Tony Kart ends 2023 with two poles and two victories at Franciacorta
On the occasion of the second round of the WSK Final Cup, the Tony Kart Racing Team obtains a double success thanks to their drivers Sebastiano Pavan (OK) and Ilie Tristan Crisan (MINI Gr.3), the latter also author of the best time in the qualifyings. Podium also for Tom Leuillet, the fastest in the chrono practices of KZ2 category.
It is a season finale to be framed, that of the Tony Kart Racing Team. The Tony Kart-Vortex pairing proves to be competitive in all categories, from direct drive to shifter classes, passing through the MINI. In fact, on the occasion of the last round of the WSK Final Cup at the Franciacorta Karting Track in Castrezzato (Italy), their Tony Kart Racer 401 RR conquers the success in the OK final, with the Vortex VTS engine, the best time in the qualifying and a podium in KZ2, with the VTZ engine, and a Top 5 in OKJ, with the VTJ engine. The smallest Tony Kart Rookie - now also available in the new EVM version - powered by the Vortex VTM engine, is not less performing, it actually controls the race with the conquest of the overall pole and the final victory in the MINI Gr.3 class.
In OK category, after the second place obtained a week ago in Lonato del Garda, Sebastiano Pavan hits his first victory in the master class of single-gear karts. The Italian driver constantly runs in the top positions throughout the weekend: second in his group of the chrono practices, second in the ranking at the end of the qualifying heat with two victories, and first in the B prefinal. In the final, after an initial 'study' phase, Pavan goes on the attack, taking the lead and never losing it until the chequered flag. Thanks to this success, their driver becomes vice-champion of the WSK Final Cup.
Another positive weekend for David Walther, author of a Top 5 and a fast lap in the qualifying heat, as well as a fourth place in the B prefinal. The Danish driver takes the fourth place in the first laps of the final and finishes the race in the top ten. Right behind him is Luigi Coluccio, able to climb six places during the final and finishing in the Top 5 in A prefinal.
At his second race in the category, Tiziano Monza offers excellent signs of growth over the weekend and finishes the final in the Top 15. After a third place in the A prefinal on Sunday morning, Jan Przyrowski is in contention for a top ten finish but is then forced to retire on lap 2.
In the MINI Gr.3 class, we have a fantastic performance by Ilie Tristan Crisan, with his first victory in the category. Already in the qualifyings, the Canadian driver proves to be the fastest with a pole position of 53.405, a time that will remain unbeaten for the rest of the weekend. Tristan Crisan continues the event with two wins, a podium, two fastest laps in the qualifying heats, thus securing the front row in the final.
Despite starting from the outside line in the decisive race on Sunday afternoon, their official driver remains in the top positions in the early laps and, in the most decisive moment, takes the reins of the race four laps to the end. Thanks to this, Tristan Crisan triumphs right at the finish line.
Positive path for Leonardo Gorski, with a fourth place as best result in the qualifying heat and a place in the top fifteen in the final. Just behind the Polish driver we find Oliver Sini, who is able to obtain the second place in the B prefinal thanks to an excellent 13-position comeback. Ludovico Mazzola achieves a Top 5 in the eliminatory heats, but finishes the final too early.
In KZ2, Tom Leuillet after his victory last February at Franciacorta, on the occasion of the WSK Super Master Series, is once more among the leaders. In fact, the French driver is the fastest ever in the qualifying heats with a time of 45.680 seconds and proves to unbeatable in the next qualifying heats thanks to his victories in the two scheduled races. Leuillet jumps from the pole position in the final, but a collision with another rival in the early laps drops him to ninth position. The transalpine driver does not give up and, on the contrary, show off a splendid comeback. On the last lap, Leuillet reaches the two leading drivers and crosses the finish line in third place, just an inch away from victory.
In his second appearance with their official colours, Samuele Leopardi shows excellent driving skills and, recovering 8 positions during the final, finishes sixth, his best result ever in an international race reserved for KZ2 class. Norton Andreasson also climbs the ranking by 8 positions and closes the weekend with a positive Top 10 finish.
In OKJ category, Davide Bottaro is their best representative of the Junior category. The Italian sets the second-best time in Group 3 of the chrono practices, after which he continues his weekend with a victory and two Top 3 places in the qualifying heats. In the final, Bottaro consistently runs in the top positions and is among the drivers fighting for victory, but a collision on the penultimate lap prevents him from a possible podium finish. Despite this inconvenience, their driver is among the top five finishers.
A position in the Top 10 also for Thomas Quince, who is good at not making any mistakes throughout the race weekend. After his victory in Round 1 at Lonato del Garda, Sebastian Lehtimäki is again at the top of the standings with a second place in the qualifyings of Group 2, as well as two Top 3 places and a fastest lap in the eliminatory heats. The Finnish driver also sets a fast lap in the B prefinal and recovers not less than six positions in the final, but a five-second penalty for the incorrect position of his front fairing prevents him from finishing on the championship podium.
Scott Marsh achieves two Top 5 places and a fourth place in the prefinal, also at the start of the Sunday's final. After several comebacks in the qualifying heats, Scott Kin Lindblom must stop in the prefinal due to a racing accident. Finally, Maria Germano Neto shows off with a third place in the eliminatory heats.
In the MINI Gr.3 U10, the apprenticeship of Achille Rea and Tiberius Müller is going on in their team. The Italian driver is able to distinguish himself with a sixth place in the prefinal and a Top 15 in the final, while the German driver comes close to a Top 10 in his own pre-final.