In parallel with KZ, the FIA ??Karting European Championship – KZ2 this year was contested over two dates, at Salbris (FRA) in May and at Lonato (ITA) in July, and its entry increased with about 75 Drivers at each Competition. The showdown looked like a match between Italy and France regarding the contenders for victory. However, two Frenchmen, Adrien Renaudin and Emilien Denner, made their mark with their youth and only one year of experience in 125 gearbox karts.
The result of the first Salbris Competition directly affected the course of the second race at Lonato. The future Champion could afford to race cautiously against his opponents who were forced to take every risk to catch up. A private team, CPB Sport, won the Championship with Adrien Renaudin against four factory teams, five different chassis brands ranked in the top five: Sodi, Formula K, Kali’Kart, Intrepid and Birel ART. Equipping 75% of the field, TM Racing also powered the top five in the Championship. The KZ2 category was this year supplied with LeCont tyres.
Renaudin on top at Salbris (FRA)
Pierre Loubère (FRA – Praga / TM Racing / LeCont) set the fastest time in front of Riccardo Longhi (ITA – Birel ART / TM Racing / LeCont) and Giuseppe Palomba (ITA – Intrepid / TM Racing / LeCont) on the French circuit. But Adrien Renaudin (FRA – Sodi / TM Racing / LeCont) took the lead in the Qualifying Heats against Hubert Petit (FRA – Sodi / TM Racing / LeCont) and Giacomo Pollini (ITA – Formula K / TM Racing / LeCont). Loubère put Renaudin under pressure during a long duel in the Final, without managing to attack. Renaudin took a strong victory while Petit resisted Alessio Piccini (ITA – Tony Kart / Vortex / LeCont) for 3rd position. Longhi finished 5th.
Lonato (ITA): Denner the winner, Renaudin champion
Holder of pole position after Qualifying Practice, before leaving the controls to Giuseppe Palomba after the Qualifying Heats, the young Emilien Denner (FRA – Kali’Kart / TM Racing / LeCont) surprised his rival at the start of the Final before distancing him irreparably until the finish. Delayed by his engine in a Heat, Longhi moved up from 9th to 3rd position ahead of Matteo Vigano (ITA – Tony Kart / Vortex / LeCont) and Pollini in 5th. In a wise and strategic Race, Renaudin managed his opponents in the Championship. He was only 9th but won the European title with a comfortable lead.
Info FIA Karting / © Photo KSP