A full house of favourites after 64 incredible Qualifying Heats!

On a Portimao track that saw all kinds of weather conditions during the three days reserved for the Qualifying Heats, there was no shortage of entertainment in the four categories represented. It has to be said that the stakes were high at every level of the field. While some made no secret of their desire to win this prestigious event from IAME Motorsport, others were looking above all to be among the drivers capable of continuing on to Saturday for the Super Heats and above all for the long-awaited Finals. Thursday was also marked by a driver presentation rich in emotion and sharing. 367 drivers and 44 nationalities were showcased at this perfectly organised event.

X30 Senior: Gus Lawrence remains leader

It took nerves of steel on the part of both drivers and teams to cope with the constantly changing conditions on Wednesday and Thursday. The rain-laden clouds eventually cleared, particularly on Friday, further increasing the intensity of the Qualifying Heats, of which there were 28 in this category. No fewer than 17 drivers won at least one of them. Some of them proved to be more at home in wet conditions than on slick tyres, which only added to the drama. Already on pole position, Gus Lawrence (GBR) managed to hold on to his position. Like the Briton, Ean Eyckmans (BEL) and Pacôme Weisenburger (FRA) also won three times. But while the Belgian is 2nd in the intermediate rankings, the Frenchman crashed out in two heats and is only 17th.

Winning heats wasn’t necessarily imperative to stay in the title race, as a driver like Danny Carenini (ITA) found himself in 7th place before the decisive day, having driven seven quality heats at the front without a win. Ahead of him are the excellent Louis Johnston-Coull (GBR), Khali Atkins (GBR), Clément Outran (FRA) and Elie Goldstein (BEL). Also in the top 10, Malo Bolliet (FRA), Caden McQueen (GBR) and Luca Griggs (GBR) have not had their last word. Well done to Henkie Kalteren (NLD), Marcus Luzio (GBR) and Edoardo Ludovico Villa (ITA), who won two heats each, and to Connor Jupp (GBR) for his comeback from 67th place in Wednesday’s Qualifying to 15th place on Friday evening.

X30 Junior: Cathal Clark makes a big impression

Only 15th at the end of the Qualifying sessions, Cathal Clark (GBR) was able to step up a gear in the heats. The Briton was the only Junior to win three heats. His 1st place in the intermediate rankings will enable him to start from pole position in Saturday’s Super Heat 1. Roméo Roussel (FRA) will have the honour of doing the same in Super Heat 2 after his clear run marked by two victories. Sandro Perez (ESP) played it safe to emerge in 3rd place ahead of Harry Bartle (GBR) and Sacha Van’t Pad Bosch, who was only 29th on the Qualifying results sheet.

Fred Green, Joseph Smith and Harrison Mackie, ranked 6th, 7th and 8th respectively, confirmed that the British remain excellent in the X30 Junior class, especially in the rain. More at ease on slicks, David Cosma-Cristofor (ROU) lost the advantage of his pole position on Wednesday, but will nevertheless be aiming for the podium despite crashing 10th behind Tadgh Buckley (IRL). Freddie Lloyd (GBR) and Morgan Moore (IRL) both won two heats, while Rocco Coronel (NLD) and Raul Zunzarren Perez (ESP) each won once.

X30 Mini: Archie Lovatt and Max Endacott neck and neck

With three wins, a 2nd place and a 4th place for Archie Lovatt, compared to two wins and three 2nd places for Max Endacott, the two fast British drivers earned their place in 1st position for the two Super Heats. But many other young drivers are determined to take their turn in the lead. With three wins from five heats, Stig De Raedemaeker (BEL) is a strong rival to the two front-runners, as is Jarlath Sayer (GBR), winner of two heats.

While his brother David shone in the X30 Junior class, Bogdan Cosma-Cristofor (ROU) had four brilliant runs in the top five, before winning his last. Dan Allemann (CHE) was penalised in one heat and lost precious points, but by crossing the finish line 1st twice on Friday, the Swiss driver only dropped four places from his 2nd place in Qualifying on Wednesday. Kacpar Rajpold (GBR) also won twice and is 7th in the intermediate rankings, just behind Austin Newstead (GBR). 9th ahead of Leonidas Peruzzi (ARE), Oliver Warner (GBR) has moved up 30 places since his Qualifying session.

X30 Master: Poleman François Peurière still P1!

Drivers aged 30 and over took advantage of a special timetable to reduce their waiting time between each Free Practice session and each heat. On Friday morning, François Peurière (FRA) set the fastest time in Qualifying, just 33 thousandths quicker than Viktor Öberg (SWE), before retaining his top spot at the end of the heats thanks to two wins and a 3rd place. With two wins and 4th place, Öberg did almost as well and the two drivers now appear to be the main favourites for the event. P2, P2 then P3, Shane Daly (IRL) had a faultless day and was 3rd in the intermediate rankings.

Guillaume Barbarin (FRA), who won a heat, moved up four places after his 8th fastest time in the morning. He is ahead of drivers to keep an eye on, such as Johan Vilo (FIN), Victor Luz (BRA), Thierry Delré (BEL), Mario Barrios (PER) and Jim Ringelberg (NLD). The latter has one win to his name, but crashed out in one heat following contact. John Norris (IRL) completes the provisional top 10.

Provisional programme for IWF23

> Saturday 28th October
09:00 – 10:15: Warm up (5 min)
10:30 – 13:05: Super Heats and X30 Master Qualifying Heats
14:20: X30 Master Final
14:50: X30 Mini Final
15:20: X30 Junior Final
15:50: X30 Senior Final

Follow the event on social networks, on the IAME Motorsport app and on the iame-motorsport.com website.

IAME – Press release / Photo © The RaceBox

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