Dear Drivers, Teams and Karting Supporters,

Welcome to the Grand Prix Open Karting FFSA Website and thank you in advance for your visit.

After discussing with many of you, throughout 2008, the situation of Grands Prix Karting FFSA, during the Championships and the CIK series, and after listening to you and trying to perform an objective analysis of the situation at the time, I was entrusted by the Fédération Française du Sport Automobile with the task of changing the structure of the Grands Prix - a real national and international showcase for karting - as much as possible.

As you know, it is neither a trivial, nor an easy task. There are many who, beyond the difficult economic situation, have lost some of their passion for this sport and who think that now it is no longer possible to organise major karting events, in France or elsewhere.

Naturally I do not share this view. On the contrary, I propose that you meet with me this new challenge, that is the launch of the Grand Prix Open (GPOs). A difficult challenge, of course, one that we (my team and I) have been getting ready for day after day, since last autumn, with determination and passion, in order to offer you, all of you, the Championship you were waiting for, already this season.

Naturally, the project I support will only be completed over time, with the help and support of each of you, drivers, teams, organizers and officials. We are all animated by the same passion, therefore we all have to share the responsibility to build greater awareness, so as to provide GPOs with an unprecedented dimension and avoid useless and disrupting disputes. During this new 2009 season and through the launch of the GPOs, we are trying to create a new philosophy, one that promotes understanding, communication, sportsmanship and fun. This is our top priority as promoters, and it is what I call the GPO spirit.

I also take this opportunity to thank all drivers (and their parents…), team managers, constructors, importers, hosting circuits, media and announcers who will now share with us this new vision, as well as, of course, the Fédération Française du Sport Automobile that, under the impulse of its Chairman Nicolas Deschaux, has decided to embrace modernity and realism.

Naturally, a special thank goes to Alain Prost - four-time Formula 1 World Champion - who has immediately accepted to publicly support the GPOs, a sign that his passion for karting remains undimmed. I am sure that he will be proud of the results we will achieve during the Grands Prix Open Karting FFSA 2009. 

I wish to thank you all for your support. See you on the GPO circuits in 2009!

Sportingly and friendly,

Thierry Germanovitch
GPO Promoter