KartletiX coach Ragnar Veerus became DD2 World Champion on December 9th 2023 in Bahrain. The newly crowned champion will share his side of the story, explaining how it all happened.

“I always dreamt of a Grand Finals podium but realistically, based on my previous world cup experience, I never expected to win it. But that’s exactly the proof of how it is possible to achieve the impossible by working your ass off.”

The Grand Final

“In the final, I had no doubts. I knew I was in the mix. Even after I saw that the outside row took the start, I was just ready to battle, despite my gameplan failing immediately after the lights went out.”

Our KartletiX coach held on to P5 after the start, dropping and gaining some positions in tight battles over the next few laps. He got his break on lap 4 by passing Axel Saarniala for P4, gaining 3 places in one corner. The leaders were going at it and were not going to back down, so he caught up quickly and passed them one by one until there was just Jakub Bezel ahead.

“I felt really confident when I got into the groove of catching up. Jakub was fast, I was a little faster, and some other guys behind were even faster, but we already had got the break and were off into the distance.”

“The chase was hard, especially in the end when the tyres starting degrading badly. I had never killed my tyres so badly during a 20 lap race. But Jakub was in the same boat and we just battled the times, each other and the kart all at once. Strategically that was not the smartest, of course, but I was just so eager to get away from the rest, I didn’t necessarily use the best tyre preserving methods at this point.”

Becoming World Champion

Ragnar gained a lot of time on the last lap when the leader started heistantly defending. But even when crossing the line, Ragnar knew that despite finally finishing on the podium, he still had a chance for victory.

“I was delighted with a podium, the speed, success and the way the race panned out felt like a victory to me. But I knew Jakub dragged the outside row into a false start. I patiently waited.”

Only half an hour later, a signed penalty came out that confirmed a false start. Ragnar was officially crowned a champion 2 hours later.

“Throughout the whole week, including 6 practice sessions, I failed to complete only one overtake. I was a little late, the door was shut and I knew it’s better to back out. Finding the confidence in yourself and the kart is the key aspect to making the moves stick, whoever I was racing against. Don’t rush it, but don’t wait.”

“I’m taken aback by my self development over the years. I remember when I looked up to guys like me, feeling how many miles away I was from that level. And now I’ve grabbed the most precious Rotax title there is. It’s just dozen years of hard work, not knowing if it will ever bring success. Sometimes it does.”