10.07.2017 23:39

Last weekend, from 1.07. - 2.07 in France, at Lemans track, next to the famous 24-hour Leman ride track, the 3rd CIK-FIA European Championship and the 2nd round of the Karting Academy took place. For the second consecutive time in this prestigious race Latvia this year is represented by Gustavs Māliņš. It should be noted that Gustavs is the only representative of Latvia in these competitions.

We remind you that the CIC-FIA Karting Academy is special because all the members of the Karting Academy start with one manufacturer's technique. In the course of the race, the engines must change. The fastest riders are learning slow-moving riders, and vice versa. This means that competition in the battle for victory is made as close as possible, as the winner will be determined by the driver's talent, the team's ability to regulate the technique in accordance with the track's characteristics and athlete's requirements. Age of sportsmen - from 12 to 15 years.

Gustavs coach Dainis Safonovs noted before the starts: "Considering that this will be the second stage, then the technique and the riders will be known, will only be able to learn the track, since we have not started on this track in the past. Before the competition, we trained in Kandava, so that during the break between the races, there would be no loss of feeling and driving pleasure, and physically ready for this stage. The format of the competition will be the same as before, only the number of training sessions will be smaller. It will probably be the most complicated at this stage - 4 trains to learn the track and the fastest trajectories."

The main goal at this stage was to get into the final, because everything is possible in the sequel. And Gustavs, demonstrating the excellent performance and moving towards the goal, succeeded. Qualification won 31st starting position. After the hit laps, Gustavs ended up in the final and ended his rivalry even in the top ten. In the overall assessment, Māliņš from the 26th position finished to the 9th place, which is more than an excellent achievement.

Next CIC FIA European Championship, 4th stage and 3rd stage of the Karting Academy will take place in Finland, Alaharma – on 23.07. Thanks to Gustavs and his team for great performance! We are proud of our athletes who are so successful and the name of Latvia in the world.