfectly during the weekend and I was awarded the most outstanding title in my karting career. As regards next year, I hope to complete a full KF3 program and, in the meanwhile, I will make my debut with Birel Motorsport in this category at the next “Trofeo delle Industrie" trophy. "
Alessandro Ruggeri (125 Light, Winner): "The wet track helped me make the difference, leaving behind my direct opponents, especially in the first laps when Vender and Russian Timofeev were delayed. Hence, in the final part of the race I was able to benefit from a substantial advantage. I am really happy with this result, it adds to all the titles I have already gained in Italy (Area title and Italian Final victory), outlining a competitive season packed with satisfaction for all my team and myself. "
Riccardo Scotti (125 Heavy, Winner): "My team (FM), my motorman Miliziano and I prepared the perfect kart for the track and then the wet weather, my favourite, helped out with the rest leading me to a victory which really makes me feel happy. I kept a close eye on Pittingale in the first laps because I wanted to try an attack which, despite the fact he had to quit, I believe was in my reach. "
Full classifications on: http://www.easykartinternational.com - Apply for pictures at: ufficiostampa@birel.it |
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