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2008 FIA-CIK European Championships
Round 3 Assen (NL)August 1st - 3rd 2008
Photo and report thanks to Vincent Caro FIA-CIK ELKMANN MAKES NO MISTAKES. Germany’s Peter Elkmann (MS Kart-Yamaha) swept majestically to his first European Superkart title as the challenge from his French rivals evaporated in the sun and rain of Assen.
Peter Elkmann 2008 FIA-CIK European Superkart Champion. In race one he quickly fell from pole to 4th place but recovered to battle past John Riley (Anderson-Rotax) for 3rd and then Gavin Bennett (Anderson-FPE) for 2nd. Only Lee Harpham (Anderson-Rotax) was out of reach in the lead but with one and a half laps remaining, Harpham experienced clutch problems and Elkmann took the lead and went on to victory from Bennett (2nd) and Riley (3rd). Damien Payart (PVP-FPE) fell behind in the championship standings with his 7th place but was still mathematically in contention. Likewise, Benjamin Mahé (PVP-FPE) but his 12th place was very disappointing. The advantage was very much with the German driver who now led the championship standings, with his zero points score in round one already accounted for. Worse still, neither Frenchman looked in good form.
Race 1 Podium So in race two, all that Elkmann needed was to finish in front of the two Frenchmen. The task was made even easier when Benjamin Mahé unluckily spun out on the very fi rst lap and his title chance had gone. So now it was Elkmann -v- Payart for the title. The German was not having things all his own way as the 2 Brits, Bennett and Harpham led him on the opening lap. Harpham got past Bennett but then so did Elkmann. Once again Elkmann had no response to Harpham’s speed, but he didn’t need any. Second place would be enough whatever Payart was to do. In fact Payart was also struggling in 8th place but did recover late in the race for a respectable 5th place. This time there was no mechanical problem for Harpham and he went on to a deserved victory. Elkmann threw both arms in the air as he finished second knowing that the 2008 European Superkart Championship was his. Carl Hulme (Anderson-FPE) was very impressive in claiming the last podium place and Steve White (PVP-Rotax) deserved enormous praise for his 4th place.
Race 2 Podium Marcel Maasmann (MS Kart-VM), the best Dutch driver, had mechanical problems all day and he was very disappointed with his 21st and 14th places. The first American to contest the 2008 championship, Andy Kiker (Anderson-FPE), finished in the very respectable positions of 16th and 20th racing in conditions very different from those in the USA. Kristin Breckwoldt (PVP-Yamaha) was 28th and 34th but as the only female driver in the series, could claim to be the unofficial lady Superkart champion.
Andy Kilner from the USA Once again the CIK-FIA European Superkart Championship was determined in front of the huge and appreciative Rizla Race Day crowd at the TT Circuit at Assen. This is a very worthy venue for the principal Superkart championship.
Race Report in PDFQUALIFYINGELKMANN PREVAILS IN QUALIFYING PRACTICE. Peter Elkmann - Germany - (MS Kart- Yamaha) took a giant step towards the CIK-FIA European Superkart Championship with a dominant display in the qualifying sessions. He was quickest in the fi rst session being the only driver under 1’40’’ and, whilst Lee Harpham - GB - (Anderson-Rotax) was quickest in the second session, he could not match Elkmann’s earlier time. So Elkmann will start Sunday’s races from pole position with Harpham joining him on the front row. Better still for Elkmann, his championship rivals had a disaster in the first session. Benjamin Mahé - France - (PVP-FPE) was only 21st with engine problems, while Damien Payart - France - (PVP-FPE) seized an engine and was only 34th quickest. Both improved in the second session as Payart posted an overall 5th fastest time for a third row start but the best Mahé could manage was 11th for a sixth row start. So Elkmann starts with a huge advantage over his rivals. Outgoing champion Gavin Bennett - GB - (Anderson-FPE) found some form and finished 3rd quickest for a second row start, but he cannot now retain his title.
PRESENTATION: Three Drivers for one title!Assen, in the Netherlands, and its “Rizla Racing Day”
meeting fall within the scope of the CIK-FIA European Superkart Championship
tradition. The summer season, an appropriate and therefore appreciated course, a
public amounting to tens of thousands of spectators and a varied programme
comprising single-seaters, touring cars, motorbikes and various displays: all
the right ingredients will be gathered. And as the icing on the cake for
Superkart, the Dutch stage is the last round of the 2008 European tour, after
the events held at Nogaro (F) and at the Lausitzring (D); and the starting grid
will be full since the maximum number of authorised entries (60) has once again
been reached! As for suspense, it is guaranteed because three drivers will start
the meeting with legitimate chances of clinching the European Champion title. For Media Information Purposes - No Regulatory Value
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