
IAME International Final 2019
The 2019 IAME International Final came to a close on October, 19th 2019 with Championship Saturday. The 34-driver grids were set for the seven categories competing at the Le Mans Karting International circuit with a Prefinal and Final races completed. The track began wet and eventually dried by the main events. Five of the 15 drivers representing North America – including IAME USA East and IAME USA West – qualified into their respective main events, with USA drivers Christian Miles and Miguel Costa landing in the top-five in X30 Mini.
All four of the driver representing IAME USA started the Prefinal inside the top-10. A drying track was still two seconds off the dry time, and the goal was to survive without any damage. Unfortunately for top qualifier Max Garcia, his race came to an end quickly. The Sunshine State Karting Championship title winner had his chain guard come off during the formation lap, and was flagged off the track. Garcia, before pulling off, recorded the fast lap of the race. Freddie Slater – the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour X30 Junior champion – was able to maintain his pole position, as did United States Pro Kart Series title winner Christian Miles and Costa.
The main event was among the most exciting races of the day. The lead group included all three representing IAME USA with eight drivers total. Eventual winner Kean Nakamura-Berta was able to get away after the halfway point with the battle for second heating up. Miles was able to put himself at the front of the fight with two laps remaining, until Slater and his teammate Leo Robinson worked by Miles. Costa would lay down the fast lap of the race, crossing the line just behind Miles to put all three on the podium and in the top-five. Garcia was able to knife his way forward from 34th to pass 16 karts in the nine laps.