The important Easykart Trophy International meeting held at Castelletto di Branduzzo track from 12 to 16 October was a total success. The secret of such triumph lay not only in the number – 280 – of drivers representing 26 Countries, but also, and above all, in the huge organisational structure set up by Birel Group. Extensive promotion even included 2 days live TV broadcasting on SKY Primocanale Sport platform, as well as concurrent service on the Trophy's official site. To complete the picture, the great footage from the track, and Giuseppe Sciortino and Roberto Cinquanta's commentary, were flanked by the camera crew in charge of live interviews from the podium and starting grid, as well as by the large screen on the main straight showing images from the circuit. Communication wise, specialised press was involved, too, with over 40 accredited journalists and professional photographers from 15 different nations following the event. Also the Italian ASN staff played a lead role, with as many as 7 technical commissioners guaranteeing accurate checks in verification stage, and a pool of marshals who could rely on a CCTV system monitoring both the start and the track. The circuit also featured the customary Paddock Club with press rooms and comprehensive secretariat reserved to teams and drivers. As for all Easykart competitions, starting from Friday practice, live timing was available on the Trophy website, completing the service package for this prestigious event of international standing. Even the fine and sunny weather played a key role in such a perfect weekend, not only attracting huge audience to the stands but, above all, creating the perfect setting for great, problem-free, performances. Once again the Easykart Trophy provided extremely fast and exciting races in all classes. 60cc was no exception to this rule, with an astonishing 5 drivers - Vezzelli, Lombardo, Colombo, Sampieri and Sabella - still fighting for glory in the last lap. Unluckily, just few bends before finish line, a contact involving Lombardo and Vezzelli relegated the latter back in 12th position, allowing Lombardo to finish first in front of Sampieri and Vitali. But later, in post-race stage, the Marshalls classified Lombardo's action unfair and disqualified him. The highest step was hence all for Gastone Sampieri, who took over Lombardo's place in 60cc Easykart roll of honour. Excellent Sabella qualified 3rd, while Colombo finished 4th, penalised by the contact between Lombardo and Vezzelli; the podium was completed by Austrian Zupanic and Bartolini, respectively 5th and 6th on finish line. In 100cc, after English driver Sowery had led the first laps, victory became an Italian affair involving Grison, Giardino and Drudi. In the final stage it was Grison who gradually gained almost 2" advantage over Giardino, seizing the world victory by beating the Emilia Kart representative and Drudi. Behind them, positive 4th place for Russian Zhirkov and 5th and 6th for Benedetti and Parolini. Fear in 125 Light for and accident occurred right after start off, with Apicella from Venezuela crashing into Luca Guerini’s kart while approaching the first bend. After medical examination at the circuit centre, Guerini was then taken to Pavia Hospital for 24 hours observation. Luckily, he was eventually discharged without consequences. The race, temporarily suspended, restarted once normality had been restored and was (just like in qualification) won and dominated by Luca Hirst. More in detail, the English Easykart UK representative preceded compatriot Patrick Lay by as many as 5". At any rate, Albion literally ruled in Light, also boasting Dimelow’s 3rd place and Ayrton Hirst, the winner’s brother, in 5th. The only one able to mix with the Brits was Russian Timofeev (European category champion) with his brilliant 4th. Last place upon the podium was all for Italian Zamperlini, who ranked 6th. Finally, also 125 Heavy was extremely exciting, with leader Pittingale busy keeping Ferri at bay in the last lap. The latter, forced at the back by a problem in one of the legs, regained positions so well to finish just 2 tenths behind the winner. English driver Smith was 3rd, leaving behind Ranieri, Fioravanti, Baroni and Marra. FG Racing representative, Fioravanti, was then expelled after the race due to a contact that caused Spreafico to spin round. The 50 Training program, with as many as 50 children racing, turned out incredibly popular with the public. Another hit was the impressive Driver parade with all participants driving and flying their flags along the home straight.
INTERNATIONAL GRAND FINALS 60cc – Lorenzo Colombo was in the spotlight in timed practice and qualification leg, with zero penalties thanks to best time in his group and two leg victories, gaining pole position in the World Final. Current champion Davide Lombardo qualified next to him with two penalties: despite the same number of leg victories, he qualified 2nd in the timed practice round right behind his opponent. Brilliant performances also for Sampieri and Vitali, respectively 2nd and 3rd in front of Atlante, while the first non-Italian driver was Austrian Zupanic, 6th preceding Podobski, Ucci, Sabella and Sara Marcucic. Good start off for Lorenzo Colombo, who immediately seized the lead from the inner side yet, as early as in lap one, was then overtaken by amazing Rocco Atlante. Good beginning for Zupanic, too. In lap one he was 3rd right behind the two Italians, preceding Lombardo, Sampieri, Ucci, Vitali, Vezzelli, Bartolini and Sabella. In lap 2 Colombo regained first position, while Atlante, after enduring also Lombardo’s attack, went off track, ending up back in 19th position and having to quit in the next lap. Also Podobski was delayed in such stage. Meanwhile, determined Vezzelli was regaining positions from the 8th, catching up in lap 5 with the top positions occupied by Colombo, in the lead, followed by Lombardo, Zupanic and Sampieri. After leaving the grid in 21st place, Baiz was another of those who joined the top ten: in lap 5 he was already in 9th position behind Bartolini. The race protagonists did not lose contact up to the final laps, then Lombardo took control, overtaking Colombo and Vezzelli. With only one lap to go, it was Vezzelli’s time to go for the lead, in which he alternated with Lombardo twice. The beginning of the last lap saw Vezzelli 1st, with Lombardo, Colombo, Sampieri, Vitali and Sabella all breathing down his neck. At the end of the straight opposite to the stands, Lombardo attempted to flank Vezzelli, but the race leader did not give way and contact was unavoidable. Vezzelli spun round forcing Colombo to virtually drive over the lawn and lose 3 positions, while Lombardo managed to get away without consequences still dominating the race. Therefore, it was Davide Lombardo, once again International category champion, to reach the chequered flag first. Excellent Gastone Sampieri of Castelli Modenesi team finished right behind him. Whereas, unlucky Vezzelli, managed to get back on the track and rank only 12th. But then Lombardo‘s action was immediately investigated by the Marshals who, after examining the footage, expelled the driver from Veneto from qualification due to unfair behaviour towards Vezzelli. So, in post-race stage, the International title was technically assigned to Gastone Sampieri, and great Nicola Vitali, another protagonist of the long World weekend, qualified 2nd. Positive performance also for Francesco Sabella, who stood out of the crowd in the final part of the Final. Sweetbitter 4th place for Lorenzo Colombo in front of Maximilian Zupanic, the first of the non-Italian drivers. Last step of the podium for Nicola Bartolini, after a good race constantly in the front group. The World Final top ten list was completed by Ucci (7th), in front of Baiz, Podobski and Sara Marcucic. Despite Castelletto did not let disappointed Daniele Vezzelli get beyond 11th, it confirmed the great potential of a driver for whom expectations remain high. Brigatti classified 12th, leaving behind Mancini, Tlachac and Michelotto. Talas secured 16th, followed by Rossi, Faulkner, Cegielski and Taddeini.
60cc (B Final) - With 30 penalties each, which meant 29th and 30th place in intermediate classification following the qualification legs, it was Italian Andrea Macaluso and German Mike Beckhusen to share 1st row in the “B” Final. Jakub Talas and Leonardo Caglioni took off right behind them. As predictable, it was a thrilling and balanced 60cc race, with as many as 10 drivers struggling for the lead in the early stages. The Marshals gave two of them, Leonardo Merzario and Gianluca Guiotto, 10” penalty for not respecting the start procedure. At any rate, the two fell victim of a contact later on and had to kiss World Final qualification ambitions goodbye. On the other hand, Michelotto and Genisi had the opportunity to go for it, closely following number one Beckhusen. Start was not good for Ian Rodriguez, who, despite a great recovery, did not get beyond 14th position. German Beckhusen was in control when the chequered flag went down, barring Michelotto from victory, while Genisi finished 3rd. 4th place went to Czech driver Zdenek Tlachac. Behind him, compatriot Talas and Italian representative Luca Vanzetto, author of the fastest lap. Yet, in post-race stage, Vanzetto’s engine did not pass technical compliance testing and the driver was eliminated from classification. At that point , the last available Final place was assigned to Venezuelan Daniel Mori, followed by Austrian Benjamin Dam (7th ), Macaluso, Peroni, Orsini, Baiguini, Baldi, Maccari, Rodriguez and Linty.
60cc (C Final) - Alan Lalak from Poland sped off from pole position in the “C” Final, flanked by English driver Ethan Hawkey. Second row was occupied by Taylor and Italian Baiguini. The scuffle to secure one of the six places for the “B” Final was fierce, and many of the big names did not make it. Among them, the same Lalak, who had to give up due to a contact in lap 10 when he was 4th. Another contact eliminated Taylor, while Palmisano, from Italy, was so brilliant in the last stages that he managed to win the race with Hawkey on his heels. The 3rd step of the podium went British too, with Murchison cleverly beating Greek driver Xintavelonis and Baiguini in the photo finish. The last available place for accessing the “B” Final went to Austrian Ungurjanovic. Hopes dropped for Czech Galas instead: just 5 tenths kept him out of qualification zone. The same for Cesare Lombardo, despite he had been in the lead for most of the time. Roana from Italy and Venezuelan Carreno gained the last two places.
INTERNATIONAL GRAND FINALS 100cc – Two drivers starred in qualification stage: Toby Sowery from England, who secured poled position for the World Final, and Italian Leonardo Grison, 2nd with the same penalties as the Easykart UK driver. The 2nd row was dominated by Italy, with Granelli e Orsini; the same for the 3rd, all for Drudi and Giardino. Sowery cleverly seized the lead in lap 1, followed by Grison, Giardino, Drudi, Iannotta, Orsini and Benedetti. Giardino’s turn to be first was in lap 2, after overtaking Grison and Sowery. Such stage was critical for the English representative who, in lap 5, also had to give way to Drudi, slipping back into 5th position. From 6th position, Iannotta preceded Benedetti, Zhirkov and Toth in the first laps, all of them barring Orsini and Granelli, delayed by an early contact, from accessing the top ten positions. At the turn of lap 10 also Javurek joined the top club, closely followed by excellent Parolini. Mid-race classification featured Grison first, chased by Drudi and Giardino. And it was precisely this trio who went for the struggle for glory with Russian Zhirkov, 4th, following with a huge 3" delay. Due to technical trouble Sowery had to retire half way through the competition, while Parolini reached the podium zone making his way into 6th position in front of Javurek. In the final stages the latter put his own performance at risk with a contact involving Granelli: the outcome was double default. Grison was totally in control in the last laps with almost 2" over Giardino who, in the meantime, had once again overtaken Drudi. And the picture did not change: Leonardo Grison of FG Racing team conquered the International title, succeeding Bertonelli, and Giardino, 100cc freshman, secured second place in the race of the year. Another extremely positive performance for Drudi, with the 3rd step of the World podium to add to this seasons’ Continental title. Brilliant race also for Alexander Zhirkov, sporting General Kart colours, 4th in front of another protagonist of Castelletto’s long World weekend: Pierfrancesco Benedetti. Last place on the podium went to Giulio Parolini, who cleverly kept Hungarian Toth and English Thickpenny at bay in the final. Top ten was completed by great Iannotta and Myszkier (9th and 10th). 11th place was for Lazzari; Rocco Lombardo preceded Cicconetti, Michas from Greece and English driver Lay. Whereas, a contact damaged Jonathan Cecotto who had to be happy with 16th position in front of Rinaldi, Zamporlini, Giovinazzo and Maliyshev from Russia.
100cc (B Final) - "B" Final 1st row hosted Nicolas Magni, 29th in Intermediate classification after qualification legs, in pole position and Greek Michas ; 2nd line was reserved to Myszkier and Romanucci. The common target was to finish among the top 6, thus gaining access to the World Final. As early as in lap 1, due to a contact, it was clear that the dream was over for Riccardo David and Denis Timchenko. Also pole position Magni did not do a good job: his 60 km/ph start called for 10" penalty. Mostajo soon emerged from the early scuffle, getting into the lead while Michas and Myszkier were fiercely fighting behind him. In the last part it was right the Greek driver who gradually enhanced his position, firstly reaching the Spanish representative, and then the first place to win the race. On the contrary, Mostajo was extremely unlucky: the ”last lap” sign was shown by mistake one lap earlier than the final one, inducing him to head to the paddock without the chequered flag salute. His potential 2nd place was hence taken by Myszkier, while Cicconetti finished 3rd. 4th place was for excellent Safar, and Italian Lazzari arrived 5th. The last ticket for the International Final was won by fast Segù, who even raced the best lap. The list of those who did not make it read Casati in front of Brasilian Auricchio, Stowell, New, Vettori, Hernandez, Mancini, Mayneord and Livraghi.
INTERNATIONAL GRAND FINALS 125 LIGHT – Pole position in 125 Light World Final was a family affair involving Luca and Ayrton Hirst, respectively 1st and 2nd following qualification. Cuvalcioglu from Turkey was in 2nd row, followed by English driver Lay and the first of the Italians, Alberto Cola. Brilliant qualification stage also for Ozteknik, 6th in front of Zamperlini and Summerhayes, while a contact in the first leg relegated continental champion Timofeev far back in 14th; a technical problem occurred in 2nd leg was critical for Italian champion Zani (only 19th). The race started with a pile up that occurred while approaching bend one and caused Venezuelan Apicella to literally fly onto Guerini’s kart. The accident also involved a number of other drivers, but it was Luca Guerini who made everybody worry when he was thrown out of his vehicle. The race was suspended and Guerini promptly assisted directly on the track pursuant to the medical protocol, which was completed by taking him to Pavia Hospital for all due checks. Luckily all results were OK, with no after-effect for Luca. The competition, reduced by 4 laps, restarted with Turkish representative Cuvalcioglu surprising the Hirst brothers, and taking advantage of Ayrton’s daring attempt to attack his own brother Luca in lap 1. And the same action also benefited Ozteknik, enabling him to reach 2nd position right in front of Luca Hirst and Lay. But Luca Hirst restored the qualification hierarchy as soon as in lap 4, making his way back to the lead while Cuvalcioglu and Ozteknik were effectively controlling Lay and Ayrton Hirst. In lap 10, classification reported Luca Hirst in first position with 2" advantage over Cuvalcioglu, and Lay seizing 3rd place by overtaking compatriot Dimelow. Meanwhile, Russian Timofeev’s great recovery prized him with 5th place. Behind him, Ozteknik and Zamperlini, the first among the Italians after Alberto Cola’s default in lap 6. A contact in the final stages forced also Cuvalcioglu to quit, giving up the podium he would have deserved, while Patrick Lay, with several fastest laps, tried the final attack against leader Hirst. But Luca Hirst’s lead was that unassailable that the new Light International champion crossed finish line 5" before Lay and Dimelow, who were awarded the other two top steps of a full Easykart UK and British podium. Russian Timofeev was the only “continental” interference, 4th and once again among the big names in the category, while 5th position went to another Brit, Ayrton Hirst, the winner’s brother. The first of the Italians, Matteo Zamporlini, qualified 6th after defeating Fairhurst and Ozteknik (7th and 8th). The last top ten position was all for excellent Lorenzo Petrucci. 11th and 12th place were seized by two other English drivers: Hunter and Crease. Whereas, Zani’s recovery did not get him beyond 13th position, in front of Amado and Gibson.
125 Light (B Final) – Turkish representative Fuat Pasa was entitled to pole position in the “B" Final; behind him, Flaviani and Ccarhuayna from Venezuela, while Italian Giusfredi was 4th. But, in the first laps, the fastest among the Italians was Di Fabrizio, who reached Flaviani in 3rd position. Unfortunately, while attempting to attack the Venezuelan driver, he slightly touched his opponent making him spin round. Flaviani slipped back beyond 15th place while the Emilia Kart driver, not affected by the contact, gained the lead in front of Ccarhuayna and Paterson from England. The episode involving Di Fabrizio was investigated by the Marshals; same treatment for a contact between Colombian Barbosa and Russian Malkin. Victory finally went to Di Fabrizio with 1" over great English representative Crease, with Ccarhuayna 3rd preceding Italian Niccoli. The other places on the podium were for Paterson and Barbosa. But then, in post-race stage, measures based upon footage evidence were enforced. Classification for the World Final was hence modified, excluding Di Fabrizio and Barbosa. That meant that victory was passed onto Crease, eligible for the World Final together with Ccarhuayna, Niccoli, Paterson, Cerri and Giusfredi, while Russian Valiullin was at the top of the list of those who did not make it.
INTERNATIONAL GRAND FINALS 125 HEAVY – International Final pole position was conquered by Barnaby Pittingale, with best performance in his group in timed practice and a double leg victory; next to him, Italian Spreafico. 2nd row featured another Easykart UK driver, William Smith, and Andrea Fioravanti. Category continental champion Ranieri qualified 5th ,while Roberto Ferri started off far back in 9th due to a contact in starting stage in leg 2. Pittingale started off leaving Spreafico behind, despite the Italian’s prompt attempt to attack him. Hence, in lap 1, the 1st row pair was in the lead; behind them the several finalists with Smith 3rd in front of Ranieri, Fioravanti, Ferri, Alessandrini, Marra and Baroni. Fioravanti made great progress in the early laps, overtaking Ranieri and getting close to Spreafico, who had been left behind by Smith, who gained 2nd place. And a contact involved right Fioravanti and Spreafico in lap 3, relegating the latter in 15th position. Different story for Fioravanti, able to carry out without problems. In the meantime, Ferri had run a series of fastest laps and, in number 5, reached 4th position behind Ranieri, whom he would then overtake in lap 9. In mid-race stage Pittingale was constantly in the lead, but followed by Ferri who had managed to leave Smith behind. The Tmk driver’s exciting chase was the highlight of the second part of the competition. Yet, Pittingale did not lose control, winning once again the title that had been his in 2007. So, following the disappointment for not winning the European title by a hair, Pittingale and Easykart UK’s prestige was smartly restored, confirming the standing of the English driver among the best in the category. And it was confirmation for Ferri, too. Once again runner-up, like in 2010, and certainly one of the fastest on the track throughout Castelletto’s weekend. Equally positive William Smith climbed upon the 3rd step, while 4th position was reserved to Gianluca Ranieri. FG Racing team representative Fioravanti classified 5th but, at the end of the race and after examining the footage, the Marshals excluded him due to the contact with Spreafico. It must be reported that also the latter, who finished in 10th position, was expelled because of under standard weight. Therefore, according to ultimate classification, Baroni was moved into 5th place in front of Marra, Alessandrini, Adani, Muslu from Turkey and Benelli. And then, 11th position for Smelov preceding Guatemala representative Facundo Casse, Ambrogetti, Kohout and Proni.
125 Heavy (B Final) – The "B" Final endowed Ales Kohout from the Czech Republic, who preceded Italian Mauro Lazzari and English driver Peter Bunton by 3" on finish line, with the passport for the 125 Heavy World Final. Elisei sporting Giuliani Corse colours finished 4th, while the two remaining places went to Costanzia of Tmk and to Smelov of Mazzotti Corse. The fastest lap of the race was performed by Lazzari.
