RMCIT: a first assessment after Friday’s Qualifying Heats

The weather was still changeable on Friday, December 11th over Portimão for the beginning of the Qualifying Heats of the Rotax MAX Challenge International Trophy. A few clearings tried to break through the cloud cover despite the frequent presence of light rain, which generated some pretty rainbows, as well as generally limited grip. Spoiler penalties frequently changed the rankings.

Senior: Advantage Westover
Louie Westover (ESP – Tony Kart – DHR) won his two heats, ahead of Bradley Barrett (GBR – Sodi – Sodi Vitesse) and Morgan Porter (GBR – KR – Argenti Motorsport), winner of the C-D heat in front of Clayton Ravenscroft (GBR – Kosmic), victorious in the last heat. Linus Hensen (DEU – Mach 1- Kartschmie.de) missed his first heat (18th) and finished 4th in the second, in the same pattern as Sean Butcher (GBR – Kosmic – KR Sport) in 14th and 2nd.

Arthur Roché (FRA – Kosmic – PKS Compétition) made a 14-place comeback to 9th place in the A-B heat, while Yann Bouvier (FRA – Kosmic – KRS) took 17 places to 11th position. These two drivers confirmed during the B-D heat with progressions of 12 and 10 places. Dylan Léger (FRA – Tony Kart – Kart Management) was 5th then 3rd, and Nicolas Picot (FRA – Tony Kart – NPS) was 10th then 8th despite a 5” penalty.

Grube / Champion duel in DD2 Masters
The poleman Henrijs Grube (LVA – Exprit – Team Victoria) took a victory in front of Rudy Champion (FRA – Sodi – PKS Competition) who reversed the situation in the next race. Slawomir Muranski (POL – Tony Kart – 46 Team) came 3rd each time in front of Romain Mangé (FRA – Tony Kart). Antti Ollikainen (FIN – Haase – Haase Racing Team) and Ilja Aloskins (LVA – Tony Kart – Team Victoria) lacked consistency.

DD2: two victories for Przybylak
Xander Przybylak (BEL – Tony Kart – Bouvin Power) won twice, against Petr Bezel (CZE – Sodi – KSCA Sodi Europe) then Manuel Tenschert (AUT – Ricciardo – KSB Racing Team). Glenn van Parijs (BEL – Tony Kart – Bouvin Power) took 3rd place each time, despite a penalty. Paolo Besancenez (FRA – Sodi) came 7th (+10 pl) then 11th (+6 pl) with a 3” penalty. Xen De Ruwe (SVN – Intrepid – SSC Sporstil) was twice 10th (+13 pl), despite two penalties.

Junior: MacIntyre at ease in the rain
Junior poleman William Macintyre (GBR – Kosmic – KR Sport) secured two clear wins against one each for Patriks Locmelis (LVA – Kosmic – KSB Racing Team) and Aaron Walker (GBR – Tony Kart – Strawberry Racing). Milan Loven Rytter (DNK – Tony Kart – RS Competition) was well placed with his two 3rd places in a row. Evan Giltaire (FRA – Sodi – Sodi Vitesse) was able to take a 2nd place and an 8th position due to a penalty. Alessandro Giusti (FRA – Kosmic – KPR) also scored a nice 2nd place before dropping back to 11th position in the following heat.

Freddie Spindlow (GBR – Kosmic – KR Sport) was deprived of his victory under the chequered flag in the C-D heat because of a penalty for incorrect grid position before taking 3rd place in the following heat. Téo Blin (FRA – Tony Kart – Kart Management) was victim of a retirement in the C-D heat and made a comeback of 11 places to 5th place in the following heat despite a 5” penalty.

Small advantage for Jeff-Hall in Mini
Winner of Heat 1 ahead of Thomas Strauven (BEL – Tony Kart – Strawberry Racing), Ethan Jeff-Hall (GBR – Tony Kart – Strawberry Racing) finished 2nd in Heat 2 won by Harry Hannam (ARE – MS Kart – DHR). The poleman Markas Silkunas (LTU – Praga – Pilenai Racing) finished last before recovering to 3rd position in Heat 2 during which Valentin Hervas (FRA – DR – DR France) confirmed his potential in the top five by regaining 17 positions after his nine-place gain in H1.

Micro: Feghali continues in the lead
Poleman of the after Qualifying, Christopher Feghali (LBN – KR – DHR) has confirmed his status by winning the two races of the day. The first victory was narrowly won against the growing threat of Juliusz Ociepa (POL – Energy – KRK Racing), whereas Matej Nemec (SVK – KR – LSR Racing) was relegated by nearly 8″ in the second race. Twice 4th, Max Sadurski (NLD – Energy) saw the benefit of his consistency.

Info Kartcom / Photo © KSP