The 2020 FIA Karting European Championship – OK & Junior will be held at the Prokart Raceland in Wackersdorf in Germany from 11th to 13th September. The FIA has adopted a new infection-control protocol adapted to the development of the COVID-19 pandemic to reinforce everyone’s safety and allow the smooth running of the competition. Both categories each have a favourite, but the destinations of the titles are far from a foregone conclusion.
The FIA has adopted a new infection-control protocol adapted to the development of the COVID-19 pandemic to reinforce everyone’s safety and allow the smooth running of the competition. The role of the new measures put in place by the FIA was of great importance in reassuring the German authorities that the Wackersdorf competition could go ahead.
The Prokart Raceland track, 1190m long, has a twisty layout requiring different technical and personal qualities to the two previous competitions. In Bavaria, the weather can also change quickly.
Both the results of the races as well as the final classification of the two Championships remain sufficiently uncertain to leave room for suspense. It should be remembered that only the two best results of the season, qualifying heats and finals, will be taken into account for the award of the titles. The field will also be strengthened by the entry of 38 additional drivers for this race.
Towards a duel between Barnard and Antonelli in OK
Although British driver Taylor Barnard was undoubtedly the strong man of the OK category in Sarno by permanently staying in the first position, the young Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli impressed by moving up from fifth place in the final. The Russian Nikita Bedrin confirmed his potential in a similar way, whereas the British driver Joe Turney remained a consistent contender. Since the competition in Sarno was marked by numerous race incidents, it wouldn’t be surprising to see some strong comebacks by several drivers who did not do very well in Italy and who are determined to shine in the last European race of the season. This could be the case for the defending champion, the Italian Lorenzo Travisanutto who has just changed team. The line-up will also be reinforced by the commitment of 17 additional drivers just for this race, among them British driver Callum Bradshaw.
Provisional standings of the FIA Karting European Championship – OK before the third competition at Wackersdorf
1- Taylor Barnard – 65 points
2- Andrea Kimi Antonelli – 58 points
3- Nikita Bedrin – 40 points
4- Joe Turney – 37 points
5- Laurens Van Hoepen – 24 points
Junior: three-way match between Ugochukwu, Taponen and Lindblad
After his overwhelming victory in Sarno, the American Ugo Ugochukwu has a seven-point advantage on his direct rival, Finnish driver Tuukka Taponen, followed immediately after by British driver Arvid Lindblad. The title of 2020 FIA Karting European Champion – Junior will be decided between these three drivers in Bavaria. As in OK, several excellent opponents might join the battle for the final victory, which promises to be exciting. 21 new drivers have registered as wild cards for this competition.
Provisional ranking of the FIA Karting European Championship – Junior before the third competition at Wackersdorf
1- Ugo Ugochukwu – 55 points
2- Tuukka Taponen – 48 points
3- Arvid Lindblad – 44 points
4- Valerio Rinicella – 30 points
5- Freddie Slater – 26 points
Provisional programme for Wackersdorf
Friday 11th September
08:00 – 16:35: Free practice (3×15′)
16:45 – 19:15: Qualifying practice (8′)
Saturday 12th September
08:00 – 09:40: Warm-up (10′)
09:45 – 18:40: Qualifying heats
Sunday 13th September
08:00 – 09:40: Warm-up (10′)
09:45 – 11:45: Qualifying heats
13:00 – 15:00: Finals
The Wackersdorf competition can be followed on the FIA Karting Championship mobile app and on the website fiakarting.com.