World crown for VictoryLane with Kenzo Craigie
The VictoryLane team, which entered 14 drivers at Zuera, propelled Kenzo Craigie to the top step of the IWF24 podium in the X30 Junior class, giving the British hopeful another world crown behind the wheel of a KR after his OK-Junior crown. A benchmark in the X30 categories, VictoryLane has no intention of stopping there, as the French team will continue and strengthen its investment in international IAME competitions in 2025.
VictoryLane takes on the X30 Junior challenge
VictoryLane accepted the challenge proposed by the Kart Republic factory to enter Kenzo Craigie in the IAME Warrior Final 2024 in Spain with pride, professionalism and a desire to do well. The technical staff immediately rose to the challenge: P5 in Timed Qualifying, then P4, P2 and twice P1 in the heats, before a Final won after constant duels, a competitiveness that never wavered and two final classy overtakes on the last lap for the Mercedes star, to cross the finish line as winner.
Denmark's Nilas Malik was on the second row in the heats after his excellent Qualifying time, but dropped from 32nd to 16th in the Final, before being demoted due to a penalty. After arriving late from the United Arab Emirates for Free Practice, Connor Clancy made a brilliant recovery, making four convincing runs in the heats and reaching the Final.
X30 Senior: From P86 to P6 for Matthias Vandekerckhove
Having just set the 3rd fastest time in his group in the last free session before the Timed Qualifying, the Belgian Vandekerckhove plunged down the order in Qualifying, but then impressed by frequently turning the times purple in the heats during his numerous comebacks. His speed was confirmed in the Final with a 6th place finish after starting in 35th position, a jump of 29 places!
Comments from Nicolas Martins, VictoryLane team manager
"First of all, I'd like to thank the whole team who made this world title possible in the extremely tough environment of the IWF. No sooner had we celebrated Rocco Coronel's victory in OK at the WSK Final Cup in Cremona than we set off for Zuera with a few logistical hitches. We managed to stay on course, without giving up. VictoryLane leaves another mark in the history of international karting. I would like to thank Dino Chiesa of Kart Republic and the Mercedes F1 Junior programme for the confidence they have shown in us by placing Kenzo Craigie with VictoryLane. Kenzo was crowned FIA Karting World Champion in OK-Junior on KR-IAME equipment, so we had to give him top equipment so that he could repeat his performance.”
"I would like to congratulate all the technical staff led by Thomas Santin and Geoffrey Baudot in Zuera, as well as our engine builder FF Engines. In 2025, VictoryLane will continue to invest in order to have two distinct structures to continue to be at the forefront both in OK and OK-Junior, as well as in X30-IAME.”