CIK FIA | Karol Basz just missed out on the podium in the first European race at Sarno

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After the en-plein garnered in the last appointment of the WSK Super Master Series (6 wins in one weekend) Karol Basz returned to the Sarno track for the first round of the European CIK-FIA.

Kosmic Racing’s Polish driver established himself as a great protagonist for the whole weekend solidly winning top positions in the “OK” from the first rounds, closing qualifying with third place overall and reinforced by the four podium finishes in the five rounds raced. As part of group A Karol put together a win, two second places and a third place.

He only missed out on the podium in the final, finishing in fourth place after fines come back and two external overtaking manoeuvres,

“It was a really difficult weekend. Our rhythm was very good but in the Final I Iost time in the first two laps sliding down to sixth place. We’re only in the first round and the championship is still long. We must concentrate on the next appointment,” commented Karol Basz

“In the Final he did very well to make up the lost positions with two excellent external overtaking manoeuvres. The podium was within reach but overall the weekend was very positive. Karol fought all the way for the podium and we will fight for the championship until the end. Now we will concentrate on Imola,” commented managers Giovanni Minardi and Alberto Tonti.

Next weekend Karol Basz will make his debut in the Italian GT Championship at the wheel of the Team Antonelli Lamborghini Huracan Super GT Cup at Imola’s Enzo and Dino Ferrari Circuit. The two races will consist of 48’ + 1 lap scheduled for 12.40pm on Saturday April 29th and 3.55pm on Sunday April 30th and will be streamed live on the website of ACI Sport (http://www.acisport.it/it/acisport-service/live-streaming)

Photos by Alex Vernardis & Loredana LRN / The RaceBox

Karol Basz doubles up. He starts the Italian GT Championship with Antonelli Motorsport

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It is a season rich with commitments for Karol Basz who came out of a fantastic weekend at the Sarno circuit in the last round of the WSK Super Master Series and he has already doubled up his on track commitments. On April 30th at Imola’s Enzo and Dino Ferrari Circuit the Polish driver who is guided by Minardi Management and already a protagonist of the karting world with the Kosmic Racing Team (2015 world champion and 2016 vice champion) will make his debut in the Italian Gran Turismo Championship at the wheel of the Antonelli Motorsport Lamborghini Huracan Super GT Cup

For Karol it will be a complete debut as he will have to familiarize himself with both the supercar from Sant’Agata Bolognese and the six circuits on the calendar. After the first race at Imola the season will proceed to Misano (June 2-4), Monza (June 16-18), Mugello (July 14-16), Imola (8-10 September) and Mugello (October 6-8). Due to a clash of dates with the Ok world championship in England Karol will miss the second last race at the Vallelunga track.

It was at the Imola track that the driver from Krakow took part in two days of testing at the wheel of the “Lambo” showing constant progress and he already has an excellent feeling for the vehicle and track confirming his place in the highest positions of the table and sharing the driving with the more experienced Kasai.

“I can only say I am satisfied with having reached this agreement with the Antonelli Motorsport team. It will be a completely new experience for me and I have a lot to learn in a very short time. At Imola i managed to run many kilometres always lowering my times, especially on the final day and I must thank all the members of the team. The Lamborghini is a surprising car,” commented an enthusiastic Karol Basz.

“We are truly happy at having reached this objective and to be present for the Italian GT Championship with Karol who naturally will continue the entire programme in the karting world with the Kosmic Racing. It will be a completely new experience for him coming for the kart and having to get to know the team, the car and the circuits. In the two days of testing however he showed his talent and above all his versatility. He only needed a few kilometres to adapt to the driving style needed for the Lamborghini giving excellent results in his times,” was the analysis of managers Alberto Tonti and Giovanni Minardi.

WSK Super Master Series | Karol Basz’s extraordinary weekend at Sarno

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In the Sarno international circuit, the setting for the last appointment of the WSK Super Master Series, Karol Basz made for himself the perfect weekend. There is no other adjective to describe the achievement the Kosmic Racing Team’s Polish driver in the “OK”. Six wins in as many stages, starting with 4 coups in the respective qualifying Heats (with as many fastest laps in the races) that gave him pole in the pre final.

Inserted into Group A the Minardi Management standard bearer carried on his roll, showing cool headedness and determination and a special feeling for the track booking the overall victory by making his also mark in the pre final.

Starting from second place Karol slipped to fourth place but like a power hammer he quickly won back the leadership, leaving to his rivals only the satisfaction of the fastest lap. Thanks to this latest win Karol climbed the final championship ladder finishing the season in second place overall.

This was an excellent calling card in view of the first round of the European CKIK-FIA scheduled for two weeks time on the very same Neapolitan track.

”I dominated the whole weekend with four wins in the Heats and wins in the pre final and the final. We did a good job and we are ready for the first European race,” said a satisfied Karol.

“I am excited by what Karol did today. He is a true kart-hammer. I always said that he was the most complete driver in the karting world and today we had the latest proof. Clear headed and precise in every occasion. He was the protagonist of an exceptional weekend. Everything went perfectly. Well done Karol and well done to everyone in the Kosmic Racing Team. It’s no secret that our objective is both European and world wide,” commented Alberto Tonti.

“Once more he showed he is the driver to beat. I am happy for the weekend, above all in light of the first European race which will be run here at Sarno. It’s no secret that we’re aiming for the European-World double,” commented Giovanni Minardi.

 

Antonio D’Amico with the Sospiri Racing Team in the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia

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The doors of the Lamborghini Blancpain have opened for Antonio D’Amico in the Asian Super Trophy with Vincenzo Sospiri Racing.

After the exciting season in the Italian GT Championship at the wheel of the Lamborghini supercar next weekend (April 7-9) he will fly to Sepang in Malaysia to sign on for the first of the five appointments of the Asian Super Trophy which will be followed by races in Thailand (Buriram on May 19-21). Japan (Suzuka on June 23-25 and Fuji on August 18-20) and China (Shanghai on September 22-24).

“I am eager to start this new experience in Asia, my first championship outside Italy but the second at the wheel of a Lamborghini. It will undoubtedly be a demanding season as I will have to learn new tracks but it is also exciting,” commented Antonio D’Amico

“I am happy that Antonio can begin this new experience. With the experience of Vincenzo Sospiri Racing he will become a protagonist of an important season, “was the analysis of manager Giovanni Minardi.

The driver from Rome will share the wheel with Brazilian Nicolas Costa and the objectives are already clear.

“We will start well aiming for victory, It will certainly not be easy but we have the potential to reach important results beginning with the first race in Sepang,” continued Antonio, “Wednesday and Thursday will be two half days of collective testing to familiarize ourselves with the track, the car and the team.”

Test, Karol Basz at Imola with Lamborghini

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Marco Antonelli called Karol Basz for two days of tests on the Enzo and Dino Ferrari Circuit at the wheel of the Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo.

The Polish driver, who is involved in the top category of karting with the Kosmic Racing team, took turns driving the car from the Sant’Agata Bolognese factory with Japanese driver Tadashi Kasai. He showed constant improvement and already has an excellent feeling for the car and the track, thus confirming his place in the top places of the ladder.

“The Lamborghini is a surprising car and I must thank Marco Antonelli and all the members of his team. I managed to run many kilometres constantly lowering my times, especially on the final day,” commented an enthusiastic Karol Basz.

“In the two days of testing at Imola he showed his talent but above all his versatility. He only needed a few kilometres to adapt to the type of driving necessary with the Lamborghini, obtaining excellent results in his times. Karol also showed exemplary professionalism in the box. He spent long periods talking with the engineers and studying the telemetry, just as he does during the weekends with the kart. We now await future developments,” was the analysis of managers Alberto Tonti and Giovanni Minardi

 

Kart, WSK Super Master Series | Karl Basz just missed the podium at Castelletto di Branduzzo after an amazing weekend

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The second race of the WSK Super Masters Series took place at the 7 Laghi International Circuit at Castelletto di Branduzzo. Karol Basz was the protagonist with placings and impressive come backs which showed solid nerves, concentration and coolness even in the most delicate of situations.

In the three qualifying heats Kosmic Racing’s Polish driver won in order a victory, third place and second place thus placing himself well for the final phase. The cold shower came at the end of the third heat when the marshals disqualified the 202 kart because it was underweight, plunging him down to 17th place overall. Placed within Group A of the pre-final the Minardi Management flag bearer recovered four positions to fifth place and completed the job with a fourth place in the Final, the result of another five positions recovered.

In two weeks Karol Basz will be back on track at Muro Leccese for the third round of the WSK Super Masters Series.

“The weekend began really well with a win, third place and second place in qualifying. Sadly the disqualification cancelled the results. In the Final I lost time behind some drivers, but the championship is still long and our material is ok,” commented Karol Basz.

 “Even if he missed out on the podium, we must absolutely compliment Karol. On a very technical and tight circuit like Castelletto he kept his nerves without making the slightest error and made himself the protagonist with important come backs in both the pre-final and the Final. We still have things we must get right in performance, but we are on the right road to get back on the podium beginning at Muro Leccese,” said manager Alberto Tonti.

Photos by Alex Vernardis & Loredana LRN / The RaceBox

 

Kart Karol Basz just missed the podim on the 22nd Winter Cup

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It was a bitter sweet weekend for Karol Basz on the track at Lonato, the setting for the 22nd Winter Cup where he just missed out on a place on the podium with his fourth place.

The Kosmic Racing Team’s flag bearer had begun the event by easily a winning a place amongst the top starters thanks to the second and third places in the Qualifying Heats on Friday and closing with a sixth place on the following day.

In the second Super Heat the Polish driver assisted by Minardi Management obtained third spot at a few seconds from victory, and closed the weekend with fifth place in the Final Heats and fourth place in the Final.

“The weekend began well, but in the Final we lacked a little speed. We must work only on the small details because we have begun to show that we can always fight for the top positions and for victory.” Karol Basz

“We have completed a weekend of hard work in which we concentrated on development, even though we lacked that little something to return to domination. Karol showed once more all his professionalism that places him amongst the best drivers at the moment, even from the point of view of preparation of the vehicle. I am sure that together with Kosmic we will be able to return on the highest place of the podium beginning at the next appointments,” was the analysis of his manager Alberto Tonti.

Foto: Alex Vernardis & Loredana LRN / The RaceBox

Kart | Karol Basz amongst the points in Adria in the first round of the WSK Super Master Series

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In the first weekend of the WSK Super Master Series on the track in Andria in a race strongly affected by the weather Karol Basz looked for the best results and finished on the podium, only to be penalized 10” by the stewards for a contact with Novalak ftom Great Britain and finished in sixth place overall.

For Kosmic Racing’s driver from Krakow it was the occasion to gain confidence in the new wets supplied by Bridgestone in anticipation of the next rounds.

As we await the next round of the WSK Super Master Series scheduled for Castelletto di Branduzzo on March 2nd, Karol will return to the track at Lonato for the 22nd edition of the Winter Cup on February 17th and 18th.

 “It was not an easy end of the week beginning under heavy rain and trying to find the best set up for the cart, but it ended on the podium. Unfortunately the stewards then decided to penalize me for a contact during the race. I am happy with the speeds obtained and now I will concentrate on the Winter Cup,” said Karol Basz, the Minardi Management driver.

 “The final penalty concluded a difficult weekend in which Karol was not as fast as usual. He had to fight to find the right set up and the best tyre pressure for the new mixes supplied by Bridgestone,” was the analysis by his Manager Alberto Toni.

Kart | Andrea Antonelli Kimi at the start of the Super WSK Master Series under the Tony Kart colors

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Andrea Antonelli’s 2017 season goes live this weekend. The young driver from Bologna, at his first year with the Tony Kart official colors is ready to face the inaugural event of the WSK Super Master Series scheduled at the Adria International Raceway on 2 to 5 February.

After a 2016 apprenticeship, Andrea Kimi Antonelli will go on track in 60 Mini category whose enrolled are 89. For the driver from Emilia, who put himself already in the spotlight at the same circuit last weekend bringing home a useful sixth placement in the WSK Champions Cup, after achieving two seconds and three thirds placements, it starts a new challenge.

There are four events in the championship, it successively will arrive in Castelletto di Branduzzo (2/5 March), Muro Leccese (16/19 March) and Sarno (6/9 April).

Engines turned on next weekend, starting from Thursday with the first free practice. On Friday, the timed sessions will take place along with the qualifying-heats that will end on Sunday when are also scheduled two pre-finals and the final, with the green light at 15.35 and the “live streaming” in the official website wsk.it.

Karting, WSK Champions Cup | Only a contact stops Karol Basz at Adria

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At his first seasonal event valid for the WSK Champions Cup in the Adria circuit, Karol Basz has immediately found the champion’s pace, achieving the first place at the end of the qualify-heats, thanks to three absolute successes.

His hard job has been frustrated by a contact in Pre-Final and another in Final that forced the standardbearer of the Kosmic Racing to leave the circuit in tenth place. A prompt revenge can already arrive this weekend at the same Adria International Raceway in the first of four events of the WSK Super Master Series.

“We are really sorry for how Karol’s weekend ended at Adria. His excellent work, transformed into the Pre-final first raw, thanks to three successes, has been frustrated by some contacts. Once again, Karol has proven to be a great expert and to be able to find again the competition pace very quickly. Next weekend, we will already have the chance for a prompt payback”, Giovanni Minardi and Alberto Tonti say. 

Minardi "A season rich in successes for ACI Team Italia"

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It has been a 2006 rich in success for the ACI Team Italia – a project strongly wanted by the Italian Automobile Club –, along with its four standard bearers, Antonio Giovinazzi, Raffaele Marciello, Luca Ghiotto, and Antonio Fuoco, it has raised our tricolor up in two of the most important international championships, GP3 and GP2 Series.

Their numbers

–  25 podia achieved within the season, among which 17 ones achieved in GP2 by its three “musketeers” Giovinazzi-Marciello-Ghiotto, and 8 ones signed in GP3 by Antonio Fuoco;

–  8 wins (6 in GP2 by its two rookies Giovinazzi-Ghiotto, and 2 in GP3);

–  5 successes by Antonio Giovinazzi (on the circuit of Baku, Spa-Francorchamps, Monza, and Malaysia);

–  2 successes by Antonio Giovinazzi in the same weekend (Baku). The standard bearer of the Prema Team has been the only one to sign a double-win.

– 1 victory for Luca Ghiotto with the Trident team on the circuit of Sepang in Malaysia, and three podia;

– 5 podia for Raffaele Marciello;

– 2 victories for Antonio Fuoco in GP3 (Silverstone and Hockenheim);

– 2 second places and 4 third places for Antonio Fuoco.

 The results

Such important numbers have consigned to Antonio Giovinazzi not just the title of GP2 vice-champion, but the promotion as a third driver at the Ferrari Stable. An important goal representing the beginning of a new path for a driver who has already proved to have the appropriate mental and technical features to emerge.

It has been an important year for other drivers as well. At his debut, Luca Ghiotto conquered a victory in Malaysia and his season ended in the top-10 thanks to his eight place. For Raffaele Marciello, instead, the door for GT competitions could open up soon.

At the starting grid of GP2 2017, we will also see Antonio Fuoco, promoted after a positive GP3 season that he ended in the third absolute place, in the row of the champion team Prema, beside Leclerc.

One more time, these results highlight how much talent is within our national borders. Our drivers have nothing to envy their colleagues. We know that reaching Formula 1 is not easy because there are just 22 cars, but in all these years the federation has played a crucial role in the growth these boys following them actively since karting.

The announcement about Antonio Giovinazzi’s promotion as a third driver in the Ferrari Stable is the summit of the Aci training that is meant to identify and promote the most promising stars of the Italian motor sports.

We are  working on a 2017 even more rich in successes. Happy New Year everyone.

ACI Sport | Gian Carlo Minardi, a prestigious sport director

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Gian Carlo Minardi has lived this 2016 as an illustrious sport director.The Italian motor sport can count on the expertise and professionalism of this F1 constructor, an appreciated Team Manager in the major leagues who has a particular penchant for discovering new talent. He is currently in charge of the Youth Project of the Italian Automobile Club devoted to our home drivers most talented.

In the just ended season, Minardi has had a key role in the success of some leading events that had the chance to count on his professional direction: the 100th Targa Florio Historic Speed, the Motor Show, and the Minardi Day.

For the 100th Targa Florio, in the 100th edition of the oldest car race in the world, he coordinated the Targa Florio Historic Speed by handling the relationships with all the big names in motor sport history, all the names that brought back onto the Mythical streets the rumble of the legendary cars that have been able to reawaken all the never extinguished emotions in what was the diamond point of the event organized by AC Palermo and ACI Sport. His contribution to the Motor Show has been critical. Minardi worked in first person for the return of the historical F1 cars among which a Minardi F1 as well. At the Area 48 Motul Arena, in the year of the 40th anniversary of the Bologna’s kermesse, worldwide famous, its 8 and 12 cylinders have roared again.

The Historic Minardi day, that took place at the Circuit of Imola in June, was exciting as well with its sequence of big emotions along with the great names of the drivers and of the cars coming from the history of F1, F2, and F3. An appointment not to be missed for thousands of fans.

Fundamental his contribution in the circuit during the races of the ACI Sport Italian Championship. He has always a good intuition for the most promising young drivers. He follows the talented drivers of the Italian F4 Championship Powered by Abarth closely along with the staff of the Aci Sport Federal School, with which he also followed the Federal Supercourse 2016 Speed Section, giving advices to 4 very young drivers and following their growth in the Vallelunga circuit, step by step.

Source: ACISportItalia.it

World Championship | Karol Basz vice-champion

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For the second year in a row, Karol Basz conquers the World Championship podium thanks to an authoritative weekend in Bahrain. After winning the world title in 2015, the Polish driver of the Kosmic Racing Team followed by the Minardi Management, signs the absolute second place in the OK category authoritatively , proving to be a great professional. A result that put Karol among the best world karting drivers, letting him end a season rich in success.

The second world title in a row was missed just few meters away from the Final checkered flag, after signing a victory in the first two qualifying rounds Heat 1-2 and the third place in the third round that gave him the pole position in Pre-Final that was closed by him in the second place with the fastest lap of the race after a recovery. In final, Karol is among the protagonists of a great fight with his direct rivals and finally conquers the leadership that went then into the hands of the winner, Hiltbrand, a few meters away from the finish line.

“This weekend was raced constantly at the maximum, since the first rounds. We had an excellent speed and it was a fundamental experience for me. For the second year in a row, I am on the World Championship podium. We played for the victory fighting lap by lap, even if I am sorry for the way it finished. For me, anyway, it has been extremely important to finish the race”, Karol Basz comments.

“For the second year in a row, we went onto the world podium with Karol. Once again, he has been a true professional and has fulfilled a great work on the most important stage of karting. I must compliment the whole Kosmic Racing Team, the OKT group that put the best material at Karol’s disposal and the new world champion Pedro Hiltbrand for his win as well. From now on, we will start preparations for the next season”, Alberto Tonti and Giovanni Minardi say.