PFI Junior Final: Bernier 1st, Van T’Hoff the winner

The presentation of the drivers on the starting grid of the Junior Final saw the debut of a new entrance under an arch for the drivers amid dry ice for the awarding of the medals for the finalists. Dilano Van T’Hoff (Exprit / TM) shared the lead with Gabriel Bortoleto (CRG / TM), followed by Kirill Smal (Tony Kart / Vortex) and Victor Bernier (Kosmic / Parilla). The sun had been heating the PFI track since the morning under a uniformly blue sky and temperatures above 20 ° C.

Smal attacked Van T’Hoff from the first braking at the hairpin and took control of the race in front of Bortoleto and Bernier. Meanwhile, a collision at the bridge eliminated several drivers including Marcus Amand (KR / Parilla). Sami Meguetounif (Formula K / TM) and Zak O’Sullivan (FA Kart / Vortex) were very much delayed. Bernier took 2nd position on the fourth lap and started chasing Smal. Gabriele Mini (Parolin / Parilla) was 4th in front of Bortoleto while Bernier was leading on lap 6.

Halfway through the 19 laps, Bernier was less than 5 tenths ahead of Smal with Van T’Hoff on his heels, while Mini was a second off and Thomas Ten Brinke (FA Kart / Vortex) was 5th. Smal then went out on his own on the 11th lap while Bernier was ahead of Van T’Hoff by 1.5”. Taylor Barnard (KR / Parilla) lost 13th position after a long run in the grass. Alex Lloyd (Formula K / TM) had the fastest time, running 5th. Mini lost 3rd place in an attack by Ten Brinke. This let Lloyd, a wild-card driver not scoring points in the championship, take 3rd position to better protect himself from the return of Mini.

Frenchman Victor Bernier (VDK Racing) scored a magnificent victory with a 1.5” lead over Dilano Van T’Hoff. Gabriele Mini (Parolin Kart Racing) managed to pass Lloyd and Ten Brinke a few metres from the finish to take the 3rd place. Raphael Camara (Kosmic / Vortex) finished 6th in front of Bortoleto and Alexandros Kattoulas (Exprit / TM). Georgi Dimitov (Exprit / Vortex) gained 19 places finishing 9th, Paul Aron (FA Kart / Vortex) was satisfied with the 11th position with the fastest lap. Evann Mallet (Kosmic / Parilla) was 16th ahead of Smal, Isack Hadjar was (Formula K / TM) 20th, Meguetounif 21st and Loris Cabirou (Energy / TM) did not finish.

Bernier was penalised for briefly leaving his lane at the start to avoid dropping his spoiler. Van T’Hoff was therefore declared the winner, Bernier was still ranked 2nd and Mini 3rd.

Info Kartcom / © Photo KSP