IFR Supports 'New Kids On The Block'

press release

It was an encouraging debut to the karting career of two budding young drivers, Luca Engstler and Lukas Holzhauser, when the Intrepid Force Rotax team supported them at their first ever race meeting – the sixth and final round of the 2010 Karting Trophy White-Blue at the Ampfing circuit in Germany (October 2 & 3). The Team Engstler duo joined 84 other competitors under the warm autumn sunshine for some great racing.


Above: Lukas Holzhauser (in kart) and Luca Engstler
pic - Jenni Wade / VPD Marketing

It was a “perfect weekend” according to Luca Engstler, who is no stranger to Motorsport at the tender age of 10 years. His father Franz competes in the prestigious WTCC series with the Engstler Motorsport Team, so racing is naturally a significant part of Luca’s lifestyle. Driving in the Mini Max category, he was joined by his cousin Lukas Holzhauser, who shares a keen interest in Motorsport.  The 16-year old drove the Intrepid kart for the first time in Senior Max at the last weekend, very happy with the IFR chassis and engine package.

Qualifying saw Engstler set the 2nd best lap in official timed practice behind newly crowned series winner Michelle Halder who incidentally took pole position as well at the last round of the German-Austrian Rotax Max Challenge recently. Starting from the outside grid on the front row, the IFR-assisted rookie was able to retain P2 in both the races following to secure an excellent 2nd place on the podium overall.  The lap times were good, although Engstler admitted that he believes he could have done better during the racing. “It’s really been the best weekend,” declared Engstler “everything was perfect and the racing was very good.”


Above: Young Luca on track
pic - Jenni Wade / VPD Marketing

In Senior Max, Holzhauser did his team proud in the qualifying to clock 5th fastest lap of a competitive field led by 3 Intrepid chassis’ that included two of the VPD Germany team together with Jenny Wurster, who will also be supported by IFR at the Rotax International Open in Spain later this month. As he got used to driving with the unfamiliar front brakes, Holzhauser improved from lap to lap. Race 1 was unfortunately cut short for the number 450 kart, when another driver looked to pass, misjudging the move which then resulted in considerate damage to the cooling system and steering. The final saw Holzhauser enjoy the close racing until the very last lap, dicing for positions to the chequered flag and ending up 9th overall on the day. 

IFR Team Manager Ernst Penninger Jr. gave credit to the German ‘young guns’ at their initial race event, recognizing their potential to follow the “Race To Get There” philosophy in achieving more podiums on the way to wherever racing will take them. “I’ve been most impressed by the commitment of the Team Engstler drivers at this meeting throughout the weekend, knowing they are experiencing not only the racing for the first time, but also working as part of the IFR team set-up with our mechanics. There’s a lot to learn, yet I have to say that both Luca and Lukas have done very well, taking onboard the advice we’ve given to help them enjoy the racing and be as competitive as possible for now. Congratulations also to Luca today!”


Above: Lukas Holzhauser
pic - Jenni Wade / VPD Marketing

The remainder of the season will see the two drivers focus on their testing and development program in preparation for the upcoming 2011 race season in Germany. IFR are looking forward to the opportunity to assist Team Engstler once again with a view to many more podiums and successful events in the future.

Further IFR team news and information can be found on the net at www.intrepidforcerotax.com and www.racetogetthere.com.

Championship results and more info about the series is at www.ktwb.de.

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