• Best German Starter in his class at the greatest Kart Race in the World• Up-and-coming Talent demonstrates his strength in international Top-Field
The up-and-coming star on the Kart scene, Niklas Krütten, manifested an impressive performance at the SKUSA SuperNationals in Las Vegas (USA): In the world´s greatest Kart Race with 500 international experienced drivers from 45 countries, the Youngster crossed the finishing line in 22nd place and the best German racer in his class.
Every year, the SKUSA SuperNationals mark the highlight of the year of the Karting season with the top elite of the sport competes in the greatest race in the world. It was a successful premiere for the young gun from Trier, Niklas Krütten, despite a frustrating beginning to start off with.
Due to the huge numbers of starters, the training sessions per class and group were limited and with only six seven-minute-sessions, there was not much set-up work to be done on a completely new track. The qualifying became a bit of a gamble. Niklas´ qualification lap placed him in P32 overall in the 71-strong field in the class TaG Junior. The youngster started from row eight into the pre-runs. The start into the first Heat was turbulent since the race was initially cancelled only to be flagged green after half a lap. The Trier-born racer finished in P24.
The second and third run did also not go to plan. Niklas was pushed into the barriers by another driver towards the end of Heat #2 and crossed the finishing line in P27 with a heavily damaged Kart. After problems with the in Las Vegas rented engine material were sorted out, Niklas was able to show his real talent with finishing in P12 in the third run. But he was given a penalty afterwards and was thrown back into 27th position and 59th in the overall rankings – the lowest point of the entire weekend.
“The start into the third heat was aborted. During the formation lap to there-start I tried to gain my initial start position”, said Niklas. “This isCIK-FIA rule and allowed worldwide. But apparently not in the USA, were itis forbidden, which we didn’t know. I now have to focus all my hopes on thefinal run, where I have to start from 23 up into P6 to be able to race inthe final. It is pretty much impossible, but we will give our best.”
The young wild gun made the impossible possible in the land of opportunity.Following a great start into his final chance, he impressed with anincredible performance. Lap by lap, he gained another position and foughthis way up into second place at the finishing line. Despite all doubts, hemanaged to enter the final, demonstrating great fighting spirit. He wentinto the Final on Super Sunday from position 36 on the grid. The grandstandswere packed, the atmosphere was at its best and the sun was shining. On oldtyres, Niklas fought against international competitors on new tyres, makingup a staggering 14 places on the run and coming home in 22nd place and asthe best German racer.
“It was an indescribable experience to race here at Las Vegas”, said Niklas.“It did not look good for us at the beginning, especially since the materialand the rules are slightly different. I would have never imagined that theleaves would turn at the end, this was just crazy. It is a great feeling tostart in the biggest kart race in the world and fight your way up the field.Big thank you to my Team Forza Racing, which supported me as best as always.This was a more than respectable end to the season, not only on track butlater off track with some celebrations.”
