Compétition

KZ2 Final: Renaudin’s victory and 100% French podium at Salbris

After a well-orchestrated and somewhat long pre-grid on the very sunny track of Salbris, the 33 finalists (Alexander Schmitz was missing) at the first round of the KZ2 European Championship began their two practice laps, with Adrien Renaudin (Sodi / TM) and Hubert Petit (Sodi / TM) on the front row. When the lights went out Pierre Loubère (Praga / TM) moved up to 2nd position. Alessio Piccini (Tony Kart / Vortex) and Riccardo Longhi (Birel ART / TM) completed the top five. Matteo Vigano (Tony Kart / Vortex) crashed with Alexander Dahlberg (Birel ART / TM). Gillian Lay (Sodi / TM) was in 7th place behind Giacomo Pollini (Formula K / TM). Giuseppe Palomba (Intrepid / TM) started his comeback in the top 10 ahead of Daniel Bray (GP Racing / TM) and Brad Benavides (Sodi / TM).

Renaudin and Loubère were gradually increasing their gap to the chasing trio, the leader now ahead of his direct pursuer by more than 5 tenths. While in 15th place, Tom Leuillet retired with seven laps to go, along with David Vidales (Tony Kart / Vortex), Simone Cunati (Top Kart / Parilla) and Benavides. Loubère was trying to increase the pressure on Renaudin at the end, but to no avail, Adrien had a clear lead with the fastest time in his pocket. Petit resisted Piccini strongly to take the 3rd place, Longhi remaining 5th in a rather calm race. Palomba was 7th behind Pollini, Lay finished 8th ahead of Bray and Maximilain Paul. There was a big climb of 20 places for Paul Evrard (Kosmic / Vortex) in 14th ahead of Arthur Carbonnel (CRG / TM) and Thomas Landais (Sodi / TM).