EASYKART TROPHY 7TH INTERNATIONAL FINAL JESOLO (VE), 16 -17 -18 -19 - OCTOBER

THE INTERNATIONAL TITLES GO TO SHWARTZMAN, RUSSIA, (60CC), VIBERTI, ITALY, (100CC), OZTEKNIK, NORTH CYPRUS (125 LIGHT) AND FERRI (HEAVY) AND SCHIROSI(SHIFTER) BOTH FROM ITALY

THE JESOLO CIRCUIT WAS HOST TO A GREAT SPORTING WEEKEND WITH 280 DRIVERS FROM MORE THAN 18 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.  GREAT ENTHUSIASM WAS SHOWN FOR ALL FINALS WITH MANY DRIVERS COMPETING FOR THE ‘LAURELS’

The 280 drivers representing 18 different countries and the emotions arising from the disputed races, with many protagonists contending for the titles,  are the salient results to be highlighted regarding the long week-end at Jesolo. It was here that the International titles of all the Easykart classes were awarded;  and the Birel group’s organizational mecchanism revealed itself to be in command of the situation in this important agonistic event, as was the work undertaken by Csai (the Italian ASN which patronises and regulates the project) in the ambit of the sporting management side of the race.  More than 50 staff alone were used just for circuit services, team managers, race officials, time-keepers, medical staff and other services, together with the loan of professional managerial staff from the Monza Autodrome.  The promotional programme and the media made a huge impact with more than 30 accredited journalists and eight national television channels present.  The television production of the event was undertaken by the Organization and the race itself was transmitted live on a maxi screen.  Obviously, the entire Birel clan was present at the event, whilst services fit for an international meeting were set up for the pilots, with video transmission of times taken from the trial races and a race secretary in the paddock, over 300 sq.m., at the disposal of those working there.  One of the event’s more emotional moments was the pilots’ presentation ceremony with the Jesolo band accompanying all the pilots, carrying their own national flags, past the well-packed principle grandstand.   Notwithstanding the huge amount of efficiency stemming from the organizational mechanism, the event’s sporting aspect must be under-lined. This saw “drawn-out” races and many protagonists contending for the ‘laurels’ in each category thereby confirming the efficiency of the technical regulations and the project format, which for many of the world’s countries has become the most  prestigious school for young pilots wishing to undertake an agonistic career.  A huge success also for the promotional 50 Training programme which saw at the start at least  30 young pilots between the ages of 6 and 8 disputing a promotional manifestation margining on International Finals.

EASYKART 60 - In the International Final of the 60cc class emotions ran high from the 1st to the last lap, when the Russian, Shwartzman, from the Mazzotti Corse team responded to the last ‘attack’ by the Slovak, Pastorok (placed in pole position), who went on to win by just 164 millesimal from the Emilia Kart pilot.   Diego Bertonelli (Alemar team, by only 8 tenths) took third place on the podium and who on winning the Italian title for the category confirmed himself to be the most talented in our company.  The pilot from Tuscany, in the various laps in the lead, unfortunately, remained slightly behind and, during the last phases, lost the trail of the two leaders thereby depriving himself of a possible victory.  The positive surprise of the weekend was Giulio Tommasin who took 4th place.  Exploiting to the maximum his feeling for the Jesolo circuit, the Venetian disputed a race always at the top and coming close to the podium, besides giving the fastest lap of the race.  Amongst the big names racing behind him was Andrea Motta who, at the photo finish, beat Mattia Drudi for 5th position.  Let is be said that Druid’s race was conditioned by pressure loss from a rear tyre which penalised him in the concluding phases.  Amongst the top ten who concluded were Kalinowski, Poland, Malishev, Russia, Pillon, Italy and another Russian Ivan Chubarov (qualifier from the “B” Final).   Geltrude, Travisanutto, Navacchia, Balsamo and Krencisz were also very much in evidence.  They finished with only a few millesimals between them after a great struggle for 11th place.  Still in the 60cc class, with 90 registered pilots, it was necessary to hold “B”, “C” and “D” Finals, from which the first six out of each final went forward to the next race.  In the “D” Final held Saturday afternoon, the Russian Krugov, preceded the American Warren, Karkosik and Miszkier from Poland, the Austrian Supper and the colour wearer from the Czech Republic, Osmera.  The subsequent “C” Final, however, was won by Nowosad from Poland over his co-national Mastalerz, whilst 3rd place went to the Italian, Fiaccadori.  Following them,Kowalski (Poland), Borrelli (Venezuela) and Javurek (Czech Republic) also qualified with the latter having obtained entrance to the “B” Final thanks to the exclusion of the Russian Krugoc.  Finally, in the “B” Final, the last 6 pilots qualified for the International Final and where Roberto Roberti was seen to be playing the role of total dominator.  Behind him, at a 2” distance, was the strong Russian, Sitnikov, who easily beat Krencisz.  4th place went to Tarabù, with Chubaruv (Russia) who preceded the Croatian Grobenski.

EASYKART 100 - The 100cc International Final saw Alberto Viberti, the Piemontese pilot, from the Fg Racing team in very imposing form.  This pilot is already under contract to Birel in the context of the “Easykart Driver Program” project.  In 2nd place was Kevin Lavelli who, racing away at the start, was in the lead for a long while before surrendering to the decisive attack by Viberti.  3rd place went to an excellent Lucjia Miklavec, already very fast during the trial wherein he gained the 1st line next to Lavelli.  4th place went to Michele Beccarla in his umpteenth great race and who was already 2nd in the European Final in Poznam.  The Sicilian from Emilia kart preceded his team companion Oscar Tunjo (Columbia) and  Jack Sales from England (Easykart UK), whilst following the Russian Bolshikh was the German Wackerbauer (forming part of the top ten after obtaining qualification for the International Final in the “B” Final) who preceded the Italian, Villa, and Kisiel from Poland.  In 11th position, however, Timofeev from Russia preceded the Italian Sances and Cattaneo.  Here it must be stated that many potential protagonists in the race were involved in an incident at the start, which forced Cunati, Paschina, Yavorovski, Agan, Robera and Maxa to withdraw.  Still in the same incident, Riccardo Arone remained behind, thereby finishing the race in only 22nd place, whilst due to having continued the race notwithstanding the yellow flag shown during removal of karts, Schmidt from Venezuela and Cuvalcioglu from Turkey closing respectively in 8th and 17th position were excluded from the event.  In the “C” Final disputed on the Saturday Smaga (Poland) gained success over Godovanjuk (Russia), Oprandi (Italy), Barbieri (Venezuela) and the Italian ladies Clarissa Mosca and Giordana Pirrone.  However, in the subsequent “B” Final victory went to Szczepanik (Poland) over the Russian, Timofeev, with the latter continuing the event subjudicial, (on appeal to the Board’s Sports’ Members) after his motor was denoted to be “non-conforming”, whilst awaiting verification.  Closing in 3rd place was Kisiel from Poland, followed by the Italian Veniga and Cattaneo and Wackerbauer from Germany.

EASYKART 125 Light - The International Final for the 125 Light was decided in adjudication, after the motor belonging to the winner, Manuel Grassi (also in pole position), was found to be “non-conforming” during technical verifications.  The International ‘laurels’ therefore, passed to Zeka Ozteknik representative of the Easykart North Cyprus team who had finished the race in 2nd placed after various duels with Ruggeri and Fossati.  It was Ruggeri who finished in 2nd place with a final classification inverted with respect to 2007, when Ruggeri, on the Cervia circuit, won the title by preceding the same Ozteknik. It is a good idea to mention here that, during the post race, the classification remained suspended at length due to an investigation by the Board regarding a few episodes, between contact between Ozteknik and Fossati and another, and again between the North Cyprus driver and Kramarski.  Both episodes, however, have been archived after analysis of the Director and Boards’ report together with television images showing contact between Ozteknik-Kramarski as being simply racing contacts and, therefore, “not to be proceeded with”.  With this Ozteknik becomes one of the first North Cyprus driver to excel in an international meeting.  2nd and 3rd place, however, went to the Fm Competition team drivers who, in a sign of protest towards the Racing Officials’ decisions immediately abandoned the podium on receiving the Trophy.  Moreover, both drivers had participated in a protest near to the Racing Officials’ area, and having been identified by the same as being the only recognisable subscribers, were reported to the Sport’s Judge.  This provision could entail exclusion from classification of the race for both of them, suspension of licence and a fine as foreseen by the ruling norm.  Returning to the sports news for the event, 4th place went to Terry Langley from England who ran an excellent race, whilst 5th place went to the Polish pilot Szcepanik. Instead, Kramarski from Russia after contact during the early laps when in 4th place came back from the rear to take 6th place preceding Apicella from Venezuela, Scapoli, De Castro and Crockett.  Mention must be made of withdrawal due to contact by Alberto Cola, as well of that of Francesca De Conto (exhaust damage) and Remigio Rizzi (rear guard damage).  During the “B” Final held in the morning, however, the Italian Zani imposed himself on Muslu from North Cyprus and the Greek pilots Vasilis and Plantzas.  5th place went to Di Cillo, whilst the last place necessary to enter the International Final went to Scuto.

EASYKART 125 Heavy - The official classification of the 125 Heavy was also varied due to measures taken by the Sports’ Officials who deprived Barnaby Pittingale of the title of International reigning champion who, with the victory, had repeated his 2007 success.  The English pilot, in fact, had a 10” penalty for having touched in the earlier laps the leader of the race Stefano Cobianchi, causing him to slew round.  After the race the same Cobianchi presented a complaint against the English pilot, a complaint also corroborated by the Board and the Circuit Commissioners at Curve n° 1.  Pittingale, after contact, went on to lead right to the end, demonstrating an optimal pace and confirming himself to be amongst the strongest of the pilots in his category.  Behind him was the Italian, Ferri, (TMK Team), who, therefore, became, the new International Champion in the category and in the next season will race the circuits with n° 1.  Baroni gave an optimal performance finishing in 2nd place. In the Final he easily contrasted Cobianchi and in making a good recovery preceded him by 98 millesimals.  Stefano Marra’s 4th place was also very positive, whilst Pittingale with the 10 second penalty was classified in 5th position.  6th place went to the English pilot Smith who preceded Mercatelli, conditioned by a few problems which gradually worsened notwithstanding an optimal first half of the race.  Amongst the top ten are also Tufecci from Turkey, Anufriev from Russia and the Italian Suriano.

EASYKART 125 Shifter - The 125 Shifter closed the afternoon races decreeing Alessandro Schirosi from Italy International Champion who, for the entire race, had controlled his co-national Montagnani, 2nd by only one second from Schirosi.  3rd place was disputed in a great race between the colour-wearer of the Castelli Modenesi team, Sibani, the Russian Shkolinii and the reigning continental champion Zanoni.  The three contenders concluded in order, whilst 6th place went to Luccon who preceded Kononov (Russia).  He was followed by another Russian pilot, Kononov, whilst 8th place went to Prochniak (Poland) who preceded the Czech, Machulada and Toporkov.

50 Training - Emphasis must be given to the immense success of the 50 Training project with at least 30 very young pilots between the ages of 6 and 8 on the circuit for a promotional event.  The format for the 50cc class had the same rulings in force as for all countries who have adopted the Trophy promoted by Birel, or a warm-up and two races of 10 minutes with starting grid drawn and inverted between the 1st and 2nd event.  The nations represented were, besides Italy, Venezuela, the Czech Republic, Poland and the United States.  An interesting note was the presence on the circuit of the grandson of Arturo Merzario, ex Formula 1 pilot, and also the nephew of Felipe Massa.  One of the event’s most marvellous moments was, without a doubt, the Award to the young pilots held in the ambit of the pilots’ Presentation Ceremony.  The Trophies were awarded by the Mayor of Jesolo, Francesco Calzavara, by the delegate from the Karting Federation, Adriano Vecchiato and the President of Birel, Oscar Sala.