Racing & Study In France
press release
Queensland kart racer Aidan Wright jetted out from his hometown of Cairns yesterday to prepare for Round two of the CIK-FIA World Under 18 Karting Championship in Essay, France next weekend.
While many people would consider the 30 hour travel time between his home town and the French venue as a chore, Wright (right, AF Images/Budd pic) will use the time to his advantage by studying for his year 11 exams, which awaits him the following week.
“After finishing just outside the top ten at the opening round in Spain I’m really looking forward to heading to France for round two,” said Wright.
“My main focus while over there will certainly be gaining a top result. It’s going to be pretty hectic over there as I’ll study as much time as I can while travelling and when away from the track to ensure that I’m fully prepared for my upcoming exams.”
Wright will be one of 86 drivers, from 28 different countries, competing in this weekend’s second round of the championship and has got his sights set on a top five finish at the Essay circuit.
“In round one the competition was very tough and I certainly learnt a lot which gives me some confidence entering this weekend’s second round,” said Wright.
“A top five finish is certainly my goal for this round, after getting a feel for the hard and tough ‘European’ style of racing in the series opener I really feel that this is possible.”
To ensure he is prepared as possible Wright has spent a bit of time viewing the videos from previous events at the 1220-metre circuit.
All competitors in the three-round series will be using identical Parolin engines on a chassis of the driver’s choice from the 15 brands registered with the CIK-FIA for use in the championship – Wright has chosen Zanardi as his preferred option.
Each competitor will contest qualifying and four heat races to decide which 34 competitors will line-up in the final phase of the round on Sunday.
ABOUT AIDAN WRIGHT
Age: 16
Lives: Cairns, Queensland, Australia
School: Year 11, Trinity Anglican School
Racing Debut: 2005
How he started karting: “I went to a come and try day after seeing a stand at the Cairns Speedway and six months later Dad got me a kart. We then raced locally for a while but thought the best way to get better was to travel more and since joining the Tony Kart Australia team I feel as though it has gone up another level.”
Other
- Australia’s first representative in the CIK-FIA Under 18 World Karting Championship
- It is the first time Australia has had a representative in a CIK-FIA recognised World Karting Championship in ten years.
ABOUT THE CIK-FIA UNDER 18 WORLD KARTING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- This is the second year of the CIK-FIA Under 18 World Karting Championship.
- Last year’s inaugural Championship attracted 70 competitors from 24 countries, the 2011 running has attracted 86 competitors from 28 countries.
- Of the 86 competitors, there are seven females competing in this year’s Championship.
- CIK-FIA Under 18 World Karting Championship
- All drivers will be using identical Parolin engines and LeCont tyres on their choice for chassis from a selection of 15 leading brands.
2011 CIK-FIA Under 18 World Karting Championship
Dates and Venues
Round 1 – July 8-10, Ortona, Italy
Round 2 – August 26-28, Essay, France
Round 3 – November 4-6, Sarno, Italy*
*The CIK-FIA recently voted to alter the venue for round three from Bahrain to Sarno, Italy
2011 CIK-FIA U/18 World Karting Championship
Top 15 Points Standings after Round 1 of 3
1. Pyry Ovaska (FIN) – 61
2. Simone Favaro (ITA) – 60
3. Matthew Graham (GBR) -56
4. Henry Easthope (GBR) – 51
5. Federico Savona (ITA) – 45
6. Lucas Speck (DEU) – 42
7. Anthoine Hubert (FRA) – 37
8. Jannick Flygenring (DNK) – 36
9. Tomi Katajamäki (FIN) – 35
10. Dave Blom (NLD) – 33
11. Petr Bezel (CZE) – 33
12. Niclas Nylund (FIN) – 31
13. Toni A. Alarcón, T. (ESP) – 30
14. Aidan Wright (AUS) – 30
15. Stefan Riener (AUT) – 29
2011 CIK-FIA U/18 World Karting Championship
Round Two – Essay, France
(all times are local – AEST minus 8 hours)
Weekend Schedule
Friday August 26, 2011
13.00-18.30 – Non-qualifying Practice
Saturday August 27, 2011
08.00-10.55 – Non-qualifying Practice
11.15-11.23 – U/18 Qualifying Practice (Series 1)
11.30-11.38 – Academy Qualifying Practice (Series 1)
11.45-11.53 – U/18 Qualifying Practice (Series 2)
12.00-12.08 – Academy Qualifying Practice (Series 2)
12.15-12.23 – U/18 Qualifying Practice (Series 3)
13.45-14.00 – U/18 Qualifying Heat (A-C)
14.05-14.20 – U/18 Qualifying Heat (B-D)
14.25-14.40 – Academy Qualifying Heat (A-C)
14.45.15.00 – Academy Qualifying Heat (B-D)
15.05-15.20 – U/18 Qualifying Heat (A-E)
15.25-15.40 – U/18 Qualifying Heat (B-C)
15.45-16.00 – Academy Qualifying Heat (A-D)
16.30-16.45 – Academy Qualifying Heat (B-C)
16.50-17.05 – U/18 Qualifying Heat (D-E)
17.10-17.25 – U/18 Qualifying Heat (A-B)
17.30-17.45 – Academy Qualifying Heat (C-D)
17.50-18.05 – Academy Qualifying Heat (A-B)
18.10-18.25 – U/18 Qualifying Heat (C-D)
Sunday August 28, 2011
08.30-08.55 – U/18 Warm-up
09.20-09.35 – U/18 Qualifying Heat (C-E)
09.40-09.55 – U/18 Qualifying Heat (A-D)
10.00-10.15 – Academy Warm-up (Finalists B)
10.20-10.35 – Academy Warm-up (Finalists A)
10.40-10.55 – U/18 Qualifying Heat (B-E)
13.15-13.30 – U/18 Prefinal 1
13.35-13.55 – Academy Race 1
14.15-14.35 – Coupe de France Handikart
14.40-14.55 – Academy Final B
15.00-15.15 – U/18 Prefinal 2
15.20-15.35 – U/18 Final B
15.40-16.00 – Coupe de France Handikart Final
16.15-16.35 – Academy Race 2 (with Pre-Grid on the track)
16.50-17.15 – U/18 Final (A with Pre-Grid on the track)
