FINAL PODIUM OF THE EUROPEAN KZ CHAMPIONSHIP

12.07.2023 - Pressemitteilung

Sodikart confirmed its position at the highest level of international karting throughout the FIA Karting European Championship in KZ and KZ2. Senna Van Walstijn led the standings when he arrived at the Italian circuit of Sarno, and was immediately up front. Although an unfortunate tyre problem cost him his chances of being crowned champion, the Dutchman fought hard right to the end to claim 3rd place in the European KZ Championship. With the points also scored by Frenchman Emilien Denner, Sodikart finished 3rd in the team standings.

Since the start of the season, the Sodi Racing Team has achieved one excellent result after another in major international events in the 125cc gearbox categories. The French team arrived at the foot of Mount Vesuvius with a high level of preparation and equipment that is always very competitive on this circuit, which has often enabled it to score major successes. While Emilien Denner was affected by a virus which did not help his progress in the hot conditions, Senna Van Walstijn set the 2nd fastest time in Timed Practice, just 78 thousandths off pole position.

Double top three finishes in the Team Championships

4th in the first heat and 3rd in the second, Senna was still setting a high pace in the third, when a puncture caused by a tyre problem forced him to retire with just two laps to go. And despite an excellent Super Heat that saw him set the fastest lap of the race, the talented driver and his team could only look back at the delay caused by this incident. "It's really regrettable to have such a problem at this level," commented Senna Van Walstijn. "The team did a remarkable job to enable me to fight for victory. My Sodi-TM Kart was really competitive despite the difficult conditions due to the high temperatures in the region, the heavy rubber deposits on the lines and the very sticky track. Unfortunately, the puncture meant that I had to start the Final race in 9th position, a long way from the drivers I was up against for the European Championship title. With the rules laid down by the FIA Karting this season, which distribute a lot of points after the heats and the Super Heat, my chances of being crowned were reduced to nothing. My best lap in the Final, when I climbed from 9th to 4th place, gives me even more regrets."

This last-ditch effort enabled Senna and Sodikart to finish a brilliant 3rd overall in the European Championship. With its Van Walstijn-Denner duo, Sodikart also finished 3rd in the Team Championship.

The effectiveness of the Sodikart chassis was confirmed in KZ2. The CPB Sport team also finished 3rd in the Team Championship. Frenchmen Jean Nomblot, Mattéo Spirgel and Thomas Imbourg, Sri Lankan Yevan David and Dutchman Tim Gerhards put in a solid Final at Sarno. There is no doubt that Sodikart will be in action in September at the eagerly awaited Wackersdorf meeting in Germany, which will host the KZ World Championship, the KZ2 World Cup and the KZ2 Master International Super Cup.