The scene is set for the final stages
After 15 qualifying heats in each of the two categories of the Mondokart.com FIA Karting European Championship OK & Junior, Thibaut Ramaekers (BEL) was leading the OK intermediate classification, while Christian Costoya (ESP) took the lead in the OK-Junior category. Dan Allemann (CHE) maintained his lead with two wins in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy, with two heats still to be contested on Sunday morning.
The competition went well in very favourable weather under the sun of Kristianstad. The races were hotly contested but flowed smoothly, with few incidents. However, the serene atmosphere could disappear on Sunday if the rain forecast for the Finals in this southern part of Sweden is confirmed.
The top 72 OK and OK-Junior drivers will battle it out on Sunday morning in the Super Heats to determine the list of 36 finalists, while the Academy Trophy drivers will contest their last two heats.
Ramaekers back on top in OK
With a total of four wins and a second place, Thibaut Ramaekers (BEL) showed a level of performance superior to his rivals to move back into the lead of the premier class on Saturday evening. Jimmy Hélias (FRA) put in a good performance to finish in second place, level on points with Fionn Mclaughlin (IRL) and his three wins. Thanks to his fourth place, Gabriel Gomez (ITA) maintained his lead over Matheus Morgatto (BRA) for second place in the Championship, with Morgatto still 17th despite moving up nine places. The big favourite for the title, Joe Turney (GBR), had taken two wins to climb back up to sixth in a measured strategy.
Top six OK Qualifying Heats
1- Thibaut Ramaekers (BEL - KR / IAME / Maxxis) 244 points
2- Jimmy Hélias (FRA - KR / IAME / Maxxis) 232 points
3- Fionn Mclaughlin (IRL - KR / IAME / Maxxis) 232 points
4- Gabriel Gomez (ITA - CRG / IAME / Maxxis) 226 points
5- Jindrich Pesl (CZE - CRG / TM Kart / Maxxis) 220 points
6- Joe Turney (GBR - KR / IAME / Maxxis) 220 points
Junior: Strong progress for Costoya
An important step in his quest for a top three finish in the Championship, Christian Costoya (ESP) took four wins from five heats to climb from 13th to first in the intermediate rankings. Noah Baglin (GBR) put in a similar performance, but his setback in the A-B heat cost him second place on Saturday evening in favour of Dean Hoogendoorn (NLD), a double winner and regular top two finisher. The cautious strategy of Dries Van Langendonck (BEL), who had opted to collect points rather than try to win, enabled him to secure unofficially the title at the end of the heats with his fourth position. Manuel Miguez (ESP) confirmed his great form in fifth place, with three wins to his name. Behind Devin Walz (USA) and William Calleja (AUS), Scott Marsh (GBR) had climbed 16 places to 9th and Joel Pohjola (FIN) 12 places to 10th.
Top six Junior Qualifying Heats
1- Christian Costoya (ESP - Parolin / TM Kart / Maxxis) 244 points
2- Dean Hoogendoorn (NLD - KR / IAME / Maxxis) 232 points
3- Noah Baglin (GBR - KR / IAME / Maxxis) 225 points
4- Dries van Langendonck (BEL - Exprit / TM Kart / Maxxis) 223 points
5- Manuel Miguez (ESP - CRG /IAME / Maxxis) 213 points
6- Ilie Crisan (CAN - Tony Kart / Vortex / Maxxis) 202 points
Allemann confirmed in the opening rounds of the Academy Trophy
Four of the six Qualifying Heats of the FIA Karting Academy Trophy took place this Saturday on the Åsum Ring. Poleman Dan Allemann (CHE) won the two he took part in, scoring maximum points to retain his leading position. Winners once each, Gilles Herman (BEL) and Turner Brown (USA) followed in second and third places. Fausto Arnaudo (ARG) and Lilian Soares (FRA) moved up into the top five. Nojus Stasionis (LTU) had dropped back beyond 20th place due to a retirement and a penalty. Fedrick Flood-Engebretsen (NOR) and Theodor Toobal (EST) held on ahead of Ivonn Simeonova (AUT), while Victor Alexandru Rad (ROU) and Emilio Bend (DEU) made good progress into the top 10. Jakub Gasparovic (SVK) and Wian Boshoff (ZAF) had begun their comeback, but they still had some way to go to reach the top ranks.
Provisional programme for the Kristianstad race
Sunday 4th August
08:30 - 09:55: Warm-up
10:05 - 10:40: Academy Qualifying Heats
10.45 - 12.20: OK and OK-Junior Super Heats
13:35 - 16:35: Finals
The Kristianstad event can be followed on the official FIA Karting Championship app for mobile devices and on the website.