FIA Karting European Championship, Portimao - First pole positions of the year for Stolcermanis and Matveev

This is how the new FIA Karting year starts on the Portimao circuit, three qualifying sessions for each category and two names in front, waiting for the first heats this afternoon.

OK - Stolcermanis, the first act is worth the pole
The Latvian of Energy does not miss any opportunity to prove himself as a valid contender for the Senior title, confirming his ability to lead the category. A perfect lap in 55.908 was useful to snatch the first titles of this European Championship and, above all, the first row in view of the direct clashes. Behind the Rotax 2021 champion, second place went to an Evan Giltaire (VDK) in splendid form, just a step away from the overall record (55.922) but still leader of Group B and best of the outsiders. The last available lap of the session gave Group C pole position to Ean Eyckmans, who set the third fastest time overall. The last three group pole positions were taken by World Champion Tuuka Taponen (group D), Walther David and Oscar Pedersen for groups E and F.



OKJ - Matveev on top thanks to the “last lap”
Dmitry Matveev carries on the list of Koski Motorsport pole positions, already in front in the last race of 2021 even if in OK Senior. The Russian driver with Italian licence set his best lap in 57.403 during the last qualifying session. A remarkable performance that projects Matveev to the weekend as a protagonist. The overall lead was lost by +0.051sec to Polish driver Jan Przyrowski, the surprise leader of Group B. Martin Molnar (Energy Corse) finished third overall. Even greater satisfaction for the "blue" of the Energy team, also with Andre Cardenas in fourth place and ahead in Group D. Closing the "top six" for the occasion, Kirill Kutskov with the first Birel Art and Renè Lammers.

The first heats will start in the afternoon in Portimao, the programme will be completed as usual tomorrow.

FULL RESULTS
LIVE STREAMING AND TIMING

From Portimao, S.Corradengo