In Sweden, the two FIA Karting World Championship titles - OK & Junior - are more coveted than ever on the spectacular Åsum Ring. The intensity of the 30 Qualifying Heats held from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening, in very pleasant weather conditions, clearly demonstrated this. An initial selection took place with 72 drivers qualifying for Sunday's Super Heats in each category. There will now be only 36 in each Final, out of an initial total of 109 in OK-Junior and 105 in OK. Britain's Noah Baglin in the 12-14 age group and Australia's James Anagnostiadis in OK lead the intermediate standings.
OK: Anagnostiadis and Kelleher neck and neck
Four wins and a second place against the same number of wins but "only" a third place! James Anagnostiadis (AUS) took the lead over his rival Daniel Kelleher (IRL) in the intermediate classification after the Qualifying Heats at the last minute. The two drivers have thus secured pole position in the Super Heats, which will determine the starting grid for the Final. With three wins, Thibaut Ramaekers (BEL) is also among the favourites, but he is currently behind Zac Drummond (GBR) with two wins and Lev Krutoholov (UKR), winner of one of the 15 Qualifying Heats, as is Noah Wolfe (GBR). The latter retired in his first race and is only 14th in the intermediate standings.
Throughout these two days of competition, consistency was also key, as Thomas Pradier (FRA) understood well, finishing 6th in the standings. Ranked 18th in the Qualifying Practice, Joe Turney (GBR) moved up to seventh place ahead of Davide Bottaro (ITA). Mondokart.com FIA Karting European Champion Christian Costoya (ESP) had to retire, but he is far from giving up on his world ambitions, even though he has dropped to 12th place. Sweden's Oliver Kinnmark (SWE) also fell back, but he intends to compete in Sunday's Final, as does his compatriot Elliot Kaczynski.
Top 12 after the OK Qualifying Heats
1- Anagnostiadis, James (AUS - KR / IAME / Maxxis)
2- Kelleher, Daniel (IRL - KR / IAME / Maxxis)
3- Drummond, Zac (GBR - KR / IAME / Maxxis)
4- Krutoholov, Lev (UKR - Energy / IAME / Maxxis)
5- Ramaekers, Thibaut (BEL - KR / IAME / Maxxis)
6- Pradier, Thomas (FRA - Tony Kart / Vortex / Maxxis)
7- Turney, Joe (GBR - KR / IAME / Maxxis)
8- Bottaro, Davide (ITA - CRG / TM Kart / Maxxis)
9- Burnett, Jensen (CAN - Exprit / TM Kart / Maxxis)
10- Green, Zac (GBR - KR / IAME / Maxxis)
11- Cochet, Louis (FRA - KR / IAME / Maxxis)
12- Costoya, Christian (ESP - Parolin / TM Kart / Maxxis)
OK-Junior: 21 Qualifying Heats, 10 Different Winners
High intensity reigned over the first two days of very open competition, both between the drivers and between the teams involved, with most of the major brands represented at the forefront. The top two in the Qualifying Heats retained their positions in the intermediate standings, but swapped places. Noah Baglin (GBR) took first place ahead of his team-mate Dean Hoogendoorn (NED), thanks to five wins to four! Ranked third, Turner Brown (GBR) also won four races and remains a serious contender for the world title.
Other winners included Evan Purcell (GBR) twice, Leonardo Gorski (POL), William Calleja (AUS), Martin Bertolaccini (ARG), Ilie Crisan (CAN), Julian Frasnelli (ITA) and Luka Scelles (FRA). The day was more difficult for the young Swedish drivers despite their knowledge of the Kristianstad circuit. The best local driver was Melker Milell, who has close ties to two FIA Karting World Champions: Noah Milell (KZ in 2021) and Johnny Mislijevic (Formula Super A in 1996).
Top 12 after the OK-Junior Qualifying Heats
1- Baglin, Noah (GBR - KR / IAME / Maxxis)
2- Hoogendoorn, Dean (NED - KR / IAME / Maxxis)
3- Brown, Turner (USA - LN / TM Kart / Maxxis)
4- Purcell, Evan (GBR - LN / TM Kart / Maxxis)
5- Gorski, Leonardo (POL - Henza Kart / IAME / Maxxis)
6- Calleja, William (AUS - Exprit / TM Kart / Maxxis)
7- Bertolaccini, Martin (ARG - Tony Kart / Vortex / Maxxis)
8- Crisan, Ilie (CAN - Tony Kart / Vortex / Maxxis)
9- Mulder, Juste (NED - KR / IAME / Maxxis)
10- Kumpen, Henri-Constant (BEL - Tony Kart / Vortex / Maxxis)
11- Bonhomme, Lucas (FRA - Energy / IAME / Maxxis)
12- Zulfikari, Iskender (TUR - Exprit / TM Kart / Maxxis)
Continuation of the provisional programme for the Kristianstad event
Sunday 14 September
09:00 - 09:55 Warm-up
10:05 - 11:40 Super Heats
12:40 - 14:50 Finals and podium ceremonies