KF3: Boccolacci and Kodric impressive

On Saturday, spectators on the raised embankments of the PF International Circuit did not regret their choice of viewpoint, and not only because the sun was shining! With its bridge, its banked bend and numerous overtaking places, the British track was a perfect venue to guarantee some stunningly spectacular qualifying heats. And more than that, there was no lack of surprises during the 21 heats programmed for the KF2 and KF3 categories!

On the eve of the two Races attributing championship points, the vital concern of the favourites was to be among the 34 finalists. But those who best negotiate the qualifying heats, and who will therefore start the first Race from the front of the grid, will already have an advantage.

Already fastest in qualifying practice, during all the qualifying heats Martin Kodric (FA Kart-Vortex) confirmed his undeniable speed. Without a penalty for a jump-start, the Croatian would indeed have had a faultless run. However, Martin will start Race 1 from second place on the grid, but still with every chance of donning the crown as he is currently in 5^th place in the Championship. Like Kodric, Dorian Boccolacci won 4 heats out of 5, only the Croatian succeeding in depriving him of victory when their two groups met. In the end however, it was the Frenchman, currently ex-aequo second in the competition, who will have the benefit of starting from pole position.

Behind this duo, the Britons took advantage of their local knowledge to stand out. In fact, Callum Ilott (Zanardi-Parilla) and Connor Jupp (Energy-Vortex) will start on the 2^nd row of the grid, just ahead of the Italian Luca Corberi (Kosmic-Vortex) and their compatriots Samuel Oram-Jones (Intrepid-TM), George Russell (Intrepid-Vortex), Nathan Aston (Intrepid-TM) and Darius Karbaley (FA Kart-Vortex). Only 30^th after practice, George Russell climbed as far as 7^th place. Having won Race 1 in Varennes, the titular European Champion knows perfectly well that his poor performance in Race 2, when he was hit by an adversary at the start, may well be discounted. But with three results retained from four Races, it is vital that he fights at the front of the pack, with Kodric and Boccolacci. The same goes for Alex Palou (CRG-BMB), Championship leader. In 13^th place after the qualifyi ng heats, and therefore on the starting grid for Race 1, the Spaniard must climb through the pack if he is to take his first major title.