Compétition

World OK: Hiltbrand Champion in front of Basz

There was an excellent start from Pedro Hiltbrand (CRG / Parilla) when the lights went out for the final of the World OK Championship in Bahrain. However, Karol Basz (Kosmic / Vortex) attacked and took control on the second lap, but Hiltbrand responded. Christian Lundgaard (Ricciardo / Parilla) took third place ahead of Paavo Tonteri (CRG / Parilla), Hannes Janker (CRG / Parilla) and Tom Joyner (Zanardi / Parilla). Alexander Smolyar (Tony Kart / Vortex) gave up. Deprived of victory in Prefinal 2 by a penalty, Felice Tiene (CRG / Parilla) returns to the top 10 after a good start to the race.

Basz gave way to Lundgaard in 2nd and Tonteri 3rd. Lorenzo Travisanutto (Tony Kart / Vortex) was also coming through well in 6th position with eight places taken again. Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer (Tony Kart / Vortex) gained nine places to reach 10th place, Ulysse De Pauw (Kosmic / Vortex) and Clément Novalak (Tony Kart / Vortex) are also in full recovery. In the lead, Hiltbrand was five tenths ahead of Lundgaard at halfway. Very fast, Basz came back to 3rd in front of Tonteri, Noah Milell (Kosmic / Vortex) and Tiene. The Pole attacked and passed Lundgaard on the 13th of the 22 laps. He then quickly joined Hiltbrand. In 5th position, Milell confirmed the speed of the Kosmic with the fastest lap.

Basz led the field after his successful pass on Hiltbrand on lap 16. But the Spaniard was reluctant to be left behind. He regained the lead again by passing Basz on the S and took off. Basz lost time, but found 2nd place 2” from the leader. Lundgaard and Tiene crashed in a straight line, spectacularly but without injury. Lundgaard gave up. Pedro Hiltbrand ensured his victory before enjoying his world title which is added to the European OK title and his victory in KZ2 at the International Super Cup. A beautiful triple! Karol Basz finished 2nd, Felice Tiene 3rd, Tonteri 4th and Janker 5th, four CRG in the top five.

There was an impressive and solid 9th place for Simmenauer with 10 places gained. It was a remarkable debut in OK for De Pauw in 10th with a 17 place improvement. It was mission accomplished for Clément Novalak (Tony Kart / Vortex) in 11th after a comeback of 18 places (15th after penalty). Starting well, Vincent Fraïsse (Sodi / TM) then lost ground to finish 22nd (26th after penalty).