Valencia, Spain, Friday 24 March 2023, 12:05, the FIA European Karting Championship – Junior started with the first Qualifying session for the 83 drivers racing. The sky was partly cloudy, the temperature had risen to 20° and the track was dry, so everything was fine.
Session 1: Schaufler – 55”413
The karts entered the track in an even group with 1’45 to go and did one flying lap, two for some. Nilklas Schaufler (KR/Iame) was in the lead with a time of 55’413, 26 thousandths ahead of Stepan Antonov (KR/Iame) and Oleksandr Bondarev (KR/Iame). Christian Costoya (Parolin/TM) was 4th by a tenth, followed by Mathias Orjuela (Birel ART/TM). Female driver Klara Kowalczyk (CRG/TM) was 23rd and David Cosma-Cristofor (KR/Iame) was a long way from his usual performance in 27th place.
Session 2: Kaczynski – 55”385
The drivers in the second session started about a minute earlier than those of the previous one. Elliot Kaczynski (Tony Kart/Vortex) was in the lead on the first lap ahead of Thibaut Ramaekers (KR/Iame) and Salim Hanna (LN/Vortex). The positions did not change much on the second lap, but the times improved. Kaczynski remained the leader and provisional pole holder in 55”385, with Ramaekers 2nd by 44 thousandths, followed by Hanna 3rd at 1.5 tenths. Jack Illife (Parolin/TM) was 4th by two tenths and Dries van Langendonck (Energy/TM) was 5th.
Session 3: Saleh – 55”343
The start of the session was gradual, with 2’15 remaining. Taym Saleh (KR/Iame) led the first lap ahead of Daniel Dallakyan (Pantano/Iame) and Vivek Kanthan (Parolin/TM). Saleh improved to 55’343 and took pole position on his second and final lap. He was 26 thousandths ahead of Zac Drummond (Parolin/TM). Iacopo Martinese (KR/Iame) finished 3rd, 65 thousandths ahead of Davide Bottaro (Tony Kart/Vortex) and Dallakyan. Louis Cochet (Sodi/TM) was 17th.
Info Kartcom with Kartlink / Photo © KSP