Sami LUKA -Enough to trust his chances at next World Cup for KF2.

For a few years now, the European KF2 Championship (the category where promising pilots emerge) has held a qualifying phase, followed by a final phase. Racing together with the drivers from the Northern region, Sami Luka arrived on the Göteborg circuit (Sweden) very much focussed on his objective. "I won this round in 2006 and I really wanted to reach the highest step of the podium again", he announced on his arrival.

By rapidly taking the measure of the racetrack, where a certain Michaël Schumacher became European Championship in 1987, Sami Luka reached the 4th place in timed qualifying and confirmed his position during the qualifying heats. "Although I was forced to withdraw in one of the heats, I knew I could win. Together with Thomas Richez, my mechanic, the CRG Team and Maxter, which provides my engines, we did a lot of technical work and we were finally rewarded for that".

In Race 1, Sami drove his kart superbly, overtook several pilots and climbed from 15th to 6th position, with the best lap in his pocket. In Race 2, he was irresistible. "When I managed to come out of the pack, the leader had already gained a good advantage. Tenth after tenth, I filled the gap and then I overtook him three laps before arrival".

Unfortunately his joy did not last long, because an engine problem interrupted his momentum. "Pity, because I wanted so much to offer this victory to CRG and Maxter. Luckily enough, our main objective was fulfilled, i.e. secure my qualification to the European final".

From 1 to 3 August, that is only three weeks after the Swedish round, the CRG Team supported by Brussels Expo took part in the European final, which however had an unexpected development. "We arrived here with high hopes, since the CRG-Maxter equipment is currently one of the best on the international scene.

Unfortunately, many pilots took advantage of a flaw in regulations and drove with improved clutches, so this disrupted the good progress of the race. The whole of Giancarlo Tinini’s CRG-Maxter Team doubled its efforts to make up for the delay caused by the clutches issue. In free practice, I was able to set excellent times, very close to the fastest drivers".

Thanks to a spotless performance in the qualifying phase, he managed to enter the very closed circle of 34 pilots admitted to the finals in this difficult European Championship. Initially 32nd, the Belgian driver made a very fast start and kept progressing in the ranking. Finally his efforts were rewarded by a recovery up to the 19th position.

"Finishing in the top 20 in a race where over 200 pilots were competing is an excellent result, although I think that thanks to CRG and Mater we have the experience and speed to aim higher. This place in the final secured my qualification to the World Cup for KF2, which will be held from 19 to 21 September in Southern Italy, on the La Conca circuit at Muro Leccese".

A nice opportunity to catch! It still remains to be seen what the CIK/FIA intends to do about the clutch issue. Will it take some more precautionary measures or will it leave a free hand to the manufacturers?

- KARTcom -  also photos