Viterbo, June 8, 2025 – The intense race days at the Leopard Circuit Viterbo have come to an end. Trophies were awarded in the single-speed categories of international karting. The final winners were: Jules Avril (FRA – FIA Karting Academy Trophy Senior), Samuel Hugon (FRA – OK Junior), and Christian Costoya (ESP – OK).

Another long weekend of top-level karting is now in the books at the Leopard Circuit Viterbo. With growing excitement and participation, the third round of the CIK-FIA European Championship—reserved for single-speed categories—has concluded, marking an important milestone in the track’s racing calendar. Following the WSK international competitions and the Italian ACI Karting Championship, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile has recognized the quality of work carried out in recent months at the Leopard Circuit. Modernization efforts at the historic Viterbo kart track have drawn international attention to the entire area, which has clearly benefited from a significant economic boost, with attendance reaching around 5,000 people over recent weekends.

The presence of institutions further enhanced the European weekend, with notable guests including Dr. Antonella Sberna, Vice President of the European Parliament; Chiara Frontini, Mayor of Viterbo; and Emanuele Aronne, Viterbo’s Councillor for Sport. Alongside them were John Ryan, CIK-FIA Vice President; Raffaele Giammaria, President of the ACI Sport Karting Commission; Miograd Kotur, Team Principal of Leopard Racing; Mattia Calda, Manager of Mondokart; and Barbara Moreschini representing the organization, who all took part in awarding the podium finishers.

Jules Avril takes victory in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy

After dominating the early stages of the weekend, British driver Harrison Whitticombe—who also started from pole in the third and final heat—suffered a technical issue that forced him to retire before the checkered flag. Credit goes to Frenchman Jules Avril, who secured second in qualifying and consistent results in earlier heats, then went on to win Heat 3 and claim pole position for the final.

Starting from pole, Avril held the lead from lights out to the checkered flag, securing victory. Whitticombe faced a tough challenge starting from fifth on the grid, ultimately finishing second ahead of Turkey’s Ates Birinci, who maintained the third position he had already secured in the heats.

Samuel Hugon wins OK Junior as favorites fall out

The OK Junior final was full of twists. Despite taking pole position in qualifying, championship leader Noah Baglin (Prema Motorsport) struggled for consistency. Instead, Turner Brown (USA) and Ilie Crisan (Canada) stood out in the heats and Super Heats. Starting from pole and alongside Crisan, Brown’s race ended early due to contact between the two on lap three.

French driver Samuel Hugon (VictoryLane) capitalized on the situation, climbing from sixth on the grid to take the lead on lap four. After a close battle with Australia’s William Calleya, Hugon secured the win, followed by Calleya and the Netherlands’ Dean Hoogendoorn in third.

Thanks to his podium finish, Hoogendoorn now leads the overall standings heading into the final round in Denmark. Baglin fought back from 15th to finish seventh, leaving the title decision to the last race.

Costoya dominates from start to finish

A flawless weekend for Spain’s Christian Costoya (Parolin Motorsport), the only driver to break the 51-second lap barrier. He dominated throughout, winning heats, Super Heat, and the final with a clear margin. This performance puts him in a strong position for the 2025 title.

Australia’s James Anagnostiadis, second in the standings, could only manage fifth place in the final. Joining Costoya on the podium were Vladimir Ivannikov in second and Malta’s Jacob Micallef in third. The top Italian finisher was Filippo Sala, who placed sixth.

With the final checkered flag, the European weekend and a series of outstanding events came to a close, bringing the newly renovated Leopard Circuit Viterbo and the city itself into the international motorsport spotlight. The racing action now pauses, awaiting the return of major karting events to the Tuscia region in the coming months.

Final Standings – FIA Karting Academy Trophy Senior
Jules Avril (FRA)
Harrison Whitticombe (GBR)
Ates Birinci (TUR)
Maciej Woda (POL)
Hiroki Sato (JPN)
Olert Jennie (SWE)
Final Standings – OK Junior
Samuel Hugon (FRA)
William Calleya (AUS)
Dean Hoogendoorn (NED)
Gianmatteo Rousseau (PAN)
Luka Scelles (FRA)
Henry Domain (GBR)
Final Standings – OK
Christian Costoya (ESP)
Vladimir Ivannikov
Jacob Micallef (MLT)
Louis Cochet (FRA)
James Anagnostiadis (AUS)
Filippo Sala (ITA)