European races full of suspense, between sun and rain at Adria

Changing weather conditions undoubtedly spiced up the progress of the Competition at Adria. The noble uncertainty of sport manifested itself on several occasions, producing an even more exciting spectacle. But the drivers that were highlighted in each of the three categories are contenders for their European Championship, doing well among the top specialists in the discipline.

The second Competition of the 2016 CIK-FIA European Championships devoted to the OK, OK-Junior and KZ2 categories took place this first weekend in June at the Adria Karting Raceway (ITA) with 153 Drivers present. This first experience at Adria was a great success due to the quality of its infrastructure and the selectivity of the Karting track. A very unusual weather situation contributed to the thrilling races. While temperatures were fairly warm, brief showers changed the grip. In addition to the sudden return of the sun, the particular construction of the track causes rapid drying after rain.

As well as being a real challenge for technicians and for the Drivers, the Competition was spectacular. The new OK and OK-Junior categories have proven themselves both in regard to their reliability and their performance in demanding and varied circumstances. Several penalties for incorrectly positioned front fairings after contact contributed to the success of Races by moderating excessive passion and raising the general level of safety. The starts were well managed by everyone. OK and OK-Junior will first travel to Portimao (PRT) from June 24th to 26th before rejoining KZ and KZ2 for the conclusion of the four European Championships at Genk in late July.

Vidales Arenjo wins in OK-Junior
The Spaniard David Vidales Arenjo (Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega) has constantly competed at the forefront of the OK-Junior category before taking the top step in the Final. Achieving 3rd in Qualifying Practice and 2nd after the Qualifying Heats, he also finished 2nd in Prefinal 2. Starting in front of the Final, he then gave ground, but resumed command with five laps to go. The Briton Kiern Jewiss (Exprit / Vortex / Vega) challenged him in 2nd place ahead of the Swede Isac Blomqvist (Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega). The young Dennis Hauger’s (CRG / Parilla / Vega) performance deserves to be reported, dominating until the Final where he only took 6th place in front of a driver who has been proven at Adria, Bin Abdul Gafar Mizzudin Musyaffa (DR / TM Racing / Vega). Ranked 11th in the Final, Noah Watt (Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega) remains in the lead of the provisional ranking facing Blomqvist’s ascent. Caio Jotta Collet (ART Birel / Parilla / Vega) is in 3rd position despite his retirement on the last lap of the Final.

Hiltbrand the winner at the finish in OK
With the American Logan Sargeant (FA Kart / Vortex / Vega) poleman after Qualifying Practice, the Finn Paavo Tonteri (CRG / Parilla / Vega) the leader at the end of the Qualifying Heats and the Spaniard Pedro Hiltbrand (CRG / Parilla / Vega ), in OK the situation turned out both open and very different from that encountered at Zuera at the first round of the CIK-FIA European Championship. Although the Prefinal saw a shower on slick tyres, in the Final the karts were equipped with rain tyres while the track was drying gradually. Sargeant dug a lead early in the race but Tom Joyner (Zanardi / Parilla / Vega) caught up with him as the grip increased. On the last lap, Joyner saw an opening to take the lead, closely tailed by Karol Basz (Kosmic / Vortex / Vega). But the manoeuvre did not fully succeed as Hiltbrand took the opportunity to sneak into 1st position, Sargeant taking 2nd before the recovering Joyner and Basz. Basz remains in the lead of the provisional ranking facing Sargeant and Joyner.

Victory for Federer in KZ2
Matteo Viganò (Top Kart / Parilla / Vega) opened the scoring by taking Pole Position in Qualifying Practice and Alessandro Irlando (Energy / TM Racing / Vega) took over in the Qualifying Heats and Prefinal 1 while Fabian Federer (CRG / Modena Engines / Vega) won Prefinal 2. Federer took the lead early on from Irlando in the Final, while the track was dry, Stan Pex (CRG / Vortex / Vega) came back to 2nd position. The sudden arrival of rain caused a tight duel between the top two who had yet to adapt their pace to the low grip. The flag stopped the race on the 19th of 24 laps for safety reasons with Federer winning in front of Pex and Dylan Davies (CRG / TM Racing / Vega). The leaders of the standings after Essay had mixed fortunes at Adria, so Federer took control of the Championship ahead of Pex and Irlando.