First KZ2 Heats: Hiltbrand takes the lead

It was overcast on Saturday morning, and a few drops of rain fell at Le Mans without disrupting the first qualifying heats of the KZ2 International Super Cup, even though everyone was ready for a possible downpour that would eventually soak the track at the end of the morning.

H1 AB – Hiltbrand ahead of Gonzales

The poleman Nicolas Gonzales (Sodi / TM) was lacking a bit at his start and then had to push to come back from 4th to 2nd place, unable to attack the winner Pedro Hiltbrand (CRG / Maxter). Marijn Kremers (BirelART / Parilla) finished 3rd ahead of Alexander Schmitz (Tony Kart / Vortex) and Fabian Federer (CRG / Maxter), two drivers with big gains.

H2 CD – Tiene goes ahead

The race was red-flagged to allow the evacuation of an injured driver, but Felice Tiene (CRG / Maxter) had time to gain five places and won ahead of Alessandro Pelizzari (CKR / Modena) and Tom Josef Lorkowski (Righetti / Modena). There was a good rise for Sean Babington (Energy / TM) in 5th place, and four places for Alessio Piccini (Tony Kart / Vortex) to 8th and nine for Andreas Fasberg (Tony Kart / Vortex) in 9th.

H3 EF – Victory for Laurent

Thomas Laurent (Tony Kart / Vortex) took control on lap 4, followed by Lorenzo Camplese (Parolin / TM). Maik Siebecke made a big gain to 8th place with 14 places won ahead of Joel Johansson (Energy / TM), six places, and Charles Fiault (Sodi / TM). Paolo Besancenez (Tony Kart / Vortex) had gained a lot of ground before losing out at the end of the race when the track became more slippery, Yohan Sousa (Zanardi / TM) and Kevin Breysse (Evokart / Parilla) suffering the same fate.

H4 AC – Babington comes back

In the rain, Nicolas Gonzales (Sodi / TM) lost his footing from the lead as he was visibly hampered by some problems. Enzo Guibbert (Tony Kart / Parilla) took control before dropping to 8th and Sean Babington (Energy / TM) moved up 11 places to win against Simone Brenna (TB Kart / Modena) and Fuma Horio (CRG / Maxter).

H5 DF – Van Leeuwen at ease in the rain

The rain intensified again as visibility dropped considerably. Thomas Laurent (Tony Kart / Vortex) dropped to sixth while Pierre Loubère (Sodi / TM) took the lead of the race. Martijn Van Leeuwen (CRG / TM) and Charles Fiault (Sodi / Parilla) were then seriously fighting for the lead. The Frenchman dropped back before returning like a plane in the final laps and finished 2nd in the wheels of the Dutchman. Alberto Cavalieri (Righetti / Modena) took third place ahead of Loubère and Laurent, Yohan Sousa (Zanardi / TM) this time ensuring 6th position with a gain of six places. Felice Tiene (CRG / Maxter) finished last after going off the track.

H6 BE – Hiltbrand not afraid of water

Pedro Hiltbrand (CRG / Maxter) managed to impose in the rain despite the return of Jorge Pescador (Praga / Parilla), who he distanced at the end. Luca Corberi (Tony Kart / Vortex) went ahead of Alexander Schmitz (Tony Kart / Vortex) for 3rd position, Fabian Federer (CRG / Maxter) finishing 5th. Kevin Breysse (Evokart / Parilla) made an excellent rise of six positions to 8th place, and five places for Joel Johansson (Energy / TM) 11th. Paolo Besancenez (Tony Kart / Vortex) gained nine places to 13th position, Arnaud Roséo (Tony Kart / Maxter) 11 to finish 14th and Thierry Delre (Mach1 / Vortex) 14 to 15th position.

See the updated positions in the unofficial Kartcom intermediate classification

Info Kartcom with Kartlink / © Photo KSP