This season, local 4-time MiniRok champion Axel Nocom has stepped up not just to the international karting scene, but also to OK-N Juniors. But after finishing 23rd at Cremona and 15th at Valencia, the 12-year-old fully understood that there was more homework to be done if he wanted a Top 10 result in the Champions of the Future (COTF) Academy.
That’s why the Mercedes Young Driver Development Philippines (YDDP) karter arrived in Italy weeks ahead of the season finale at Franciacorta. His first order of business was to enter the XXV Pagliuca Trophy in mid July, because no amount of practice back in the Philippines could ever prepare you for battle here in Europe.
Aside from the huge 30+ kart grids in OK-N Junior, the grip levels here are also much much higher. That increases cornering speeds, thus increasing G forces, thus requiring more muscle strength and stamina. The track then evolves over the course of the race weekend, making kart setup and driver adaptability key to staying in front. And the biggest difference of all is, unlike in the Philippines where you can practice in all 52 weekends in the year, you only get 1 to 2 days to learn a new track.
This makes the XXV Pagliuca Trophy the ideal proving ground as it runs on the 1.670 km Circuito Napoli Internazionale, which closely mimics the layout of Franciacorta. And the young Filipino wasn’t the only one warming up for the COTF Academy that weekend.
Axel suffered an engine failure during Qualifying, forcing him to start from P25 on the grid. But he made good progress in the PreFinal and worked his way up to 19th at the finish. He then climbed 4 more places in the Finals to take the chequered flag in 15th. Although he didn’t quite make it into the Top 10, which wasn’t the point of this exercise in the first place, he did learn valuable lessons in terms of race craft, kart setup, and stamina that should prepare him for the COTF Academy finale.
But his preparations doesn’t end there. Axel is spending a few more days training with former World Karting Champion, Tom Joyner, at the South Garda Karting Circuit in Lonato alongside mechanic Kyle Moore. Tom and Kyle also happens to be the same people who worked with current Formula Regional driver Zach David back in the day.
Axel will be the lone OK-N Junior entry from the Philippines when the COTF Academy hosts its 3rd and final round at Franciacorta. We wish him the best as he goes up against a strong grid of 36 karters on July 26/28.
Axel Nocom is supported by the Mercedes Young Driver Development Philippines, Ceramic Pro, Drift Motor Speedway, Cammus Philippines, Recaro Philippines, Alaska Milk Corporation, Ekartraceway, Apex Racing Philippines, Pregame Motorsport Merchandise, DENSO, Burlington, DG Budget Hotel, and Time Attack Manila.
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