155 drivers entered the first round of Sarno, with 145 verified drivers in the 4 categories KF2, KF3, KZ2 and 60 Mini. This is quite a good figure that is absolutely in line with the past two editions: in the last two years, despite the recent economic downturn, 157 drivers were at the start in Sarno's season opener in 2012 and 160 the year before.

Very good presence of 38 drivers in KZ2, 41 in KF3 and 46 in 60 Mini, while the entry list of KF2 stopped at 21 but this International category (mainly due to costs) does not meet too much interest not only in Italy but also in the whole Europe.

In KF3 the entry list features some very strong drivers among which shines the presence of Giuliano Alesi, son of the Ferrari champion Jean Alesi, at his first season in karting which will continue in the coming rounds of the Italian Championship. "I believe that such high level races, as the one we already run in WSK” – told us Jean Alesi – "are a good training ground for my son. I think it is better to compete against the strongest drivers since the beginning, then we will see. I noticed some big improvements in Giuliano”.

In KF3 fifteen foreign drivers will be at the start, among which the Asian James Pull, the Japanese Ryuta Ueda, the Russian Nikita Mazepin, the Americans Logan Sargeant and Devlin De Francesco. The driver to beat will probably be Alessio Lorandi, who will find this year his brother Leonardo in the same category as he has been "promoted” from the 60 Mini. Solid growth also for Leonardo Pulcini, who was selected last year, together with Alessio Lorandi, for the Ferrari Driver Academy programme.

Despite the smaller numbers, KF2 will feature several strong drivers as the Briton Callum Illot, Moretti brothers Marco and Andrea, already protagonists last year, Francesco Iacovacci and Luca Corberi, both chosen last year for the Ferrari Driver Academy.

Another category that promises tight battles is KZ2 where the experienced drivers as last year's champion Alessandro Giulietti, or Massimo Dante, Marco Pastacaldi, Antonio Piccioni, Nicola Gnudi, Francesco Celenta, Ciro Mollo will have to face some strong rookies like Federico Pezzolla (KF2 champion last year), Alessio Piccini, Mattia Drudi and Gianni Vigorito.

The Baby champion Salvatore Corso will be racing in 60 Mini alongside several strong drivers like "Skeed", Nicola Abrusci, Leonardo Marseglia, Francesco Pagano, Abdul Muizzuddin, Giuseppe Fusco and many others that will certainly have the chance to shine during the season.

Meanwhile Friday's free practice started producing the first verdicts:
KZ2 first heat: Massimo Dante (Maranello-Tm) 1'04"907;
KZ2 second heat: Nicola Gnudi (Maranello Tm) 1'04"754;
KF2 first heat: Callum Illot (Zanardi-Parilla) 1'06"671;
KF2 second heat: Marco Moretti (Kosmic-Tm) 1'06"733;
KF3 first heat: Leonardo Pulcini (Tony kart-Vortex) 1'07"782;
KF3 second heat: Leonardo Pulcini (Tony kart-Vortex) 1'07"689;
60 Mini first heat: Leonardo Marseglia (Top Kart-Parilla) 1'16"704;
60 Mini second heat: "Skeed" (Top Kart-Lke) 1'16"770.

LIVE TV COVERAGE. Finals-1 will be broadcast live on TV on Sunday 12 May on Nuvolari (Freeview and SKY) starting from 10.25 (GMT+2).

LIVE STREAMING. All Finals-1 and Finals-2 scheduled for Sunday 12 May will be available on line at www.acisportitalia.it and on the dedicated channel Sportube 5 at www.sportube.tv.

CORRIERE DELLO SPORT, WEDNESDAY 15 MAY. A special page on the Italian CSAI Karting Championship race of Sarno will be published Wednesday 15 May on the sport magazine Corriere dello Sport, with commentary, classifications and pictures from the race track.

All results, live timing, commentary and pictures of the races will be available through the website www.acisportitalia.it

The programme of the weekend of Sarno, valid also for the 4th Cup Sorrentino – Prodriver race organized by the Circuit, follows:

Saturday 11 May: Warm-up from 8.30; Qualifying from 10.10; Qualifying heats from 13.30.

Sunday 12 May: Warm-up from 8.15; Repechage from 9.30.
Final-1 KZ2 at 10.25, KF2 at 11.00, KF3 at 11.30, 60 Mini at 12.00, Prodriver at 12.30.
Final-2 KZ2 at 14.00, KF2 at 14.30, KF3 at 15.05, 60 Mini at 15.35, Prodriver at 16.10.

The rounds of the Italian CSAI Karting 2013 Championship:
1st round - 12 May - International Circuit Napoli
Sarno (Salerno), Org. Jo.Ro.Sa. Srl
Categories: 60 Mini, KF2, KF3, KZ2
2nd round - 23 June 2013 - Kartodromo Val Vibrata
Sant'Egidio alla Vibrata (Teramo), Org. Kartodromo Val Vibrata Srl
Categories: Formula 60 ACI/CSAI Karting, 60 Mini, KF2, KF3, KZ2
3rd round - 28 July 2013 - International Circuit of Siena
Castelnuovo Berardenga (Siena), Org. Valdibiena Srl
Categories: Formula 60 ACI/CSAI Karting, 60 Mini, KF2, KF3, KZ2
4th round - 15 September 2013 - South Garda Karting
Lonato del Garda (Brescia), Org. South Garda Karting Asd
Categories: Formula 60 ACI/CSAI Karting, 60 Mini, KF2, KF3, KZ2
5th round - 27 October 2013 - International Circuit 7 Laghi
Castelletto di Branduzzo (Pavia), Org. La Conca Sporting Club
Categorie: 60 Mini, KF2, KF3, KZ2

ACI Sport S.p.A.
Press Office

In the picture: Jean Alesi and his son Giuliano racing in Sarno in KF3 (Foto ACI Sport).