The fourth and closing round of the CIK-FIA European Championship will take place on the French circuit of Essay from August 3rd to 5th. CRG colors will be protagonist with Hiltbrand, who is currently second in the standings, and Bortoleto, presently third in OK-Junior.
The circuit of Essay (France) will house the closer of the CIK-FIA European Championship for categories OK and OK-Junior. CRG Racing Team had an important role in this championship with all its drivers this year too. In Essay, CRG will be fighting for the OK European title with Pedro Hiltbrand. He is currently second in the provisional standings 19 points short of the leader Janker, while Gabriel Bortoleto is third in OK-Junior with 17 points to make up from the leader Aron.
THE SITUATION AFTER THE FIRST THREE RACES
In the previous three rounds – the opener in Sarno, the round at PFI in England and in Germany at Ampfing, Pedro Hiltbrand scored two podiums in OK in Sarno (P2) and at PFI (P3), while he had to settle for P9 in Ampfing after a tough qualifying. In OK-Junior Gabriel Bortoleto had a crescendo of results: 14th in Sarno after some good performances in the heats, he was seventh at PFI after shining in qualifying and heats, taking P2, first after the heats in Ampfing before claiming the podium in the Final (P3). Classifications are still open to all outcomes and CRG is ready to play all its cards with Hiltbrand and Bortoleto since the two worst results in qualifying heats and Finals will have to be discarded.
CRG DRIVERS IN ESSAY
The CRG lineup for Essay will include, in OK, alongside Pedro Hiltbrand, Callum Bradshaw, Ayrton Fontecha, Andrea Rosso and Kas Haverkort (Team Keijzer), while in OK-Junior, CRG team will include Gabriel Bortoleto, Alfio Andrea Spina, Enzo Trulli, Leonardo Bertini Colla and Paolo Gallo (Kalì-Kart).
THE COMMENT OF THE PROTAGONISTS
Pedro Hiltbrand: "This is going to be a very difficult and challenging race, but we are positive as we have always been competitive in all conditions since the beginning of the season. Our chassis and TM engine package is very competitive and our staff in used to manage the pressure of big events. We prepared this round at best and I am aware of having several very quick team mates as Bradshaw and Rosso, that could nick some points from our rivals, which could help."
Gabriel Bortoleto: “My goal is to do my best starting from qualifying and then heats, exploiting all the experience acquired with the team and the work done since the beginning of the season. I have a great feeling with our package and I had good speed on all tracks, therefore I am positive we will be very competitive also in France for this very important appointment. We will be in a position to make some calculations only on Sunday morning after seeing how things went to us and to our closest rivals."
THE PROGRAM IN ESSAY
CIK-FIA European OK & OKJ Championships, 3-5.08.2018
Friday August 3rd, 2018: Free practice from local 8:30; Qualifying practice from 16:30.
Saturday August 4th, 2018: Qualifying heats from 9:45.
Sunday August 5th, 2018: Qualifying heats from 9:50. Finalist presentation from 12:45. Finals: OK-Junior at 13.45; OK at 14:45.
Complete results, Live Timing and Live TV will be available at www.cikfia.com