Last Sunday was the big day: Bruce Chirino raced his very first competition in the IAME Series Benelux 2025 at the iconic Mariembourg circuit. Over the past few weeks, he had been training hard on this brand-new track in his new kart and learning a completely new engine class. And what a debut it was! Even though it ended with a P16 in the final, it was a day filled with speed, battles, and breathtaking overtakes — a race to remember.
Ready to Go: Morning Practice
The day kicked off with the Non-Quali Practice, where Bruce fine-tuned his kart and got a good feel for the track. It took a little getting used to, but he quickly found his rhythm. Then, a draw decided his starting position for the Qualifying round — P12.
Qualifying – P7!
Bruce showed he was ready from the start. He put in a strong lap and secured P7 out of 19 drivers. A fantastic starting position for the heats!
Quali Heat 1 – P4 and Brilliant Overtakes
In the first heat, Bruce was fully focused. With bold and smart moves, he fought his way forward and finished in a strong P4. His overtakes were a joy to watch — strategic, confident, and fast.
Quali Heat 2 – Again P4 AND Fastest Lap!
The second heat at 15:05 was even more impressive. Not only did Bruce finish in P4 again, but he also clocked the fastest lap of all 19 drivers!
Best Lap by: Bruce CHIRINO – 1:02.341
A clear sign that he belongs with the best in his class: the Mini Rookie.
The Final – What a Rollercoaster…
The final started with a bang. Bruce started from P4 and took the lead after the very first corner! He raced on P1 like he had been doing it for years. Unfortunately, he lost the lead and dropped back to P2… and then even to P5.
But he didn’t give up. Lap after lap, he kept pushing. And then came the final lap…
In a heart-stopping move, he fought his way back to P4, and in one of the very last corners, he briefly grabbed P3!
But luck wasn’t on his side — another driver made contact, Bruce went off-track, and he ultimately finished in P16. A tough break, but absolutely no reason for disappointment.
Final Result & What’s Next
Thanks to his strong performance in the heats, Bruce now stands at a solid P9 in the championship rankings — with five races still to go.
Bruce proves once again: he’s a real racer
This weekend, Bruce showed not only that he belongs among the fastest, but also that he has the mindset of a champion: persistence, courage, and the will to fight — all the way to the final corner.
Keep following Bruce on his journey through the IAME Benelux Championship. Next stop? Even more battles, speed, and spectacle. Let’s go!
You can rewatch the race below. The Final is an action-packed and super exciting race.
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Heat 1
Heat 2
Final
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