Aunay-les-Bois, one of the best events of the year
The international circuit of Aunay-les-Bois, France, is managed for competition using an associative model by the K61 club, chaired by Claude Gripon. After numerous championships in France, Aunay-les-Bois had already hosted the CIK-FIA European Championships for SKF, KF1 and KF2 in 2009 and the CIK-FIA U18 World Championship and CIK -FIA Karting Academy Trophy in 2011. For all of the volunteers passionate about the team, the organisation of a World Championship for the advanced categories was seen as the reward for many years of effort. An award that exceeded the expectations of everyone and brought congratulations for the sporting and popular success of the World Competition.
Claude Gripon, how do you and your team feel after the World Championship?
– It really is a great satisfaction for everyone to meet this challenge. We dreamed for so long… From the project to create the circuit, 20 years ago, the ambition was to one day organise a World Championship. Laval and Le Mans were used as models to motivate us to join the list of the world’s major races in France. Now we can say with pride, “We did it!”
How can a single club can achieve this?
– We had to convince policy makers at local and regional level to help us. We have done this since the beginning and they are part of this crazy project. We were also able to rely on private partners, not necessarily involved in karting, to give us significant help. The FFSA (French Motor Sports Federation) has always been with us in this adventure. But it is especially the continuing involvement of a hundred volunteers who helped to lead the challenge.
What is your best memory of the World Championship?
– When the first free practice finally began, we thought that the game had been won. We had a stressful time when we saw all the big awnings, but eventually everyone found their place. Personally, for a long time I will remember the Drivers presentation accompanied by the national anthem, then a few minutes of quiet when the drivers concentrated before the start of the race. Afterwards, the many thanks and expressions of satisfaction touched us very much.
Are you ready to organise a new CIK-FIA Competition?
– Without a doubt! The adventure was too good to want to stop there. We need a short break, but the team always likes new challenges, that’s how we work in Normandy! So if the opportunity arises at some time, we will be there with great pleasure, and why not a category that we have not yet hosted, the professionals of karting?
(Extrait du Best-Of CIK-FIA 2014)
(Extrait du Best-Of CIK-FIA 2014)
(Extract of the CIK-FIA Best-Of 2014)
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