After two prefinals, multiple penalties, mostly for dislodged spoilers, changed the positions on the starting grid for the final of the KZ2 International Super Cup at Le Mans. Dylan Davies (CRG / TM) was demoted to 6th position and Joel Johansson (Energy / TM) who shared the front row with Thomas Laurent (Tony Kart / Vortex). We will also watch the performance of Frenchman Pierre Loubère (Sodi / TM), in 3rd, Charles Fiault (Sodi / TM) 5th and Nicolas Gonzales (Sodi / TM), in 8th. The weather is rather cloudy, but rain does not seem to be in prospect for the 22 laps to go.
The poleman Laurent made an excellent start while Fiault dropped to 13th. The top four remained in place, Davies returned to 5th ahead of Lorenzo Camplese (Parolin / TM) and Gonzales. Laurent distanced himself in front of a group of three, followed by a few lengths by another group of four drivers. Loubère defended his position from Hiltbrand but Gonzales jumped to 3rd place in the scuffle, followed by Hiltbrand, Davis and Fabian Federer (CRG / Maxter). Loubère had to retire.
After eight laps, Laurent was 2.4” ahead of Johansson, 7/10 ahead of Gonzales and Hiltbrand who were fighting. While Gonzales returned to Johasson, Federer attacked Hiltbrand and passed for 4th. Victory seemed to be in prospect for Laurent, but it was very uncertain for the rest of the podium. Johansson found a little peace when Gonzales, Hiltbrand and Federer fought vigorously allowing Antonio Cavalieri (Righetti / Modena), up from 18th position, and Stan Pex (CRG / TM) to catch up with them.
The pressure was on for Gonzales who fought to contain the threat from Hiltbrand and Federer in his wheel tracks. Cavalieri took the opportunity to go to 5th from Federer. Hiltbrand went up the inside of Gonzales on the last lap. Thomas Laurent won during that time with extraordinary mastery in the Super Cup, 3” ahead of Johansson. Hiltbrand crossed the line 3rd, Cavalieri 4th and Gonzales 5th.
Info Kartcom with Kartlink / © Photos KSP