The location in southern Portugal at the edge of the ocean and the summer climate of this beautiful end of June brought a pleasant holiday atmosphere to the Competition at Portimao. For the 152 drivers present, the visit to Portugal, however, was not easy. After intense racing full of twists in hot weather, new names were added to the list of the winners of the 2016 season, while the fight for the title was revitalised. Although Portimao was a turning point in the season, it opened up the CIK-FIA European Championship, the CIK-FIA European Junior Championship and CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy before their conclusion.
Both fast and technical, Portimao resulted in fierce struggles, punctuated by a few crashes or exits from the track, usually harmless. The presence of the removable front fairing fasteners nevertheless dampened down the excessive heat and few penalties were ultimately applied in this area. The rankings evolved over the three days of the official Competition and the winners were not necessarily those favoured by the tipsters before the start. Under continuous sunshine, the heat was fortunately tempered by a much appreciated moderate breeze and everyone was able to enjoy the show from the large terraces.
Handsaeme’s victory in the Academy Trophy delays Bradshaw’s crowning
Most of the 47 Academicians present at the Portimao Race were new to such hot conditions. The Belgian Xavier Handsaeme was at the front as soon Qualifying Practice started and he continued his momentum in the Qualifying Heats. But the return of the Briton Callum Bradshaw was confirmed with his victory in the Prefinal, with the Spaniard Rubén Saura Sabater taking 3rd place behind Handsaeme. Kasparas Vaskelis (LTU) sprang ahead in the Final while Bradshaw was relegated to 7th and Handsaeme returned to the lead from 4th position. The suspense was reinforced by the announcement of an investigation concerning the Belgian’s start. The leader before halfway, Handsaeme simultaneously risked a penalty of three seconds, while being wary of the return of Bradshaw. He was in a brilliant 2nd position with three laps to go, but Handsaeme continued to widen the gap to cross the finish line 3.2 seconds ahead. He therefore maintained his victory despite the penalty, so Bradshaw climbed on the second step of the podium and Vaskelis on the third. Although Bradshaw remains well ahead in the standings, the Trophy is not yet fully his. Handsaeme is now neck and neck at the front with Hansen, Clarke and Nilsson, all launched in pursuit of the leader. The CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy will be decided at after the third Competition on the calendar in early September in Sweden.
Joyner the winner and new leader in OK
The CIK-FIA European Championship made a huge rebound thanks to the victory of Tom Joyner (Zanardi / Parilla / Vega). Always among the fastest since the first Competition at Zuera, Joyner hadn’t yet won. While Marta Garcia Lopez (Evokart / Parilla / Vega) had dominated Qualifying Practice and the Qualifying Heats, the young Spanish driver experienced a decrease of pace early in the Prefinal. Ben Hanley (Croc Promotions / TM Racing / Vega), now recovered from his sore ribs, took the opportunity to finish in front of Joyner and Pedro Hiltbrand (CRG / Parilla / Vega). Hiltbrand was in the lead at the start of the Final, but both of the Britons passed him and Garcia Lopez came back to 4th position. Karol Basz (Kosmic / Vortex / Vega) lost a lot of time on the first lap and could finish no better than 11th. Joyner took the lead in the provisional standings from the Pole, and Logan Sargeant (FA Kart / Vortex / Vega) was back down to 5th place after several problems during this Competition.
OK-Junior: Martins wins, but Watt remains in control
Dominating on Saturday ahead of Oscar Piastri (FA Kart / Vortex / Vega) and Gillian Henrion (Kosmic / Vortex / Vega), Finlay Kenneally (FA Kart / Vortex / Vega) yielded victory to Victor Martins (Kosmic / Parilla / Vega) and Piastri in the Prefinals on Sunday morning. The young French rookie escaped from the start of the Final to give a great new victory to his team, already winner at Portimao last year, with more than seven seconds ahead and the fastest race lap. Kiern Jewiss (Exprit / Vortex / Vega) first led the chase, quickly replaced by Dennis Hauger (CRG / Parilla / Vega), but finally Caio Jotta Collet (Birel ART / Parilla / Vega) recovered 2nd place in a fierce struggle. Bin Abdul Gafar Mizzuddin Musyaffa (DR / TM Racing / Vega) was on the 3rd step of the podium in front of Hauger, Sami Taoufik (FA Kart / Vortex / Vega) finished 5th and Noah Watt (Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega) was 7th behind Hampus Eriksson ( Tony Kart / Vortex / Vega).
Collet and Blomqvist are now close to Watt in the Championship with Kenneally and Hauger completing the provisional top five.
The OK and OK-Junior Categories conclude their European titles in the company of KZ and KZ2 at Genk (BEL) at the end of July.
Info CIK-FIA / © Photo KSP