The front runners after qualifying heats are: Orlov (KZ2), Firhand (OK), Gorski (OKJ), Miras (U10), Mair (MINI Gr.3), Schniegenberg and Nanni (OKNJ), Giudice (OK-N). The final stages on Saturday, February 14th, will be available via TV Live Streaming.
The qualifying heats for the opening round of the WSK Euro Series have concluded at the Leopard Circuit Viterbo. With an international field of over 250 drivers from 52 nations, the stage is set for the final phase on Saturday, February 14th, wrapping up an intense first weekend of racing across the MINI Under 10, MINI Gr.3, OK-N Junior, OK-N, OK-Junior, OK, and KZ2 categories.
Qualifying heats.
Following the mixed weather leading up to the event, the qualifying heats were held under perfect conditions, with temperatures feeling positively spring-like. Unfortunately, however, the forecast for Saturday’s final phase does not look nearly as promising.
KZ2 – Orlov leads the Sodikart lot.
Max Orlov (Sodikart – Sodikart/TM Kart/LeCont) has been unbeatable, prevailing in everything from qualifying to all three qualifying heats. The Russian driver has strengthened his position as the favorite for the final victory. In the current standings, he leads his two teammates, the Netherlands' Dion Van Werven and Britain's Jenson Graham. Breaking up the Sodikart lot is China's Jiang Houzai (LA Motorsport – Parolin/TM Kart) in fourth, followed by another Sodikart driver, Bulgaria's Kaloyan Varbitzaliev, in fifth.
OK – Firhand takes the lead.
Leading the standings after three heats is Indonesia's Qarrar Firhand (Ward Racing – Parolin/TM Kart/LeCont), who secured a win in the first heat, followed by a second and a third-place finish. The other heat victories went to his teammate, Spain's Benjamin Manach, and fellow Spaniard Bosco Arias (Ricky Flynn Motorsport – LN Kart/TM Kart). Arias won the third heat by a very small margin of just 0.077 seconds over his teammate and pole-sitter, Germany's Luke Kornder. Also among the front runners is Germany's Osman Amin Kara (Haupt Racing Team – KR/Iame), currently third in the standings.
OKJ – Gorski full haul in three heats.
Poland's Leo Gorski (Ricky Flynn – LN Kart/TM Kart/Vega) achieved a clean sweep, winning all three of his heats to take the lead in the standings. Chasing him are fellow heat winners: Slovakia's Alex Molota (Hagemann Racing – Exprit/TM Kart), China's Zhaoqi Zhu Zack (DPK Racing – KR/Iame), and the Czech Republic's Zdenek Babicek (Tepz Racing Team – Tony Kart/Iame). Italy's Michele Orlando (DR – DR/Modena Engines), who took pole position in qualifying, is currently sixth in the standings, just behind Poland's Remigiusz Samczyk (Forza Racing – Exprit/TM Kart).
MINI U10 – Miras takes the lead.
A victory in the third heat launched Spain’s Sasha Miras Y Munoz (BabyRace – Parolin/Iame) to the top of the standings, ahead of fellow Spaniard Oliver Weytjens (Team Driver – KR/Iame). Despite a heat win, the American Zayne Burgess (Parolin Motorsport – Parolin/TM Kart/Vega) slipped to third place due to a penalty in the final heat. He currently leads the Canadian pole-sitter Jayden Francisco (BabyRace – Parolin/Iame) and the American Zev Godschalk (Kidix – KR/Iame). Slightly further back is the winner of the other heat, Italy's Giovanni Ventorino (Team Driver – KR/Iame), while Austria’s Jack Wolff (KR Motorsport – KR/Iame) moved into seventh.
MINI Gr.3 – Mair is the overall protagonist.
Britain’s Alfie Richard Mair (Tony Kart Racing Team – Tony Kart/Vortex/Vega) emerged as the undisputed star of the category, securing the top spot in the standings with a perfect record of three wins in as many heats. Other top performers include Norway’s Theo Steindal (MP Academy Gamoto – Henza/TM Kart), the Netherlands' Mik Klinkers (Energy Corse – Energy/Iame), and Morocco’s Nahyl El Gahoudi (BabyRace – Parolin/Iame), all of whom claimed a heat victory. Rounding out the frontrunners are the American Wynn Godschalk (Kidix – KR/Iame), Poland’s Filip Stec (Energy Corse – Energy/Iame), Malta’s Zane Pace (Tony Kart Racing Team – Tony Kart/Vortex), and Mexico’s Mateo Garcia Patino (BabyRace – Parolin/Iame).
OK-N Junior – Schniegenberg and Nanni tied on top.
The battle remains wide open in OK-N Junior, where the American Colton Schniegenberg (Ward Racing – Parolin/TM Kart/Vega)—the pole-sitter and winner of two heats—holds a narrow lead after the heats. Italy’s Alessandro Nanni (Modena Kart – Parolin/TM Kart) is tied for the lead on points, having secured two victories following a strong recovery from qualifying. They are followed by two other Modena Kart drivers, Luigi D’Ascoli and Greece’s Ioannis Kolovos, both of whom have one win to their name. John Han (Hong Kong, Zanchi Motorsport – KR/TM Kart) sits in fifth, just ahead of another Modena Kart entry, Sweden’s Elton Hedfors.
OK-N – Giudice emerges among a lot of rivals.
After securing pole position in qualifying, Italy’s Andrea Giudice (Marra61 – KR/Iame/Vega) secured a heat victory and, supported by two other strong finishes, claimed the top spot in the standings. The American Max Cristea (Gulstar Racing – KR/Modena Engines) is chasing the Italian driver, alongside fellow heat winners Andrea Barbieri (Zanchi Motorsport – Tony Kart/TM Kart), Lamberto Ferrari (Monster K Factory – Monster K/TM Kart), and Argentina’s Martin Saa (Zanchi Motorsport – Tony Kart/TM Kart). The final winner of the day was Italy’s Manuel Scognamiglio (Pantano by DAM – Pantano/TM Kart), who was otherwise an unlucky protagonist; a penalty in one heat prevented him from taking the second win.
The program.
Saturday, February 14th: TV Live Streaming 9:30 Prefinals, 13:10 Finals.