PRESS RELEASE - TKART - This year he still may be learning about the top class of non-gearbox karting, but Benjamin Lessennes has rapidly shown that he is a driver to watch! Understanding in the Strakka BhaiTech team is excellent and performance is there, as proved by the 4th place gained in Castelletto at the second round of the WSK Super Master Series.

Benjamin Lessennes is very much a young man in a hurry. Although in 2015 he is in his first season in the KF class, the benchmark for non-gearbox karts, the young Belgian driver is hungry for success. After being top of the KF-Junior class last year, “Benji” joined the Strakka BhaiTech team to tackle this new challenge. And we did not have to wait long for good performances …

“Already at the first round of the WSK Super Master Series, in Adria, I was on the button,” the Coyote Racing Team protégé recalls. “I was 4th in the Prefinal when my engine failed on the first lap … so I didn’t score any points.”

Two weeks later, it was time for the second round of this international series bringing together all the favourites for the next European and World Championships. And Benjamin was determined to take his revenge. “Before arriving at Castelletto, the team decided to change engine manufacturer and is now relying on TM,” he explains. “But we didn’t need very long to adapt. In practice I clocked the 6th fastest time, just 125/1000th of a second from pole position. Then I ran two good qualifying heats to take 4th place in the intermediate classification on Saturday evening.”

On Sunday, the rain came. But kart #205 in the colours of Coyote and Motorhomes STX remained among the leaders, first of all taking 4th place in a hotly contested Prefinal. That put him 8th on the starting grid for the Final. “Unfortunately, my kart choked during the warm-up lap and I could not take my place in the pack. When I passed the start line I was 22nd…”

With his usual determination to win, Benjamin put on a great show on the damp track, gaining 9 places in the first lap, and then climbing gradually up the field. Fifth at the chequered flag, he benefited from a penalty given to another competitor to take the points for 4th place. “Without that problem at the start of the Final, I would probably have fought for the podium,” the young 15-year-old suggested. “But I don’t want to be picky! This was a very good weekend, during which we were constantly among the fastest drivers, many of whom have a lot more experience than me in this class. I feel great in the team, which is like one happy family, and relations with Flavio, my mechanic, and the technical team are perfect. We still have a lot of work to do to win, but I believe we are gaining in strength. I am extremely confident and ultra-motivated!”

The recent change of engine manufacturer will have repercussions on Benjamin’s schedule as he is competing in an additional race this week. “To hone our collaboration with the team and TM, the directors of Strakka BhaiTech decided to take part in the Trofeo Andrea Margutti, a winter classic held on the Lonato circuit. I will be back to my planned schedule on the weekend of 12 April with the 3rd round of the WSK Super Master Series in La Conca, where the World Championship will take place. Then I hope to be at the start of the Belgian Championship in the X30 Senior class … when I will be so happy to be racing in front of my fans!”

It is certainly a busy programme, but perfect for Benjamin, because he has made it perfect clear that he is very much a young man in a hurry …

More information at www.benjaminlessennes.com.