The Exprit Racing Team’s debut in the FIA Karting European Championship didn’t go exactly as they had hoped, but they still gained a wealth of experience for the rest of the season.
The first round of the FIA Karting European Championship came to an end for the Exprit Racing Team, which managed another important milestone in its debut season on the circuit of the Circuito Internacional de Zuera. The European Championship is a highly anticipated event for the team led by Patrik Hajek. Unfortunately, however, the intense tussle that took place out on the track forced our drivers to retire on several occasions. Despite everything, the Exprit Noesis R equipped with Vortex engines once again proved to be an ideal ally in their development on the international stage, on which they will undoubtedly be able to make the most of the experience accumulated in this first round.
Confirmation of the worth of Exprit’s equipment was also forthcoming from the drivers of the Forza Racing team, who starred in both classes: Rafael Chaves Camara climbed an impressive 24 places to finish tenth in the OK Final, whereas, in OKJ, Jonathan Weywadt, finished just outside the top-ten, while Maxime Furon Castelain climbed 19 places and crossed the finish line among the points.
In the Exprit Racing Team, Kajus Siksnelis led the group of Seniors on Friday, managing to get into the top ten in the fastest qualifying group. The Qualifying Heats were also benevolent to the Lithuanian, who managed to take part in the Final thanks to two top ten placings. Toni Kayla Naude also put in an excellent performance, climbing an overall total of 29 places during the four heats and almost managing to qualify for the Final race. Things didn’t go as well for Charlie Wurz, who was forced to retire twice, and Alexandru Iancu, who nevertheless showed great determination in an effort to climb back up the standings from the bottom of the line-ups in the heats.
In OKJ, Arthur Rogeon confirmed the progress made so far with our team. The Frenchman crowned a weekend in which he achieved two third places in the Heats, posted a fastest lap and the fourth fastest time in his qualifying session by making it to the Final, in which he improved upon his starting position. Also, in the heats, Luka Sammalisto performance was unfortunately compromised by two penalties, while Oscar Wurz had to retire twice. It was a difficult weekend for Aleksi Jalava and Guillermo Delgado, who were unable remedy a qualifier that forced them to start from the back of the grid.
After Zuera, the Exprit Racing Team now has a three-week break to prepare for the second stage of the FIA Karting European Championship OK and Junior, scheduled at the Circuito Internazionale di Napoli in Sarno (Italy) from 21 to 23 August.