The 4th edition of the Coppa di Campioni Vintage took place in a great atmosphere full of passion this weekend on the Pista Azzurra in Jesolo (ITA). More than 150 historic karts, including some rare gems, were on show and many of them were able to relive the fervor on track of the origins of the discipline, thanks to excellent organisation by the Automotoclub Storico Italiano.
The quote from Seneca “The past should advise the future” could serve as the slogan for historic kart gatherings like the Coppa di Campioni. How better to understand karting today than by plunging into its history with delight? It is both a pleasure and an education, both irreplaceable. The devotees who attended and participated in the demonstration at Jesolo are convinced. As proof, there are more every year with an increasingly wide range of ages.
The ASI Show Kart invaded the green paddock of Jesolo as usual for one of the largest exhibitions of historic karts in the world. More than 150 machines were exhibited during the three days of the event, including very rare pieces like the very first BM and Komet engines. The inventiveness of the pioneers of the discipline is always exciting to discover or re-discover, for specialists as much as for newcomers. It’s hard to imagine such creativity nowadays, or to appreciate such a quality of work as the craftsmen of genius loved to do.
Parfaitement organisée par l’ASI (Automotoclub Storico Italiano), la Coppa dei Campioni Vintage a offert de nombreuses séances de roulage aux pilotes de karts historiques, sous les yeux, et les oreilles, d’un public conquis. Le temps maussade du vendredi a laissé place à un ciel bleu azur comme la piste, samedi et dimanche. Depuis les trois youngsters engagés jusqu’au doyen de l’épreuve âgé de 90 ans, toutes les générations se sont côtoyées dans une indéniable harmonie, parmi la centaine de pilotes en démonstration, issus de huit nations.
The passion for historic karts is often combined with a joie de vivre. The event had two highlights in this regard, firstly with a dinner on board a boat, in the middle of the Venice lagoon on Saturday night, which was just magical. The event concluded with a flourish on Sunday afternoon with an “old school” awards ceremony attended by Kees van de Grint, the Vice-President of the CIK-FIA and Giorgio Formini, head of karting of the ASI. This great moment of friendship lasted while the participants were rewarded, and important personalities were honoured such as the driver Gabriele Gorini, three times winner of the Coppa dei Campioni at a time when the Competition virtually had the status of a World Cup.
In 2016, the Coppa dei Campioni Vintage will see its 5th edition and it is already a point of honour to celebrate the anniversary.
Click here for the photos of the meeting.
Info CIK / © Photo Italo Benedetti for KSP