6TH PANAMERICAN EASYKART CHAMPIONSHIP SAN CARLOS (VENEZUELA), 22 NOVEMBER 2009

GREAT SUCCESS FOR THE EVENT ORGANIZED BY EASYKART VENEZUELA

The Pan-American Championship has proved itself to be among the most important karting events in Central America. Victories went to Baíz (60cc), Arone (100cc), Kramarsky (125 Light) and Hurtado (125 Heavy)

Big show in Venezuela

The Easykart girls

Riccardo Arone the winner in 100cc category

Jonathan Cecotto with Nicolò Balsamo and Riccardo Arone

San Carlos (YV) - The Pan-American Easykart Championship, the race that awarded the International title to Central American drivers, was raced in a single trial on November 22 on the Venezuela San Carlos track.

In this area, the countries that take on the role of the "lion" are definitely Venezuela and Colombia, but there were also delegations from Mexico, Guatemala and Panama, to name a few.

There was also something new in the 2009 edition, the presence of the Italians Nicolò Balsamo (recent winner of the International title) and Riccardo Arone, both drivers in the Easykart Driver Program starting in the 100cc class, along with the Russians Kramarsky and Smelov, in the race in the 125 Light and 125 Heavy respectively.

Due to the exceptional work done by Easykart Venezuela, the event was a great success, making the most of television coverage by the main national stations and sponsored by the largest private telephone company in Venezuela (CanTv) and the Bank for economic development.

It was a real event that, on Sunday, had its "key" moment with the final races and a maxi concert with 2 of the most popular groups in Venezuela that brought 7,000 spectators to the track. The buildings in the paddock and along the entire track were also impressive, among which was the Hospitality area in the garage area where there was catering and open bar service for all of the guests of the sponsors and the press.

And, in this great International karting event atmosphere, the race was also up to the standard, guaranteeing a great show and excitement. In the 60cc class the young Mauricio Baìz asserted himself after having been successful in the Pre-Final, and he was good enough to gain a few meters on those following him in the very first laps.

The fight for 2nd place, on the other hand, was exciting due to the numerous passes by Jonathan Cecotto and Carlos Rendon, with Rendon winning only in the photo-finish over the son of the ex-F1 and motorcycle champion.

In the 100cc category there were great expectations for the new International champion, Nicolò Balsamo, but he had a truly unlucky weekend. In fact, in the Pre-Final, after a contact at the start, he complained of a carburetor problem that forced him to withdraw. In the last line-up in the Final, after a good first part of the race where he was able to climb back up to 9th place and then involved in another contact with Hurtado that compromised his race, he ended up withdrawing.

But the Italians were redeemed by Riccardo Arone who, after having finished in 10th place in the Pre-Final due to a broken bumper, was the author of a fantastic Final, winning the victory and the title with a decisive pass of Diego Borelli only two turns from the checkered flag.

The Venezuelan, in fact, seemed to have success in hand after having relieved Cicconetti of the lead during the first part of the race, but during the last lap Arone overtook him and passed him winning the umpteenth Easykart Trophy title.

Oscar Caradonna ended up in 3rd place with 4th place going to Cicconetti. A great show was also given by the drivers in the Heavy category where the Russian Smelov, winner of the Pre-Final, was the leading player in a close and riveting match with Pacho Hurtado and Ivàn Lòpez for the entire first phase of the race.

In the final, Hurtado then succeeded in winning a few meters on his adversary going on to win the race and the title with Lopez right behind him. On the 3rd step of the podium was Enrico Friso who beat Smelov in the final phases of the race.

But there was a Russian on a higher podium step at San Carlos; it was the current 125 Light International Champion, Alexander Kramarsky, good at studying and then overcoming the Venezuelan, Trino Rojas, who won 2nd place, just a few laps from the finish.

Kramarsky has therefore won two International titles in the same season and if he was not stopped by a broken rear bumper in Poland in the European Final, he might have had three titles. Returning to the Pan-American race, the 3rd spot on the podium was taken by Diego Ferreira who ran an excellent race.

After its great success, it is a safe bet that the Pan-American Championship will become an even more sought-after and important event in the future.