Bruce Chirino Starts 2026 Strong in Karting Champions League Winter Series
Bruce Chirino made an impressive start to his 2026 racing season during the opening round of the Karting Champions League Winter Series 2026, held in Genk, Belgium. Racing in the Mini class, the ten-year-old driver from The Hague finished second in the final and currently leads the overall championship standings with one round remaining.
Challenging Preparation Ahead of the Season Opener
The preparation for the race weekend was focused on finding the right setup. In the weeks leading up to the event, limited opportunities made it challenging to fine-tune the kart perfectly. During the official practice day in Genk, the team continued working on balance and setup to get the most out of the package.
Despite these challenges, Bruce and his team showed steady improvement throughout the weekend.
Strong Race Day Performance in the Mini Class
On race day, Bruce gradually moved forward in a highly competitive field. He qualified in seventh position and finished ninth and fifth in the first two heats. His progress paid off with a victory in Heat 3, followed by a ninth-place finish in the Superheat.
In the final, Bruce took the lead for a large part of the race. Although maintaining that pace until the end proved difficult, he crossed the finish line in second place.
“I was leading the final for a long time, but it became difficult to keep the pace,” Bruce said. “The setup wasn’t perfect yet, but I gave everything I had. Finishing second in those circumstances feels really good.”
Championship Leader After First Round
The second-place finish underlines Bruce Chirino’s ability to maximise performance together with his team, even when conditions are not ideal. Thanks to his consistent results, he leaves the first round of the Karting Champions League Winter Series as the championship leader.
Looking Ahead: IAME Benelux Series 2026
Bruce is now preparing for an exciting next step in his racing career. In 2026, he will compete in the IAME Benelux Series in the Mini class, facing strong international competition.
His confidence is well founded. In 2025, Bruce became Champion of the Mini Rookie class in both the IAME Benelux Series and the GK4 Kart Series. These achievements highlight his development, consistency and ambition within karting.
With a promising season ahead, Bruce Chirino and his team are fully focused on building on this strong start and continuing their progress throughout 2026.