FIA Karting European Championship, Wackersdorf - Victories for Longhi (KZ) and Van Walstijn (KZ2)

A dry race in Germany compared to the forecasts made on the eve of the race, but the great spectacle on the track was confirmed, with the classes as protagonists.

KZ2 - Van Walstijn without rivals
In the first race of the day it was the Dutchman who made himself the absolute protagonist. After a perfect run in the heats, Van Walstijn completed the work leading a race of head and cunning, first from the beginning to the end. Despite a better sprint of Giacomo Pollini, second at the start, Van Walstijn didn't lose heart and forced his rival to stay wide after the first braking to pass him again and take the lead. From then on, the CPB driver made no mistakes, keeping his competitors at bay and then extending his lead at the end. A victory that will become crucial in the showdown at Adria when the title of European Champion will be up for grabs. Second place for the first of the Italians Giacomo Pollini with a race which confirms the great potential expressed by NGM Motorsport at its European debut with the CRG supply. The former European vice-champion was on the ball for the whole weekend, getting the first row of the grid thanks to three victories during the heats. After the first attack Pollini made his pace and remained firmly in second position despite the arrival of Laurens Van Hoepen. The representative of the colours Charles Leclerc by Lennnox Racing doubles the Dutch party on the podium getting a high level performance. Fourth position for another protagonist of the weekend, Leonardo Marseglia, first of the KRs and constantly in the first three positions of the heats. Marseglia had to get rid of the competition in the early laps and then come back to the podium, a sign of a good race pace. The top five was completed by Paavo Tonteri, who was immediately competitive on the official CRG chassis.



KZ - Riccardo Longhi monopolises Wackersdorf
The queen class kept everyone's attention in the last act of the German weekend. After some initial twists and turns such as the absence of Marijn Kremers and Francesco Celenta, the KZ final came to life with the lightning sprint of Riccardo Longhi. When the lights went out, the Italian made the most of his second position, burning Emilien Denner at his side. Perfect start for Longhi followed by the CRG duo Alex Irlando - Jeremy Iglesias, both able to overtake Emilien Denner on the outside. Initial fights favoured a Riccardo Longhi in cannibal format, able not to be intimidated by the return of Denner behind him, ruling the race with authority. Three tenths of advantage for Longhi, sufficient gap to take the first leadership of the European Championship in view of Adria, decisive stage for the award of the title. Longhi continues the winning streak of the house of Lissone after his recent appointment as Team Manager. Silver medal in the hands of Emilien Denner, almost fatally surprised at the start but not enough to lose the train in the fight for the title after dominating qualifying and the category heat. The podium is completed by Alex Irlando, at his first European outing as official CRG driver: two positions recovered compared to the start and an injection of confidence for the "All Blacks", who made a great comeback in the battle for the final success. Fourth and fifth position with five positions recovered each, in the hands of Stan Pex and Adrien Renaudin.

 

 

S.C.

Credits: Fotocar13