IKWC Drivers 2nd at Granja Viana
November 15, 2009
November 15, 2009 - (Sao Paulo, Brazil) -
Team KartGP with IKWC drivers Filipe Jorge, Pedro Washington, Luir Miranda, as well as Rafael Henning took 2nd place at the first edition of the 500 mile Granja Viana Amateur Rental Kart race, staged on November 1, 2009. The 2nd place was well celebrated, but bitter-sweet as the team had lead almost the entire race
A total of 340 drivers split into 42 teams participated in the historic event, which is sure to turn into a tradition that will rival its sister event, the Granja Viana 500 Mile "pro" race which uses slightly more powerful karts and features among its many amateur competitors a number of driver from the Formula 1, Indycar, and Brazilian professional ranks.
The race is very similar to the Granja Viana 500, and uses the same track configuration. The main difference is the regular Granja Viana rental karts are used, and teams switch karts among themselves during the many pitstops of the 12 hour, 578 lap event. " It is a great way for drivers to get their first taste of long endurance races and the perfect practice ground to get ready for the main 500 Mile race with the pros." said Felipe Giaffone, promoter of the event.
The start was in the old "Le Mans" style (photo), in honor of the most traditional of all endurance races. It was a very exciting spectacle with 42 karts scrambling for position down the straight. Team CPDB was on pole, with drivers Armando Shalders and Gilberto Gutierrez and a lap time of 1min04sec598. After the tumultuous first laps, 2 teams with IKWC drivers began to shine. First was Team KartGP, with Pedro Washington at the wheel, who jumped from 18th to 8th, and soon was challenging the leaders. The other was Team Technofit with driver Ed Cordeiro at the helm. Cordeiro had score the fastest time in "free" practice, and set the lap record for these karts on this track with a 1min03sec327.
The winners of the first event was Team Meteoro/Corredor X, with drivers Joao Mauro, Miguel Castro, Peterson Nakamura, Rodrigo Sgarbi, and Wendel Capraro. As a prize, the team will receive a free entry in the 500 Mile Granja Viana "Pro" race.
The 2nd place team of Jorge, Washington, Miranda, and Henning took home a Mega Karts chassis as their prize for finishing on the second highest step on the podium.
The Kartodromo Granja Viana will be hosting the 2009 edition of the 500 Mile Granja Viana "Pro" Race on December 5, 2009. Rubens Barrichello, Felipe Massa, Tony Cannan, and many other stars of professional racing will be among the participants, as well as a number of IKWC veterans.
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