There have been many superb drives from karters in 2008. We have cherry picked a few drivers who have either done exceptionally well, or just simply put karting on the map!

Marco Ardigo – KF1 World, and European Champion

Well, there really isn’t much more that can be said about Marco Ardigo. It may always been a thorn in his side that he never managed to win a World Karting Title using the purer 100cc engines, but his total domination of the European Championship, and World KF1 Titles confirm that he is currently the best kart driver, if not driver, on the planet.

While Loeb, and Hamilton get all the media attention, Marco Ardigo has proved that in the purist motorsport of them all he is number 1.

However, 2009 has been a tough year for him. He didn’t have it all his own way. Had Kozlinski not had reliability problems in the European, and World Championship it would have been an ‘oh so’ different year for Ardigo.. But do not let this detract from the fact you have to be ‘in it to win it’, and Ardigo always was!

Rumours have been circulating that he may be moving to cars to find new challenges, but with the global economic problems as they are who knows what 2009 has in store for Ardigo.

Flavio Camponeschi – KF2 European Champion, and WSK Winner

A controversial entry and ‘Rules are Rules’ as they say, and this was the case for Flavio. An apparent brief ’splif’ undone what, up until after the KF2 World Cup, had been a perfect year for Camponeschi. Campo tested positive for Cannabis, and because of this he lost his KF2 World Cup title, and was banned for 6 months by the CIK. A strong stance from the FIA sets the example – touch drugs and your out!

But what Camponeschi had achieved in KF2 up until that judgement was nothing short of sensational. He won the WSK, European, and World Cup Titles in KF2.

Had it not been for a silly and naive mistake with Cannabis he would have been driver of the year. However breaking the rules is … breaking the rules, so he has to serve his time. Hopefully we will see a rejuvenated Camponeschi join the KF1 or Super KF or Super Duper KF/Z grid next year!

Chris Lock – UK Rotax MAX, and Euro MAX Champion

Chris Lock has had an absolutely brilliant year in Rotax MAX. His domination in Super 1 saw him crowned the UK Rotax Max National Champion. He went on to claim top honours in the EuroMax Challenge. Unfortunately he was unable to take the Rotax World Finals crown but managed a very respectable 2nd place behind fellow Brit Ben Cooper.

Next year we may see Chris take the step up into KF2!

Dan Wheldon – IndyCar

Dan Wheldon is no longer a full-time karter, and many will find this a bizarre addition to the list. But there probably isn’t another pro car racer on the planet that does as much for the credibility, and publicity of karting. This year he has competed in the SKUSA SuperNats, RoboPong 200, and the Stars of Karting All Stars Classic not afraid to put his reputation on the line to race in what he calls ‘the purist form of motorsport.’

He was actually quoted as saying at the SKUSA SuperNats ‘This (TaG class) is probably more competitive than IndyCar racing’. He was right, he didn’t win!

Hopefully Dan has set the example and we will see more pro car racers come back to karting to race (hint hint Lewis)

Don’t like the choices, or just want to suggest other drivers? Head over to the Karting1 Forum>>

Related posts:

1. KF Winter Series 2008/09 – Push For More KF1 Drivers Paying Off?
2. Ardi-no-go! Top drivers look set to miss out at CIK World Karting Championship!
3. Marco Ardigo Wins SKUSA SuperNationals!
4. Sunday – CIK Karting World Championship! Ardigo is champ as Kozlinski hopes die with engine failure!
5. CIK European Kart Championship Round 1 – Catt Puts TonyKart/Vortex Back on Top!