U18 World Champs - Friday Report
press release
The contestants in the CIK-FIA Under 18 World Karting Championship and the CIK-FIA Academy Trophy have embarked on a journey in two parts this Friday at Wackersdorf, a pretty town in the east of Germany. Before making their track debut in the afternoon free practice sessions of this first event in these new world championship competitions, the drivers have taken part for the first time in a programme called “Edukart”, conceived by the International Karting Commission on the basis of two clear principles : apprenticeship and enjoyment.
Above: The drivers answer the Edukart questions on portable booths fitted with touch-screens
Specifically, the participants had received in advance of the test, a list of questions on various themes: sporting and technical regulations, spirit of fair-play, doping controls, history of karting... In fact, plenty of subjects! This Friday, the participants were able to prove that they had learned their subjects well when replying to a series of ten questions in one of 12 languages specified by the CIK-FIA with the assistance of the ASN’s members of the FIA. On a touch-screen basis they have replied to multi-choices questions in a pleasant ambiance slightly reminiscent of their last exams... “But a lot more pleasant”, remarked one driver.
“I have found this very pleasant and I have learned some interesting things”, explained Anthony Micoud before learning that he had won this aspect of the competition. “I had revised back home to try to give my best. I made no mistakes but I didn’t know the time taken by the others.”
The drivers have for the most part “played the game” by preparing carefully with 19 of the 33 participants in the Academy and 28 of the 63 in the U18 World Championship scoring full marks. So, it was the time taken to answer the questions that determined the winners. In the Academy, the podium was comprised of the Russian Vsevolod Gagen, the Czech girl Gabriela Jilkova and Bresilian Felipe Fraga. Then, in the Under 18 competition, the Frenchman Anthony Micoud, the Brit Alexander Walker and the Swiss Levin Amweg will be given the opportunity to mount the podium which will be organised on Sunday. In addition, these 6 drivers will receive a little help with their racing budget with 300€ going to the winner, 200€ to the second one and 100€ to the third.
Above: Jacky Chan answers questions posed by the CIK
This first edition has in any case proved that sport and education can happily mix! From now on, it’s the traditional competition which takes priority. The qualifying practices will indeed take place on Saturday from 11.25 for the drivers in the U18 World Karting Championships and at 12.10 for the competitors in the Academy Trophy. Then will follow the qualifying heats which conclude on Sunday morning. Then, the Final phases with the 34 drivers will commence. To recall, two prefinals are scheduled for the U18 World Championship with the second comprising a completely reversed grid. The Final will subsequently offer the first points in this new Under 18 World Karting Championship. So Sunday will see a new chapter written in the history of karting.
