The 2023 FIA Karting European Championship - OK & Junior continues to offer new attractions. After the first appearance of an FIA Karting competition on the Valencia track in Spain, followed by the discovery of a new track in the Czech Republic at Trinec, the third round will bring the competitors together in Denmark on a recently built circuit at Rødby from 15th to 18th June. The FIA Karting Academy Trophy will take advantage of this new venue for the second of its three events.
The Rødby Karting Ring consists of a 1,245m long track with a width offering a variety of lines to ensure plenty of overtaking opportunities. The Danish circuit is located on the seafront in a completely flat area, but it does have a few unique features, including a banked bend to liven up the design. The long straight is followed by a long sequence of varied corners, guaranteeing selectivity.
235 drivers, 93 in OK, 96 in OK-Junior and 46 in Academy are entered to represent 60 nations. 19 wild cards appear on the lists. The 100% sustainable P1 Racing Fuel will help to reduce the competition's carbon footprint. Tyres will be supplied by MG Tyres for OK and Vega for OK-Junior and the Academy Trophy.
As all results count towards the title, the penultimate round at Rødby is of particular importance for both the European Championships and the Academy Trophy. A maximum of 81 points can be awarded for each event in the OK and OK-Junior categories, and 56 points in the Academy Trophy.
Duel at the top in OK
The current leader in the standings, Italian-licensed Brazilian Gabriel Gomez, will be aiming to get the better of his closest rival, Dutchman Rene Lammers. Gomez is in a very positive phase, as revealed by his lead with three places gained in the FIA International Karting Ranking (IKR) for the OK category. The great competitiveness of Alex Powell (JAM) makes him an outsider to consider, 9th in the IKR with a gain of five positions. Several other drivers have made significant performance gains in recent weeks. Kean Nakamura-Berta (GBR) and Enzo Tarnvanichkul (THA), the last two OK-Junior World Champions, are two examples. Not always rewarded with a result that lives up to his potential, Joe Turney (GBR) has what it takes to perform well in the Final.
Provisional 2023 FIA Karting European Championship - OK standings before Round 3:
1- Gabriel Gomez (ITA) - 150 points
2- Rene Lammers (NLD) - 136 points
3- Alex Powell (JAM) - 96 points
4- Tomass Stolcermanis (LVA) - 86 points
5- Nathaniel Tye (GBR) - 60 points
Uncertain situation in the Junior class
Recently propelled to the top of the IKR overall standings, Great Britain's Lewis Wherrell seems to have the ability to change the current hierarchy of the FIA Karting European Championship - Junior to his advantage. The provisional leader, Ukrainian Oleksandr Bondarev and his runner-up, Belgian Thibaut Ramaekers, will have no room for error at Rødby. According to these criteria, Stepan Antonov appears to be in an ascent, as does Vivek Kanthan (USA), the latest revelation in the category. Zac Drummond (GBR) and Taym Saleh (DEU) have strong arguments to defend against Iacopo Marinese (ITA), Alfie Slater (GBR) and Christian Costoya (ESP).
Provisional 2023 FIA Karting European Championship - Junior standings before Round 3:
1- Oleksandr Bondarev (UKR) - 142 points
2- Thibaut Ramaekers (BEL) - 126 points
3- Lewis Wherrell (GBR) - 115 points
4- Zac Drummond (GBR) - 92 points
5- Taym Saleh (DEU) - 58 points
Academy Trophy, in pursuit of Barry-Berg
Norwegian Marius Barry-Berg made a strong impression at the opening round of the FIA Karting Academy Trophy at Trinec. At Rødby, he will be the benchmark to beat for all these young drivers at the wheel of identical Exprit/Vortex karts. Hugo Marti (ESP) and Max Walton (AUS) appear to be his main rivals, not forgetting Arthur Broughan (NZL), who was unlucky in the Czech Republic. Lisa Billard (FRA) and Ryutaro Sakai (JPN) showed their competitiveness in Trinec to emerge from the pack. It will all be a matter of confirmation for these 12-14 year olds representing their countries in the FIA Karting detection formula.
Provisional standings for the 2023 FIA Karting Academy Trophy before Round 2:
1- Marius Barry-Berg (NOR) - 55 points
2- Hugo Marti (ESP) - 48 points
3- Max Walton (AUS) - 41 points
4- Ruytaro Sakai (JPN) - 27 points
5- Lisa Billard (FRA) - 26 points
The provisional schedule for the Rødby event:
Friday 16th June
08:20 - 13:50: Free Practice
13:55 - 15:43: Qualifying Practice
16:05 - 19:20: Qualifying Heats
Saturday 17th June
08:30 - 09:56: Warm-up
10:20 - 19:10: Qualifying Heats
Sunday 18th June
08:30 - 09:55: Warm-up
10:05 - 10:40: Academy Qualifying Heats
10:45 - 12:20: OK and OK-Junior Super Heats
13:50 - 16:10: Finals