At the Italian circuit of Cremona, the second edition of the OK-N World Cup, the first for the OK-N Junior category and the FIA Karting Academy Trophy produced an incredible spectacle, with 34 intense races since the end of Qualifying. Rain on Saturday reshuffled the deck, sometimes changing the rankings and causing a few incidents in the pack. In all categories, many drivers believe they have a chance of victory. At this stage, Italians Manuel Scognamiglio in OK-N and Gioele Girardello in OK-N Junior, as well as Frenchman Maël Le Marchand in Academy - Junior, are leading the intermediate rankings.
OK-N: Manuel Scognamiglio makes a strong impression
With four wins and one second place, Manuel Scognamiglio (ITA) is the big winner of the Qualifying Heats. However, no fewer than 10 other drivers have managed to win, leaving the race wide open. Pole position winner William Marshall (RSA) won two races, with the other eight going to Federico Nardozi (ITA), Alexandre Lopez (FRA), Giuseppe Gagliano (ITA), Nicolas Fuca (ARG), Wojciech Woda (POL), Mike Parhiala (FIN), Jean-Paul Karras (GRE), Michael Rosina (ITA) and Franciszek Cegielski (POL). The intermediate standings also show that consistency is an important quality, as demonstrated by the presence of Guido Bidoli (NAM) and Iwo Besztreda (POL) in the top 10.
Top 12 in the Qualifying Heats - OK-N
1- Manuel Scognamiglio (ITA - KR / IAME / Maxxis)
2- Wojciech Woda (POL - KR / IAME / Maxxis)
3- Michael Rosina (ITA - Gillard / IAME / Maxxis)
4- Nicolas Fuca (ARG - Tony Kart / TM Kart / Maxxis)
5- Alexandre Lopez (FRA - Tony Kart / Vortex / Maxxis)
6- Giuseppe Gagliano (ITA - Tony Kart / TM Kart / Maxxis)
7- Federico Nardozi (ITA - DR / Modena Engines / Maxxis)
8- William Marshall (RSA - Tony Kart / TM Kart / Maxxis)
9- Guido Bidoli (NAM - Tony Kart / TM Kart / Maxxis)
10- Iwo Besztreda (POL - Tony Kart / TM Kart / Maxxis)
11- Antonio Apicella (ITA - LN / TM Kart / Maxxis)
12- Franciszek Cegielski (POL - KR / TM Kart / Maxxis)
OK-N Junior: Gioele Girardello still in the lead
From pole position to the lead after the Qualifying Heats, Gioele Girardello (ITA) appears to be the driver to beat in this World Cup. His team-mate Albert Tamm (SUI) moved up to second place, winning twice. The two drivers will start in first position in the two Super Heats on Sunday morning, which will determine the starting grid for the Final, featuring the 36 best drivers.
Victoria Farfus (BRA) did not win any Qualifying Heats, but that was no obstacle to her moving up to third place in the intermediate standings with three second places and two third places. With two victories, Christian Blandino (ITA), Oleksandr Legenkyi (ITA) and Huifei Xie (ITA) demonstrated their competitiveness. The other winners were Gioele Carrer (ITA), Nikita Botte (UKR) and Diar Islami (SUI). Overall, the best performers on a dry track were able to confirm their form with rain tyres.
Top 12 in the Qualifying Heats - OK-N Junior
1- Gioele Girardello (ITA - Parolin / TM Kart / LeCont)
2- Albert Tamm (SUI - Parolin / TM Kart / LeCont)
3- Victoria Farfus (BRA - KR / IAME / LeCont)
4- Christian Blandino (ITA - LN / TM Kart / LeCont)
5- Huifei Xie (ITA - KR / IAME / LeCont)
6- Oleksandr Legenkyi (ITA - KR / IAME / LeCont)
7- Michele Orlando (ITA - DR / Modena Engines / LeCont)
8- Antoni Ociepa (POL - Lenzokart / LKE / LeCont)
9- Benjamin Westwood (MLT - Kosmic / TM Kart / LeCont)
10- Sebastian Riedel (GER - KR / IAME / LeCont)
11- Mia Oger (FRA - KR / IAME / LeCont)
12- Jakub Bednar (CZE - KR / IAME / LeCont)
Academy - Junior: Maël Le Marchand takes the lead
In the FIA Karting Academy Trophy - Junior, there are still many drivers in contention for the title. With a victory and a third place in the Qualifying Heats, Maël Le Marchand (FRA) was the best performer on Saturday. However, the drivers in this category all have one more heat on Sunday morning and the positions are obviously still subject to change. Winner on one occasion, but only ninth in the next, Marc Alexander Reistrup (DEN) showed his talent, as did Nik Brecelj (SLO).
Nojus Stasionis (LTU) and Nicola Frigg (SUI) crashed at the start of the first heat, before going on to win one heat each. Despite this, they will inevitably lose places on the starting grid for the Final compared to their Qualifying positions. Penalised by the race stewards, Oiva Vettenranta (FIN) also finished fourth in another heat, but the championship leader is now under pressure. Tomasz Cichoracki (POL) and Finlay Lines (GBR) showed they have the potential to fight for the podium in Cremona. After qualifying poorly, Erik Poulsen (SWE) began to make up some of the ground he had lost by gaining several places in his two heats.
Continuation of the provisional programme for the Cremona event
Sunday 28th September
08.30 - 09.25: Warm-up
09.35 - 10.10: Last Academy - Junior Qualifying Heats
10:15 - 11:50: OK-N & OK-N Junior Super Heats
13:30 - 16:20: Finals and podium ceremonies