Rinus van Kalmthout immediately up to speed in IAME X30 Super Shifter debut
Rinus van Kalmthout once again impressed with a fourth position on his X30 Super Shifter debut in the IAME X30 Euro Series. Even more special was the fact that the 15-year-old Hoofddorp resident had never driven a shifter kart before. The KNAF Talent First driver proved once again he is able to adapt very quickly to new situations, as he finished first, second and third in the three qualifying heats, and took fastest lap in each heat. In the pre-final, Van Kalmthout suffered tyre problems and finished fifth. In the final, the RR Racing driver lost touch with the top three when another competitor tried to overtake him. After sixteen laps and with tyres that were totally worn out, Van Kalmthout finished in fourth. “With the pace we had a better result should have been possible, but I learned so much in my first ever race with a shifter kart”, said Van Kalmthout after his Spanish race.
Less than two months ago, Rinus van Kalmthout put in an impressive performance during his debut in the Super X30 class of the new IAME X30 Euro Series. Last weekend, though, the 15-year-old Van Kalmthout had to face another challenge. As the Super X30 category didn’t race at Zuera, Spain, the KNAF Talent First karting talent duly entered the X30 Super Shifter class. Van Kalmthout had never driven a shifter kart before, and so had to face a new experience. Shifter karts need a different driving style, but once again Van Kalmthout proved he is able to adapt very quickly to a new environment. In the ultra-fast 175cc OTK kart with top speeds of almost 160 km/h, Van Kalmthout dominated free practice and finished on top.
In qualifying, Van Kalmthout was less successful and finished third, which also became his starting position in the three qualifying heats. In the first heat, Van Kalmthout finished second, only eight thousandths short of the winner. The young Hoofddorp resident not just took fastest lap, but also improved on his qualifying time. Disappointment followed soon, however, as the RR Racing driver got a penalty for a jumped start, dropping him back to third position. In the second qualifying heat, Van Kalmthout had a bad start and dropped back to sixth, but fought back to second position, and once again grabbed fastest lap of the race. Van Kalmthout saved the best for the last, as in the third qualifying heat the 15-year-old KTF driver stormed to his first-ever shifter kart win, four seconds clear of the field while once again claiming fastest lap of the race.
With his qualifying heat results, Van Kalmthout took pole position for the pre-final. But the RR Racing driver knew it would become a difficult race, as some other drivers were able to start the pre-final with newer tyres. A bad start didn’t make it any easier for Van Kalmthout, and when his tyres worsened during the race, he dropped back to fifth position, which became his grid position for the final.
In the final, Van Kalmthout had a perfect start, leaping up to third. But when someone tried to overtake him, he was pushed off-track. This not only lost him two positions, he also lost touch with the top three drivers in the race. However, Van Kalmthout fought back and finished his first-ever shifter kart race in fourth position. “With the pace we had a better result should have been possible. I even had the fastest lap of the weekend. In the pre-final my tyres were the problem, and in the final I lost touch with the top three due to that overtaking action. Without a slipstream you lose 0.3 seconds a lap, and then it’s impossible to close a gap. Also, my brand new tyres were totally worn out a few laps before the finish. I did learn a lot in my first weekend in a shifter kart and I’m sure I can use that experience in the near future”, said Van Kalmthout.
Van Kalmthout’s next race is next week on the same Spanish track at Zuera, when it’s time for round three of the Rotax Max Euro Challenge. The 15-year-old Hoofddorp resident is a provisional third in that championship.
This season, Rinus van Kalmthout is supported by Jumbo Supermarkten, Ford dealer Ardea Auto, Stern, Total, Goedkoopdrank.nl and Lease Performance.