The 2016 season has reinforced the Czech Adam Kout’s role as leader, with his second consecutive title. As in previous years, the CIK-FIA European Superkart Championship remained tight until the final Competition. Everything suggested that 2016 would be a continuation of the duel between Kout (MS Kart / DEA) and the German Peter Elkmann (MS Kart / VM), but the suspense was extended until the end due to the advent of a third lead driver, the promising Belgian Yannick de Brabander (MS Kart / VM), Vice-Champion of Europe in KZ1 and 2nd in the CIK-FIA World Cup in 2011.
The first Competition debuted a new circuit, Ledenon (FRA), with its hilly track that enchanted drivers in particular with a triple left blind. The keys to the Championship were distributed at this round. Kout, Elkmann and De Brabander stood out from the crowd and were engaged in intense fighting in every race. The Competition ended with a fair win for both Elkmann and Kout, with De Brabander seizing two 2nd places. Marcel Maasmann (Anderson / VM) proved the most consistent driver of the chasing pack ahead of the French revelation of the season, Julien Goullancourt (Anderson / DEA).
At Donington (GBR), Kout took the ascendancy over his rivals in the Championship with two victories. At home, Liam Morley (Anderson / DEA) was in 2nd position each time ahead of Elkmann, less fast than usual. De Brabander, Maasmann and Daniel Clark (Anderson / VM) shared the podium places in the top five.
During the first Race at Assen (NLD) Elkmann made the best start, but Emmanuel Vinuales (Anderson / VM) took part in the battle with Morley and Clark. Although he made a bad start, Kout came back strongly to take his fourth victory in front of his two opponents, which ensured him the European Championship. The podium in Race 2 rewarded the rookie De Brabander with his first win while Elkmann and Kout who salvaged 2nd and 3rd places after penalties received by Vinuales and Morley. This gave the Vice-Championship to Elkmann in front of De Brabander.
The first single cylinder Cup has featured a constant duel between the two Britons Gavin Bennett (Anderson / DEA) and Paul Platt (MSKart / Gas Gas). With three wins against two, Bennett won. Note the victory at Donington for the Australian Jordan Ford who came to Britain especially for the occasion.
Info CIK-FIA / © Photo KSP