DEKM updates race calendar – first race weekend postponed until 28 – 30 august in Mülsen
The newly developed “Project E20” electric kart from BRP-Rotax is probably the most important “asset” in this year’s DEKM season. “More power, a longer battery life and a reduced weight boost the performance of the German Electric Kart Championship to a whole new level,” says Oliver Schielein, Managing Director of IKmedia, the promoter of the series. During the first test drives, the new e-kart received an extremely enthusiastic reception from drivers. “We now want to ensure that we do not endanger the success of our most important asset by starting off with the handbrake engaged,” says Schielein.
Season will start in Mülsen instead of Kerpen
To create the perfect conditions for the launch of the new e-kart and to deliver a thoroughly impressive start to the season from a motorsport perspective, the DEKM organisation has thus decided to postpone this year’s opening race of the season. Instead of starting as originally planned from 07-09 August in Kerpen, the season will now get underway from 28-30 August in Mülsen. The DEKM is not alone in reducing its race calendar from five to four events but is following the path already taken by the DKM and the ADAC Kart Masters.
Enabling the season to start without a “coronavirus handicap”
“The extra breathing space of three weeks gives us the opportunity to resolve any final issues caused by COVID-19,” says Schielein. While a carefully considered hygiene concept has already been in place for a long time, the current travel restrictions are still a handicap for the international field of drivers. And the supply chains for spare parts have not yet been restored to 100%, which may cause supply shortages.
Peter Ölsinger, General Manager BRP-Rotax and Vice President Sales, Marketing RPS-Business & Communications provides more details: “The coronavirus situation has already had an impact on delivery dates and production schedules in many economic sectors for months – BRP-Rotax also had a short-time work phase. Restrictions due to this situation have additionally caused supply shortages at the suppliers for individual components: All these issues have created delays – despite our tireless efforts. Ultimately, ‘Project E20’ is a highly complex product in which many different partners are involved.”
Organiser reduces the registration fee
To appropriately adjust the fees for drivers due to the cancellation of one of the race weekends, the organiser has reduced the registration fee to €9,990 incl. VAT. The German Electric Kart Championship (DEKM) is entering its third season in 2020 and can once again offer a few highlights. All four race events will be held in Germany this time around and Wackersdorf will host the DEKM on two separate occasions.
Promotion of the champion includes a test day in a GT4 sports car and other prizes
Porsche Motorsport is once again a partner of the German Electric Kart Championship in its third year and will support the winner in his development as a racing driver with various training programmes. In addition, he will win a test day in the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport. “The strong partners of the DEKM are an important component for the success of the championship. I’m thus all the more delighted that we are able to offer the winner a test day in a Porsche racing car this year in cooperation with Allied-Racing. In addition, the winner, runner-up and a DEKM driver picked at random will be invited to the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals.
Online registration is possible on the DEKM website
Drivers can once again easily register for the German Electric Kart Championship using an online form, which is available on the website www.dekm.de. The reduced registration fee for the four scheduled race weekends is now €9,990. This includes all entry fees, the provision and transport of the e-kart incl. the trolley to all events, a uniform race suit and teamwear for the driver and mechanics.
2020 DEKM race calendar
28 – 30/08/2020 – Mülsen / DKM
04 – 06/09/2020 – Wackersdorf / RMCET
25 – 27/09/2020 – Wackersdorf / DKM
16 – 18/10/2020 – Ampfing / DKM