Kout and Elkmann neck and neck

  • gb
11.06.15
The expected hierarchy was confirmed at the first Competition of the 2015 CIK-FIA European Superkart Championship at the Donington Park circuit, where there was both sun and wind. The many British drivers had the opportunity to participate in the British Superkart Grand Prix at the same time using single cylinder engines.

The first Qualifying session proved crucial and the strong drivers were reflected well. The German Peter Elkmann (MSKart / VM) and the Frenchman Emmanuel Vinuales (Anderson / VM) were initially very close, then the Czech Adam Kout (MSKart / DEA) improved on the times significantly, with a lap of 1'26''446, half a second ahead of all of his opponents. Elkmann tried to replicate it but had to settle for second position. The second session proved to be generally slower. Among those who managed to improve were the two Britons Jason Dredge (Anderson / PVP) and Carl Hulme (Anderson / FPE).

The first Race provided a spectacular start with several Drivers at the front. Vinuales jumped to outflank the front row and headed the whole pack at the first corner, leading from Kout and Elkmann. Just behind, Henrik Lilja (PVP / PVP), Gavin Bennett (Anderson / DEA) and Dredge were quick too when the lights went out. At the hairpin, the challengers had already returned. With attacks and retaliations, they were committed to the battle. Vinuales flexed, and Kout passed him, followed by Elkmann. Freed from Lilja, Bennett overtook Vinuales on lap 6, with the French Driver then lost time because of a slow puncture. Later on, Lilja, Dredge and Hulme stuck to their positions. Kout perfectly controlled the situation and Elkmann could not really threaten him. An amazing surprise on the last lap was that Bennett, who was to clinch third place, disappeared after running out of fuel and Vinuales eventually recovered the position.

The outcome of the second race emerged more quickly. The leading quartet started together, distancing all other Drivers. Elkmann led a second ahead of Kout, Vinuales resisted Bennett before dropping out on the third lap because of an electrical problem. The top three was not challenged until the finish. While he hadn't completed more than one lap in race 1 due to a mechanical failure, Andreas Jost (Anderson / VM) ensured an isolated 4th place by some distance. The attention was on the fight between Lilja, Dredge, Marcel Maasmann (Anderson / FPE) and Hulme. Unfortunately, both British Drivers retired before the end of the Race. The determined Maasmann gained a place with extreme effort and finished fifth.

Only two of the three favourites left England with a smile, tied as leaders in the Championship, with one win each and they were the best prepared for this first Competition. Lilja took third in front of Bennett and Maasmann.

Adam Kout: "I am very satisfied with the weekend with victory in Race 1 after making sure of taking care of the equipment. Peter took a beautiful revenge in Race 2, I was in contact, but I was not able to catch up. The whole team is satisfied."

Peter Elkmann: "The victory in the second race is not only a sporting satisfaction but also a confirmation and an emotional satisfaction with Jan (mechanic) and Vladimir (engine). This is the first victory for the VM engine in a CIK-FIA Race."