The eve premises were met in full and the 13th edition of the Rok Cup International Final closed with a formidable success.
First of all we have to mention the four champions (the Mini Rok is sub judice) Szymon Szyszko (ROK), Giacomo Pollini (Shifter Rok), Danny Carenini (Junior Rok) and Danilo Albanese (Super Rok). Four sensational champions who had the best on 350 Rok excellent drivers, who came from 35 countries and 5 continents, aiming at gaining the world most important titles for any Rokker.
The Rok Final week, which has in the South Garda circuit in Lonato (Italy) its perfect location, took place with a healthy and joyful sport spirit. Anxiety rose with a perfect crescendo, until obtaining the highest peak during the Saturday afternoon finals and fell again during the Rok Party and prize giving.
CHAMPIONS CHOOSE THE ROK CHAMPIONS.
In the active Rok Final paddock we had true champions, signing autographs, giving interviews and following the show on and off the track.
They shook hands and gave advice, champions such as Ralf Schumacher (F1 driver and DTM), Jarno Trulli (F1 driver and Karting World and European Champion), Giorgio Pantano (driver F1 and IndyCar), P.J. Jones (NASCAR, IndyCar, Daytona Prototipe), Alessandro Piccini (World and European Karting Champion), Johnny Mislijevic (World and European Karting Champion)
Marco Ardigò (World and European Karting Champion) and Karol Basz (World Karting Champion).
RACES
JUNIOR ROK. CARENINI ACROSS WHITE AND PAGANO.
The Rok Italian champion Francesco Pagano (ITA) immediately gets the pole and manages to obtain the first position at the end of the heats, with a success and two good places.
Danny Carenini (ITA), Nigel De Sanctis (ITA), Maciej Szyszko (POL) and Stuart White (ZAF) are the other winners of the heats, with the future champion Carenini, able to win twice.
At the top positions we also have Alessandro Giardelli (ITA), Nicola Abrusci (ITA), Skeed (ITA) and defending champion Michal Kasiborski (POL).
In the pre-final Carenini waits until the last, giving vent to Pagano first and then Giardelli, before making the overtaking that takes him to the forefront at the start of the final. Pagano is lined up next to the leader ahead of the South African Stuart and Italian Giardelli. It seems clear that this poker of drivers has the best chance to play for the Junior Rok title.
The final of the Junior class will be remembered as the race with the most spectacular, uncertain, coloured arrival, with the winner, Carenini, who crosses the finish line completely sideways, between Stuart and Pagano.
Before the unforgettable final sprint, the race reserves a crescendo of emotions worthy of a race of great importance and of high-level drivers, which Rokkers are. Pagano at the second lap reaches Carenini and tries to escape, leaving behind White, Abrusci, Giardelli and the same Carenini.
On the tenth lap, after a period in favour of the leader Pagano, the pursuers fail to coordinate, do not bother, and recover the gap separating them from the leaders. The last laps were formidable with Pagano, White and Carenini, which, glued to one another, study on how to find the right moment. Abrusci and Giardelli follow the leading trio, hoping to be able to place the winning shot.
The final sprint catalyses all the attention, Pagano, White and Carenini cut the finishing line of the penultimate lap, starting a breathtaking tussle at the “spiral” curves already. White and Carenini exchange their placing many times and Pagano seems safe, but in the last two hundred meters pursuers reach the leader, better set the last bend and go straight to victory. A few meters from the finishing line the three drivers, side by side, close one next to the other, push on the gas and do not give up a centimetre. Carenini, in the middle, flies sideways and all three go under the chequered flag, with the stewards’ timing establishing the official response. Carenini is champion ahead of White and Pagano.