Great battles in Abruzzo
The Qualifying Heats of the second round of the Mondokart.com FIA Karting European Championship - KZ, KZ2 & KZ2 Masters benefited from high temperatures and grip at the Kartodromo Val Vibrata. On Saturday evening, after close racing, Lorenzo Travisnutto (ITA) led in KZ, Maksim Orlov in KZ2 and Mirko Mizzoni (ITA) in KZ2 Masters.
The winding, old-fashioned Val Vibrata layout provided the backdrop for some fast-paced racing, with plenty of twists and turns from the Qualifying sessions onwards. The favourites in the three Championships are not currently leading their respective categories and the battle for the titles looks rather uncertain as the heat continues at the Italian track.
KZ: Travisanutto takes the lead
Second in the provisional Championship standings, Danilo Albanese (ITA) didn't complete a lap in the first KZ Qualifying Heat. Championship leader Senna Van Walstijn (NLD) crashed out at the back of the field, but was back up to 16th by the finish. Lorenzo Travisanutto (ITA) took the win before finishing second twice behind David Trefilov (DEU). Paolo Ippolito (ITA) retired in the final heat which allowed Lorenzo Camplese (ITA) and Pedro Hiltbrand Aguilar (ESP) pass him in third and fourth place respectively. Van Walstijn was seventh and Albanese only 16th. Travisanutto still has a card to play in the title race with Viktor Gustafsson (SWE).
KZ Qualifying Heats top five
1- Lorenzo Travisanutto ITA - (Parolin / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 138 points
2- David Trefilov DEU - (Maranello / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 136 points
3- Lorenzo Camplese ITA - (Tony Kart / Vortex / Dunlop) - 106 points
4- Pedro Hiltbrand Aguilar ESP - (Birel ART / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 99 points
5- Paolo Ippolito ITA - (KR / IAME / Dunlop) - 98 points
KZ2: Orlov takes the lead
Maksim Orlov put in a perfect performance in the Qualifying Heats of the European KZ2 Championship. With five wins from five heats, he leads the intermediate standings ahead of his main rival, Markus Kajak (EST), a three-time winner. Championship leader Matteo Spirgel (FRA) had moved up to third place after two wins, ahead of Marek Skrivan (CZE) and then Alessio Piccini (ITA) and Matheus Morgatto (BRA), who were level on points. Behind Maximilian Schleimer (DEU), Daniel Vasile (ROU), Spirgel's title rival, was eighth ahead of Kasper Schormans (NLD) and Cristian Bertuca (ITA).
KZ2 Qualifying Heats top six
1- Maksim Orlov - (Parolin / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 250 points
2- Markus Kajak EST - (Maranello/ TM Kart / Dunlop) - 244 points
3- Matteo Spirgel FRA - (Sodi / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 221 points
4- Marek Skrivan CZE - (IPK / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 218 points
5- Alessio Piccini ITA - (Parolin / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 217 points
6- Matheus Morgatto BRA - (Birel ART / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 217 points
Fore wins the Super Heat, but Mizzoni to start from pole position in the KZ2 Masters Final
Three different drivers won the Qualifying Heats of the European KZ2 Masters Championship. Poleman Mirko Mizzoni (ITA) won the first, Kristijan Habulin (HRV) won the second and Davide Fore (ITA) secured victory in the third. Mizzoni finished top of the intermediate classification ahead of Riccardo Nalon (ITA). Habulin was third ahead of Fore and Andrea Spagni (ITA).
Fore quickly took the lead in the Super Heat ahead of Nalon and Mizzoni, who had passed Anthony Abbasse (FRA) and then Habulin. Fore finished two seconds ahead of Nalon and Habulin. Mizzoni was fourth and Abbasse fifth.
Top five after the KZ2 Masters Super Heat
1- Mirko Mizzoni ITA - (Italcorse / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 195 points
2- Riccardo Nalon ITA - (Parolin / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 195 points
3- Davide Fore ITA - (Birel ART / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 185 points
4- Kristijan Habulin HRV - (TB Kart / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 181 points
5- Anthony Abbasse FRA - (Sodi / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 153 points
The provisional schedule for the Val Vibrata event
Sunday 1st September
08.00 - 09.21: Warm-up
09.30 - 10.40: KZ2 and KZ Super Heats
11.55 - 14.40: Finals