The launch of the IAME Series Benelux was a vote in favour of karting in general and for the IAME X30 categories in particular. No fewer than 206 drivers from 15 different countries came to the Karting des Fagnes (Mariembourg) and, despite changeable conditions, they put on a magnificent show in a competition more relevant and more international than ever.

After the rain on Saturday for qualifying practice and the first qualifying heats, the wet track on Sunday morning dried out rapidly with the return of the sun. So to take a leading position at the opening event of the IAME Series Benelux, drivers had to cope with all climatic conditions and quickly adapt their driving style to them. This is what happened in the first of the four championship events in 2018.

X30 Senior: a faultless run by Van Splunteren

Considered the premier class, with no fewer than 83 riders present, the X30 Senior class (14-30 years old) pitches young guns against more wily old hands. At 26, Joey Van Splunteren is one of the latter. Second in qualifying, the Dutchman took the lead after the qualifying heats. In the final, he dropped briefly to the 3rd row before getting the better of the French driver Corentin Collignon and William Godefroid. So it was the experienced drivers who monopolised the podium on the day. Fourth, Rens Van Pelt was the first pilot from the X30 Junior class, beating the Frenchman Charles Tesnière and another young driver Elie Goldstein. Second after the qualifying heats, the small Brussels lad lost his way at the start and was in 17th place after the first lap. Regaining 6th position and posting the fastest lap in the race, Elie has shown that he is also a candidate for the title. The duel between the generations is just beginning!

X30 Junior: Lévêque with style

Reserved for young drivers between 12 and 15 years of age, the X30 Junior class also had a strong international flavour. Although the Brit Ben Fayers took advantage of the rain to post the fastest time in qualifying practice, he had to concede his place at the top of the classification to Sam Balota after qualifying heats. Starting from pole position, the young Belgian led at first before being overtaken by Valon Janssen and Enzo Lévêque. In brilliant form, the French driver took control at the halfway point, never to relax it. For second place, the battle was fierce to the end, with a rather chaotic last lap. Valon Janssen took silver in front of Frenchman Victor Bernier, Ben Fayers and Sam Balota. Praise is also due for the fine 6th place taken by Loïs Delbart in front of the young Dutchman Bart Ploeg, straight out of the Mini category (he had finished runner-up in the 2017 championship).

X30 Cadet: first Belgian success for Furon-Castelain

Proving to be the fastest in qualifying practice, Mathias Focan was the surprise of the X30 Cadet class (10-13 years), and he confirmed it during the qualifying heats, which allowed him to take pole position for the final! But on a track which was completely dry once again, Mathias could do nothing against the Italian Andrea Salvatore Gulizia, who dominated this decisive battle ... before being declassified after the scrutineers’ inspection. It was then the Franco-Luxembourg driver Maxime Furon-Castelain, who had been rather unlucky in a qualifying heat, who won his first race in Belgium! Behind him, Olivan Fayt won his duel against Mathias Focan for 2nd place. Starting from 14th position after a catastrophic start to the weekend, Victor Louis made a great recovery to 4th place, with Nohlan Rairoux just finishing in the top 5 after a magnificent duel with Youri Bonte.

Mini: Nathan Ottink con brio

Relief is guaranteed in the IAME Series Benelux! No fewer than thirty pilots in fact made up the pack in the Mini class (7-11 years old). Leader after practice and winner of the final, Nathan Ottink did not miss out in this season opener. It was only at the end of qualifying heats that the young Dutchman had to give the lead to the young Aaron Ferrazzano. But in the final, Nathan emerged victorious from a very lively lead group also including Jordi Drees, defending champion Kimmy Abraham, Amaury Meertens and Dutchman Sacha Van't Pad Bosch, finally ranked in that order. Starting from pole position, Aaron Ferrazzano had to settle with the points for 6th place.

X30 Super Shifter: Piirimägi wins

The X30 Super Shifter class for karts with gearboxes did not lack intrigue. In the first qualifying heat, Christof Huibers, on pole, was unable to start because of a technical problem. Reigning champion, Roy Bakker had exactly the same bad luck in the second heat ... Forced to start in the middle of the pack for the final, they left the way open to Sten Dorian Piirimägi. The Estonian, who has been competing in IAME Belgium competitions in various age categories, did not miss his opportunity. Winner of his two qualifying heats, he won the final ahead of Belgium's Stephen Van Ginneken and Kaspar Korjus, also from Estonia. Roy Bakker completed a damage-limitation exercise by returning to 4th place ahead of Thomas Vansteenberghe.

X30 Master: Kieltyka imperious

You can talk about absolute domination! In the rain and in the dry, Fabien Kieltyka left nothing for his opponents in X30 Master (more than 30 years of age or more than 80 kg). Third in qualifying, the defending champion first won his two qualifying heats before winning the final with a lead of 7 seconds. A successful record-breaker at the Le Mans Karting 24 Hours, Wilfried Lecarpentier was seeking to give him a hard time after having set the fastest lap in practice. But the Frenchman had to settle for less, although still ahead of his compatriot David Chenillot, Justin Bonnes and the returning Hubert Bauthier. Having crossed the finish line in 3rd place, Jan Van Aasche was given a 10-second penalty for a detached spoiler and had to settle for 6th place, just in front of Luca Blasi, the best Veteran (over 45 years old).

After this extremely successful start to the season, the IAME Series Benelux will continue at Francorchamps on 28 and 29 April next.