The karting track where Max Verstappen was crowned European champion in 2013 has a new owner. The MP Group, better known in motorsport as MP Motorsport, is taking over the world-famous track in Genk with the aim of establishing a North European championship for karting. ‘Almost all current F1 drivers have raced with us in Genk,’ says founder Paul Lemmens.
Before Max Verstappen was a four-time world champion in Formula 1, the Dutchman was already a champion in karting. In 2013, the young driver became European champion in karting, on his home track Karting Genk. This karting track is not only seen as ‘one of the most beautiful tracks in Europe’, but has also become a household name in the karting world. The slogan ‘Home of Champions’ aptly refers to all the champions who learned the tricks of the trade on the Genk track. In addition to Max Verstappen, his father Jos Verstappen, Jenson Button, and Jérôme d’Ambrosio also raced their way to the world title here. Fernando Alonso became a champion here in 1996, while Michael Schumacher was also a regular visitor.
“Karting is the springboard to F1. Almost all current F1 drivers have raced with us in Genk,” says founder Paul Lemmens. The only outdoor karting track in Flanders was founded by Lemmens in 1983, but the more than four decades of family ownership is now coming to an end. Son Koen Lemmens has sold the company to the MP Group, which also operates under the name MP Motorsport in Formula 2, 3, and 4.
‘Nothing Will Change’
“Rest assured that this is very emotional for us, as this is our family’s life’s work,” Koen Lemmens tells HBVL. Last Monday, he introduced the staff – for whom nothing will change – to their new boss, Henk de Jong. “I have fought hard over the past years for an environmental permit. It’s now in place, but it cost me five years of my life. With that permit in hand, I asked if any of my three children wanted to continue the family business. There was no interest, and that got me thinking.”
The MP Group hopes to expand their portfolio into karting with the acquisition of the kart track. “Little or nothing will change in Genk,” confirms Henk de Jong. “MP is a racing team that trains young talent for F1 teams like Williams, Red Bull, and Ferrari. Everything starts with karting, which is why we are expanding into the sport. We already had a team and a store, and we plan to establish a North European championship. Karting is now largely based in Southern Europe, and we want to organize more major races in the north. That’s how we got in touch with Genk. It’s one of the most beautiful tracks in Europe, and nothing needs to be changed.”
