2022 Euro Series kicks off in style with record numbers!
The IAME Euro Series kicked off with great racing at the Circuito Internacional de Zuera with a record total number of drivers!
In a different season compares to its usual time slot in the calendar, the Circuito Internacional de Zuera, Spain, was chosen for the opening round of this year’s Euro Series. This made for a warmer and sunnier opening race, yet several sessions in full rainy conditions spiced up the track action!
The event was completely sold out, with a record 107 drivers in the X30 Senior category, as well as a record total amount of drivers at 208, with continued support from major teams and drivers in international karting!
Unpredictable racing in the changing day-to-day weather conditions saw Evan Giltaire (VDK Racing), Macauley Bishop (Dan Holland Racing) and Daniel Kelleher (Fusion Motorsport) prevail in the finals of X30 Senior, Junior and Mini respectively.
X30 Mini
The X30 mini qualifying got on a completely rain-drenched track on Friday, and this time out it was Jenson Graham (Fusion Motorsport) who topped the timesheet. Behind him, to lead groups B, C and D were Dan Alleman (Spirit-Racing.ch), Daniel Kelleher (Fusion Motorsport) and Antoni Witkowski (Fusion Motorsport)!
In the dry Saturday Qualifying Heats it was Daniel Kelleher who prevailed, unbeaten throughout the day, and taking Superpole for Sunday’s Superheat 1! Jesse Phillips (Fusion Motorsport) took the other Superpole, and the two of them would be joined on the front row by Bosco Arias Chavarri (AC Motorsport) and Hentry Domain (Oliver Rowland Motorsport) respectively.
Despite a second place in the Superheat, Kelleher was still sufficiently ahead in points to maintain pole position for the final, with Domain, Phillips and Matt Corbi (Spirit-Racing.ch) behind him!
A wheel-to-wheel battle in the final between the four teammates of Fusion Motorsport saw Kelleher taking the win on the line from Phillips, Kit Belofsky (Fusion Motorsport) and Witkowski!
X30 Junior
Continuing with the strong pace he showed at the Winter Cup in Valencia, Aaron Garcia (MDC Racing) started in Zuera with the pole position in Junior! Clement Outran (VDK Racing) was second, Henry Joslyn (Mick Barrett Racing) third and Leo Robinson (Fusion Motorsport) fourth as the top starters for each of the four groups.
Garcia remained ahead after Saturday’s Qualifying Heats, with Sacha Van’T Pad Bosch (Fusion Motorsport) making an appearance in second, ahead of Outran and Hugo Martiniello (Jana Racing). Garcia, Van’T Pad Bosch and Outran topped the points after the two superheats, with the other VDK Racing Kart of Thibaut Ramaekers completing the second row start for the final!
The final race was eventful, with none of the top starters managing to stay in the top. After some nerve-wracking final laps, Macauley Bishop (Dan Holland Racing) snatched a great victory from Henry Joslyn and Adrian Ferrer (Mol Racing)!
X30 Senior
The X30 Senior category was one of the biggest highlights of the race! Completely sold out, with a record-breaking 107 drivers, the category had to be divided into 3 Qualifying groups and 6 groups for the Qualifying Heats!
Overall pole position was Evan Giltaire (VDK Racing) with Ariel Elkin (VDK Racing), Thomas Fleming (Dan Holland Racing), Danny Carenini (Team Driver Racing Kart), Hugo Besson (VDK Racing) and Sam Balota (VDK Racing) completing the top-6, heading each of the 6 groups for the Qualifying Heats.
Evan Giltaire staying on top of the classification throughout the heats, taking the Superpole for the first of the two superheats, with Daan Steenman (PDB Racing) on Superpole for the other. Behind them it would be Elie Goldstein (EGP Racing) and Danny Carenini.
The Superheats didn’t phase Giltaire who stayed in front to secure pole for the final, while Goldstein gained one extra place to get on the front row. Daan Steenman would start in third with Danny Carenini completing the second row.
The last Final race of the event proved equally thrilling with Giltaire being unable to pull away from the rest of the field up front causing a bunch up behind him that would trigger a lot of overtaking battles. While he went on to claim the victory, he had to defend even over the finish line from Pol Chaos Rivero (MDC Racing) who finished second, and Arthur Poulain (Victoryland Karting) who completed the podium behind them.
Mission: Carbon Neutral Racing
The collaboration between RGMMC and AQ Green Tec continues its big effort to make racing carbon neutral by reducing and offsetting carbon emissions. AQ Green TeC calculates each team’s or individual’s carbon footprint and show their climate impact. Many teams and drivers were already eager to start reducing carbon emissions after enhancing their carbon conscience.
More information and complete results can always be found on the IAME Euro Series official website www.iameeuroseries.com, the RGMMC Group website www.rgmmc.com, and the IAME Euro Series Facebook @x30euro and Instagram page @iameeuroseries .