Under the heat of PFI, the 34 qualified OK drivers showed up on the grid after receiving their CIK-FIA European Championship finalist medal. Mattia Michelotto (KR / Parilla) and Hannes Janker (KR / Parilla) were on the front row ahead of Lorenzo Travisanutto (KR / Parilla) and Juho Valtanen (Kosmic / Vortex). The third line was not lacking interest either with Danny Keirle (KR / Parilla) and Pedro Hiltbrand (CRG / TM).
The start was given after two extra laps but did not change anything in the top three, although David Vidales (Tony Kart / Vortex) joined the top five and a dozen karts went off on the grass before the bridge. Travisanutto made a superb attack under braking at the first hairpin on the second lap and took the lead ahead of Keirle, Michelotto and Janker, while Hiltbrand was back in 5th place. Keirle went past Travisanutto and a battle was in prospect with the return of Janker. Hiltbrand gained 4th and rushed to attack the leading trio.
Halfway through the 11th lap, Travisanutto took the lead from Keirle and Janker, Hiltbrand was closer by 6 tenths and Vidales by 3 tenths. Janker’s attack on Keirle on lap 13 lap allowed the two Spaniards to come back into contact, while Travisanutto kept his distance in the lead. On the next lap, Hiltbrand and Vidales passed Keirle and traded positions. Meanwhile, Janker did not give up on ??winning the race and pushed to catch Travisanutto.
PFI’s track specialist, Oliver Hodgson (Birel ART / Parilla) had climbed from 16th to 5th ahead of Keirle and threatened Hiltbrand. Although Janker could be faster than Travisanutto, the Italian was more consistent and maintained a safe distance from his German opponent. Lorenzo Travisanutto won masterfully against Hannes Janker, with David Vidales finishing 3rd. It was a good race for Hodgson in 4th with a gain of 12 places, in front of Hiltbrand, Keirle and Michelotto. Franck Chappard (Redspeed / Parilla) moved up 11 positions to finish 12th, Harry Thompson (FA Kart / Vortex) beat Dexter Patterson (Exprit / TM) in 14th while Jules Mettetal (Redspeed / Parilla) reached 17th (+17 pl).
Travisanutto was then disqualified after a protest for putting his spoiler back after the finish, and Hodgson was given a 10” penalty. The podium therefore rewarded Hannes Janker (TB Racing Team) on the top step, followed by David Vidales (Tony Kart Racing Team) and Pedro Hiltbrand (CRG SpA), then Keirle and Michelotto to complete the top five.
Info Kartcom / © Photo KSP