Last weekend was the first event of the EUROPEAN SUPERKART SERIES (ESS) 2014 which traditionally starts on the 4,5km classic Hockenheim Grand Prix circuit. In total 31 Pilots in the Division 1 (2 Cylinder 250ccm) and Division 2 (1 Cylinder 250ccm) from 10 nations were looking for points and trophies.

As already visible in Oschersleben 3 weeks earlier at the season pre-test, some new technical improvements on the engine and tyre side lead to some very quick lap-times which give some hopes that the lap record from last season – 1:38.76 min - might be improved during qualifying.  There was a strong competition in the 2x 20min sessions, but it seems the grip level of the track was not there.  But one of the season favourites made it for Pole Position in a time of 1:41.48 min. Adam Kout (CZ / MS-Kart / DEA) [Chassis/Engine] was the fastest man ahead of returnee David Pickel (Aderson / BRC) in 1:41.02 min and Danish driver Henrik Lilja (PVP/PVP) in 1:41.47 min who always show strong performance at Hockenheim confirmed by his victories there last season.  The top 5 were completed by 2008 European Champion Peter Elkmann in 1:41.8 min (MS-Kart/VM) who returns after some time of absence and old hand Guido Kleinemeyer  (PVP/DEA) who achieved a time of 1:42.53 min in the second session where he only had 2 laps before heavy rain stopped the session and after he had no laps in the first session due a massive gearbox failure.

In division 2 Mark Nachtgeller (PVP/Suzuki) achieved the Pole ahead the 2013 champion Helmut Dutz (PVP/GASGAS) and Ludovic Demuys (MS-Kart/Aprilia).

After the very heavy rain and storm on Friday evening the competitors faced nice and dry wheatear conditions for race Saturday. Man of the first race was Henrik Lilja who won the season opener with a gap of 1,9 sec. ahead of Guido Kleinemeyer who nearly had a perfect run as well. Last step on the podiom was taken by Pole-setter Adam Kout.  David Pickel took 4th place ahead of 2013 champion Daniel Hentschel (Anderson/DEA) on 5th, who could achieve some important championship points after the qualifying didn´t run as he hoped to do.

The champion in division 2 of 2013 Helmut Dutz was the man who picked up the winner’s trophy, after the fastest man of the practice Mark Nachtgeller  did not finished due technical issues.  2nd place went to Oliver Brossard (F / MS-Kart / Aprilia) in front of Toni Mihalic (PVP/GASGAS).

Just 5 hrs later the second race was on the agenda and this time the top 5 from practice sort the positions under themselves. After he didn´t finished the first race due technical issues this time Peter Elkmann achieved 5th place. Guido Kleinemeyer took 4th place and changed position with David Pickel who finished 2nd behind winner Adam Kout who could transform his pole position into victory. 3rd position on the podium was taken by Henrik Lilja..

Due the change of positions in the 2 races there is an unusual ranking after the first race weekend.  Henrik Lilja and Adam Kout share 1st place with 41 points head of pairing Guido Kleinemeyer and David Pickel with 33 points. Behind on 5th position is 2013 champion Daniel Hentschel who finished 6th in the second race.

It division 2 Helmut Dutz made it clear again that he will fight for the championship again by taking victory in the second race ahead of Oliver Brossard and Ludovic Demuys.

After the exciting start of the season the next event will be on 23.-25.May in Oschersleben. Afterwards following events stay on the schedule: 13.-15.June Hockenheim, 4-6.July Nürburgring, 1.-3.August Assen (NL) and 5.-7. September Dijon (F).