The international karting season has started even earlier this year, with the first WSK International Series round held at La Conca (Italy), on 6, 7 and 8 February. The 3 drivers from Equipe de France FFSA Karting who attended the event were determined to battle. This first result was up to the FFSA ambitions, with a final podium for Arnaud Kozlinski and Armand Convers in Super KF, while young Pascal Belmaaziz showed a remarkable progression in KF3.
Less than a month after their first stage of physical training in Chamonix, drivers from Equipe de France FFSA Karting gathered on the Muro Leccese track, in the deep south of Italy, just where the 2008 World Championship was hosted. The WSK International Series gathers most of the best drivers in the world, in 7 rounds, held from February to November, under similar conditions to those of the
European and World Championships and of the World Cups.
For young Pascal Belmaaziz, it was the baptism of fire in the WSK. One of the most remarkable qualities of this extraordinary boy is definitely his discretion! At 15, he has raced in KF3 for 2 seasons and achieved some remarkable results, such as his 3rd place at the Monaco Kart Cup 2008. There is one thing that emerges clearly from his overall performance at the meeting, i.e. that Belmaaziz is a stubborn worker and that he learns a lesson from every single race event, thanks to his excellent physical shape. He has grown in a factory team, that of Intrepid Junior Team, so he has been able to achieve a strong progression since his 48th time in timed qualifying. Despite several troubles during the qualifying heats, with a series of collisions at the start, Pascal managed to avoid mistakes and constantly recovered ground, up to the 25th place. He improved even more in the pre-final, where he was 15th, and concluded the final in the top 10, in 9th place.
Multiple French Champion, twice World Vice Champion and winner of the World Cup, at 27 Arnaud Kozlinski has a list of achievements that speaks for itself. Very fast, but unlucky in 2008, Arnaud has started the season in the CRG/Maxter official team with an iron will and a mix of ambition and wisdom. He plans his races like a strategist and with great maturity. At La Conca, he was always in the top 3. Arnaud won the Super Pole by setting the best time on a full speed lap.
During the 32-lap, 40-km long final, he saved his energies by avoiding useless catch-ups, saved his tyres and launched his attack at the end of the race. A little problem on the last lap prevented him from passing the leader, who was, however, within his reach. Kozlinski conquered the second step of the podium and began to store away some nice points for the Championship. Also an experienced driver, Armand Convers has finally joined a factory team, Kosmic/Vortex, which can provide him with the means he needs to fully show his immense talent. Now 25, he has already been crowned European Vice Champion and French Champion. Although he discovered the full potential of his equipment only during the race, Armand was constantly in the top 3 and set immediately the best time in timed qualifying. Then, he used his favourite tactic: attacking at the
beginning of the end! In the final, a superb 3rd place rewarded his efforts, on a podium that was 2/3 French. |
