IKWC Drivers Begin Practice in Macae!
July 19, 2009

Many IKWC drivers are already on track in Macae practicing for the 2009 Indoor Kart World Championship. First driver impressions are that the track is very fast and grip level is higher than expected. In the true spirit of indoor kart racing, practice has an "open" format, and throughout this week, anyone can test their skills in the IKWC track and karts driving along starts such as 2007 World Champion Rodrigo Faulhaber, Pedro Washington (#2 in the current world ranking), Filipe Jorge (IKWC Pre-Qualifier Champion), among many other top drivers. Part of practice includes the running of the Macae' Cup, a local event which will be used to test the track and its brand new electronic scoring system in actual racing conditions to ensure all is checked and any glitches resolved before the start of the World Championship. The first foreign drivers are expected to begin arriving later this week.

TV Globo video clip: http://in360.globo.com/rj/noticias.php?id=3749

Faulhaber is believed to have logged more laps than any other driver so far at the freshly built Macae' Indoor Kart Track, and looks to be in top form. However, Faulhaber understands the competitive nature of the event and is the first one to tone down his own chances in a recent interview with local Globo TV: "Its a very difficult Championship, there will be at least 15 or more very strong Brazilian drivers who can win, plus at least as many top foreigners, but I'll do my best." If Faulhaber is able to emerge as the 2009 World Champion, it would be the first time in the history of the event that a driver would win the Title twice. But he is not alone aiming at this goal. Current World Champions Mathias Grooten and Gregory Laporte from Belgium are after the same goal and should prove to be able challengers. Grooten comes to Brazil not only as the current World Champion, but also as Belgian Champion and ranked as the #1 indoor kart driver in the world.

Practice schedule has been changed. Practice will end Monday Aug 3, at 4PM. The MetalMoro IKWC kart fleet will then be revised and brand new tires installed. The karts will not be used and the track will be silent until the start of the event on Tuesday Aug 4.