The 2024 WSK Super Master Series continued at the Cremona International Circuit from 7th to 11th February. Competitors had to contend with wet conditions from the Qualifying sessions on Friday through to Sunday. The many teams involved with the KR chassis were able to offer their advice on how to help their drivers progress in these difficult conditions, as well as gathering valuable technical information for the rainy races to come. On a tarmac with changing grip, the Finals ended with a total of seven top five finishes, including a magnificent victory by American Lucas Palacio in the Mini U10 class.
11 teams under one banner
The rain that fell for several days in northern Italy didn't make things easy for the drivers and mechanics in Cremona. But the teams spared no effort in adapting to the situation, and there were again many teams representing the Kart Republic colours in the paddock, in addition to the official KR Motorsport team: Prema Racing, VDK Racing, Fusion Motorsport, AKM Motorsport, DPK Racing, Victory Lane, Team Driver Racing Kart, Kidix, PaskeRacing and Gulstar Racing. The Italian brand was once again well represented with around a quarter of the field. Well done to everyone for their commitment.
Victory for Lucas Palacio in Mini U10
After an incredible start from 7th place, Lucas Palacio was able to make the difference and take victory from among the youngest drivers at the meeting. The American moved up to 2nd in the provisional standings. There were also excellent performances from Canadian Rocco Simone (P4) and Bulgarian Alexander Parakram Lazarus, who came 7th after his disappointment in the Prefinal.
In the Mini 60s, the heats suggested a good result for Daniel Miron Lorente (P3), Oleksandr Legenkyi (P5) and Antoine Venant (P8). Unfortunately, Sunday was more complicated. Daniel Miron Lorente finished 4th and remains in contention for the title in this highly competitive series. Daniil Kutskov and Antonio Pizzonia Neto made fine comebacks in the top 12.
Niklas Schaufler remains leader in OK-Junior
While Arjen Kraeling, Rocco Coronel and Nikita Nikishov managed to win the heats, it was the KR-IAME teams of Iacopo Martinese and Niklas Schaufler who shared victory in the OK-Junior Prefinals. But the Final brought its share of surprises and disappointments. After crashing at the start, Schaufler came home 2nd. Winner in Lonato, the DKK Racing driver thus retains his lead in the provisional standings. Dean Hoogendoorn moved up 14 places to 4th. Noah Baglin moved up to 6th ahead of Arjen Kraeling.
In OK-N Junior, Valerio Viapiana put in a brilliant performance at Cremona, taking pole position and 4th place in the Final. Two other drivers from the Driver Racing Kart Team finished in the top 10, Nujus Stasionis (P6) and Sebastien Frigolet (P10), as did Alexander Koustas Bronson (P9) with AKM Motorsport.
Fionn MacLaughlin and the VDK Racing team came close to victory a week earlier at the IAME Winter Cup in Valencia, but took their revenge: pole position in Qualifying, victory in the Prefinal and 3rd place in the OK Final ahead of Oleksandr Bondarev, currently 2nd in the WSK Super Master Series. In his first OK race with the KR Motorsport team, Jimmy Helias climbed from 14th to 8th place in the Final. Many other KR-IAME drivers could also have finished in the top 10, including Gerasim Skulanov, Dante Vinci, Kian Fardin and Salim Hanna.
Comment from Dino Chiesa, Head of KR Global Motorsport Company
"Rain is part of the game and you have to be able to react to the conditions, which is what we did at Cremona. After the KZ2 Final, slick tyres were back on Sunday afternoon, but the track and its surroundings remained very wet and dirty. Grip was constantly changing and it was extremely difficult to define the perfect set-up. We're keeping our chances alive in several categories in this WSK Promotion series, which is positive. The weather at Franciacorta is going to be very different and we'll have another challenge on our hands..."