The Tony Kart Racer 401 RR repeats last year's success and wins the 2023 title in the OK category with James Egozi, on the occasion of the last round in Cremona. Podium for Pavan, still in the "Senior" category.
As in 2022, the Tony Kart Racing Team closes the WSK Super Master Series at the top of the ranking in the OK category. In the lead since the first round with a solid victory in Lonato and author of a third place in Sarno, is James Egozi the 2023 champion on the Cremona Karting circuit, at the wheel of the Tony Kart Racer 401 RR chassis, powered by the Vortex VTS, the latter soon winner in its debut season. Positive performances in the last round of the championship also in KZ2 and OKJ, always with the "401 RR" chassis and the engines of the "engine division" of OTK Kart Group, as well as in the two MINI classes, with the Tony Kart Rookie and the VTM Vortex unit.
Proof of maturity from Egozi throughout the last round of the OK category. The American driver makes no mistakes during the qualifying heats, where he records a third place as his best result as well as a fast lap, and is able to emerge from the group on Sunday morning's B pre-final, finishing in fourth position and with a 'best lap' proving his speed on the track. In the decisive final, Egozi perfectly jumps at the start and, in a few laps, reaches the second place; considering the gap over his direct rivals for the title, James prefers not to take unnecessary risks and closes the race at the foot of the podium. It is an undiscussed triumph for their driver, at the top of the general ranking since the opening stage at Lonato.
Sebastiano Pavan also takes a starring place throughout the weekend in Cremona. The Italian drivers ends the eliminatory heats always in the Top 5, also recording a second place: thanks to these results he gains the sixth place in the intermediate ranking, next to the third position obtained in the B pre-final. Pavan runs wild in the final and, with great stubbornness, conquers the lowest step of the podium and a place among the top ten in the championship, rewarding his constant growth during this beginning of the season.
Luigi Coluccio sets a good run, coming close to the Top 5 in the A pre-final and in contention for the Top 10 in the final. Unfortunately, a 5-second penalty for the front fairing in the wrong position spoils the result achieved by the Italian, nevertheless ranked among the top six drivers in the overall standings. An uphill weekend for Arthur Poulain and Jan Przyrowski, both able to enter the final. On the other hand, a stop in A prefinal prevents Zoe Florescu Potolea from taking part in the Sunday's final race.
In KZ2, Tom Leuillet is among the drivers running for the category title but finds some obstacles in the qualifying heats where he has to retire due to a collision with another rival. The French driver does not give up and shows all his talent in the final: when the lights go out, with a blazing sprint he reaches sixth place and, after seven laps, climbs to fourth. Leuillet remains glued to the three drivers ahead of him, but, also due to the layout of the Cremona track, cannot find the necessary way to the podium.
Norton Andreasson experiences a positive last round of the championship. The young Swedish driver, despite a DNF in the second heat, proves he has the potential to obtain a significant result: actually, on Sunday, he closes the pre-final in the Top 10 and repeats himself in the final as well. Little luck, on the other hand, for Samuel and Jean Luyet: both are the authors of three top performances in the qualifying heats. In particular, Jean achieves a third place in the second heat, before receiving a 5-second penalty for having his front fairing in the wrong position, but not due to any negligence on his part. The two Swiss drivers, in any case, secure a valuable top ten placing on the starting grid for the final. Unfortunately, Jean (also author of a fourth place in the pre-final) is forced to raise the white flag due to an accident in the first few corners, while Samuel continues, having however lost several positions in the standings.
In OKJ category, Scott Kin Lindblom is their best representative and is among the runners for a place on the podium in the final. The Swedish driver opens the weekend with a fifth place in the standings, scores three Top 3 finishes during the qualifying heats and also finishes fifth in the A pre-final. At the start of the final, Lindblom jumps to third position after one lap only, but numerous hand-to-hand battles close his way to a possible Top 5.
Important results for Kirill Dzitiev in the eliminatory heats, in which he achieves a fourth place as his best result. In the B pre-final, he performs an 11-place comeback, able to take the Top 5 and the access to the final. Alp Hasan Aksoy makes up for an underwhelming qualifying with a 46-place recovery in the intermediate ranking gaining the access to the weekend's closing race. Interesting performances also for Davide Bottaro in view of the upcoming scheduled events.
In the MINI Gr.3, Ilie Tristan Crisan is once more convincing: he obtains a victory and a third place in the qualifying heats, he is among the top ten drivers in the intermediate ranking and, thanks to a 5-position-comeback, he achieves the fifth place in the final. Solid performance also for Ludovico Mazzola, fighting until the very end for the Top 15. In the MINI Gr.3 U10, Sebastian Eskandari-Marandi runs strong achieving two second places in the eliminatory heats, and unconditionally wins the B pre-final on Sunday morning. The Australian driver is a candidate for a starring role in the final and when the lights go out, he confirms the expectations: in the first frantic phases of the race he takes the lead and fights for the victory. In the final, however, he is hit by a rival, this preventing him to achieve a podium within his reach, finishing fourth.
From Italy to the Czech Republic: the Tony Kart Racing will be back on track on 4th – 7th March for the second round of the Champions of the Future, reserved for OK and OKJ categories, in Třinec.