TaG International Challenge Hits Spain
press release
The blazing summer sunshine drenched the Spanish Circuito Internacional de Zuera Friday, as the second round of the newly introduced 2011 TAG Challenge International powered by IAME got underway with official timed practice at one of Europe’s most awesome karting venues.
Above: Masters driver Christophe Adams
pic - Bas Kaligis / RGMMC Media
This edition of the three-round series is set to be a scorcher on the incredibly fast 1700 metre circuit close to Zaragoza in Spain, where temperatures are forecast to reach the high 30s on the first day of competition Saturday. Three Parilla X30 engine classes will be contested across the weekend where the European title fight continues in the IAME X30 Seniors, Juniors and Masters categories. All three of the series’ leaders following the Salbris opener last April in France are in Spain eager to keep their championship hopes alive in the three-round series.
In the X30 Seniors, Belgium’s Martin Vanhove is at the top of the points closely followed by round 1 winner Sebastien Le Gleuher and fellow Frenchman Jeremy Lopes 3rd. Florian Latorre was unbeatable in X30 Juniors in Salbris and fast in the free practice sessions leading up to qualifying in this week. He has a seven-point lead over Charles Machado coming into round 2 with Etienne Mordret and Ivan Segura tied for 3rd. X30 Masters is headed by Luc Lefevre who has a narrow lead on Ludovic Breton.
Above: Open spaces of the de Zuera circuit
pic - Bas Kaligis / RGMMC Media
ROUND 2 QUALIFYING
Roberto Ugena (Intrepid) blitzed the Senior field in the official timed practice with a time of 1:04:617 when he out-paced championship leader Martin Vanhove (Intrepid/ Eurokarting.be) by 0.227 seconds in the 20 minute session. Another Belgian driver Jeremy Peclers (Kosmic/RSD Karting) secured P3 from Javier Castillo (Energy/Energy Spain SL) and Quentin Rongier (Kosmic/Suau Racing Kart) was 5th fastest.
Junior series leader Florian Latorre (Sodikart/Eurokarting.be) claimed yet another pole position in Zuera Friday with a best lap of 1:05.284 to give him the optimum chance to repeat his round 1 white-wash at home as an official Sodikart driver for the French manufacturer. Next quickest in Juniors was Benoit Philips (CRG) of Luxembourg just under one-tenth off the pole-sitter, then came Beranger Dierckx (Kosmic), Etienne Mordret and Bruno de Oliveira (Zanardi/F.C.K. Motorsport) for a top 5 race grid.
Above: Robert Ugena
pic - Bas Kaligis / RGMMC Media
TAG Challenge newcomer Christophe Adams made his presence felt by stealing pole with a 1:06.135 from first round winner Luc Lefevre (Kosmic)/RSD Karting) in the Masters class. The seasoned Belgium driver has years of karting experience and adapted easily to make an impressive entry to the IAME racing series driving the Parilla X30. All the way back from Peru for the Spanish event, Mario Barrios (Gillard/PDB Racing Team) ranked 3rd in the afternoon heat followed by Belgian team-mates Luca Blasi (DR/Eurokarting.be) and Philippe Pechany (DR/Eurokarting.be).
Event organisers and promoters RGMMC believe that the decision to bring the 2011 TAG Challenge International to Zuera was an ideal decision considering the support the Spanish teams and drivers have given the new championship. The popular circuit is also one of the best venues for this level of international competition with excellent facilities and the team to accommodate such events.
The weekend’s program continues with all classes completing three qualifying heat races Saturday, followed by two finals Sunday where the points count towards the European IAME X30 titles.
Above: Florian Latorre
pic - Bas Kaligis / RGMMC Media
Stay on the track with TAG Challenge International with the live timing at www.tagchallenge.com
Highlights and interviews across the weekend can be found on YouTube at KARTWORLDTV by searching “RGMMC TAG CHALLENGE – 2011 Zuera”
