At the International Circuit of Naples, the Tony Kart Racing Team faces the second round of the WSK Super Master Series. The new Tony Kart Racer 401 T chassis - equipped with VTZ (KZ2), VTS (OK) and VTJ (OKJ) Vortex engines - is able to show off in all the classes with top performances, as well as the Tony Kart Rookie, in the MINI GR.3 category, powered by the VTM of the OTK Kart Group’s ‘engine division’.
In KZ2 class, Marijn Kremers consistently occupies the top ranks of the category throughout the weekend. The Dutch driver, just back from the second place gained in round 1, sets the fourth best time in his qualifying group and scores a victory and a second place in the qualifying heats, securing the second starting row for the Sunday afternoon's final. In the final and decisive race, Kremers jumps with a perfect start, actually as soon as the lights go off, immediately moves up to third place and, on the second lap, takes the momentary lead of the race. Always involved in the fight for the top positions, their driver collects an important top-5 for the championship standings. As for Tom Leuillet, the French driver gathers useful information between Wednesday and Sunday, together with the team, in view of the next scheduled events.
In OK class, Jindřich Pešl gets soon familiar with the top places of the category during the whole weekend in Sarno: already in the qualifying heats he gains the third best time in Group 1 and, in the following three qualifying heats, he is able to gather three placings in the top three positions, plus a further second place in the B Prefinal. These results allow the Czech driver to start from the second row in the final, in which he proves to be in great form running in the third position in the first laps. A collision and a consequent penalty for the front spoiler in the wrong position prevent him from closing the weekend at his best. Growing steadily throughout the event are Thomas Pradier, Gustaw Wiśniewski and Oliver Rasmussen who attend the final, gaining several positions compared to the start.
In OKJ class, Ilie Tristan Crisan returns to the category strong after his good performance in the previous round at Muro Leccese. With two solid victories in the qualifying heats, the Canadian driver is the leader of the provisional standings at the end of the day on Saturday, but in the A pre-final he is involved in an accident, fortunately without consequences; nevertheless, he completes the race and manages to get a place on the third row for the final. At the start of the Sunday afternoon's race, Crisan moves up to third place after a few metres and remains in contention for a place until the chequered flag.
At his season debut with their colours, Sebastian Eskandari Marandi is fourth in his qualifying session, collects a second place as best result in the qualifying heat and attends the final. Augustus Toniolo also takes part in the final race of the weekend, after shining in the chrono practices with the best time in Group 1. Second time among the Junior drivers, Julian Frasnelli once more enters the final. Nikita Ljubimov, Oliveri Sini and Henri Constant Kumpen gather experience, ready for the next challenges.
In the MINI Gr.3, Jean Poujol begins his journey with the fourth best Chrono time in Group 2 of the qualifying heats, gains the second-best place in the qualifying heats, and finishes the A Prefinal in second place. Just a collision on the first lap of the final is able to ruin the plans of the French driver, who is in the running for a top result. Miguel Enrique Manzano Suarez, Andrea Iannone and Victor Gorun also line up at the start of the last race in Sarno, while Henri Möhring and Tiberius Müller narrowly miss the qualification.
In two weeks, the Tony Kart Racing Team will be back on track for the third round of the WSK Super Master Series, scheduled on 20th-23rd February at the South Garda Karting of Lonato del Garda.