Rubens Barrichello may have not secured an F1 seat for 2009, but remains king of the Kart events at the end of the season in Brazil.

Two weeks after winning the Granja Viana 500 Mile for the eighth time, the F1 veteran won the International Challenge of Go-Kart Champs, in front of 12.000 supporters who attended the race promoted by Ferrari’s Felipe Massa. Lucas di Grassi was second in the aggregate results that left the host with the last spot in the podium.

Barrichello won the first race, ahead of Di Grassi and Brazilian Stock Car ace Thiago Camilo. With a reversed Top 8 positions grid, Massa won in the second, beating Felipe Giaffone and Di Grassi in the process. Michael Schumacher collected a 4th place in the first heat, but was prevented from continuing in the second after being hit from behind by Camilo. “He was probably touched by someone, which is very often in races like that,” said the German. Asked if could come back next year, Schumacher seemed optimistic. “Why not? I love the atmosphere here and the people’s participation.”

The event was promoted under the shadow of a tragedy that shocked the Santa Catarina State, whose capital is Florianópolis. Over 100 people died and more than 54,000 families were left homeless after the flooding and earth slides caused by heavy rains last week. “We have been able to raise funds and donations for those people who lost everything and could not come to see us”, said Massa, who donated himself $25,000, who urged his colleagues to follow his example and they did not let him down. Schumacher has promised to give $10,000.

Barrichello praised the supporters for the ovation he received after taking the chequere flag. “I must confess that I was worried about the attendance. I thought they might not come this year, given the recent events. "To hear my name shouted again was superb and gives me an extra push to go on with my plans of continuing to race in Formula 1.”

The Brazilian admitted that he whas not been called yet to attend the test session at Jerez which gets underway next week. “Monday is the first day of the week, let’s wait until tomorrow”, he joked.

Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi did not take part of Heat 2 after he injured his ribs in the first race.

Heat 1