Junior Open Wheel Talent

In sad news, I just received word that Thomas Knopper was killed in the KZ2 race at Liedolsheim earlier today. Knopper was 19-years-old. The full details of the incident have not yet been released.

Thomas Knopper was a tremendous talent. He won the European KZ2 Championship in 2007. This season he made the move to KZ1 for the European Championship, where he finished an impressive 6th. He also spent some time in the car ranks driving a Formula Renault 2.0 car in 2008. His best finish was 6th at Hockenheim after starting 13th.

Our sincere condolences go out to Thomas's family and friends during this tragic time. Feel free to leave comments in the appropriate section below.

(photo: www.thomasknopper.com)

This weekend will see the CIK-FIA European Championships run on the Prokart Raceland circuit in Wackersdorf, Germany. You might recognize a few names on the KZ1 entry list.

Notable single-seater drivers on the list include former GP2 driver Ben Hanley and current World Series by Renault driver Jaime Alguersuari.

Kartlink has a nice preview for the KZ1 and KZ2 classes.

My pick: Jonathan Thonon

Mike Vincec, who won the 2008 Stars of Karting ICC (Intercontinental C) national championship, has left Cameron Motorsports and signed with Pserra Racing/Birel to run some overseas karting events. Vincec is also competing in the Skip Barber National championship.

Gustavo Menezes spent last weekend in Genk, Belgium--preparing for the upcoming CIK-FIA European KF3 Championship qualifier--by running in the Belgium Karting Championships. The trip turned out to be a success as the 14-year-old American took his first overseas victory.

You can read the press release here.
(photo: www.gustavomenezes.com)

A couple news items surfaced today in the North American karting world. Both are worthy of mention...

Dan Wheldon, IndyCar driver, will pilot a Kartel Motorsports entry at this weekend's Stars of Karting: Eastern Division opener at Ocala, Florida. Kartel Motorsports is owned and operated by two fellow race drivers: Joey Hand and Erik Bartolero. Wheldon ran with the team at the 2008 SKUSA SuperNationals and also competed in this year's PRI All-Stars Karting Classic. He finished 26th at the SKUSA SuperNats and 13th in the PRI All-Stars Classic - (Masters Division). It's refreshing to see all of these IndyCar drivers returning to their roots, ...perhaps, dare I say it, they even find the karting ranks as much if not more competitive?

Also of note, 14-year-old American karter Gustavo Menezes placed 10th in the ultra competitive KF3 class at this year's Winter Cup in Lonato, Italy. He finished third in the 2008 Stars of Karting JICA Championship, while also running races across the pond for experience. His ultimate goal is to race in Formula One.

Tony Kart announced today that two time World Champion (2007, 2008) Marco Ardigo will return to the United States this November to defend his SKUSA SuperNationals title from 2007. Ardigo has also won four European championships. The 25 year old Italian star has been driving for Tony Kart since 2005. His resume is well balanced between the direct drive Formula A class and the 125 ICC shifter kart class.

SKUSA announced their CIK approval for the event just last month. Watch for more European drivers to follow suit.

Superkarts!USA announced today that they have obtained the CIK stamp of approval for their 12th annual SuperNationals. The race will be held at the Rio Hotel parking lot in Las Vegas, spanning 7/10ths of a mile with 16 turns. SKUSA promoters hope to draw a large international field to this years race, which is arguably the largest shifter kart event in North America.

Gary Carlton and Mike Vincec made another trip overseas this weekend to compete in the CIK-FIA European Championship event at Mariembourg, Belgium. Carlton is once again running in the headline KZ1 gearbox class while Vincec will be running in the highly competitive KZ2 gearbox class.

Carlton KZ1: Mariembourg
Race 1: 12th
Race 2: 9th

Vincec KZ2: Mariembourg
Race 1: 11th
Race 2: 9th

If you missed their first event of the CIK-FIA European Championship; click here.

Two North American Drivers have crossed the pond this weekend for a challenge taking place in Angerville, France. This CIK-FIA European Championship event will take place at the Gabriel Thirouin circuit located 50 km South of Paris. The karting event has three classes KF1 (44 entries), KZ1 (37 entries), and KZ2 (104 entries). KF1 is the elite class in Europe with several of the drivers making the class their profession. The KZ1 class features many of the top shifter kart drivers who have advanced to the class with very strict observance from the CIK. Gary Carlton will be the lone American running this class. KZ2 should not be underestimated as it too draws a very fast group of gearbox pilots, but it is still categorized as a step below the KZ1 class. Mike Vincec will be representing Canada in the KZ2 Class.

We will post updates as they become available. Michael Maurini has done a nice job for Autosports Media by texting/emailing updates from across the pond. Please check back frequently for more updates on Carlton and Vincec's adventure.....

KZ1 Qualifying: Carlton is classified at 19th after two sessions.

KZ2 Qualifying: Vincec has not had luck on his side with brake problems in the first session only to stick a motor in the second session after 3 laps. Vincec ends up 40th.

KZ2 Heat Race 1: Vincec~ DNF (crash)
KZ2 Heat Race 2: Vincec~ 10th
KZ2 Heat Race 3: Vincec~9th (running same times as leader)
KZ2 Heat Race 4: Vincec~12th
KZ2 Heat Race 5: Vincec~ 8th

KZ1 Heat Race 1: Carlton~ 13th
KZ1 Heat Race 2: Carlton~ 15th

KZ1 Final 1: Carlton~ 18th

KZ1 Final 2: Carlton~8th

KZ2 Final 1: Vincec~DNF (mechanical)

KZ2 Final 2: Vincec~ 12th