The first round of the Mondokart.com FIA Karting European Championship - KZ, KZ2 & KZ2 Masters got underway at the MotorLand Aragón circuit in Spain with an intense Qualifying Practice in the early afternoon of Friday 5th July.
The weather was fine and warm with 31° on the thermometer during Qualifying. In all three categories, the best times were set on the second flying lap, with all competitors using CIK-FIA-approved Dunlop 'Option' DH H tyres. The gaps in performance were often very small, and not all the favourites managed good laps.
Gustafsson marks his territory in KZ
Sweden's Viktor Gustafsson, 2022 KZ World Champion, made the difference in the first sector in the Qualifying session. His pole position time of 59'323 put him more than a tenth of a second ahead of his nearest rival. Team-mates Giuseppe Palomba (ITA) and Senna Van Walstijn (NLD) were separated by just three thousandths. In 6th position, Yohan Soguel (FRA) brilliantly made his way through the field of professionals. Former World Champions Paolo De Conto (ITA), Pedro Hiltbrand Aguilar (ESP) and Marijn Kremers (NLD) followed in the top 20.
Top five in the KZ Qualifying session
1- Viktor Gustafsson SWE - (CRG / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 59''323
2- Giuseppe Palomba ITA - (Sodi / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 59''428
3- Senna Van Walstijn NLD - (Sodi / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 59''431
4- Tom Leuillet FRA - (OTK/ Vortex / Dunlop) - 59''456
5- Danilo Albanese ITA - (KR / IAME / Dunlop) - 59''458
Racing gets underway in KZ2 after Nosov's pole position
With 86 participants, the European KZ2 Championship has all the makings of a thrilling competition following Qualifying Practice. The top five were grouped together in just over 5 hundredths. Czech driver Egor Nosov made his presence felt by taking pole position ahead of a number of drivers determined to make a name for themselves. A regular in the OK category, Dmitry Matveev did not disappoint on his debut in KZ2, finishing 9th ahead of experienced specialists such as Daniel Vasile (ROU) in 11th, and Markus Kajak (EST) in 14th. Other established names who didn't quite succeed in Qualifying will be on the attack in the Qualifying Heats to come.
Top six in the KZ2 Qualifying sessions
1- Egor Nosov CZE - (IPK / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 59''644
2- Matteo Spirgel FRA - (Sodi / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 59''695
3- Iaroslav Shevyrtalov (Maranello - TM Kart / Dunlop) - 59''761
4- Timo Jüngling GBR - (Sodi / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 59''709
5- Maximilian Schleimer DEU - (Maranello / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 59''706
6- Nacho Tuñon ESP - (KR / IAME / Dunlop) - 59''858
Abbasse on pole for KZ2 Masters, followed by Davide Foré
The drivers aged 35 and over opened the hostilities in KZ2 Masters with a first-rate fighting spirit that resulted in very tight gaps. Frenchman Anthony Abbasse won his battle with Italian driver Davide Foré by just 42 thousandths of a second. More than a tenth off the fastest time, Riccardo Nalon (ITA) led a close trio of drivers that also included Alessio La Martina (ITA) and Kristijan Habulin (HRV). The top 16 finished within half a second of each other.
Top five in the KZ2 Masters Qualifying session
1- Anthony Abbasse FRA - (Sodi / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 1'00''253
2- Davide Foré ITA - (Birel ART / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 1'00''295
3- Riccardo Nalon ITA - (Parolin / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 1'00''375
4- Alessio La Martina ITA - (KR / IAME / Dunlop) - 1'00''386
5- Kristijan Habulin HRV - (TB Kart / TM Kart / Dunlop) - 1'00''391
Provisional schedule for MotorLand Aragón
Saturday 6th July
09.00 - 10.18: Warm-up
10.25 - 17.25: Qualifying Heats
Sunday 7th July
08.30 - 09.51: Warm-up
10.10 - 11.45: Super Heats
13.35 - 16.15: Finals