Kart-SM: Four new champions wanted 🎥
SEASON START IN ITALY Unlike the car racers, the Swiss kart drivers will still be holding a championship in 2020. 79 male and female drivers have registered for the season opener in Italy. The 7 Laghi circuit in Castelletto di Branduzzo near Pavia is used by many Swiss drivers as a test track. It is fast, varied, offers numerous overtaking opportunities and is particularly [...]
The 7 Laghi circuit in Castelletto di Branduzzo near Pavia is used by many Swiss as a test track. It is fast, varied, offers numerous overtaking opportunities and is technically demanding, especially in the infield.
The pressure grows
The calendar of the autobau Swiss Kart Championship 2020 includes four events. That's two less than last year, increasing the pressure on drivers and teams.
OC Junior Champion Elia Sperandio: "In 2019 we had 18 runs, this year twelve. This makes the importance of each race greater. Breakdowns and technical problems weigh more. It will be very important to deliver your performances consistently and make as few mistakes as possible."
Sperandio is one of two riders who wants to defend his title. In the OC Juniors, the 15-year-old from Mels SG will be up against some familiar faces such as Ekaterina Lüscher, who finished 8th last year and wants to have a say in the battle for the junior crown this year.
But there are also new names coming up. Namesake Elia Pappacena (second in the 2019 Minis) and Tim Ziegler (fourth in the 2019 Minis) are among the promising talents competing in the Kart-SM.
Buntschu challenges Moccia
The second rider looking to defend his title is Savio Moccia. The 18-year-old from Lyss won the title in the X30 Challenge Switzerland last year. The driver from Lake Constance prevailed in a thrilling final against Lena Bühler (making her debut in Spanish Formula 4 this weekend) and Rafael Aguiar.
In contrast to last year, when Moccia still drove for the MH Racing Team, this year he will compete as a private competitor with his experienced father as a helper and screwdriver.
His biggest opponent in the category with the most participants is Danny Buntschu. The soon-to-be 17-year-old from Fribourg only took part in the final in Lignières in 2019, but had a thrilling title fight with Moccia the year before, which he ultimately won.
https://www.facebook.com/ekaterina.luscher.7/videos/722681218295381/
On the slope of 7 Laghi Ekaterina Lüscher has already tested diligently and shows this in the onboard video.
Alessio Fagone is back
It will also be exciting in the OC Seniors. The reigning champion Pascal von Allmen is missing from the starting list of 7 Laghi after his retirement. With Patrick Näscher from Liechtenstein, the 2018 champion will be on the grid, as will Miklas Born from Basel, who is now successful in touring car racing (TCR 24H Series).
Also making a comeback in the SKM is Alessio Fagone. The 2018 OC Junior champion will compete in the seniors for the first time. Here he will meet Florent Panès, a former OC Junior competitor who is also a must.
KZ2 return of two ex-masters
A new champion is also being sought in KZ2. There is only one driver left from last year's generation, Théo Vaucher. Among the remaining eleven drivers registered for 7 Laghi, however, there are a few familiar faces.
The duel between André Reinhard (2018 champion) and Nicolas Rohrbasser (2017 champion) is particularly exciting. In addition to them, Marco Bellanca and Matteo Mazzuchelli should be watched closely, who want to make life as difficult as possible for the two former champions in 7 Laghi.
Enea Frey healthy again
A new champion is also being sought in the Super Minis class. 15 drivers and one female driver (Chiara Bättig) have registered. Enea Frey is one of the favorites. The son of ex-sports car driver Michel Frey got off to a flying start last year in 7 Laghi with three race wins.
Due to a broken hand, he had to take a break at the last two events. In the overall standings, he therefore only finished in 7th place - one position behind Sergio Koch, who also made a positive impression last year as a regular points collector.
New race director from France
After the previous race director Peter Boontjes announced his resignation for professional reasons at the end of the 2019 season, Auto Sport Schweiz has filled the position of race director for the autobau Swiss Kart Championship 2020. With the Frenchman Joel Blanc, an internationally very experienced race director could be found, who has profound experience in CIK-FIA events.
