Two great European Champions crowned in Sweden
The Mondokart.com FIA Karting European Championship has crowned Britain's Joe Turney in OK and Belgium's Dries Van Langendonck in Junior with their performances in Sweden confirming their talent. Belgium's Gilles Herman won the FIA Karting Academy Trophy with an excellent display of maturity, while Switzerland's Dan Allemann came back brilliantly to secure 2nd place.
The rain changed everything on Sunday at Kristianstad. With much cooler temperatures, grip varied according to the intensity of the rain. Noted for their quality in dry weather, the Maxxis tyres also proved convincing in the wet.
Once again, the quality of the Swedish welcome was exceptional from the spectacular ceremony and fireworks to launch the Finals, to the podium ceremonies with CIK-FIA President Akbar Ebrahim and Vice-President John Ryan joining in the celebrations at the event. Despite the inclement weather, a large crowd packed the main grandstand and the area around the circuit to enjoy intense and lively racing.
OK: Turney finally rewarded with a major title
On Sunday morning, Fionn Mclaughlin (IRL - KR / IAME / Maxxis) and Gabriel Gomez (ITA - CRG / IAME / Maxxis) started by winning the Super Heats on a very wet track. In the Final, it didn't take long for official KR Motorsport driver Joe Turney (GBR - KR / IAME / Maxxis) to dislodge Gomez from the lead and cruise to a resounding victory. The British driver showed his panache to win a European title he had long coveted. Gomez had to fight off an unexpected opponent who had stolen second place from him for a while - Kaï Rillaerts (BEL- Sodi / TM Kart / Maxxis) who had in fact taken the lead after half the race thanks to a 17-place recovery before losing out with three laps to go. Delayed at the start of the race, Mclaughlin managed to get back to third place ahead of Jindrich Pesl (CZE - KR / IAME / Maxxis). Pedro Hiltbrand Aguilar (ESP - Birel Art / TM Kart / Maxxis) used all his resources to make an incredible 19-place recovery to seventh place in the race. Thibaut Ramaekers (BEL - KR / IAME / Maxxis) had dropped back to the back of the pack from the start, but nevertheless retained his third place in the Championship, tied with Louis Iglesias (FRA - CRG / IAME / Maxxis).
2024 Mondokart.com FIA Karting European Championship - OK standings:
1- Joe Turney (GBR) - 315 points
2- Gabriel Gomez (ITA) - 246 points
3- Thibaut Ramaekers (BEL) - 174 points
4- Louis Iglesias (FRA) - 174 points
5- Matheus Morgatto (BRA) - 163 points
OK team standings after Kristianstad
1- KR Motorsport (ITA) - 465 points
2- CRG (ITA) - 439 points
3- VDK Racing (BEL) - 331 points
4- CL Racing Team (ITA) - 166 points
5- Forza Racing (GBR) - 154 points
Junior: Costoya wins ahead of Van Langendonck, the new Champion
Christian Costoya (ESP - Parolin / TM Kart / Maxxis) put in a remarkable performance in Sweden. He did everything in his power not to settle for fourth place in the Championship. His determination paid off, as he won Super Heat A and followed up with a resounding victory in the Final. Forza Racing driver Dries van Langendonck (BEL - Exprit / TM Kart / Maxxis) applied a cautious strategy to make sure he didn't miss out on his chance to win the European title which his score in the previous races had promised him. His second place in the Final confirmed his speed in tricky conditions as well as his ability to manage an important race. Noah Baglin (GBR - KR / IAME / Maxxis) secured a superb third place, his best result of the season. Ilie Crisan (CAN - Tony Kart / Vortex / Maxxis) also put in his best performance of the year in fourth place against Filippo Sala (ITA - LN / TM Kart / Maxxis), who moved back into the top five of the Championship. Seventh in the Final, Kit Belofsky (GBR - KR / IAME / Maxxis) could be proud of his 16-place climb, as could James Anagnostiadis (AUS - KR / IAME / Maxxis) in ninth place after moving up 18 places. Iacopo Martinese (ITA - KR / IAME / Maxxis) held on to third place in the Championship without qualifying for the Final.
2024 Mondokart.com FIA Karting European Championship - Junior standings:
1- Dries van Langendonck (BEL) - 339 points
2- Christian Costoya (ESP) - 244 points
3- Iacopo Martinese (ITA) - 190 points
4- Roman Kamyab (GBR) - 181 points
5- Filippo Sala (ITA) - 157 points
Junior team standings after Kristianstad
1- Ricky Flynn Motorsport (GBR) - 401 points
2- Forza Racing (GBR) - 373 points
3- KR Motorsport (ITA) - 329 points
4- Parolin Motorsport (ITA) - 295 points
5- Tony Kart Racing Team (ITA) - 244 points
Herman wins the Academy Trophy, Allemann dominates the Swedish event
Dan Allemann (CHE) completely dominated the third and final event of the season, winning at every stage. Starting from pole position for the Final, he made the difference from the start and continued on his way to a resounding victory, 3.6" clear. This successful weekend enabled him to move back up to second place in the rankings and to minimise the problems he had encountered in previous events. Having arrived in Sweden in a favourable position, Gilles Herman (BEL) adapted his pace to the circumstances. A solid second in the Final, he achieved his objective perfectly. Fedrick Flood-Engebretsen (NOR) discovered the joys of the podium after a fine performance, while Reaan Dharmadasa (LKA) in fourth and Turner Brown (USA) in fifth made their mark.
Top five of the 2024 FIA Karting Academy Trophy:
1- Gilles Herman (BEL) - 166 points
2- Dan Allemann (CHE) - 140 points
3- Jakub Gasparovic (SVK) - 114 points
4- Reaan Dharmadasa (LKA) - 93 points
5- Turner Brown (USA) - 86 points