In Spain, the IWF24 got off to a fast start, with 363 competitors storming the Zuera International Circuit from the first official Free Practice sessions. There was no shortage of work on the part of the teams to get their drivers in the best possible condition for the race and, above all, for the Qualifying sessions that are so important at this world-class event. On a perfectly dry track, the fastest times were set by Italy's Danny Carenini in the X30 Senior class, Great Britain's Evan Purcelle in the X30 Junior class, Sweden's Ludwig Granquist in the X30 Mini class and France's Nicolas Picot in the X30 Master class. But from pole position to victory, there's a long way to go, with a host of races scheduled from Wednesday to Saturday.
X30 Senior: 90 drivers in the same second!
The gaps were extremely small in the meeting's top category, with 139 drivers taking part. The famous IAME X30 engine and Komet tyres played their part perfectly in terms of sporting fairness. Although Danny Carenini was the fastest in 1:02.907, it would be difficult to list all the favourites, as there were so many of them in Zuera. Belgium's Alessandro Tudisca, who set the fastest time in Group 1, was quickly dethroned by Britain's Freddie Lloyd after Group 2. Carenini was the first to break the 1:03 barrier, a performance also achieved by Australian Pip Casabene and Great Britain's Marcus Luzio. The leader of Group 4 with a time of 1:02.998, Irishman Sean Hogan was less than a tenth off the poleman. The top eight finishers are from eight different nations!
X30 Junior: The British are on form
Four British drivers have already made it into the top six after Qualifying. In a time of 1:04.227, Evan Purcell from Group 2 was on pole position on his very last flying lap. In the Qualifying Heats, he will have to contend with some of his compatriots like Archie Owen (P1 in Group 3 and P3 overall), Kenzo Craigie (P5) and Aston Sharp (P6). Spain's Daniel Mota Mota, leader of Group 1, was less than 6 hundredths off the fastest time. Belgian Stig De Raedemaeker was 4th.
X30 Mini: Sweden in the spotlight with Ludwig Granquist
It wasn't until the third and final group that Sweden's Ludwig Granquist set the definitive pole position with a time of 1:11.373, beating the times of Dutchman Abraham Schelvis (1:11.688 in group 2) and Briton Austin Newstead (1:12.161 in Group 3). Of course, a lot can still change in the heats in this category, which is always full of overtaking during the Qualifying Heats. Great Britain's Colbe Pattison is already in ambush in 4th place ahead of France's Mattis Brageot, Switzerland's Aurelio Longhitano, France's Many Nuvolini and Great Britain's Harry Williams. Other nationalities in the top 10 include Brazil's Pedro Campos and the Czech Republic's Zdenek Babicek.
X30 Master: The prize for experience goes to Nicolas Picot
Both a karting professional and a driver for many years, Frenchman Nicolas Picot quickly revealed his ambitions by taking pole position just under a tenth ahead of Italy's Claudio Pagliarani. Irishman John Norris, who has already taken part in several IAME Warrior Finals, set the 3rd fastest time ahead of Frenchman Alexandre-Benoît Bessac and Irishman Shane Daly. Norway's Tommy Kvakkestad Nordvang came 6th, ahead of Spain's Jesus Perez Santander and Finland's Toni Vilander, a former top-level international rider.
Qualifying Practice results
X30 Senior (139 drivers)
1 Carenini Danny (ITA) Tony Kart 1:02.907
2 Hogan Sean (IRL) Tony Kart 1:02.998
3 Lloyd Freddie (GBR) KR 1:03.130
4 Tudisca Alessandro (ITA) Kosmic 1:03.180
5 Casabene Pip (AUS) KR 1:02.983
6 Boström Maximilian (SWE) Energy Corse 1:03.042
7 Pyykönen Otto (FIN) TB Kart 1:03.258
8 Aluja Olesti Joan (ESP) KR 1:03.417
9 Luzio Marcus (GBR) LN 1:02.994
10 Dominguez Espinosa Eduardo (ESP) Birel Art 1:03.072
X30 Junior (104 drivers)
1 Purcell Evan (GBR) KR 1:04.227
2 Mota Mota Daniel (ESP) KR 1:04.282
3 Owen Archie (GBR) KR 1:04.352
4 De Raedemaeker Stig (BEL) Kosmic 1:04.287
5 Craigie Kenzo (GBR) KR 1:04.505
6 Sharp Aston (GBR) Gillard 1:04.401
7 Sakala Otto (FIN) LN 1:04.342
8 De Doncker Arthur (UAE) Kosmic 1:04.540
9 Garcia Diaz Nicolas (ESP) Birel Art 1:04.463
10 Krasauskas Elvis (ESP) Tony Kart 1:04.439
X30 Mini (95 drivers)
1 Granquist Ludwig (SWE) Falcon 1:11.373
2 Schelvis Abraham (NLD) Alonso Kart 1:11.688
3 Newstead Austin (GBR) KR 1:12.161
4 Pattison Colbe (GBR) KR 1:11.444
5 Brageot Mattis (FRA) Parolin 1:11.773
6 Longhitano Aurelio (CHE) Parolin 1:12.263
7 Nuvolini Many (FRA) Formula K 1:11.504
8 Williams Harry (GBR) KR 1:11.777
9 Campos Pedro (BRA) Kali Kart 1:12.264
10 Babicek Zdenek (CZE) MS Kart 1:11.508
X30 Master (25 drivers)
1 Picot Nicolas (FRA) Tony Kart 1:04.135
2 Pagliarani Claudio (ITA) Tony Kart 1:04.229
3 Norris John (IRL) Tony Kart 1:04.409
4 Bessac Alexandre-Benoît (FRA) Exprit 1:04.464
5 Daly Shane (IRL) KR 1:04.484
6 Nordvang Tommy Kvakkestad (NOR) KR 1:04.626
7 Pérez-Santander Jesus (ESP) CRG 1:04.656
8 Vilander Toni (FIN) CRG 1:04.697
9 Dex Jack (GBR) MS Kart 1:04.778
10 Peurière François (FRA) Tony Kart 1:04.854