KZ and KZ2 European Championship: the Aragon track analyzed by Markus Kajak
- Francesca Zito
- Jul 3, 2024
- 2 min read
The karting world is back again, this time with the KZ and KZ2 categories, for the first time in the 2024 season: it will be the motorland of Aragon to host the first round of the CIK-FIA European Championship. The most experienced drivers are ready to battle on one of the most interesting tracks. For the occasion, one of the strongest and most promising KZ drivers, Markus Kajak, analyzed the track exclusively for us.
Track characteristics: speed and long straights
One of the key points for kart racing is always the possibility or not to overtake, which depends mainly on the layout of the track: in this case, the Aragon kart track is not only extremely fast and wide, but also has long straights, that together with other points of the track, offers the drivers more chances to overtake.
"The track layout is incredibly fast and notably wide, featuring big elevation changes that add to the complexity and excitement. With long straights where drivers can achieve high speeds, making it a thrilling experience for both participants and spectators."
The track layout includes numerous opportunities for overtaking, particularly in the long, flowing corners where drivers tend to take a wider line than usual to maintain speed. This, added to the above, makes the Aragon track unique and extremely interesting.
New tyres and few certainties
As happened at the beginning of the season for the OK and OKJ categories, also in KZ and KZ2 it is time to change tyre suppliers: if for the first Maxxis were the chosen ones, for the more experienced drivers it was decided to use Dunlop’s. This adds unpredictability to the first round of the championship, because the information available on the behavior of the new tyres, is not much, so it becomes difficult to make predictions without having data in hand.
"This year, Dunlop tyres are also being introduced, which adds an element of unpredictability. There isn't much information available yet about how these tyres will perform over qualifying and heat races."
All the uncertainties on the tyres also make it difficult to hazard names on who may be the favorites for the weekend, since there is not Champions of the Future as a reference point. For the categories with gears, in fact, no race is organized on the same track where the European championship is held, as is the case for the OK and OKJ categories.
The names that cause a stir are certainly those of the multiple champion Lorenzo Travisanutto, engaged in the KZ category, as well as Danilo Albanese, David Trefilov, Matteo Viganò, and the 2023 world champion Paolo Ippolito. As for the KZ2 drivers, the eyes are on the OK 2022 World Champion Matheus Morgatto, the Italian Cristian Bertuca, Daniel Vasile and, inevitably, Markus Kajak.
"Overall, the combination of the fast track, significant elevation changes, and new tyres promises an exhilarating challenge for all involved."
So, we just have to enjoy this weekend full of adrenaline, curious to see who will be able to cross the chequered flag in first place at the first round of the European Championship.
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