Kart-SM Lignières: Suspense until the end
KART-SM At the season finale of the autobau Swiss Kart Championship in Lignières, the final decision was only made in the last of the three races in each of the five classes. The youngest champions Elia Sperandio and Mike Müller (picture) are a promise for the future. On the TCS training ground in Lignières, which was perfectly visible to the numerous spectators, the drivers of the autobau [...]
The drivers of the 2017 autobau Swiss Kart Championship (SKM) were guests for the second time this year at the TCS training ground in Lignières, which was perfectly visible to the numerous spectators, in beautiful late summer weather. The tension was high in two classes, in each of which two drivers were still in close contention.
In the OK Senior class, Pascal Von Allmen dominated the action with first places in qualifying and in both heats. This gave him a four-point lead over Samuel Weibel ahead of the final.
In the decisive final race, however, Weibel risked everything, overtook his opponent on the fourth lap and turned the tide in his favor. Von Allmen had to settle for second place in the race and in the championship, claiming that he no longer had a chance to defend himself due to an incorrectly fitted carburettor gasket and correspondingly lower engine revs.
In the Iame X30 Challenge Switzerland, Steven Planchamp also left Patrick Näscher, who was leading at the start of the season, no chance. The Frenchman took maximum points, while the man from Liechtenstein complained about engine problems. However, Näscher was a fair loser: "Steven had a really strong season and deserved the title."
Nico Rohrbasser, who arrived with a lead of 66 points, made everything clear in the top class KZ2 of the shifter karts in the first heat. Without any pressure, the Genevan then also won the second heat and the final ahead of his last title rival André Reinhard. Philippe Hirschi finished third on the podium for the first time.
Mike Müller was able to approach the races in the Iame X30 Junior class more calmly than expected. Firstly, his lead in the overall standings was 55 points and secondly, Jasin Ferati did not even make the trip.
This meant that Müller was already crowned champion before the start of the first heat, whereupon he confirmed his title win with three race victories. That seemed to spur him on: "I want to move up to KZ2 in 2018. I'll be 15 in November, so this is possible in terms of the regulations."
Only in the Super Mini class was the champion already decided before Lignières. However, Elia Sperandio did not rest on his laurels and remained unbeaten in the seventh and final race - something no one else managed in 2017. Shannon Lugassy, Ekatarina Lüscher and Michael Sauter remained hot on the heels of the St. Gallen native until the finish.
In 2018, the youngest Swiss karting champion at the age of 12 will move up to either the X30 Junior or the newly created OK Junior class (with direct drive and less power than the "open" OK Senior).
