Macau, China, 28 Sept -More than 100 of the world’s leading young karters will come to Macau October 9 to compete for the championship crown at the Kartodromo de Macau on Coloane.
It is the first time the world championship is held in Asia.
Macau hosts the annual Macau Grand Prix, featuring the FIA Formula 3 Intercontinental Cup, two rounds of the FIA World Touring Car Championship, and the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix.
It has also staged numerous other international sporting events, such as the 2005 East Asian Games, the 2007 Asian Indoor Games and the Portuguese Speaking Countries Games
The world championship represents another feather in Macau’s cap with the CIK-FIA Karting Asia-Pacific KF3 Championship to be held concurrently, as well as a number of support races.
Chong Coc Veng, president of Automobile General Association Macau-China, said the city had earned a glowing reputation for hosting major motorsports, according to South China Morning Post
Over the years, the World Karting Championship has helped to launch the careers of Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Robert Kubica.
“If you want to spot a future Formula One world champion, Macau is the place to be next month,” Chong said.
Marco Ardigo, the Italian reigning karting world champion, will return to defend his title for a third time, although he is expected to receive tough opposition from Libor Toman, of the Czech Republic, and England’s Gary Catt, both of whom were on the podium last year.
David Fore, another Italian, who has won four world championships, and Frenchman Manuel Renaudie, are also strong title contenders.
Karting has become faster and more exciting over the years because of new technological advances.
Karts can now travel at speeds in excess of 120 kph on their 40-42 horsepower engines.
(MacauNews)
