CRG aiming high at the OK and OKJ World Championship in Sweden
Edition 2018 of the OK and OKJ World Championship is scheduled for this week from September 20th to 23rd in Kristianstad. The drivers of CRG Racing team and partner teams are ready to run a weekend as the protagonists in both categories. More than 220 drivers, the most prestigious brands and competitive teams will be the protagonist of the forthcoming World Championship for classes OK and OKJ in Kristianstad (Sweden).
This is the most important event of the International racing season for direct drive classes, the race that can launch the new future Motorsport stars and that has the highest return for the operators of this sector.
Since the introduction of the new OK engines, this is the edition with the highest number of entered drivers, which is a positive aspect that should further encourage national ASNs towards this sporting and technical choice for the National championships.
Following the excellent performances put in at the CIK-FIA European Championship with Pedro Hiltbrand and Gabriel Bortoleto, that were respectively third in OK and OKJ, CRG is aware of having what it takes to be the protagonist at the eve of this important event. The pre-race tests held in Kristianstad also confirmed the good potential of the CRG-TM package, that won the national race in August with Bortoleto in OKJ and put in great laptimes with all factory and satellite team’ drivers in collective tests.
The racing format of the World Championship to be run in one single event does not leave room for error though and will require the highest focus by drivers and engineers since free practice. The central day of the event will obviously be Sunday September 23rd, where the 34 finalists battling out the title will be defined after qualifying heats. The circuit of Kristianstad will certainly offer an excellent spectacle thanks to its many overtaking chances and technical sectors that will highlight the value of drivers and materials.
CRG drivers on track
CRG Racing Team will field Pedro Hiltbrand (OK n. 4), Callum Bradshaw (OK n. 11), Andrea Rosso (OK n. 20), Ayrton Fontecha (OK n. 39), Olin Galli Riveira (OK n. 101), Gabriel Bortoleto (OKJ n. 203), Enzo Trulli (OKJ n. 223), Tyler Maxson (OKJ n. 246), Alfio Andrea Spina (OKJ n. 248), Enzo Riccardo Scionti (OKJ n. 255), Tyler Gonzalez (OKJ n. 266), Xizheng Huang (OKJ n. 269), Christian Ho Zong Sean (OKJ n. 288).
DRIVERS EXPECTATIONS
Pedro Hiltbrand (OK): “As seen in KZ in Belgium, the World Championship in one round does not allow for errors and every technical itch costs dearly. The whole path towards the Final must be perfect. This was the case two years ago when I won the title in Bahrain with CRG and I hope I can live a similar weekend this time too in Sweden. We know we have a great potential both in terms of chassis and TM engine. We are focused and will do our best to get the highest possible result.”
Callum Bradshow: “I like a lot the track and after the recent tests I am positive for the work done with the team and chassis balance. We also had some good feedback in some engine tests and are ready for this exciting challenge. It would be great to kick off the weekend with the pole position as done last year, but it is more important to do a solid job in qualifying heats to get a good starting place on Sunday’s grid. We know that weather could be variable and that the race is going to be very difficult because the level of rivals is very high and this track is not used much, therefore grip conditions will change a lot over the course of the racing weekend.”
Gabriel Bortoleto (OK-J): “This is my second complete season with CRG Racing Team in OK Junior and I would like to capitalize on the work done and on my growth as a driver, getting the most of what the team has taught me so far. I am focused and positive about our potential, material, competence and experience of all our engineers and mechanics. I cannot wait to get on track."
THE EVENT LIVE
Friday September 21st will be dedicated to qualifying and racing action will be available through the Live Timing feed at www.cikfia.com
The Live Streaming service will be available from Saturday all the way to the Final on Sunday. Images and commentary from the circuit will cover qualifying heats on all devices. Backstage news, previews, images and special content from the CRG paddock will be posted on the social media and on CRG’s official website.
CRG’S / TININI GROUP HALL OF FAME IN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
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1984: Joern HAASE (DNK), FK 135cc
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CRG Kalì-Kart / Komet / Dunlop
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1984: Gabriele TARQUINI (ITA), FC 125cc
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CRG Kalì-Kart / Balen / Dunlop
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1985: Mike WILSON (GBR), FK 135cc
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CRG Kalì-Kart / Komet / Dunlop
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1985: Piermario CANTONI (ITA), FC 125cc
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CRG Kalì-Kart / Balen / Dunlop
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1988: Mike WILSON (GBR), FK 135 cc
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CRG / Komet / Dunlop
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1988: Emmanuel COLLARD (FRA), F. Super 100
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CRG / Rotax / Dunlop
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1989: Mike WILSON (GBR), FK 135cc
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CRG / Komet / Dunlop
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1989: Gianluca GIORGI (ITA), FC 125cc
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CRG Kalì-Kart / Kalì / Dunlop
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1990: Jan MAGNUSSEN (DNK), FK 135 cc
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CRG / Rotax / B’stone
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1990: Danilo ROSSI (ITA), FA 100cc
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CRG / Rotax / Dunlop
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1992: Danilo ROSSI (ITA), FK 135cc
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CRG / Rotax / Dunlop
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1992: Danilo ROSSI (ITA), FC 125cc
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CRG / Pavesi / Dunlop
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1993: Alessandro PICCINI (ITA), FC 125cc
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CRG Kalì-Kart / Pavesi / Dunlop
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1994: Alessandro MANETTI (ITA), FSA 100cc
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CRG / Rotax / Vega
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1997: Danilo ROSSI (ITA), FSA 100cc
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CRG / CRG / Dunlop
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1999: Danilo ROSSI (ITA), FSA 100cc
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CRG / CRG / Dunlop
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2001: Vitantonio LIUZZI (ITA), FSA 100cc
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CRG / Maxter / B’stone
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2002: Giedo VAN DER GARDE (NLD), FSA 100cc
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CRG / Maxter / B’stone
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2003: Wade Grant CUNNINGHAM (NZL), FA 100cc
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CRG / Maxter / B’stone
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2009: Arnaud KOZLINSKI (FRA), SKF 125cc
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CRG / Maxter / B’stone
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2010: Nyck DE VRIES (NLD), KF2 125cc
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Zanardi / Parilla / Dunlop
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2011: Nyck DE VRIES (NLD), KF1 125cc
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Zanardi / Parilla / B’stone
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2011: Matthew GRAHAM (GBR), U18 125cc
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Zanardi / WKE / LeCont
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2013: Max VERSTAPPEN (NLD), KZ 125cc
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CRG / TM / B’stone
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2013: Tom JOYNER (GBR), KF 125cc
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Zanardi / TM / Vega
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2015: Pex JORRIT (NLD), KZ 125cc
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CRG / TM / Bridgestone
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2016: Paolo DE CONTO (ITA), KZ 125cc
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CRG / TM / Vega
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2016: Pedro HILTBRAND (ESP), OK 125 cc
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CRG / Parilla / Vega
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2017: Paolo DE CONTO (ITA), KZ 125cc
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CRG / TM / Bridgestone
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2017: Danny KEIRLE (GBR), OK 125cc
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Zanardi / Parilla / LeCont
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