|
 |
|
 |
| July 02, 2012 News |
| Tazio Torregiani to Represent United States at CIK-FIA Academy Trophy Series |
| |
 | | Tazio Torregiani |
As we have seen in the first half of the season, North American drivers are starting to make an impact in European karting. Just last weekend, 10 drivers represented the United States and Canada at the WSK Euro Series event in La Conca. A new driver is adding his name to the European list with Connecticut driver Tazio Torregiani set to compete in the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy. The opening round is set for July 6-8 at the Kartodromo Internacional de Braga in Portugal, running in conjunction with the U18 World Championship program.
The CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy was created in late 2009 to focus on the progression of drivers from around the globe, ages 13-15 during the year of competition. Racers compete aboard identically supplied karts - a Parolin chassis powered by an FIM engine with LeCont tires. Finland’s Niklas Tiihonen was the inaugural Academy Trophy champion with Monaco’s Charles Leclerc winning the title in 2011. The opening round is in Portugal with the second stop scheduled for Angerville, France on August 24-26. The finale will take place November 8-10 in Bahrain.
Tazio is 13 years-old from Stamford, CT. He and his family stumbled onto karting while visiting family in Portugal while Tazio was six years old. The Kartodromo de Bombarral, just north of Lisbon near the area where Tazio’s mother’s family lives was their first experience with karting. Once back in the United States, he began racing Kid Karts at Oakland Valley Raceway Park (OVRP). He progressed to the Cadet Sportsman class at OVRP and the New Jersey Sprint Series before competing in the WKA Manufacturers Cup Series. The 2012 season is his first at the Junior level, working for the past few seasons with Mike Doty of Mike Doty Racing. Tazio recently traveled to northern Italy for the Official Test Days for both the U18 and Academy program at the Friuli Venezia kart track. Below is a recap of his experience from Tazio and his father Patrizio:
June 2-3 2012 was official testing of the CIK-FIA U18 and Academy Trophy. When we first arrived at the FIA homologated, Friuli Venezia kart Circuit, just outside of Venice, Italy, we immediately noticed how much it resembled a scale down F1 Autodromo. It was professional looking, and very well manicured, complete with start lights, large pit wall, paddock building with bar/cafe upstairs. The CIK-FIA officials were present which made the atmosphere even more professional. Brand new identical Parolin Monza karts lined up with FIM KF3 motors installed with sealed carburetors awaited the Academy drivers, who picked their chassis number out of a FIA box. Karts came complete with an extra set of rain rims. Seats were picked up separately for proper fitting. The team of mechanics, all in Parolin uniforms, was very friendly and helpful in preparing the kart for Tazio. Most of the drivers showed up with tuner and tools, we didn't. The Panta fuel was already mixed and ready to add to tank whenever we needed it from the fuel truck.
This official test was not mandatory to the 51 CIK-FIA Academy drivers entered in the championship, but 26 of them showed up. It was Tazio's first time in a Parolin chassis, KF3 motor and on LeCont tires while never seeing the track before. He really exceeded expectations set forth before the test session. It took him no time to learn it all and take it all in turn by turn, even with a couple of problems of loosing a chain and replacing a carburetor. He pushed hard and by the third session he was in the top ten. It was very exciting as he looked like he belonged. On Sunday, many drivers switched to new tires, we didn't as we weren't looking for the fastest lap but just lots of seat time. Tazio completed a total of ten practice sessions, 20 minutes each. For both days, he approximately totaled 150 laps. It was exactly what he needed. At the end, he was wiped out, like he came out of a boxing ring. His sides were black and blue. The track looked like it was made of rubber, and the tires were gone, giving him an idea of what we are dealing with in preparation for the series.
 | | Tazio sampling the Parolin-FIM package at the Academy test last month |
Tazio reflected on the trip: “My impression of being there was how different Europe was with the food, people and especially the karting. Thursday, my dad and I went to Venice for the day which was great. On Friday, when we arrived at the track we went to get my brand new KF3 Parolin kart by picking a number out of a box. Saturday was a full day of action which started with a drivers briefing for the championship, which was held in a briefing room in the karting facility, which had starting lights on the track and a F1-like Pitt wall, with nice garages. The track was very professional, flat and smooth with bumpy but good curbs. The track was fast, with sweeping turns, which would end in a 10ft slide into a right hairpin, which was my favorite part about the track. I loved how sensitive the breaks were on the KF3, which let me do the sliding into the turns. The KF3's clutch would engage slower than a TaG Junior clutch but faster than a Yamaha clutch. The KF3 was very fast down the straights, but you needed to keep the momentum up if you made a mistake or lost time. The track was extremely sticky at the end of the day, with the incredibly sticky tires, the kart would throw you around the turns and let you go much deeper into them which was almost a rib breaking experience. The FIA staff was very professional and organized with the timing and setup.”
“The drivers were from different countries all over the world like France, Italy, Germany and Sweden. Driving against them was not only tough but fun to be with on and off the track. The practice sessions were very long 20 minutes each, switching between the U18 world championship drivers and the Academy Trophy drivers. Since the sessions were so long I would come in about halfway through the session so the tire pressure wouldn't get so high and maybe make a small change, then go out again and try and get a faster lap time. After the exhausting practice we would go and make a change if needed and go right to the Parolin mechanics, who were very friendly with helping my dad and I on the track. The KF3 would run out of gas like there was an endless supply of it. We definitely need a tuner for the race in Portugal. The Academy Trophy championship will be a great championship, a learning experience and great time with my family".
To follow Tazio’s progress, he and his father will be posting updates throughout their trip on the EKN Driver Blog program in the EKN Forums. You can also follow his results through the CIK-FIA webpage: http://www.cikfia.com/competitions/cik-calendar/2012/braga/event-guide.html |
|
|
Go Top
|
|
|
|
|
