Traditionally frequented by those used to the gearshift, KZ2 has in recent years seen a progressive rejuvenation of its competitors. After the Junior categories, the classic progress towards the Senior category is more often opening up towards an early move to KZ2 or sometimes a double programme.
Like the KZ reserved for professionals, KZ2 offers new sensations and new challenges. The brutal power of these 125s with six-speed gearboxes and front brakes offers a new way of driving that is more or less similar to that of a single-seater. The phenomenon is reinforced by the standing-start feature, just like in a car. For those who wish to continue in single-seaters, this preparatory stage is not to be neglected. It is no coincidence that many F1 drivers like to complete their winter training with KZ sessions. At the other end of the spectrum, the demand from drivers over 30 years old is growing. The first FIA Karting Masters International Super Cup – KZ2 was a quantitative and qualitative success at Le Mans last year. The 2023 edition has already filled up in just two days. The formula will be extended to the European Championship next year.
At the opening of the FIA Karting European Championship – KZ2 in Spain, the young drivers caused a sensation against the regulars. Experience is no longer necessarily a determining factor. The Mercedes Junior Team driver, Jamaican Alex Powell (KR/Iame), took pole position before winning the Final in style. His team-mate at Prema Racing, Japan’s Kean Nakamura-Berta, a member of the Alpine Academy, also caused a sensation in his third KZ2 race by showing himself to be a consistent front-runner and finishing 5th. These two drivers have a busy schedule in OK at the same time.
Freddie Slater’s exploits since the beginning of the year have been noticed. Leader of the heats in Zuera, the young Birel ART Racing driver is in the lead in the provisional European ranking thanks to his 2nd Final position. Tomass Stolcermanis (Energy/TM) showed for his debut that he can be counted on in both OK and KZ2. Cristian Bertuca (Birel ART/TM) was still racing in OK last year when he started to make his mark in KZ2, 4th in the European Championship and 2nd in the World Cup.
However, KZ2 is not the exclusive domain of young talents on their way to single-seater racing. There are also young people with a much more usual profile and means. Without going so far as to say that KZ2 is an inexpensive category, it remains relatively accessible, even at a high level, which is not necessarily the case in OK. Among the 88 participants in Zuera, pure amateurs were the norm. The 5th Final position of Frenchman Matteo Spirgel (Sodi/TM) is a good example of the success of a young driver in a private team. KZ2 is also raced in national and regional competitions by many enthusiasts.
Benefiting from stable rules and proven equipment, KZ2 is gaining popularity everywhere thanks to its exciting driving with Super Car-like acceleration, exceptional handling and powerful braking. It has now moved beyond the confines of its specialists to a wide range of drivers, and can be raced as a pure amateur or as an aspiring champion from the age of 15 with no upper limit.
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