Last weekend’s Champions of the Future Euro Series in Valencia, Spain, offered some great sporting action before concluding with results that were quite different to those seen so far in 2023.
Similar to the FIA Karting competitions in terms of organisation and regulations, the Champions of the Future Euro Series is a much appreciated preparation two weeks before the FIA Karting European Championship – OK and Junior. What could explain the relatively different hierarchies between the WSK Promotion and RGMMC events, apart from the hazards of each competition?
The circuits
While WSK Promotion offers a 100% Italian series on tracks where most of the factory teams and big teams can test frequently, RGMMC precedes FIA Karting events on European circuits less frequented by the continental circus. Valencia was used for the first time by the OK and OK-Junior teams on their way to the European Championships. The drivers and teams are less familiar with this type of track and have to get their bearings first before they can show off as they regularly do in Italy. This requires extra flexibility and speed of adaptation.
Tyres
For the first time this year the OK category used the MG tyres chosen in FIA Karting instead of the usual LeCont tyres in WSK. The Brazilian tyres performed well, but the technicians had to adapt their settings to the characteristics of these tyres. On an abrasive track like Valencia, wear management has become an important point that the drivers have to keep in mind in their approach to the competition. The situation is not the same in OK-Junior, where the Vega tyres are very well known.
The organisation
On the whole RGMMC and WSK Promotion are now very similar in terms of organisation. The race management and the commissioners may have some differences in the treatment of certain aspects or the interpretation of the regulations, but nothing fundamental.
The regulations
Here again the two series are very similar. However, it will be necessary to evaluate the impact in the long term of the new points scales instituted this year in the Qualifying Phases by FIA Karting, followed by RGMMC, and WSK Promotion. The initial impression is that victory is more valued on both sides. Drivers have more incentive than in the past to fight for an extra place. But it is difficult to assess the differences generated by the two point allocations.
Nevertheless, two new winners were rewarded in Valencia: the young Belgian Thibaut Ramaekers in OK-Junior with VDK Racing and the experienced Briton Joe Turney with KR Motorsport in OK, both driving Kart Republic chassis with IAME engines.
All this will be followed in less than two weeks on the same track for the opening of the European Championships.
Info Kartcom Selection / Photos © KSP