After a demanding yet rewarding year, the IAME Series Germany looks back on its first season as a standalone series. The campaign began in Kerpen, moved on to Wackersdorf and Mülsen, and concluded in Ampfing, Bavaria. While the year was marked by change and continuous development—and the concept met with great approval—participation numbers fell short of expectations. Nevertheless, the event in Ampfing delivered thrilling races and saw the crowning of four new champions.

IAME Mini Swift: A Close Final, but a Clear Champion

The category for the youngest competitors featured varied and exciting racing. Although the field appeared static on paper, the reality on track was quite different. Ukrainian driver Artem Kikireshko (UN1) initially secured a commanding pole position. He converted this into a victory in the first heat, despite dropping back at the start. The Kali Kart driver also won the second heat, with Benedikt Wetzel (TB Racing Team) finishing behind him. In the Superheat, another driver staked a claim for the day's victory: Vincent Oliver Rieso (FSR Performance) kept pace with Kikireshko for a long time but ultimately had to settle for second place. Heading into the final, three drivers battled for the win. After several overtaking attempts by Rieso, it was Kikireshko who took the top step of the podium once the checkered flag fell. Rieso finished second ahead of Wetzel, thereby securing the championship title. Wetzel also had reason to celebrate, as he won the Under-10 (U10) classification. Dutch driver Victor Radu (UN1) and Valerio Geiger (RS-Motorsport) rounded out the top five in the final.

IAME Mini Swift Championship Standings (after four weekends):
1. Vincent Oliver Rieso
2. Artem Kikireshko
3. Benedikt Wetzel (U10 Winner)
4. Marcel Pfeiffenberger
5. Valerio Geiger

X30 Junior: Broken chassis proves decisive

Kilian Wurm (TB Racing Team) got off to a perfect start at the Ampfing weekend by securing his first pole position. None of his rivals could match his pace in the first heat, either. However, Semih Bektas (SH Kartsport) struck back in the second heat. The favorites were set to start the Superheat side-by-side, tied on points, but a broken chassis was discovered on Wurm's kart shortly before the race began, causing him to miss the start. Undeterred, Bektas drove to victory in the Superheat and claimed pole position for the final. The showdown took place there: after Bektas took the lead at the start, Wurm launched a recovery drive. The gap narrowed as the final progressed, but in the end, Wurm fell just a few meters short of his first IAME Series Germany victory. Bektas thus celebrated a perfect season—winning four out of four finals—and was crowned champion ahead of Ceyda-Linet Pirecioglu (KSL Racing Team). Behind Wurm, Dutchman Kyan Ten Have (UN1) rounded out the podium, ahead of Leon Fiedler (TR-Motorsport) and Maximilian Lothar Möckel (Magik Kart Germany).

X30 Junior Championship Standings (after four weekends):
1. Semih Bektas
2. Ceyda-Linet Pirecioglu
3. Kyan Ten Have
4. Leon Fiedler
5. Maximilian Lothar Möckel

X30 Senior: Surprise winner shocks the competition

In the X30 Senior class, the weekend essentially shaped up to be a duel between Emilio Bernd and Joelina Denzel (MPK Motorsport). Denzel secured pole position but failed to win either of the two starts. Consequently, it was Bernd who—albeit narrowly—scored the most points in the heats. He also won the Superheat, this time with a larger margin, while Denzel lost second place to Leon Lambrecht (Magik Kart Germany) in the final corner. Emilio Bernd was the heavy favorite for the final, having already clinched the championship title early thanks to his points haul earlier in the day. Then came the shock: his kart failed to start on the grid, and he was unable to join the race. This gave his rivals a chance to contend for the victory after all. Denzel was now considered the clear favorite, but she had not reckoned with Lambrecht. Sensing an opportunity for his first major success, he drove with inspired intensity and took the lead. Clocking the race's fastest lap, he steadily pulled away and celebrated the victory after 16 laps. Denzel and Nikola Trajkovski (VM Energy Corse Germany) rounded out the podium, while siblings and teammates Pia and Maximilian Pawlowski (ACP Racing) completed the top five. Denzel still had reason to celebrate, however, as she won the Ladies Cup. The KZ2 class did not compete at Ampfing; Max Ohsenbrink (KSL Racing Team) secured the championship title in this category.

Final Championship Standings – X30 Senior (after four weekends):
1. Emilio Bernd
2. Joelina Denzel
3. Daniel Brozovic
4. Leon Lambrecht
5. Nikola Trajkovski
 

Final Championship Standings – KZ2 (after three weekends):
1. Max Ohsenbrink
2. Lutz Ohsenbrink
3. Adrian Martinz
4. Eric Weiss
5. Benno Drelok
 

Another highlight of the weekend was a barbecue evening and, in particular, a rental kart race for mechanics, teams, and drivers' parents, held on Saturday evening. In a relaxed atmosphere, participants reviewed the season, gathered feedback, and enjoyed a good meal. The subsequent rental kart race, held under floodlights, was very well received and attracted a full field of competitors.
 

The organizers of the IAME Series Germany are already fully committed to advancing plans for the coming year. Initial improvements are already underway, and the calendar for the upcoming season has been finalized and will be announced soon. The goal is clear: to ensure full grids and excellent organization, while fostering the coexistence of IAME single-make classes and shifter karts.
 

Further information is available at www.iameseriesgermany.de.