Italian ACI Karting Championship at La Conca: Qualifying full of surprises!

The second round of the Italian ACI Karting Championship got off to a flying start at the Circuito Internazionale La Conca. On the famous 1,250-metre track in Puglia, the opening qualifying sessions immediately shook up the hierarchy.

A record turnout in the South
Following the massive turnout in Lonato (353 drivers), Southern Italy confirmed the championship’s strong appeal, with 282 verified drivers (out of 292 entries) in Muro Leccese. While Italian competitors remain the majority, the grid boasts an impressive international presence with 44 nations and 5 continents represented, confirming the vital status of Italian circuits for the world’s karting elite.

KZ2: Kimi Tani sets the pace
A major surprise emerged in KZ2, where Finland’s Kimi Tani (LA Motorsport) secured the absolute pole position and the Under 18 top spot with a time of 46”783, edging out the surprising Massimiliano Pezzucchi by a mere whisker (29 thousandths). Lonato winner Samuele Leopardi took 4th place in Group 2. In the other group, Dutchman Sem Knopjes stood out with the fastest time, while the Master duel went to Angelo Lombardo ahead of veteran Davide Forè.

OK-N: Cristian Blandino creates a sensation
Young Sicilian Cristian Blandino (Zanchi Motorsport) caused a sensation by storming to a brilliant pole position in 47”681 (Group 2), beating the benchmarks set in the other series by Andrea Giudice (Group 1) and Poland’s Bartosz Grzywacz (Group 3).

OK-N Junior: Kolovos at the forefront
Greece’s Ioannis Kolovos (Modena Kart) claimed the overall fastest time in 48”244 during the Group 2 qualifying sessions, finishing ahead of championship leader Gioele Carrer. In Group 1, Italy’s Enea Daniele Pezzuto proved to be the quickest.

MINI Gr.3: Nario springs a surprise, Burgess confirms in U10
In MINI Gr.3: Mexico’s Mauro Fabian Nario Urias (BabyRace) surprised the favourites by taking the absolute pole (53”081), ahead of Great Britain’s Alfie Richard Mair, despite the latter being the Lonato winner and leader of his group. In MINI Gr.3 U10: Already victorious at the season opener, American driver Zayne Burgess (Parolin Motorsport) confirmed his stellar form by setting the fastest time (53”239). He outpaced “son of” Johan Berger (BabyRace), leader of Group 1. Also worth noting was the strong performance of young French driver Isaac El Houti, waiting in ambush within the BabyRace armada.

The qualifying heats will now take place to determine the starting grids for the finals!

Info Kartcom – Source ACI Sport / Photo © Sportinphoto