Gore Fights Through the Field Against the Odds in Franciacorta

Swedish-Australian karting talent Axel “Axeman” Gore displayed exceptional skill and determination at the ACI Italian Championship round held at Franciacorta from September 19–21, overcoming persistent engine issues to deliver another gritty performance in the Mini category.

Axeman in action at Franciacorta

The weekend got off to a challenging start when qualifying didn’t go as planned, leaving Gore on the back foot. Despite this, he once again showcased his renowned race craft, fighting through contact and setbacks in the heats to secure a spot in the final.

Adding to the drama, the weekend saw an unusual amount of stoppages with six red flags on Saturday and seven on Sunday. The constant interruptions tested every driver’s focus, mirroring the six red flags seen during Formula 1 qualifying at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix that same day. Gore stayed composed through the chaos, showing remarkable resilience to keep his rhythm and fight forward.

The highlight of Gore’s weekend came in the pre-final, where he delivered a standout drive despite a clear lack of bottom-end power from his engine. After a fierce early battle, Gore managed to break away from the pack behind, reeling in the group ahead at an impressive rate. Over just nine laps, he climbed four positions, demonstrating both speed and race craft.

In the final, Gore continued his relentless charge, working his way forward from 36th on the grid to 31st at the chequered flag. While the engine issues limited his outright pace, the performance was another display of his resilience and ability to maximise every opportunity on track.

With Franciacorta now behind him, all focus shifts to one of the biggest events of the year — the ROK Cup Super Final, held at the iconic South Garda Karting circuit from October 14–18. Gore enters the event with confidence after his eye-catching performance in July at Cremona, where he qualified second fastest overall, starting on the front row in a field of 40 of the world’s best young drivers.

Reflecting on the weekend and looking ahead, Gore said:

“The engine was tough to deal with, but that’s part of racing. I just focused on fighting for every position and making the most of every lap. The pre-final was especially fun because I could really push and show what I can do, even with the issues. Now I’m excited to head back to South Garda for the ROK Super Final. If we’ve got the speed underneath us, I know we can fight right at the front.”

With his trademark determination and a proven track record at South Garda, Gore is ready to take on the world stage and close out the season on a high.

ENDS