The major event in the 2025 IAME calendar got off to an intense start at the Lucas Guerrero International Circuit in Chiva, near Valencia. The substantial amount of entrants confirms the appeal of this event, and every available space in the paddock was needed to accommodate the drivers and the numerous teams in the best possible conditions. IAME, together with its partners RGMMC and the Spanish circuit managers, is once again offering a high standard of organisation this year.
After numerous intensive Free Practice sessions, the drivers were eager to compete in the eagerly awaited official Qualifying sessions. A light rain shower made it difficult for the first groups to choose their settings before the track began to dry out. Gus Lawrence (GBR) in X30 Senior, Zdenek Babicek (CZE) in X30 Junior, Gabin Adam (FRA) in S125, Pedro Ivars Agostinelli (ESP) in X30 Master and Charles Ural (FRA) in X30 Mini took pole position in their respective categories. The first Qualifying Heats have already provided some exciting racing, promising a thrilling event to follow.
X30 Senior: A constantly improving track
The track was wet when the first group took to the track, requiring the use of wet tyres. Freddie Lloyd (GBR) was the fastest in 1:04.809. As the track dried out, slicks proved to be the best choice. Toby Gale (THA) managed the difficult conditions best in 57"007. But grip improved as Wednesday morning progressed. Matthias Vanderkerckhove (BEL) took provisional pole position in 55.756 in Group 3, before Gus Lawrence (GBR) set the fastest time with 55.561. The first Qualifying Heats of the day were won by Zac Drummond (GBR), Freddie Lloyd (GBR) and Matthias Vanderkerckhove (BEL).
Top 10 in X30 Senior Qualifying
1- Gus Lawrence (GBR) Tony Kart - 55.561
2- Matthias Vanderkerckhove (BEL) KR - 55.756
3- Toby Gale (THA) Birelart - 57.007
4- Freddie Lloyd (GBR) LN - 1:04.809
5- Daniel Briz (ESP) Birelart - 55.602
6- Roxanne Lantinga (NED) Croc - 55.837
7- Zac Drummond (GBR) KR - 57.080
8- Max Radeck (PRO) KR - 1:05.228
9- Jack Buckley (IRL) Gillard - 55.680
10- Angelo Meli (BEL) CS55 - 56.044
X30 Junior: Sometimes crucial choices!
The weather conditions were almost identical to those in the X30 Senior category. Jarlath Sayer (GBR) led Group 1 in 1:07.049 on a slippery track. Some drivers made the mistake of keeping their rain tyres on in Group 2, when it was time to switch to slicks. Alex Martinez Escrihuela (ESP) took advantage of this to set a time of 59.528. Max Endacott (GBR) did even better in Group 3 with a time of 57.783, before George House (GBR) took pole position with a time of 57.290. Three Qualifying Heats took place in the afternoon. The victories went to David Stefan Minciuna (ESP), Evan Purcell (GBR) and Juste Mulder (NED).
Top 10 in X30 Junior Qualifying
1- George House (GBR) Energy - 57.290
2- Max Endacott (GBR) KR - 57.783
3- Alex Martinez Escrihuela (ESP) KR - 59.528
4- Jarlath Sayer (GBR) Energy - 1:07.049
5- Many Nuvolini (FRA) KR - 57.305
6- David Stefan Minciuna (ESP) Tony Kart - 57.856
7- Dan Allemann (SUI) LN - 59.690
8- Daniel Miron Lorente (NED) KR - 1:07.413
9- Charline Cordier (FRA) Kosmic - 57.383
10- Jacob Bachler (GBR) KR - 57.956
X30 Mini: Charles Ural takes pole position by just 2 thousandths of a second
The three groups had no questions to ask about their tyre choice with the return of ideal conditions for all the young drivers. Charles Ural (FRA) in Group 1 set a time of 1:04.205, which remained unbeaten despite the efforts of his 87 opponents. However, it was a very close call, as Achilleas Peruzzi (UAE) was just 2 thousandths of a second behind with a time of 1:04.207! The best time in Group 3, set by Hong Kong driver John Han in 1:04.490, did not change the hierarchy for the top two. Hugo Fuentes Luque (ESP), John Han (HKG) and Chester Forkes (GBR) were the three winners of the Qualifying Heats, of which there will be many in the different categories between now and Friday evening.
Top 10 in X30 Mini Qualifying
1- Charles Ural (FRA) Alonso Kart - 1:04.205
2- Achilleas Peruzzi (UAE) KR - 1:04.207
3- John Han (HKG) KR - 1:04.490
4- Daniel Ferguson (GBR) Parolin - 1:04.285
5- Alexander Kwong Mason (HKG) Parolin - 1:04.434
6- Charles Clough (GBR) Energy - 1:04.550
7- Efan Owen (GBR) Energy - 1:04.312
8- Miguel Martins (POR) TB Kart - 1:04.520
9- Aaron Bordanova (FRA) Alonso Kart - 1:04.610
10- Nicolas Lopez (ESP) TGroup - 1:04.357
X30 Master: Pedro Ivars Agostinelli, the early leader on home soil
As in all categories, the Qualifying session lasted only four minutes, forcing the drivers to get into action quickly with the opportunity to complete only three fast laps. As expected, the fastest times were set at the end of the session, although some drivers were fast on their second lap. The top 10 included seven different nationalities, with a local driver in pole position: Spain's Pedro Ivars Agostinelli in 56.602. He was one-tenth of a second ahead of Eric Chapon (FRA) and three-tenths ahead of a group of several drivers led by Tommy Kvakkestad Nordvang (NOR). Ivars Agostinelli confirmed his speed by taking the lead at the chequered flag in the first race.
Top 10 in X30 Master Qualifying
1- Pedro Ivars Agostinelli (ESP) KR - 56.602
2- Eric Chapon (FRA) Croc - 56.770
3- Tommy Kvakkestad Nordvang (NOR) KR - 56.919
4- John Norris (IRL) Tony Kart - 56.928
5- François-Xavier Venet (FRA) Kosmic - 56.937
6- Matthieu Delbauf (BEL) Kosmic - 56.991
7- Gary Edwards (IRL) Tony Kart - 56.995
8- Jack Dex (GBR) MS Kart - 57.105
9- Alexandre-Benoît Bessac (FRA) - 57.162
10- Edmundo Loyer (PER) OTK - 57.184
S125: French drivers in the spotlight
This is the first time that the category equipped with the new S125 engine has been included in the IAME Warriors Final! IAME has already had the opportunity to experiment with supplying engines by random draw in certain national competitions and has chosen to do the same in Valencia to ensure perfect sporting fairness between drivers. The tiny differences seen during the Qualifying session confirmed that this was the right thing to do. Three French drivers took the top spots: Gabin Adam in 55.270 (the day's absolute record) ahead of Maxence Bouvier and Luna Cléret. Another French driver, Andy Ratel, won the first heat.
Top 10 in S125 Qualifying
1- Gabin Adam (FRA) Kosmic - 55.270
2- Maxence Bouvier (FRA) Formula K - 55.382
3- Luna Cléret (FRA) Parolin - 55.405
4- Reaan Dhamadasa (SRI) KR - 55.430
5- Andy Ratel (FRA) Parolin - 55.522
6- Jamie English (IRL) OTK - 55.533
7- Sebastian Verger Morell (ESP) KR - 55.541
8- Nat Johnstone (GBR) Gillard - 55.553
9- Jeremy Montgomeryswan (UAE) KR - 55.588
10- Mirco Wouters (BEL) Tony Kart - 55.607
All with Komet tyres.
Continuation of the provisional programme for the IWF25.
Thursday 30th October
08:30 - 18:00 Continuation of Qualifying Heats.
18:30 Drivers' parade.
Friday 31th October
08:35 - 18:10 Continuation and end of Qualifying Heats
Saturday 1st November
08:30 - 09:50 Warm up (5 mins)
10:00 - 12:40 Super Heats
14:00 X30 Master Final
14:30 S125 Final
15:00 X30 Mini Final
15:30 X30 Junior Final
16:00 X30 Senior Final