O’Keefe at the top of the times in KF3

The rain significantly disrupted the three timed sessions at the European qualifiers for the Western Region on the PF International circuit, with variable track conditions but very humid.

The first group went out in heavy rain, decreasing throughout the laps, but the track was still wet. Roy Johnson (Tony Kart / Vortex) and Alexander Albon (Intrepid / TM) took part in a great duel, followed by Pierre Gasly (Sodi / Parilla), but Harry Truelove (Tony Kart / TM) took pole at the end with a lap of 1.01.097. Albon was second, Johnson third, Jordi Oriola (FA Kart / Vortex) 4th and Gasly 5th.

A ray of sunlight pierced the clouds in the distance at the start of the second group, but the rain continued at Brandon on a track that was slightly faster than for group 1. Jake Dennis (Top Kart / Parilla) was in control from start to finish, improving to 1.00.660. There was a clash between Pedro Hiltbrand (Kosmic / Vortex) and Jake Dalton (Tony Kart / TM) in favor of the latter who finished second while Leo Roussel (Sodi / Parilla) ranked fifth behind Matthew Graham (Tony Kart / TM).

The track was still wet for the third group, but the rain had stopped. Benjamin Barnicoat (Tony Kart / TM), Ocon Esteban (Exprit / Vortex) and Anthoine Hubert (Tony Kart / Vortex) enlivened the beginning of the session. Callan O’Keeffe (FA Kart / Vortex) was in the fight, Charles Leclerc (Maranello / Maranello) led until just before the checkered flag, but O’Keeffe got the pole in 1.00.657 ahead of Barnicoat, Leclerc, Ocon and Hubert.

However, things did not stop there. The gap between groups was important, but not enough to trigger application of the 101% rule. The overall lap times was very unfavorable to a group of driveres who sank down the standings. Truelove was 11th, Albon 12th, Gasly 24th … Behind the polesitter O’Keeffe, Jake Dennis took second position before Barnicoat, Leclerc, Ocon, Dalton and Hubert.

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