The first of the two rounds of the Mondokart.com FIA Karting European Championship - KZ, KZ2 and KZ2 Masters will head to Spain from 4th to 7th July 2024.
MotorLand Aragón, a beautiful 1671m-long circuit, was used by the CIK-FIA between 2008 and 2013 for the direct drive categories. This year, it will see the debut of the powerful gearbox karts in an FIA Karting Championship. The fast track has a steep gradient due to its hillside setting, not far from the famous motor racing circuit of the same name. The track, which appears to have been designed for the KZ categories, offers a very wide view for the spectators, who will all have a front row seat.
The tyres used in all three categories will be CIK-FIA-homologated "Option" type Dunlop DH H slick tyres and KT14 W15 rain tyres
The KZ2 Masters, intended for drivers aged 35 and over, made their debut on the FIA Karting calendar in 2022 during their International Super Cup. The success was confirmed in 2023, and the decision was taken to create a two-event European KZ2 Masters Championship from this year onwards. The equipment is technically identical to the KZ2 category, but the minimum weight, with driver on board, has been increased to 180 kg.
155 drivers have registered for the Alcaniz event, representing 29 nations. With 27 KZs, the premier class is well-supported. More than ten official teams directly represent the biggest chassis brands at the highest level. 91 KZ2 entries is close to the record entry list, while the 37 KZ2 Masters show there is real interest from this age group in international competition.
2023 European KZ Champion Danilo Albanese (ITA) will be defending his title against the entire top 17 from last season. The level of competitiveness of the 27 KZ participants is confirmed by the presence of nine former World Champions. The 2024 hierarchy remains to be seen, although Tom Leuillet (FRA), Emilien Denner (FRA), Guiseppe Palomba (ITA), Marijn Kremers (NLD) and Senna Van Walstijn (NLD) have all featured prominently since the start of the season.
Given his numerous successes so far this season, Cristian Bertuca (ITA) is one of the favourites in KZ2 against Daniel Vasile (ROU), Markus Kajak (EST), Maksim Orlov, Artem Severiukhin, Mattéo Spirgel (FRA), Jean Luyet (CHE) and Andrea Dalé (ITA). There are also a number of temporary or permanent transfers from OK, including Miguel Costa (BRA), Elie Goldstein (BEL), Anatoly Khavalkin, Kirill Kutskov, Matheus Morgatto (BRA), David Walther (DNK)...
Davide Foré (ITA) enters the European KZ2 Masters Championship with the aura of his multiple world titles and his victory in the 2023 International Super Cup for KZ2 Masters. He will be up against other renowned drivers, such as his compatriots Ennio Gandolfi and Antonio Piccioni or the Frenchmen Anthony Abbasse and Thomas Mich. This category also offers an opportunity for pure amateurs from different countries to get a taste of international competition at an older age, and they are sometimes capable of springing a few surprises.
Provisional programme for the MotorLand Aragón event
Friday 5th July
09.00 - 12.33: Free Practice
13.40 - 14.50: Qualifying Practice
15:30 - 17:05: Qualifying Heats
Saturday 6th July
09.00 - 10.18: Warm-up
10.25 - 17.25: Qualifying Heats
Sunday 7th July
08.30 - 09.51: Warm-up
10.10 - 11.45: Super Heats
13.35 - 16.15: Finals