Filipe Jorge wins the Pre-Qualifier IKWC Championship!
June 05, 2009
Filipe Jorge, a veteran of the 2005 IKWC, began his 2nd appearance at the Indoor Kart World Championship by winning the Pre-Qualifier IKWC Tournament. The competition was exclusively for the Brazilian drivers from the state of Rio de Janeiro, where the number of interested drivers exceeded the local quota stipulated by organizers. "The number of interested drivers from Rio was large, and the Pre-Qualifier allowed us to distribute the available spots based on merit." said Chico Ingles, member of the IKWC organizing committee. "The quotas allowed us to ensure that the spectrum of Brazilian participants would include drivers from different parts of Brazil, and not just Rio." added Poul Hornemann, also from the organizing committee.
The Pre-Qualifying event was very well run, and race control was handled by the experienced Joao Guerra and Enio Russo, as well as the biggest name in race control in Brazilian Motorsport, Mihaly Hidasy, who used to be the chief stewart for the Brazilian Formula 1 Grands Prix for 18 years. "Our determination to run a serious event is such that we brought the most famous race director in Brazil to validate the IKWC Qualifier results." stated Ed Cordeiro, the 3rd member of the local IKWC organizing committee. The trio of race officials is expected to also be at the control of the IKWC event in Macae', and they may also be joined by Eric Goodman from the USA, veteran official of the 2005 and 2007 IKWCs.
But it was 23 year old Filipe Jorge who took the Tiltle in commanding fashion. Jorge led every single Pre-Qualifier race, and came to the last race leading the Championship, started on Pole, and won the race and the Championship, taking the top prize, a free/sponsored entry in the 2009 IKWC in Macae'. Second place went to Joao Tubino, Jorge's team mate, and in third place, 14 year old Max Jansen. "The quality of the drivers, the perfect service provided by the track, and the effort put out by the organizers made the Pre-Qualifiers feel like a Mini World Championship!" claimed Valdir Rodrigues, a driver from Macae'.
The IKWC organizers take the opportunity to thank Top Kart Indoor for their flawless service, great food, and for the brand new karts. The Top Kart track has entered a team in every IKWC and the records shows how serious they are serious about their racing. The Top Kart Indoor Team was World Champion in 2005, second in 2006, and second (and third), in 2007. Team Top Kart driver Rodrigo Faulhaber was World Champion in 2007, driver Ed Cordeiro won the Masters Title in 2006, and Thiago Costa and Pedro Washington finishing 2nd and 3rd in 2005, with Washingon taking 3rd again in 2008. Top Kart again fields one of the strongest teams for 2009, and hopes to retake the Team & Driver World Championship Titles.
Filipe Jorge in action at the Granja Viana 500 mile kart race.
Final results of the IKWC Pre-Qualifier for Rio drivers:
Grooten, Borremans, Van de Vel, & Soers win 24 hours of Brussels. | Back to News | 2009 IKWC Track comes to life!
