The IPK group has just made an admirable start to the FIA Karting European Championships for KZ and KZ2, which got underway in Valencia. The results speak for themselves: fastest race laps, victories in the heats, a podium in the Final and, above all, a brilliant result for the team as a whole, with a very high level of performance on the Spanish circuit for the IPK chassis, whether in Formula K or Praga colours.
Excellent preparation and top equipment
From the start of the WSK Super Master Series season, IPK already had the opportunity to validate the recent strategic and technical decisions taken for the factory's international involvement. The first podium finishes confirmed the competitiveness of the chassis and powertrains. The team set off for the Lucas Guerrero circuit with confidence and calmness.
Discovering the 2025 FIA Karting tyres
From the very first tests with the Dunlop 'prime' tyres, the Formula K drivers and those defending the Praga name understood that the challenge would be extremely difficult.
"These tyres are not really adapted to the KZ and KZ2 categories, but we had to deal with this parameter. I have to admit that the team has worked incredibly hard to adapt, make progress and finally find itself in a position to fight for the podium in both KZ and KZ2 in the first round of the European Championship. Our ability to react has been strong, while the collaboration between IPK and SRP is already bearing fruit. We can look forward to the long term," said Maik Siebecke of the Formula K SRP Factory Team.
KZ: top five for David Trefilov
Ranked 4th in Qualifying, less than two tenths from pole position, Trefilov was immediately able to fight his way into the leading group. P3 in Heat 1, the German won Heat 2 with the fastest lap of the race, while his team-mate Emilien Denner moved up to 4th. The speed of the two drivers continued into the Final.
"David put in a solid performance in Valencia, finishing 5th after a tough race. Emilien's race incidents obviously had an impact, but he didn't give up and earned his place in the top 10," added Maik.
KZ2: Tigran Bunatyan on the podium
Tigran Bunatyan achieved his best result in an FIA Karting event at the wheel of an IPK / TM Kart and his rise to prominence proved productive. P15 in Qualifying out of 62 participants, he won a heat, then his Super Heat, before claiming 2nd place at the end of the Final. On the podium, the Formula K colours could just as easily have shone with Markus Kajak. He too won his Super Heat on Sunday, after setting the fastest warm-up time in the morning and a fastest lap the day before. Unfortunately, a retirement due to a collision in a heat cost him a better place on the starting grid for the Final. In the end, the Estonian finished P7.
Marek Skrivan (CZE), who finished P3, P2 and P3 in the Free Practice sessions on Friday morning, deserved a better result in Spain, as did Matteo Zanchi (ITA), who was also very fast during the competition in his Praga kart. With an excellent Super Heat, Matej Preuss (CZE) won his place in the Final.
Comment from Daniel Silva
"Tigran Bunatyan's podium in KZ2 and David Trefilov's result in KZ are, of course, extremely pleasing. But the main thing I want to take away from this first round of the FIA Karting European Championship is the team's overall performance. We were fast with many drivers. That's obviously very encouraging as we prepare to face the future challenges that await us in 2025. I also note that we are currently ranked 2nd in the Teams' Championship in KZ2 and 3rd in KZ.”