Salbris – Academy: Navalon wins a Final with twists

At Salbris, Kobe Pauwels (BEL) shared the front row of the Final of the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy with Jose Maria Navalon Boya (ESP), Sami Meguetounif (FRA) held the strategic position inside the second row next to Kotaro Shimbara (JPN), then Rimmo Kadapik (RUS) and Suleiman Zanfari (MAR) on row 3, Craig Tanic (FRA) and Isidro Callejas Gomez (ESP) on the 4th.

Pauwels took the lead, Meguetounif was immediately 2nd in front of Navalon and Shimbara while Tanic was 5th in front of Kapadik, Rattican and Zanfari. Navalon quickly recovered his 2nd position and then put pressure on Pauwels, allowing the top six to bunch up. An attempt to overtake Navalon by Pauwels allowed Meguetounif and Tanic to gain a place. On lap 10, Tanic went on the attack and took control against Pauwels, Navalon and Zanfari while Meguetounif dropped to 5th.

Pauwels was back in front of Navalon and Zanfari came back to 3rd. Tension continued to rise with Navalon leading ahead of Pauwels, Zanfari was trapped off the track and Tanic was 3rd. The saga continued in the 13th of 17 rounds with the robust return of Meguetounif in 3rd against Kadapik, Tanic and Callejas. Navalon distanced his two rivals to win with the fastest lap in the race, 7 tenths ahead of Pauwels, then Meguetounif in 3rd. Kadapik and Rattican completed the top five, Tanic finished 9th and Zanfari 12th.

Live report not taking into account any subsequent penalties.

Info Kartcom / © Photo KSP