The final Competition of the CIK-FIA European Superkart Championship will take place on 6th and 7th August on the Assen circuit (NLD), a real temple of speed. The Superkarts will again be incorporated into the programme of the “Gamma Racing Day”, an event that attracts an always numerous audience – more than 80,000 spectators – thanks to a superbly orchestrated show.
The entry will be of the same intensity as Lédenon with a strong delegation of 11 British Drivers, mainly because of the introduction of the new Mono Cylinder Cup which is almost exclusively reserved for them. The Germans missing from Donington are also back in number with eight drivers, while the Dutch contingent is stable. The ultimate Race of the programme will probably be decisive, as it has been in recent years, for the award of the title, but also for the overall standings and the mono cylinder ranking. The suspense can be prolonged until the closing laps like in 2012 and 2015, firstly because only the best five out of six possible scores are counted and secondly because at the Assen track the favourites will have to deal with outsiders who always mingle in the battles.
This will obviously be primarily a “remake” of the duel between the two favourites, the Czech Adam Kout (MS Kart / DEA) and the German Peter Elkmann (MS Kart / VM), but unlike last year, the two leaders won’t arrive totally equal. The Czech 2015 Champion has reaped a benefit, leading to two wins. This could be crucial especially as at Assen the German historically finds it harder to find the perfect balance between chassis and engine power. The “rookie” Belgian Yannick de Brabander (MS Kart / VM), regarded as the revelation of the year, has shown repeatedly that he has the potential to win despite his short experience in Superkart. The third man in the discipline this year, he is well able to assert himself as one of the favourites for next year.
The Competition at Assen is often shares out the points between several protagonists. Thus Marcel Maasmann (Anderson / VM) will take on a track where he is successful after his victory last year. As a direct opponent Liam Morley (Anderson / DEA) was twice 2nd at Donington in June and this track is fertile ground for him.
Outside the Championship, we will watch for the return of the Frenchman Emmanuel Vinuales (Anderson / VM), who made a fantastic comeback here in 2014, but is short of running this season. Another driver to watch, although he is learning the Dutch track, is Daniel Clark (Anderson / VM) who mixed with the best in the two previous Competitions. After several retirements including Donington, Andreas Jost (Anderson / VM) returns to competition on a track he likes. Note also the return of the only female, Priscilla Speelman (MS Kart / VM), a former Netherlands Superkart champion who has reincorporated her team.
The first Mono Cylinder Cup will be decided between the experienced Gavin Bennett (Anderson / DEA), a triple European Champion in twins and Paul Platt (MS Kart / Gas Gas), the four time British Champion in the category. Carl Hulme (Anderson / FPE) should be the arbiter of this duel.
Info CIK-FIA / © Photo KSP