EKN Driver Blog - Gary Carlton - WSK Euro Series Sarno,Italy

David Cole · Last edited by David Cole on Thu Mar 17, 2011 8:28 am, edited 1 time in total

Beginning tomorrow, American Gary Carlton will start his quest for WSK Euro Series championship in the KZ1 category. Driving his first event with the world champion Chiesa Corsa operation aboard a Zanardi/IAME package, Carlton is gearing up for a full season in Europe.

Working with Gary during his venture, EKN viewers will be able to keep up with Gary's travels and experiences with a new editorial program: Factory Pilot: Gary Carlton - An American in Europe. Wednesday, March 9 will be the first entry of the program, looking at Gary's career up to this point and his 2011 plans.

Once Gary is settled in at Sarno, Italy, he will hunt down an internet feed and post updates as his events goes on. More is planned as the season continues, with the ability for you to see what it's like to be a factory pilot in Europe and just who is GFC.
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Chuck Skowron · Joined: 19 Jul 2001 Posts: 1156

Oh good. I enjoyed reading the Supernationals XIV blogs from last November (like Gary's), with the drivers taking time from their busy weekends to post their experiences at the track. Looking forward to it.
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Mike Goebel · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 5:52 pm Post subject:

Is the IAME being built buy Tec Sav???

Mike G.
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Ken Schilling · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 1351

Zanardi...?!

I know that Gary is a CRG "factory" driver and that Zanardi is built by CRG right?

Perhaps CRG is "loaning" GFC to the Zanardi team....kinda like what F1 teams do with their drivers?

Either way, I'm hoping the best for GFC and show those Euros that we got some pretty good talent on this side of the pond!!!

Go get 'em GFC!!!
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Jason Berry · Advertiser Joined: 29 Dec 2001 Posts: 296

Show the world what "GFC" is all about.

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Yamir Raj · Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 9:57 am Post subject:

This is awesome. I believe Dino Chiesa use to manage Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in karting. Some say he is the "guru" of karting. Either ways, that team has connections with McLaren. Best of luck for Carlton running with the best in Europe!
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Edward Louis · Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 138

due to the pecking order at CRG GC was being bumped down the totem pole so to speak this yr. I'm not sure how the switch came but it sounds like a good one. hopefully he has #1 driver status with them so he gets the top motors. We all know he's the best driver! Hopefully the races will be on the internet and we can watch!

Timbo540 ulmen · Joined: 13 Mar 2009 Posts: 74

Gary is Zanardi's #1 driver and the IAME motor is not a Tec-Sav, they are developing the engine and using Grays great feedback to make it a force in KZ1 and 2. From talking to Gary he is a little concered about the first race, but I think he will be just fine. The biggest thing will to get the new engine up to speed with the Tec Sav boys, it is in the 2nd year and last yr it finished from what I heard around 15th in the worlds, which is not bad at all. I heard they also were working on it over the winter. I know Gary will tell everyone much beter than I can, we here in Miami are rooting for him and I cant wait to see how he likes the new chassis and motor, he is super excited about racing all year against the best line up in 2 years

David Cole · Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 12:18 pm Post subject:

Carlton Update:

Gary has been unable to get connected to the internet while in Sarno. Thankfully, the event will have live timing and we will be able to post updates here as they event goes on. Qualifying begins tomorrow around 15:00 local time (9:00 EST). We hope to get some updates from those close to Gary who are able to contact with him via Blackberry.
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Carlos Calderon · Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 1:41 pm Post subject:

Timbo540 ulmen · Joined: 13 Mar 2009 Posts: 74

Although Gary is absolutely a #1 driver, his teammate is Nyck DeVries, who is officially backed, in karting, by McLaren (F1). .

Well all good points buttt looking at the entry list and DeVries is in KF1 not KZ1 or even KZ2, Gary is the only Zanardi rider in KZ1 on the entry list

Timbo540 ulmen · Joined: 13 Mar 2009 Posts: 74

entry list

http://www.wskarting.it/Euro_Series/2011/Provisional/Entry_List_KZ.pdf

Carlos Calderon · Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:50 am Post subject:

David Cole · Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 8:01 am Post subject:

Qualifying

Qualifying in Sarno just wrapped up with Carlton out in the first of two groups for KZ1/KZ2. As you typically see, the action was buzy with the top-10 moving around each time karts went across the stripe.

At the end, Carlton sat 11th in group with a 1:03.826, just half a second off former world champion and SKUSA SuperNats winner Jonathan Thonon (1:03.334). No one was able to better Thonon's time in the second group, with 2010 SuperNats runner-up Rick Dreezen the top driver (1:03.371). Seven drivers were quicker than Carlton, thus putting him 18th overall - unofficially.

On a side note, Canadian Lance Stroll is competing in the KF3 category alongside Carlton in the Chiesa Corsa team. He was 14th in his group. Official results will be available at a later time.
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Timbo540 ulmen · Joined: 13 Mar 2009 Posts: 74

All things considered I thinkits pretty good, with his health not being 100%, new chassis for the first time, and a new motor program, I think he will improve each race.