Always very competitive in the 125cc gearbox category, CRG was up to expectations and fought hard for the title of European KZ1 Champion, from timed practice to the final. "The Wackersdorf track, which is very difficult and technical, was the ideal setting for a very exciting race" the CRG team commented. "Our rivals worked hard to take the European crown away from us, but our drivers fought back and showed the effectiveness of our chassis".
After setting the second best time, just one 100th of a second away from the pole position, Jonathan Thonon emerged immediately as one of the candidates to victory in Germany. European champion in 2008 and winner of the World Cups in 2007 and 2008 with his CRG-Maxter, the Belgian driver always remained in the leading pack during qualifiers and then in the pre-final.
"I think I managed my race perfectly, to play my best cards in the final" Jonathan Thonon commented. "Unfortunately a driver slowed me down when he overtook me and the first two drivers took advantage of that to gain more ground. A pity, because I was really determined to fight until the end and give CRG and Maxter a new title. Then I kept pushing hard up to the arrival, to reach the third step of the podium. It is an excellent result anyway, given the level of competition. We were not far from victory and unfortunately you cannot win every single time. Anyway, I am very happy about this result, especially because I had a chance to show the potential of my equipment".
Unlucky in qualifiers, Davide Forè staged a superb recovery up to fifth place. And with Arjan Kievitbosch's CRG in 9th place (CRG Holland) followed by Rick Dreezen and Arnaud Kozlinski, the famous Italian brand had its five CRG karts in the first 11 places of this European Championship!
CRG was also happy about the excellent job made by CRG Holland team. In addition to the good performances shown by Kievitbosch and Dreezen in KZ1, Jorrit Pex was third in Race 1 in KZ2, then second in Race 2. He is therefore 5th in the European championship, just ahead of his brother Yard Pex.
Maxter Faces the Challenge
"It is always difficult to reach the top, but it is even more difficult to remain there". In Germany, this saying proved to be true, though Maxter missed the title of European champion for a hair's breadth. The MX 125cc gearbox engine, though, was fully satisfactory. 2nd, 4th, and 5th respectively, Jonathan Thonon, Arnaud Kozlinski and Davide Forè made sparks fly in timed practice. But CRG-Maxter drivers were finally forced to come to terms with race mishaps and in the end there was only Thonon to impose himself.
"Gaps were so tiny that the minimum mistake would cost you very dearly" stressed Davide Forè. "But we are competitive, and this is very encouraging, especially with a view to the forthcoming Sarno World Cup". With Thonon on the third step of the podium and Forè back in fifth place, the overall assessment is largely positive for Maxter engine’s tuners, who include, evidently, Patrick Savard.
