The FIA Cross Car Academy Trophy reaches its penultimate event of the season at the spectacular Maggiora Offroad Arena in Piedmont, Italy, an hour north-west of Milan.
The particular championship battle in the five-round series for aspiring rally, rallycross and autocross drivers aged from 13-16 years is shaping up to be a three-way fight between the particular most consistent performers within the field.
Spanish youngster Manuel Gayoso Vazquez leads the points standings after taking his second overall victory associated with the season at the previous event in Prerov last month. It was a remarkable display of determination from the driver who had to battle back right after being caught out by torrential rain in the particular second qualifying heat.
Second in the factors standings will be Czech driver Stanislav Brousek, who has yet to reach the top step of the particular podium general so far in 2022, but whose consistency with two second places and one third have kept him just seven points behind Gayoso Vazquez with two rounds remaining.
Five points further behind is Italy’s Valentino Ledda, that will be hoping to take advantage from being on home soil as he bids for a second overall victory this season and the chance to get back on terms with his rivals within the title race.
Ledda, who won the second round from the time of year at Toldijk in the Netherlands, knows that along with competition as close plus fierce because that in the Cross Car School Trophy, a 12-point deficit is going to be hard to overcome. Nevertheless, the Italian charger is upbeat about their prospects.
“Of course Miguel and Stanislav are fast – everyone is fast within the Mix Car Academy! ” Ledda said.
“But if something is easy to win then maybe it is worth less than something that you have to combat for. I am really happy with my own performance, I have had a little bit of bad luck sometimes yet things can change and there are lots of points remaining. ”
The FIA Cross Car School Trophy uses a single-chassis formula using the particular LifeLive TN5 cross car buggy, the two-wheel-drive machine boasting 75 horsepower through its Yamaha MT07 engine. Through each event, consisting of timed practice, three qualifying heats and a final, the drivers must race wheel-to-wheel on loose gravel, mastering the art of vehicle control plus sustaining momentum in the particular midst of frenetic action.
As well as the cars and full technical support from the Belgian team owned and operated by Yannick Neuville, the drivers receive one-to-one coaching and support from the particular team since part associated with the educational aspect of the collection. Yannick’s celebrated brother, 16-time FIA World Rally Championship event winner and five-time WRC runner-up Thierry Neuville, also takes a hands-on interest within these developing talents and is a regular member associated with the LifeLive event team.
Bubbling under and eager to show their talents at Maggiora, the top three contenders in the factors will have to work hard to keep clear of other rising stars in the series on its Italian adventure. Germany’s Samuel Drews has shown the pace needed in order to win being qualified heats but suffered poor luck within the finals so far this year – and luck can swiftly change.
Drews is currently locked in a battle to break through with Norwegian driver Eirik Steinsholt, Belgian youngsters Emilien Allart and Romauld Demelenne, Italy’s Matteo Bernini plus Cypriot-flagged lady racer Tara Laconico. A strong result at Maggiora could see any associated with these drivers vaulting up the order, with less than 20 points covering them from fourth place to ninth.
Already, enquiries over places for drivers in the 2023 FIA Mix Car Academy Trophy are being received through national motor federations (ASNs), to help promote their rising stars of the future. With the 2022 season having been priced at a highly competitive €21, 250 per car owner for all five events and driver assistance, the value of the series as a showcase for upward to 20 drivers is being clearly illustrated.
Part of the learning process for the drivers is usually sharing the particular stage with the FIA European Autocross Tournament and playing to packed crowds in the premier offroad venues in the region. Maggiora will provide this experience once again, as the FIA Cross Vehicle Academy opportunities sit side-by side with giants of autocross including Bernd Stubbe, Petr Nikodem plus Kevin Peters.
Practice and the first qualifying heat for the FIA Combination Car School in Maggiora will take place upon Saturday 24 September, along with the leftover heats plus final taking place the following day.
To find out more about getting a place on the grid please contact [email protected] become
The latest news and information from the 2022 FIA Cross Car Academy can be found here: https://www.fia.com/events/european-autocross-championship/season-2022/classifications
Full championship information can end up being found here https://www.xcacademytrophy.com
