This Sunday at Spa-Francorchamps’ karting circuit Marti had the opportunity to test the FIA Academy Cross Car. This is a new academy for drivers aged between 13-16 years old where they’re driving equal 600 cc motorcycle engined cross-cars. The aim of the academy is to prepare the drivers for WRC or WRX. The cars are all manufactured by the company of 5-times WRC vice-champion and Hyundai WRC driver Thierry Neuville.
The races are supporting the FIA European Auto-cross championship.
Marti was the youngest driver at this test where there was no timing, but everybody was impressed by him and happy with his driving, including Neuville.
The track conditions were quite tricky as it snowed during the night only to get melted for the test. Marti learned how to use the hand brake for taking taking sharp turns which he learned fast and started overtaking some of the other drivers.
He liked how the car handled because it had to be driven hard and manipulated to slide, brake and turn.
The future for season 2022 for Marti is still quite uncertain, but Cross-cars present an interesting alternative.
