Birel ART domination in KZ2 at Sarno
As the third round of the WSK Super Master Series headed to the fast Circuito Internazionale Napoli in Sarno, Birel ART continued to demonstrate its expertise by concluding a remarkable overall performance with a hat-trick of wins on the KZ2 Final podium. Freddie Slater took his first victory in KZ2, followed by Leclerc by Lennox driver Matteo Viganò, while Cristian Bertuca climbed to 3rd place while retaining the lead in the provisional standings.
"Birel ART has further improved its level of performance since the last race in Franciacorta", underlined Riccardo Longhi, Team Manager and Birel ART Racing KZ2 driver. "Three of our KZ2 drivers have maintained a very high pace in the leading group of this WSK Super Master Series, while the others have progressed despite the hazards of the race. In particular, we welcome the first victory for Freddie Slater, the youngest talent of the team, in KZ2 under our colours. Giuseppe Palomba and Cristian Bertuca had been fast since the beginning of the meeting and dominated the Final before being replaced by Matteo Viganò. Slater increased the pace at the end of the race to take the lead with two laps to go and win in style. Just like the confirmation of the excellent general standard of the Birel ART Racing team, the rise in power of our friends from Leclerc by Lennox Racing is very good news in view of the FIA European KZ & KZ2 Karting Championship which will conclude here in Sarno next July.”
“In addition, development work continues positively in OK and OK-Junior as we approach the first European event in Valencia."
The third round of the WSK Super Master Series brought together 255 drivers from 45 countries in Sarno. Birel ART was the most represented brand in KZ2 with over 20% of the field. 2nd, 3rd and 4th in Qualifying, Slater, Bertuca and Palomba went on to win seven Qualifying Heats between them. Bertuca was leading on Saturday night, Palomba won his Prefinal on Sunday morning and started from pole position for the Final. Slater won by 5 tenths in the Final, Bertuca finished 3rd, 7 hundredths behind 2nd-placed Viganò for a 100% Birel ART/TM podium. Palomba took 7th place while Longhi climbed to 11th. Daniel Vasile, 10th on the finish line, dropped back to 16th due to a front fairing penalty. For the same reason, Pedro Hiltbrand's seven-place improvement was wiped out.
The Birel ART Racing team now heads to Spain next weekend for the first round of the Champions of the Future Euro Series in Valencia, which will serve as a preparatory race for the FIA Karting European Championship - OK & OK-Junior, which starts at the same circuit two weeks later.