To accompany the one-year lowering of the age of the OK category introduced in 2017, the CIK-FIA has decided to set up a specific classification for Drivers who have not yet reached the age of 16, participating in the CIK-FIA World Championship and the CIK-FIA European Championship. 51 Drivers met this criteria this season and it was the Moroccan Sami Taoufik who won the title of Rookie of the Year for 2017.
An internationally acclaimed category, OK is the benchmark for direct-drive karts. The most experienced Drivers, including a few professionals and several former World Champions or European Champions, compete throughout the season against young talents straight from the OK-Junior category. The CIK-FIA created the title of Rookie of the Year to highlight these Drivers who are discovering the OK category. The results of 2017 showed that the young people were often able to shine at the front of the biggest Competitions against their elders. Sami Taoufik (FA Kart / Vortex / LeCont) scored the highest number of points (120) to become the 2017 Rookie of the Year ahead of the Spaniard David Vidales Ajenjo (Tony Kart / Vortex / LeCont) with 118 points and the Russian Pavel Bulantsev (Tony Kart / Vortex / LeCont) with 112 points.
Sami Taoufik will receive the 2017 Rookie of the Year awoard at the CIK-FIA Prize Giving ceremony on 2nd December in Milan.
Info Kartcom / © Photos KSP