Julie Tonelli Foundation at the Monaco Cup

If ever a kart race could be called extraordinary it’s this one - the Monaco Kart Cup is where the Formula 1 mindset makes an incursion into the world of karting. Racing in such a mythical location as Monaco, where Grand Prix racing has been going on since 1929, is an event in itself but what really makes the kart racing here so special is the extraordinary investment that race organisers Automobile Club de Monaco put into it each year. This year once again Julie was present in spirit to watch over the Junior and Endurance racing.

It’s amazing all that goes into organising an event like the Monaco Kart Cup: 3500 tyres, 2400 Tecpro safety barrier modules, 120 marshals, 8 cameras, 4 giant screens, … There is nothing to match it when it comes to a temporary race track. The show is grandiose for the spectators lucky enough to be present as the drivers get to grips with a technically demanding 1075-metre circuit.

The Juniors are always a joy to watch, everyone wants to win at Monaco. Victory here is often a springboard for success, as illustrated by Robert Kubica, who won in 1998 and 1999, or Sebastian Vettel, victorious in 2001. Both went on to have successful motor racing careers.

Thirty-six KF3 drivers from fourteen different countries took part in the 2nd annual Monaco Junior Grand Prix race. Briton Oliver Rowland (Topkart/Comer) dominated the time trials. Driving peerlessly, he repeated the performance in the qualifying heats and in the prefinal. Then Oliver was quickest out of the starting blocks in the final. After three laps of yellow flags and Go SLOW panels Oliver started to fly and opened up a lead but cruelly for him, mechanical problems set in on the 18th lap and he was forced to drop out of the race. However, the explosive talent of Oliver Rowland was plain for all to see at Monaco and next season will doubtless find the British ICA Junior champion hogging the podium on the international scene.

Team-mate and fellow-countryman Jordon Lennox-Lamb was equally unlucky. Various bumps meant he had to make do with 8th place after the heats and 13th in the prefinal. So it turned out to be a tough weekend for this up-and-coming driver who had managed to pick up a very creditable 11th spot in the European championship race in Sarno.

Our Portuguese friends were in battling form in Monaco. Quick in practice, David Rambeau had a rough time during the heats, especially the one in which he managed to turn his kart over! Then, after starting from 31st place on the grid, he got up to 19th in the prefinal and 13th in the final. Quite an achievement! Joao Pinto also ended up well, coming 16th in the final after starting back in last place: 34th on the grid!

Swiss driver Alex Fontana (PCR/Windfire) looked to be set for a great weekend after starting from a modest 17th spot in the timed laps. He was very quick during the qualifying heats, which he came through in 5th place. Better still, he drove a brilliant prefinal race to finish 3rd before sadly having to drop out of the final. Alex’s compatriot Joel Amberg (Monza/Vortex) is improving all the time as his 17th spot in the final shows, despite having been baulked during the race.

It was young French KF3 driver Hugo Meunier’s first outing in Monaco. Inexperienced he may be, but Hugo showed how quick he is to adapt to life amongst the connoisseurs. The first surprise came when he signed the 10th fastest lap in practice. He got jostled out of his stride in the heats but came back strongly in the prefinal, finishing 18th, and did even better in the final, adding an impressive 11th place to his list of achievements.

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