Superb KZ2 final for Juodvirsis

A downpour soaked the Wackersdorf track during the lunch break, but the rain had stopped at the start of the KZ2 final. Of course, wet tyres were needed. Jorge Pescador’s kart caught fire when leaving the grid, but the Spaniard still managed to start. Unrelated to this incident, the hot tarmac started to steam as the water evaporated.

Simone Brenna (TB Kart / Modena) slid, Jan Midrla (Birel / TM) took the lead, Brenna spun at the first right, and he was not the only one to lose control. Maik Siebecke was second from Manuel Huber (DR / TM), John Norris (Mach1/TM), Luca Corberi (Kosmic / Vortex) and Ricardo Romkema (Energy / TM) who both made very good starts. Pescador, who took his place on the grid was in eighth then came Marcel Müller (DR / Modena), Ryan Van Der Burgt (DR / TM) and Douglas Lundberg (Alpha / Parilla). Davies retired at the start, Finn Kooijman (CRG / TM) was last. The grip on the track seemed very low, and the karts were very slow in the tight corners.

Midrla and Siebecke gained ground. Simas Juodvirsis (Energy / Maxter) led the main pack by nearly 4”. There was a big rise for Fabian Federer (CRG / Maxter) in 10th, followed by Andrea Dale (CRG / Maxter). Siebecke attacked Midrla on the 4th lap. Still 3rd, Juodvirsis was pushing the leading duo hard. There was a great battle for sixth position between Marijn Kremers (Birel / TM) and Joel Johansson (Righetti / Parilla), who had gained 21 places. on lap 7, Juodvirsis passed Midrla for second. Siebecke was over 4” ahead and not idle at the front of the race. Times were steadily improving as the dry line was quickly appearing.

As we approached halfway Juodvirsis seemed able to join the leader Siebecke, especially as he set several fastest times in a row. Whether the wet tyres would hold out remained unknown in these conditions: should they save them for the end while keeping the grip? That is the question. In any case, choosing the right pressure was decisive. Kremers moved to fourth position, Federer once again retired. Juodvirsis was close to Siebecke from lap 15 and 16 and was waiting to pass at the last fast left before the line.

Although very isolated in third position, Midrla increased the pace and was probably thinking about the second step of the podium. He was running 2” faster. Meanwhile, Juodvirsis maintained his speed. By using the outside of the corners, Midrla passed Siebecke on the 21st lap. Juodvirsis won the race by 11” ahead of Midrla, second place was not certain, Norris was 3rd, Siebecke 4th, Kremers 5th, Paauwe 6th, Corberi 7th, Zanchi 8th, Piccini 9th and Carlton 10th.

Info Kartcom with Kartlink / © Photos KSP