Monaco Kart Cup

Last updated

Flag of Monaco.svg CIK-FIA Monaco Kart Cup
Monte Carlo Formula 1 track map with streets.svg
Category Kart racing
Country Monaco
Inaugural season1995
Folded2010
Classes2
(KZ2, KF3)
Last Drivers' champion Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Norman Nato
(KZ2)
Flag of Monaco.svg Charles Leclerc
(KF3)

The CIK-FIA Monaco Kart Cup was a kart racing competition organised by the ACM and sanctioned by the CIK-FIA, taking place at the Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo.

Contents

Founded in 1995, the event was contested until 2010 by drivers in junior and senior classes. The kart circuit followed Port Hercules of the famous Formula One track, including corners such as Tabac, La Piscine and La Rascasse. The junior race was known as the Junior Monaco Grand Prix [lower-alpha 1] from 2006 to 2010.

Notable winners of the Monaco Kart Cup include Formula One World Drivers' Champions Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, as well as other Formula One drivers Robert Kubica, Carlos Sainz Jr. and Charles Leclerc.

History

Early years (1995–2000)

The starting grid for the 2009 CIK-FIA Monaco Kart Cup KZ2 race 2009 KZ2 Monaco Kart Cup.jpg
The starting grid for the 2009 CIK-FIA Monaco Kart Cup KZ2 race

The Monaco Kart Cup was founded in 1995 by the Automobile Club de Monaco. It was initially contested in the direct-drive Formula A (FA) and Junior Intercontinental A (ICA-J) classes, as well as the gearbox Intercontinental C (ICC) class. The inaugural FA event was won by Nicola Gianniberti, with Éric Salignon winning the junior event and Portuguese driver Jaime Correia winning the ICC race.

In 1996, reigning two-time Formula One World Drivers' Champion Michael Schumacher entered the senior FA class, dominating the final to add the Monaco Kart Cup to his racing accolades.

The 1997 edition saw Salignon add to his 1995 title by winning the senior class, becoming the only driver to win in both the junior and the senior classes at the Monaco Kart Cup. Gianluca Beggio secured his second consecutive ICC title, adding to his five World Championships and three European Championships. The gearbox class was discontinued after the 1999 edition, not returning until 2009.

Robert Kubica took back-to-back junior titles in 1998 and 1999, becoming the first—and to this date, only—driver to win multiple Junior Monaco Kart Cups. Jérôme d'Ambrosio ended his reign in 2000, beating Michael Ammermüller and Carlo van Dam to the title.

Expansion and first cancellation (2001–2005)

The Monaco Stars Cup was hosted in 2001 and 2002 as an all-star race, won by Formula One drivers Gianni Morbidelli and Giorgio Pantano, respectively. The one-off Challenge Star Team was also contested in 2001, won by Italian driver Stefano Tilly. That year's junior event saw future four-time Formula One World Drivers' Champion Sebastian Vettel's victory, adding to his European Championship that season.

The 2002 Monaco Kart Cup saw the introduction of the 6 Hours of Monte Carlo, a six-hour endurance race around the Principality, held continuously until the final meeting in 2010. It was also the final year of the senior direct-drive FA class, with Benjamin Horstman successfully defending his 2001 title; Alexander Sims took the junior crown.

From 2003 to 2004, development work to the harbour at Port Hercules saw the cancellation of the event in those years. [1] The 2005 edition saw the introduction of the Monaco Four-Stroke Contest, using 250cc four-stroke engines. The one-off Monaco Rok Up was also contested that year, won by Swiss driver Antonio Ruggiero.

Junior Monaco Grand Prix and second cancellation (2006–2010)

Dennis Olsen (left), Charles Leclerc (middle) and Pierre Gasly (right) on the podium at the 2010 Junior Monaco Grand Prix 2010 Junior Monaco Grand Prix Podium.jpg
Dennis Olsen (left), Charles Leclerc (middle) and Pierre Gasly (right) on the podium at the 2010 Junior Monaco Grand Prix

The Junior Monaco Kart Cup was revived in 2006 as the Junior Monaco Grand Prix, now running as the primary class. Scott Jenkins beat compatriot Oliver Rowland, driving for Intrepid.

The all-star race returned in electric karts in 2007 as the one-off Monaco Elec-Kart Trophy, won by 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Stéphane Ortelli, becoming the first Monégasque driver to win an individual event at the Monaco Kart Cup. The junior class was contested under the newly-established KF3 regulations, won by Max Goff.

The senior gearbox class returned in 2009, replacing the four-stroke event and running the secondary KZ2 regulations. French driver Anthony Abbasse won the first KZ2 event, with Carlos Sainz Jr. winning the Junior Monaco Grand Prix.

2010—the final year of the event—saw hometown hero Charles Leclerc take the KF3 crown ahead of Dennis Olsen and Pierre Gasly. The KZ2 race was won by Norman Nato, driving for CRG. The 2011 edition was cancelled due to unspecified technical reasons, marking the end of the Monaco Kart Cup. [1]

Circuit

The Circuit de Monaco kart circuit during the 2008 CIK-FIA Monaco Kart Cup Circuit de Monaco Kart.jpg
The Circuit de Monaco kart circuit during the 2008 CIK-FIA Monaco Kart Cup

The Monaco Kart Cup was contested at the Circuit de Monaco, a street circuit in Monte Carlo, home of the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix since 1929. The track featured the port complex of the Grand Prix circuit—Tabac, La Piscine and La Rascasse—as well as the Formula One pit lane. The exit of the pit lane was connected to the port via a ramp and a hairpin corner. [2]

Winners

Junior direct-drive class (1995–2010)

The junior direct-drive class was held from the inaugural 1995 edition until its final 2010 edition. Until 2007, it was contested under ICA-J regulations, prior to the class being replaced by KF3 in international competition.

Robert Kubica was the only driver to win multiple Junior Monaco Grands Prix, winning back-to-back in 1998 and 1999. Notable winners in the junior class also include four-time Formula One World Drivers' Champion Sebastian Vettel and Formula One drivers Jérôme d'Ambrosio, Carlos Sainz Jr. and Charles Leclerc.

Key
*Driver has competed in Formula One
Formula One World Drivers' Champion
FIA World Champion in an auto racing discipline
YearWinnerChassisEngineTyresRunner-upThird placeClassStrokeReport
1995 Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Éric Salignon ICA-J 100cc Report
1996 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Nelson van der Pol ICA-J 100cc Report
1997 Flag of Germany.svg Marvin Bylitza ICA-J 100cc Report
1998 Flag of Poland.svg Robert Kubica * ICA-J 100cc Report
1999 Flag of Poland.svg Robert Kubica * (2) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Paul di Resta * Flag of Germany.svg Helmut Sanden ICA-J 100cc Report
2000 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Jérôme d'Ambrosio * Flag of Germany.svg Michael Ammermüller Flag of the Netherlands.svg Carlo van Dam ICA-J 100cc Report
2001 Flag of Germany.svg Sebastian Vettel ICA-J 100cc Report
2002 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alexander Sims Flag of Italy.svg Maranello Flag of Italy.svg Maxter VEGA Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Jean-Karl Vernay Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Thomas Mich ICA-J 100cc Report
2003

2005
Not held due to development work at Port Hercules
2006 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Scott Jenkins Flag of Italy.svg Intrepid Flag of Italy.svg Parilla B Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Oliver Rowland Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nigel Moore ICA-J 100cc Report
2007 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Max Goff Flag of Italy.svg Maranello Flag of Spain.svg XTR D Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Harvey Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Brandon Maïsano KF3 125cc Report
2008 Flag of Finland.svg Aaro Vainio Flag of Italy.svg Maranello Flag of Italy.svg Maxter D Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Brandon Maïsano Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Pascal Belmaaziz KF3 125cc Report
2009 Flag of Spain.svg Carlos Sainz Jr. * Flag of Italy.svg FA Kart Flag of Italy.svg Vortex VEGA Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Pascal Belmaaziz Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Rémy Deguffroy KF3 125cc Report
2010 Flag of Monaco.svg Charles Leclerc * Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Sodi Flag of Italy.svg Parilla D Flag of Norway.svg Dennis Olsen Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Pierre Gasly * KF3 125cc Report
2011Cancelled
Source: [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Senior direct-drive class (1995–2002)

From 1995 to 2002, the senior class at the Monaco Kart Cup was run under the secondary direct-drive Formula A (FA) regulations.

Benjamin Horstman was the only driver to win multiple senior direct-drive Monaco Kart Cups, winning back-to-back in 2001 and 2002. Notable winners include seven-time Formula One World Drivers' Champion Michael Schumacher, who entered the event upon winning his second World Championship.

Key
*Driver has competed in Formula One
Formula One World Drivers' Champion
FIA World Champion in an auto racing discipline
YearWinnerChassisEngineTyresRunner-upThird placeClassStrokeReport
1995 Flag of Italy.svg Nicola Gianniberti FA 100cc Report
1996 Flag of Germany.svg Michael Schumacher FA 100cc Report
1997 Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Éric Salignon FA 100cc Report
1998 Flag of Italy.svg Sauro Cesetti FA 100cc Report
1999 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Jan Heylen Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Patrick Pilet Flag of Italy.svg Cesare Balistreri FA 100cc Report
2000 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Brown Flag of Australia (converted).svg Benjamin Horstman Flag of Finland.svg Heikki Kovalainen * FA 100cc Report
2001 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Benjamin Horstman Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Pierre Ragues Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Jérôme d'Ambrosio * FA 100cc Report
2002 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Benjamin Horstman (2) Flag of Italy.svg Biesse Flag of the United States.svg Fox B Flag of Italy.svg Cesare Balistreri Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Jérôme d'Ambrosio * FA 100cc Report
Source: [3] [4] [5] [8]

Senior gearbox class (1995–2010)

The secondary gearbox class Intercontinental C (ICC) was contested as a tertiary competition at the Monaco Kart Cup from 1995 to 1999. After a seven-year hiatus, the senior class returned in 2009 under KZ2 regulations, replacing FA.

Gianluca Beggio was the only driver to win multiple gearbox Monaco Grands Prix, winning back-to-back in 1998 and 1999.

Key
*Driver has competed in Formula One
Formula One World Drivers' Champion
FIA World Champion in an auto racing discipline
YearWinnerChassisEngineTyresRunner-upThird placeClassStrokeReport
1995 Flag of Portugal.svg Jaime Correia ICC 125cc Report
1996 Flag of Italy.svg Gianluca Beggio ICC 125cc Report
1997 Flag of Italy.svg Gianluca Beggio (2) ICC 125cc Report
1998 Flag of Hungary.svg András Bakos ICC 125cc Report
1999 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Viktor Wagner ICC 125cc Report
2000

2008
Not held
2009 Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Anthony Abbasse Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Sodi Flag of Italy.svg TM D Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Thomas Mich Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Ken Allemann KZ2 125cc Report
2010 Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Norman Nato Flag of Italy.svg CRG Flag of Italy.svg Maxter VEGA Flag of Italy.svg Paolo De Conto Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Anthony Abbasse KZ2 125cc Report
2011Cancelled
Source: [3] [4] [5] [9]

6 Hours of Monte Carlo

From 2002 to 2010, a six-hour endurance race was held at the Monaco Kart Cup, contested as the Six Heures de Monte-Carlo. [10]

Winners of the 6 Hours of Monte Carlo

YearWinnersNationalityReport
2002 HUGO BOSS Watches Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Report
2003

2004
Not held due to development work at Port Hercules
2005KartographFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Report
2006Fast and FuriousFlag of Monaco.svg  Monaco Report
2007londonliving.comFlag of Germany.svg  Germany Report
2008Technique EngineeringFlag of Italy.svg  Italy Report
2009Kartograph (2)Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Report
2010Felle EuropeFlag of France.svg  France Report
Source: [3]

Monaco Stars Cup

From 2001 to 2002, the Monaco Stars Cup was held as an all-star race, contested again in 2007 as the Monaco Elec-Kart Trophy, or the VIP Electric Trophée, in electric karts. [11]

Winners of the Monaco Stars Cup

YearWinnerReport
2001 Flag of Italy.svg Gianni Morbidelli * Report
2002 Flag of Italy.svg Giorgio Pantano * Report
2003

2006
Not held
2007 [lower-alpha 2] Flag of Monaco.svg Stéphane Ortelli Report
Source: [3]

Monaco Four-Stroke Contest

From 2005 to 2008, a 250cc four-stroke race was held at the Monaco Kart Cup, contested as the Monaco Four-Stroke Contest. [11]

Winners of the Monaco Four-Stroke Contest

YearWinnerChassisEngineTyresRunner-upThird placeClassStrokeReport
2005 Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Wilfried Martins Four-stroke 250cc Report
2006 Flag of Germany.svg Claudio Mack Four-stroke 250cc Report
2007 Flag of Germany.svg Christian Voss Flag of Italy.svg Kosmic Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Suter B Flag of the United States.svg Kyle Ray Flag of France (lighter variant).svg Anthony Puppo Four-stroke 250cc Report
2008 Flag of Italy.svg Fabian Federer Flag of Italy.svg CRG Flag of Italy.svg Tech-F1 B Flag of Germany.svg Sebastian Golz Flag of Italy.svg Alberto Cavalieri Four-stroke 250cc Report
Source: [3] [4] [5]

Notes

  1. French: Grand Prix de Monaco Junior
  2. Held as the Monaco Elec-Kart Trophy.

See also

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References

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  7. "CIK-FIA ICA-J Monaco Kart Cup - Driver Database". Driver Database.
  8. "CIK-FIA FA Monaco Kart Cup - Driver Database". Driver Database.
  9. "CIK-FIA KZ2 Monaco Kart Cup - Driver Database". Driver Database.
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