• Consistent Lap Times in Top-10• Unfortunate starting accident in Final reduces chances of Top-Position• Next international Stopp: The WSK Season Final Cup this coming weekend
Two highlights in two weeks: The young Kart Racer Niklas Krütten is currently taking part in two internationally accredited Top-Events in Italy. Last weekend saw the „Trofeo delle Industrie“, the oldest Kart Race in the world, being held at the South Garda Circuit in Lonato. Niklas captivated the whole weekend with Top-Times, being the youngest competitor in a field of internationally acclaimed Top-Drivers. But bad luck and a starting accident, which was not his fault, prevented a result in the Top rankings.
The young Trier-based driver took to the 1-km-long track in the middle of last week. Under a beaming Italian sunshine, he completed a two-day test program together with his Team Forza Racing – and his lap-time where as good as the weather. Niklas took to the tests ambitiously and set the perfect conditions for a good weekend.
He started with setting a highlight on Friday with setting the third-best lap time in the free practice sessions. However, he did not manage once clear lap in qualifying on Saturday, meaning he was left in 16 out of 34 places in the KF Junior category. “After the good Speed we showed in Free Practice, we were keen for a better qualifying”, says Niklas. “If I had one clear lap, I would have managed a Top-5 result in this tough and international competition.”
Coming from 11th on the grid in the first Pre-run, the young Racer was hit by a competitor behind him, forcing him into a spin right after the start. Showing an immense amount of fighting spirit, he fought his way back up into 15th place, having been put back into last position with half a lap down on the field. The second Heat went as planned for Niklas. Following a great start, he raced against international Top-Drivers to cross the finishing line in position 8, demonstrating his driving capabilities once more.
Niklas was able to make up some ground in the Pre-Final race on Sunday, which took place in great late-autumn sunshine. He managed to climb up into 12 starting from 16 on the grid, and finished the race in 14th position. His lap-times were in the area of the Top-5 drivers. The young Trierer went fully motivated into the Final, with a clear Top-10 finish in sight. But straight after the start, he was involved into a starting collision none of his fault and was forced to park his damaged Kart after a few laps at the garage.
“It really is frustrating. A nice Top-Finish would have been easy with our speed, had we not got involved in the starting collision in the Final race”, said Niklas. “But setbacks like this are part of the business and are often in Karting and Motorsport. I was able to beat many international Top-Drivers, I gained a lot of new experiences plus I was the quickest and most consistent driver from Germany all weekend. I am confident now for the WSK Final Cup this coming weekend on the Adria International Speedway.”
