As the Italian driver says himself: “everything changes so fast in karting”. Something we can hardly deny regarding Forè’s recent agenda that has seen him, in the course of the last twelve months, working as the Team Manager of Birel ART, driving for TK Racing, then becoming a driver coach and, eventually, making his return on track for the World Championship with Intrepid! Who said eclectic?
Back in 2018, the former World Champion had already attempted to participate in the World event at Genk but things didn’t work out as expected, unlike this year in rather different circumstances. “That’s right, there was a possibility of competing in Genk,” Davide acknowledges. “I had done some good races in the Italian Championship, was fighting for the title when the boss of Birel ART [Ronni Sala, ed.] suggested that I would do the World Championship too. But as I was their Team Manager at the time, I couldn’t do much testing and it was very difficult to be ready and bring back good results for Birel. So, in the end, it didn’t happen.”
The collaboration with the Italian team later came to an end, which allowed Forè to take on a new challenge. “After we ended our partnership with Birel, I was asked by Mr. Zanfari to be the coach of his son Suleiman in OK-Junior. That was the opportunity for me to do something different. I have always been a driver, so I appreciate the position of being a coach for youngsters. Being a Team Manager also offers you a very good position but I feel much more comfortable being around young drivers to help them. That’s what led to my decision to leave Birel ART and take on this new position but also allowed me to do more races on the side with TK Racing [Taglienti Kart, ed.]. So, it gave me the opportunity not only to be a coach for Zanfari but also to keep racing.”
After spending a few months driving under TK’s colors, the partnership that had taken off on solid bases came to a premature conclusion. “It wasn’t possible to continue with TK because the team wasn’t managed the way I would have liked and we both agreed to end the contract,” recalls Forè. “In the end, it gave me more time for coaching Zanfari and then the opportunity to do South Garda with Intrepid came on the table.”
“When I had heard that this year’s World Championship would be in Lonato, in my mind I had to be there”, he says. “So, I’m very grateful not only to Intrepid but also to Luigina Guerrini who played a big role in the discussions. She has followed me for most of my career and helped me conclude the deal with Intrepid with which she thinks I can do something and that has led to us talking about it today.”
“For this weekend in Lonato, I have the support of the official Intrepid team and I’ll be in the same tent as the factory drivers. I must also thank Mr. Franco Drudi [TM Racing founder and Manager, ed.] for providing his engines, which was the best option for me, Mr. Mirko Sguerzoni [the Boss of Intrepid, ed.] as well as my two mechanics. Many people will be around me this weekend. My circle is complete, now we need to do our best and see what happens.”
Performance-wise, the Italian won’t rush forward in what he can achieve on track against what will be a strong opposition in a 48 driver-filled KZ field. “Like everybody, expectations are very high, especially in Lonato which is my home track and race as I live only ten minutes from the circuit,” he says. “I’ve had lots of good moments on this track over the years, so it’s also going to be an emotional weekend for me. I’m already very happy to participate in this event and I want to enjoy every second of it.”
Although nothing’s been said yet, we can’t help but ask if this participation is more likely to be a one-shot or could this trigger some news possibilities for 2020? “I don’t know”, tempers Forè. “For the moment, my focus is on the World Championship but if something can be done in the future, why not because I enjoy too much racing and driving. One thing is for sure, next year, I’ll continue to be the coach of Suleiman Zanfari, he will switch category and I will be there. Then we will see what can happen for the racing part. For sure, I don’t want to close the door to anybody but, for the moment, I don’t want to think too much about what might come next. I love karting, I love to race and I like to be a coach driver, that’s what Davide Forè is at the moment.”
- Interview & Text: Guillaume Alvarez
- Photo: Intrepid Driver Program
