The worldwide Corona pandemic also caused a late start into the season of the German Electric Kart Championship (DEKM). Next weekend, things will get going though: On the traditional Erftlandring in Kerpen, the unique electric kart racing series is going to start into its third season. A newly developed high performance racing E-kart, longer racing distances and an attractive field of participants promise lots of excitement.
Luka Wlömer from Berlin is going to participate for the third time in a row. These past years, he always just barely missed winning the title and wants to win it this time, following the motto “All good things come in threes”. With eleven drivers from six nations, the field is qualitatively brilliantly manned. Among the starting drivers is Joel Mesch, who is going to deal with a double burden because of starting at the DEKM and DKM simultaneously. After a year-long break, there will also be a female driver at the DEKM: Jasmin Stein.
New E-kart provides better racing feeling
BRP-Rotax premiered its new electric kart “Project E20” within the framework of the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals 2019. The successor of the Rotax THUNDeR was developed by the Austrian manufacturer and is now being used at the DEKM as the unified kart. Numerous test drives confirmed the expectations. The new E-kart is faster, lighter and enables considerably longer races. “The Project E20 was developed by drivers for drivers”, said Peter Ölsinger, General Manager BRP-Rotax and Vice President Sales, Marketing RPS-Business & Communications. “We and our partner BRP-Rotax are excited to already use the E-kart “Project E20” in the third DEKM-season. Higher performance, longer driving times and less weight promise even more race feeling”, Oliver Schielein, managing director of the DEKM-promoter IKmedia, adds.
Compact racing calendar consists of four races in Germany
After numerous postponements, a compact racing calendar awaits the participants of the DEKM. Four races will be driven within two months. The 1.107m long Erftlandring in Kerpen will be the beginning. Only a week later, the electric kart racing series will take place within the Rotax Max Challenge Euro Trophy in Wackersdorf from September 4th – 6th. At the end of September, the second half of the season will begin together with the German Kart Championship (DKM). From September 25th – 27th, there will be another racing weekend at the Prokart Raceland Wackersdorf. The final event will then take place from October 16th -18th in Bavarian Ampfing.
Training programs for the champion plus test day in GT4-vehicle
Porsche Motorsport is partner of the DEKM in the third year as well and will support the champion in his race driver development with diverse training programs. Additionally, they will receive a test day in a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport. “The strong partners of the DEKM are an important part of the success of the championship. I’m excited that we can offer the champion a test day in a Porsche race car together with Allied-Racing this year”, adds Oliver Schielein.
Extensive hygiene- and security-concept makes races possible
The event is going to take place in compliance with an extensive hygiene- and security-concept, which was the prerequisite for getting a permit. Oliver Schielein is excited for the start of the season, despite the extensive measures: “We’ve worked very hard these past months, to be able to start despite the worldwide pandemic. It’s a success of the whole team, that we can now start the journey in Kerpen. The field of participants promises lots of excitement: next to some newcomers, there are also experienced drivers.
The drivers can get used to the new Project E20 E-kart by BRP-Rotax during two official test days, starting Wednesday. Things will then get serious on Saturday with qualifying for the first races. Because of the hygiene-concept, there will be no spectators allowed in Kerpen. The races can be followed live via online-stream at www.dekm.de though.