The IAME Warrior Final is one of the most prestigious events in karting, drawing the best IAME X30 drivers from across the globe to compete in Zuera, Spain. Two of many representing Ireland were Norris Carey Motorsport (NCM) drivers John Norris and Andrei Dabija. Both had already proven themselves as formidable competitors in the MI Kart Championship, with Andrei finishing second in Senior X30 Championship and John securing third overall while clinching the Masters category title.
However, the IAME Warrior Final posed a new challenge—a grid packed with the world’s finest. Could the Irish duo rise to the occasion?
A Challenging Start
The event had a somber beginning. Originally scheduled to take place in Valencia, it was postponed due to devastating flooding in the area. Despite the delay, the NCM drivers arrived in Zuera focused and determined.
In Tuesday’s qualifying session, John impressed in the Masters category, taking third place, just three-tenths off pole position—a crucial result given the strength of the field. Meanwhile, Andrei had a tougher time, qualifying 68th in the Senior class. It was clear he faced an uphill battle to even make the finals.
Battling Adversity
The week’s racing schedule was heavily disrupted by dense fog, forcing organizers to cancel several heats. This added pressure on drivers like Andrei, who needed strong results to climb the standings.
In Wednesday’s only heat race, John showcased his pace by finishing second, proving his qualifying performance was no fluke. Meanwhile, Andrei delivered a stellar drive in his first heat, climbing an incredible 14 places to finish 4th. He followed it up with an 8th-place finish on Thursday, keeping his hopes alive.
John continued to dominate in the Masters heats, finishing second in his next race and capping off the day with an emphatic heat win on Friday, securing pole position for the final. Andrei’s Friday results were a mixed bag—19th in the morning but a recovery to 8th in the evening, leaving him classified 25th after an astonishing gain of 43 positions over the week.
Masterful in Masters
In the Masters final, John started on pole but faced early challenges. He was nudged wide at Turn 1 as Frenchman Picot went by. As the race settled down, John looked in control in second until Italian contender Pagliarani soon passed both drivers. With the race slipping away, John made a decisive move to regain second and set his sights on the leader.
As the laps ticked by, John closed the gap to Pagliarani and, with a perfectly executed overtake, took control of the race. The Italian mounted a fierce challenge in the final corners, but John held his ground, defending superbly to cross the line as the IAME Warrior Final Masters champion.
Andrei’s Sensational Charge
Buoyed by John’s victory, Andrei lined up 25th on the grid for the Senior final. What followed was nothing short of remarkable. By the end of the first lap, Andrei had surged into 5th place, gaining 20 positions in a single lap.
From there, Andrei continued his relentless charge, battling wheel-to-wheel with some of the sport’s biggest names. In the closing stages, he took the lead and looked set for an incredible victory. However, in a cruel twist of fate, he was hit by another competitor in the final corners, dropping him down the order.
After penalties were applied, Andrei was classified in 3rd—a bittersweet result given his incredible performance. To climb from 68th in qualifying to a podium finish was nothing short of extraordinary, but the unfair move that cost him the win left a sour taste.
Triumph and Determination
The IAME Warrior Final showcased the immense talent and resilience of John Norris and Andrei Dabija. John’s victory in the Masters final solidified his status as one of Ireland's finest, while Andrei’s heroic comeback demonstrated his grit and determination.
Both drivers left Zuera with their heads held high, having proven they could not only compete with but also outperform the best in the world.
Andrei - " In summary, my week in Zuera had loads of ups and downs. I only qualified in 68th overall, but made many comeback drives in the heats to start the final in 25th. However, by the end of the chaotic first lap, I was sitting in 5th. I couldn't believe I was in that position but I just kept my head down and drove like I had been all week. There were many fierce battles in the final, including some drivers deliberately ramming into others to gain positions but I managed to find my way through to the lead by the final lap. I just kept my cool and defended as I had done for the whole race. However, with only half a lap to go, I got hit from behind, sending me into the side of Noah Wolfe, wiping both me and him out of contention for the win. I felt so down, watching all the karts flying past me, eventually finishing the race in 8th on the road, and 3rd after penalties. I'm disappointed I lost being world champion through no fault of my own, but I'm still immensely happy with my driving.
I would have to thank both my mam and dad, aswell as all the crew from NCM for making this happen. "
John - “ Ya for my week over in Zuera it was actually very relaxed we didn’t change one thing on the go kart all weekend just ran as standard was quick right of the bat. The only thing we did was change the gearing once and just cleaned the kart after each session. That’s just the way I like it minimal fuss just go and drive. After the heats I kinda new it was Gona come down to me and the Italian Pagliarani the French lad picot was just hanging on driving like a made man to stay in with a chance. But it was a master class from the Italian to push and get away from the 3rd place battle. I was hoping I could pull a gap getting closer to the last lap setting fastest lap on 15 but with the toe it’s just to hard. I do think Pagliarani tried to pass me to early he should have tryed it into turn 4 and the hairpin. But I pulled away again in the middle and kinda just shot the door into the last few Conners.
Unreal feeling getting the flag in first with the amount of Irish support in the grand stand I feel very great full to have so many people cheering me on from Ireland and do it with my dad by my side on the tools is something super special. All of this would not be possible without the help I get from Noel carry the man is a genius when it comes to geting the kart ready and making you feel confident before each race.
Over all super weekend
WORLD CHAMPION
BOOOOOOM "
Article - by Shane Burke
Picture supplied by - Sinead Carey
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