09/08/2007
NEWS STORY
Felipe Massa has confirmed today that Michael Schumacher will take part in the next edition of the International Challenge of Go-Kart Champs, a kart race that will attract once again international top drivers to the Ingleses Kart Track, in Florianopolis (700 km South off São Paulo), on November 24th and 25th. Twenty-five touring car and single-seater aces will fight for the victory in a double-header format with aggregate results.
The former Ferrari team-mates will share the track again, one year after the German's retirement. "In fact, Michael should have come for last year's race, but he was already committed with his children's vacation. In the beginning of this season, he asked me when it would happen this year. With the date confirmed, he said he would study his agenda. During the European GP, at the Nürburgring, he told me I could count on him", explained Massa.
A personal friend of the driver who smashed almost every F1 record, Massa doesn't hide his delight at Schumacher's participation in the International Challenge of Go-Kart Champs. "It will be such a pleasure to receive him in Brazil, especially for the race. We like each other, and his presence represents the importance, seriousness and professionalism of the event."
Of course, Schumacher's arrival will add a lot of excitement to the one-make event for chassis, engines (Iame-Parilla) and tyres (Bridgestone). "The stakes will be even higher on the driver's side, but that is the idea. Since its birth, the International Challenge of Go-Kart Champs proposal has been to bring the best drivers. By inviting important names from Formula 1, Indycars, GP2 Series, MotoGP and Brazilian Stock Car, the International Challenge of Go-Kart Champs will feature a top class field, maybe one of the best in the world", continued Massa.
Besides Massa and Schumacher, another Ferrari representative already guaranteed in the race is the Italian Luca Badoer, who is in his tenth year as the team's test driver. The guest list includes some more Formula 1 personalities, like Rubens Barrichello, Nelsinho Piquet and Vitantonio Liuzzi. According to Massa, there are more people wishing to race than available seats. "I am surprised by the number of drivers willing to race, but that's a sign of the interest created by the Challenge. Because of that, we will have to wait a little bit until announce the definitive line up."