Electric atmosphere in the Heats at Sarno
Twenty Qualifying Heats, eight in OK and twelve in Junior, were on the programme on Saturday 22nd August on the Sarno circuit for the second Competition of the FIA Karting European Championship - OK & Junior. The intensity of the Heats, as well as the nervousness of some Drivers, shaped the provisional hierarchy. Barnard continued his dominance in OK, while Ugochukwu had a clear round in Junior.
The temperature was still high, with the thermometer often exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. The battles were intense and the spirits were sometimes heated to the point of causing frequent clashes, not serious, but with heavy consequences for the ranking. However, the races provided a great sporting spectacle which could be followed from a distance by the public thanks to the live streaming broadcast worldwide on the internet. The President of the CIK-FIA, Felipe Massa, was on hand to see for himself how the Competition went.
OK: Barnard's still the boss.
The poleman Taylor Barnard (GBR) showed exceptional form during the Qualifying Heats of the FIA Karting European Championship - OK in Sarno. He won his three races with a comfortable lead over his pursuers. Oliver Gray (GBR) lost some ground in the last heat, which was won by Nikita Bedrin (RUS), who came up against Juho Valtanen (FIN). Rafael Chaves Camara (BRA) made significant progress ahead of Dilano Vant'hoff (NLD). Among the day's disappointments, Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA), Alexander Dunne (IRL), James Wharton (AUS) and Maya Weug (ESP) all fell back in the standings to a greater or lesser extent, jeopardising their chances of success.
Ugochukwu makes a name for himself in the Junior category
With his four victories, Ugo Ugochukwu (USA) took the lead in the Qualifying Heats of the FIA European Junior Karting Championship in Sarno. The poleman Maxwell Dodds (GBR) remains well placed, while Freddie Slater (GBR) and Arvid Lindblad (GBR) made strong progress to the top of the standings, as did Tymoteusz Kucharczyk (POL). Bruno Del Pino (ESP), Valerio Rinicella (ITA) and Nikola Tsolov (RUS) managed to stay in the leading group, unlike William Macintyre (GBR) and Giovanni Trentin (ITA) who dropped down quite a way.
Five Heats remain to be contested on Sunday morning, three in Junior and two in OK, before the final list of finalists is unveiled.
Provisional schedule for Sunday 23nd August
08:00 - 09:40: Warm-up (10')
09:50 - 12:10: Qualifying Heats
13:45 - 14:20: Junior Final
14:45 - 15:25: OK Final