The IAME Euro Series 2023 began with a bang at Zuera, Spain, with 187 drivers from around the world participating in three categories, X30 Mini, X30 Junior, and X30 Senior. After a thrilling weekend of racing, Sandro Perez, Archie Lovatt, and Ruben Moya emerged victorious in their respective categories.
The sunny yet very cold weather of a maximum 10C throughout the weekend bar Sunday's final reaching 18C, didn't deter the drivers from putting up a great show. The track in Zuera, located near Zaragoza in Spain, offered high-speed excitement and proved to be the perfect setting for the start of the IAME Euro Series.
X30 Mini
The young racers of the X30 Mini category put on an impressive show over the course of the weekend. Archie Lovatt of Oliver Rowland Motorsport set the pace early on, taking pole position in Friday's qualifying session. However, he faced stiff competition from Jesse Phillips of Fusion Motorsport and Kanishk Rao of Oliver Rowland Motorsport throughout the weekend.
Saturday's qualifying heats saw Phillips emerge as the top performer, with Lovatt and Benjamin Manach Klisowski of Monlau Competicion rounding out the top three. But it was Lovatt who ultimately prevailed in Sunday's final, with Phillips and Rao following closely behind. With such strong performances from the young drivers, the X30 Mini category promises to be a thrilling one to watch throughout the 2023 Euro Series.
X30 Junior
The X30 Junior category saw some exciting racing, with the young drivers battling it out for the top spot. Harry Bartle from Croc Promotion was fastest on Friday's qualifying rounds, with Hugo Manas Vaz from Kali Kart and Aston Sharp from Mick Barett Raring following closely behind.
Saturday's qualifying heats saw Cathal Clark from VictoryLane Karting take the lead, with Hugo Manas and Sandro Perez from MDC BirelArt second and third in the standings. However, it was Hugo Manas who came out on top after the superheats, with Cathal Clark and Thomas Quince from Jana Racing coming in second and third, respectively.
In the end, Sandro Perez from MDC BirelArt took the top spot on the podium, followed by Freddie Lloyd from Fusion Motorsport and Cathal Clark.
X30 Senior
The competition in X30 Senior was intense, with experienced drivers pushing their limits on the track. Ruben Moya from Pantano Racing Team set the pace on Friday's qualifying rounds, with Edoardo Ludovico Villa from TBKart Racing Team SRL following.
Saturday's qualifying heats saw Ruben Moya, Fionn Maclaughlin from VDK Racing, and Edoardo Villa top the points classification. However, it was Ruben Moya and Edoardo Villa who took the top spots after the superheats, with Sam Shaw from Premium Karting coming in third. In the end, Ruben Moya took the top spot on the podium, followed by Edoardo Villa and Sam Balota from VDK Racing.
The weekend marked an exciting start to the 2023 Euro Series, with RGMMC's continuous commitment to the series on full display. This event saw the introduction of the new TV broadcast and race control truck, once again with two commentators on the microphone, live interviews, backstage coverage, and live replays from the track action.
With the championship starting from a clean slate, drivers will be aiming for a spot in the top-3 to receive free entries for the 2023 IWF in Portimao:
Championship Standings After Round 1
X30 Mini
1- Archie Lovatt (GBR) 34 Points
2- Jesse Phillips (GBR) 30 Points
3- Kanishk Rao (GBR) 23 Points
4- Gustavo Marques Da Silva (PRT) 16 Points
5- Benjamin Manach Klisowski (ESP) 16 Points
X30 Junior
1- Sandro Perez (ESP) 31 Points
2- Cathal Clark (GBR) 25 Points
3- Freddie Lloyd (GBR) 23 Points
4- Thomas Quince (FRA) 21Points
5- Hugo Manas Vaz (ESP) 20 Points
X30 Senior
1- Ruben Moya (ESP) 35 Points
2- Edoardo Ludovico Villa (ITA) 29 Points
3- Sam Balota (BEL) 21 Points
4- Sam Shaw (GBR) 21 Points
5- Elie Goldstein (BEL) 11 Points
Rendez-vous at Mariembourg
As the first round of the 2023 IAME Euro Series has come to a close, the excitement and anticipation for the second round at Mariembourg continues to grow. With a successful start to the season, drivers and teams are already gearing up for the next challenge, ready to take on the next track and continue their fight for the championship title. Mariembourg, located in Belgium, has a reputation for providing thrilling racing and once again the competition is expected to be fierce. See you at Mariembourg for what promises to be another unforgettable round of the IAME Euro Series!