Brits make impression at the FIA Karting World Championships
The Mondokart.com – FIA Karting World Championship – OK & Junior is officially underway at PF International in Lincolnshire, UK with British drivers making an impression.
On Friday, Joe Turney and Noah Baglin set the tone in the 105 and 119 strong OK and OK Junior fields, taking pole position before Harrison Whitticombe later took pole in the FIA Karting World Cup – OK-N.
This set the British contingent up well heading into Saturday’s qualifying heats.
After a full day of competitive action, Turney maintained his advantage in the OK with an unbeaten run and is followed by compatriot Ethan Jeff-Hall.
In the OK Junior, Roman Kamyab of the UK gained an advantage over pole sitter Baglin to hold a narrow three-point advantage.
OK
Turney was once again in outstanding form, securing four Qualifying Heat wins, adding to his one the day prior to top the Intermediate Classification heading into Sunday.
His compatriot Ethan Jeff-Hall gradually built up his power until he won his last two heats and moved up to second place in the intermediate ranking, which will allow him to take pole in Super Heat B on Sunday morning.
Matthew Higgins was also impressive, moving up 13 places to fourth.
OK Junior
Thanks to his three victories, Kamyab was able to gain an advantage over poleman Baglin, who won only once. Behind him, Niklas Schaufler (AUT) moved up nine places to third with two wins to his name. He is ahead of another Briton Kenzo Craigie, a Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team’s Junior Programme driver.
Two British drivers were also big climbers as Harrison Mackie (GBR) advanced to seventh (+15 places) ahead of Riley Cranham (GBR) +13 places and Alfie Slater (GBR) +23 places.
OK N
Korean driver Kyuho Lee took an early lead with back-to-back wins in the two Qualifying Heats held on Saturday. Great Britain’s Harrison Whitticombe secured second place ahead of France’s Hugo Herrouin in the first heat, but they both encountered problems at the start of the second. Whitticombe retired while Herrouin finished 10th. Thomas-Minh Spearing (GBR) took second place ahead of Gino Rocchio (ITA). In the provisional rankings, Lee is clearly in the lead ahead of Zsombor Kovacs (HUN) and Rocchio. Spearing is fourth ahead of Herrouin and Whitticombe is relegated to 8th.
Sunday will see winners crowned in the three classes with the day starting with the Super Heats ahead of Finals in the afternoon.
Sunday’s schedule:
- 09:00 – 10:15: Warm-up
- 10:35 – 10:50: 3rd OK-N Qualifying Heat
- 10.55 – 12.40: OK and Junior Super Heats
- 13.00 – 13.30: Presentation of the drivers (OK and Junior finalists, OK-N and Historic Karts)
- 13.45 – 14.05: Demonstration of historic karts
- 14.10 – 16.10: Finals