This season, the 78 participants of the FIA ??Karting – Junior European Championship competed on four circuits in four different countries from the end of April to the beginning of August. Italy, Great Britain, Germany and France were on the calendar, and the field was completed at each Competition with several wild cards. Among the Drivers aged 12 to 14 in the year, the fight was fierce between the rookies and their older rivals. A two-time winner, Paul Aron won the title against Gabriele Mini’ and Gabriel Bortoleto.
The British team RFM won the title ahead of Parolin Racing Kart and CRG SpA. Six chassis brands were represented in the top 10, including four belonging to the OTK Group. As in OK, the three Italian engine manufacturers shared the podium: Vortex, IAME and TM Racing.
Aron dominates at Sarno (ITA)
Paul Aron (EST – FA Kart / Vortex / Vega) achieved a perfect Competition at the front of the OK-Junior category from Qualifying Practice until the Final which he won with a lead of more than 3”. Dino Beganovic (SWE – Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega) and Kai Askey (GBR – FA Kart / Vortex / Vega) competed for 2nd place, ahead of Conrad Laursen (DNK – FA Kart / Vortex / Vega). In the very last laps, Gabriel Mini ‘(ITA – Parolin / Parilla / Vega) took his chance and took 2nd place ahead of Askey and Smal, while Laursen was 5th.
All change at PFI (GBR)
Several new players came to the fore in England while some favourites, like Aron and Smal, missed out at this second Competition. Smal set the fastest time, but Dilano Van T’Hoff (NLD – Exprit / TM Racing / Vega) took the reins in the Qualifying Heats against Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA – CRG / TM Racing / Vega). However, Victor Bernier (FRA – Kosmic / Parilla / Vega) took the lead of the Final after a few laps. Van T’Hoff took 2nd place, while Mini’ overtook Thomas Ten Brinke (NLD – FA Kart / Vortex / Vega) and Alex Lloyd (GBR – Formula K / TM Racing / Vega) on the last lap to finish 3rd. Winner on the line, Bernier had to give the victory to Van T’Hoff after a penalty of 3” for leaving his line too early at the start.
Second decisive victory for Aron in Ampfing (DEU)
Aron regained his level of performance and the lead of the Championship at the German Kart Grand Prix with pole position in Qualifying Practice and a clear victory in the Final against Luca Griggs (GBR – Exprit / Vortex / Vega) and Bortoleto, the leader of the Heats. Smal returned to 4th place ahead of Hadrien David (FRA – Kosmic / Vortex / Vega). Mini’ lost important points because of a problem with his spark plug at the end of the race.
Mini’ the winner, Aron Champion at Aunay-les-Bois (FRA)
In Normandy, Nikita Bedrin (RUS – Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega) clearly dominated the start of the Competition, followed by Askey and Bernier. He took control of the Final while Bedrin gave up after a collision. Very fast, Mini’ took 1st place midway and won the race in front of Bernier and Bortoleto. Zak O’Sullivan (GBR – Fa Kart / Vortex / Vega) finished 4th in front of Aron, whose 5th position was enough to be crowned 2018 FIA Junior Karting European Champion.
Info CIK-FIA / © Photo KSP