The fifth edition of the Rok Final will be reminded for the many events and the successful initiatives promoted by Vortex organization: technical and agonistic stages, big parties, music, excellent guests, such as Michael Schumacher and fantastic races. Everything in a friendly atmosphere.
The Rokkers went down to the track on Thursday afternoon for the setting up, then there was a “master meeting” in the Rok Hospitality, with two exceptional leaders, the World Champions Marco Ardigò (KF1 2007) and Johnny Mislijevic (FSA 1996).
Marco and Johnny gave information to the Rokkers about the tricks of the track in Lonato, trajectories, overtaking points, they placed themselves at everyone’s disposal for the “after lesson” questions.
At 18:00, Dell’Orto technicians, Andrea Cappelletto and Giuseppe Riva supported by the communication Manager Daniele Asmonti entered the scene at the Rok Point. The interest and the enthusiasm showed by the drivers was great on this occasion, too.
The public and the delegations coming from the 27 countries in which the Rok Cup is run, visited the stands with a great pleasure, such those of Bridgestone, Sparco, GoKarTv and TKart magazine, near to its publication in English.
The Senna chassis, in exhibition, attracted the attention of many people in these four days, proving how still strong is the name of the Brazilian driver. The visit of Michael Schumacher was unexpected and very appreciated, he came to the track in the morning to attend the event and he left in the evening, after carefully attending every phase of the races.
Pagani (Rok), Rogenmoser (Super Rok), Bernacik (Junior Rok), Brotto (Mini Rok) and Brudermann (Dell’Orto Cup) are the absolute protagonists of the 2007 Rok International Final. These are the winners of the 2007 Rok Cup International Final edition, they stood out among very high level competitors, coming to Italy to have fun and cut a fine figure. The World news inform us that the drivers have been very professional and correct. Although they are not expert drivers, the Rokkers’ show and their fair play were wonderful.
Mini Rok
The budding Rokkers ran a fought and uncertain race with two drivers standing out among the others. Brotto and Pastorino raced in a very good way starting from the practices, keeping higher paces than their rivals. In the Final, the two Italians have been engaged in a fight, which entertained lots of people attending the race. The duel ended up just at the squared flag with an incredible photo-finish sprint, with Steven Brotto achieving the victory with only 017 cents! The representative of the large and passionate South Africa team, Licen Mitchell reached the third position.
Junior Rok
As in the important International races, there have been some famous victims in the heats of the Junior Rok also. Who got lost in the fray, was especially Bonetti (3rd in the rating). The Final seemed to be, in the first laps, just a formality for the Polish driver Maciej Bernacik. The Czech driver Midrla recovered at mid race, taking advantage of a loss of tread performances and upset the result.
The leader held out against the pressure of his competitor, gained his best lap at the end of the race and won the International Final Rok Junior. The poleman in this category, the Pole Glowacki, reached the third step of the podium. Who broke the east Europe leadership were the good Japanese driver Ryuya Fujie (4th) and the Thai Satienthirakul (6th).
Super Rok
Rafael Rogenmoser has been the greatest driver for the whole weekend. The Swiss centred a wonderful pole position with 43”832, he won the heats and the prefinal as well. Rafael sprang like a thunder in the Final, taking advantage of the fight behind him, with the Czech Hajek (2006 Rok Champion) who was able to slow down a little bit the Italians Carli and Cianconi. So, though the lone race of Rogenmoser, the large audience enjoyed an exciting exchange of positions among the three competitors following him. At the end of the race, the 2nd and 3rd step of the podium have been reached respectively by the two Italian drivers Carli and Cianconi.
Rok
Emanuele Pagani takes the Title from Patrick Hajek (2006 Rok Champion) in the list of the greatest drivers of the event. The Italian Rokker has been taking the lead for the whole weekend, but in the Final had to fight hard and concentrate on the race, in order not to let the two Lithuanians Griska and Juodvirsis recover him.
The competitors fighting behind them, Fuchs (Poland) and Nakkaso (Japan), didn’t manage to overtake these fantastic drivers!
So, Emanuele is the first Italian driver winning the Rok Cup International Final.
Dell’Orto Cup
The drivers, who didn’t manage to enter the Final, raced in the Dell’Orto Cup, a final worth racing in. The Swiss Brudermann smoothly ran for the first half race, letting Eftychios Ellinas and Roman Halada run without worry. In the last ten laps, the Swiss driver stood out reaching the highest step of the podium, banishing the 2005 Junior Rok Champion, Ellinas, to the second position.
The 2007 edition ends with lots of recollections and with pleasant feelings and emotions experienced by all the drivers taking part in the Final. All the people at the track undertook and gave their best, apart from the result, having the same enthusiasm every day and being pleased just to be present. This is the most beautiful postcard of the 2007 Rok International Final, leaving its mark on a greater event, year after year!
What drivers told us on the spur of the moment:
Rafael Rogenmoser (Switzerland) – 2007 International Final Super Rok Champion
“I won everything: groups, prefinal and final. This is absolutely very good for the team because we worked hard, more than others.
I am happy for my father too, he is always helping me!
In the first ten laps I never watched behind me, I was concentrated on my drive. When, in the end, I realized that I was getting the victory, I had an advantage of 50 meters. I thought: If the engine doesn’t brake, we win!”
Emanuele Pagani (Italy)– 2007 International Final Rok Champion
“I am really satisfied, I never expected to win this race!
It was one of the few races I took part in at the track in Lonato and… it happened to me only a few times to take the lead. This time was about the International Final. The race was hard, we did wrong with the tyres pressure and I had a loss in the second part of the race. Anyway I was able to keep my rivals behind me. I dedicate this victory to Dario and Daniele, who were fantastic… My father is so excited that he allows me not to go to school tomorrow!!”
Steven Brotto (Italy)– 2007 International Final Mini Rok Champion
“I liked this race very much and I am very excited for this victory. I love Rok! I dedicate this victory to my father, my grandma and to all my family.”
Maciej Bernacik (Poland) – 2007 International Final Junior Rok Champion
“I am so happy about this victory, everything was perfect, the chassis, the engine… Everything, in such a wonderful day, worked in the best way. Rok is a fantastic category, because it is not expensive and it allows you to use performant chassis and it teaches you how to race. Two weeks ago I won the race of the North-East Italian Rok Championship, here in Lonato, but my victory today is greater than all the other races, this is the first time I have won an International race.” |
