In March, news of FIA Karting creating a new category for the 2022 season came across our desk. They announced the creation of the KZ2 Masters World Cup event, which is scheduled to be run in Le Mans, France on September 1-4 as part of the FIA Karting KZ World Championship weekend.

Masters racing has been part of karting here in the United States for decades now, dating back to the late 90s in all different forms of the sport from sprint, road racing and dirt. The age level is vital at all levels, from club to regional and especially at the national level. It was the 2000 Superkarts! USA SuperNationals in Las Vegas that saw Kirk Jeffery beat out 24 other drivers for the inaugural G1 (Master Shifter) crown at the Las Vegas Karting Center. It was not until 2003 that the category became part of the SKUSA ProMoto Tour and Texan John Kindhart became the inaugural series champion.

Five-time SKUSA Pro Tour champion Jordon Musser will compete at the FIA Karting KZ2 Masters World Cup (Photo: EKN)

Now, 22 years later, a total of 69 Master Shifter drivers from around the world will converge on the Le Man Karting International circuit in France for the chance to be crowned the inaugural World Cup champion. North America will be well represented with three drivers from the USA and three from Mexico.

When you think of Masters racing here in the USA, you think of Jordon Musser. The Texan has secured five SKUSA Pro Tour championships in Master Shifter competition. Musser is no stranger to international competition, having raced at the Rotax Grand Finals four times thanks to his three victories at the USA Rotax Grand Nationals from 2002-2004 and again in 2006 in DD2 category. Musser’s last championship came this winter at the Florida Winter Tour in ROK Shifter Master category. Here in the USA, he races for PSL Karting and Birel ART and will be under the factory Birel ART tent for the Labor Day weekend event. This weekend, he is working with Frenchman Thomas Mich for the testing program.

“This is amazing so far. I have never raced at a proper top-level race, side by side with all the best in Europe.  Even on this test day it’s incredible. There must be 200 shifters. I think it’s tough to just fly over and do well, but we will see. The track has so much grip, at a level I am not used to and everyone says it’s low grip. My goal is top-10. I’m not sure who is entering, but somebody was joking about there are more former world champions in Masters than KZ.”

Veteran driver Patrick-Otto Madsen will represent the state of Florida. With experience in sportscar and karting, Madsen is part of the ANSA Motorsports operation that is based in Miami. Madsen finished as the runner-up at the SKUSA Winter Series in the final two rounds of the program in 2022. He will be racing with the IPK Official Racing Team on the weekend, as a Formula K dealer with ANSA.

Two-time Challenge of the Americas vice-champion Cliff Kujala is set for the inaugural FIA Karting KZ2 Masters World Cup (Photo: CKN)

Coming into the event with similar experience as Musser is Arizona driver Cliff Kujala. A racer back in the SKUSA ProMoto Tour days in the late 90s and early 2000s, Kujala was a major part of Tony Kart success during the late 2000s working with several national level drivers and international stars. In recent years, Kujala has gotten back behind the wheel, competing at the Challenge of the Americas program. He finished second in the championship in 2021 and this winter. Like Musser, Kujula is at Le Mans this weekend testing to prepare for the World Cup.

“2022 is shaping up to be an exciting year for karting,” Kujula offered. “ It feels like things are starting to get back to normal after the pandemic. I felt an immediate desire to compete with the first time offering of a Masters category by the FIA at a World Championship event.  Seeing the class sell out and expand so quickly shows I wasn’t the only driver feeling this way.  When the Tony Kart Racing Team said they had space on the team, my commitment was locked in.  The track is fast and wide. I like it so far, but still learning the line for sure.  Considering the engine and tires are new to me, I’m leaving my goals open for the event, but why show up at all if the intent isn’t to be competitive!”

Three drivers will represent Mexico at the FIA Karting KZ2 World Cup, including Carlos Medina and Victor Jimenez. Medina is among the more experienced Masters drivers, competing at several SuperNationals and Rotax Grand Finals in the past. He will be racing aboard a Birel ART. Jimenez is another who has been on the Masters radar here in North America for some time in both Superkarts! USA and ROK Cup USA competition. He will be in the familiar Tony Kart colors on the weekend. Mauricio Montenmayor is the third driver from Mexico, racing with CPB Sport aboard a Sodikart.

Some of the worldwide notables include seven-time world karting champion Davide Fore (ITA), European karting champion Nick De Bruijn (NLD), Michael Patrizi from Australia, and Carlos Fonseca (CRI). Mirko Mizzoni (ITA) calls USA home and is a long-time SKUSA competitor. Orlando Kart Center owner Andre Martins (BRA) and brother Eduardo Martins (BRA) – the 2001 SKUSA SuperNationals G1 winner – are among the original Master Shifter drivers at the SKUSA SuperNationals. Both will be competing in Le Mans.

Follow the event through the FIA Karting website.

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