FIA Karting European Championship OK-OKJ rd 3 and Academy Trophy rd 2, Rødby: qualifying – Pole position for Maciej Gladysz (OK), Christian Costoya (OKJ) and Rocco Coronel (Academy)

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A little less than a month after the second round held in Třinec, the protagonists of the direct drive categories are back on track in Rødby for the third and penultimate round of the FIA Karting European Championship OK-OKJ. 62 drivers are inaugurating the second half of the championship in the premier category of single-speed karting, while 72 standard-bearers are ready to continue the challenge in OKJ. They are also joined by the 44 youngsters taking part in the second of the three rounds of the FIA Karting Academy Trophy.

The usual qualifying sessions took place on Friday, followed by the first qualifying heats, which will end on Saturday afternoon for the OK-OKJ categories and Sunday morning for the Academy.

OK: Marvellous Maciej Gladysz

Tyres: MG Tires

To shine in group 1 is a surprising Maciej Gladysz (Ricky Flynn Motorsport – LN – TM Kart), who prints a 49.772 and thus earns the absolute pole position. The 2021 FIA Karting Academy Trophy champion showcases his potential and, as a rookie, slips 23 thousandths off a consolidated protagonist of the category such as Tomass Stolcermanis (Energy Corse – Energy – TM Kart).

Currently fourth in the provisional classification of the championship after having also performed well in the first round of the FIA Karting European Championship KZ2 in Zuera, making his absolute debut in the shifter category, the young Latvian returns to the top of the classification with second place in the group and the fourth total. He stops the clock just 28 thousandths from his teammate Jules Caranta (Energy Corse – Energy – TM Kart), able to obtain the third place in the group as well as the seventh in the general classification to give further proof of the special feeling created between the team Energy Corse and the Danish circuit.

If someone defines it as a "diesel", there is probably a very specific reason. After a relatively difficult start to the season in the premier category of single-speed karting, the reigning OKJ European champion Anatoly Khavalkin (Parolin Motorsport – Parolin – TM Kart) makes himself felt and is the fastest in group 2 thanks to a 49.867, which earned him the second position overall.

Third in the 2021 OKJ world championship, the rookie beats another notable rookie such as Kirill Kutskov (DPK Racing – KR – IAME) by just over half a tenth, who continues to show excellent form within the DPK Racing team with the second place in the group and fifth overall. The young rookie precedes by only 24 thousandths the 2021 FIA Karting Academy Trophy runner-up David Walther (Koski Motorsport – Tony Kart – Vortex), third in the group and eighth in the general standings. The bearer of the Koski Motorsport team reiterates his speed skills on his home circuit.

René Lammers (Parolin Motorsport – Parolin – TM Kart) is making constancy his mantra. Currently second in the provisional standings of the championship after having collected two podiums in the first two rounds, the rookie imposes himself in group 3 with a 49.994 and secures the third position overall.

The young Dutchman made the difference and beat his teammate Miguel Costa (Parolin Motorsport – Parolin – TM Kart) by more than a tenth, second in the group and sixth overall. Increasingly at ease with the Parolin Motorsport team, the Brazilian driver finds himself ahead of an excellent Thomas Strauven (KR Motorsport – KR – IAME), who completes a trident of rookies in the premier category of single-speed karting and takes ninth place in general classification.

Mattia Colnaghi (CRG – CRG – IAME) also put in an exceptional performance, tenth overall and fourth in group 1 just 84 thousandths behind Gladysz's pole position.

The CRG team bearer is followed by the Prema Racing trident formed by the reigning European champion as well as 2021 OKJ world champion and Alpine Academy driver Kean Nakamura Berta (Prema Racing – KR – IAME), 11th overall after winning the third place in the third round of the Champions of the Future Euro Series, held two weeks ago right here in Rødby, the reigning European vice-champion and Mercedes protégé Alex Powell (Prema Racing – KR – IAME), 12th after gaining the second place honor in the third round of the Champions of the Future Euro Series, and the young Mercedes recruit Yuanpu Cui (Prema Racing – KR – IAME), 13th.

Relegated from second place to fourth in the second round in Třinec by a five-second penalty due to an incorrect nose position, but still third in the provisional standings of the championship, Powell is expected to redeem himself after surprisingly winning the first round of the FIA Karting KZ2 European Championship in Zuera exactly two months ago, at the first appearance in the shifter category in a FIA Karting competition.

The top 15 in the general standings closes thanks to noteworthy performances by the rookie Nathan Tye (Sodikart – Sodi – TM Kart), currently fifth in the provisional standings of the championship after finishing last year's OKJ European championship on the third step of the podium, and a main player in the category such as the winner of the first round in Valencia and 2020 runner-up in the world Joe Turney (KR Motorsport – KR – IAME), third in last year's European championship.

Qualifying slightly below expectations for the reigning world champion Matheus Morgatto (Birel ART Racing – Birel ART – TM Kart), 17th overall, Fionn Mc Laughlin (VDK Racing – KR – IAME), 20th, the vice-champion of world of 2021 Luigi Coluccio (Tony Kart Racing Team – Tony Kart – Vortex), 21st, and the current championship leader Gabriel Gomez (CRG – CRG – IAME), 26th after dominating the second round in Třinec. Strengthened by the victory obtained right here two weeks ago on the occasion of the third round of the Champions of the Future Euro Series, the young Brazilian remains among the favourites.

Slight disappointment also for Mark Dubnitski (CRG – CRG – IAME), 27th overall, the reigning OKJ world champion and Red Bull Junior Team driver Enzo Tarnvanichkul (Prema Racing – KR – IAME), 29th, Ean Eyckmans (Ward Racing – Tony Kart – Vortex), 30th and third in the 2021 OKJ European championship, Sebastiano Pavan (Tony Kart Racing Team – Tony Kart – Vortex), 42nd and fresh from the third place obtained in the second round in Třinec, and the runner-up European OKJ in charge Jan Przyrowski (Tony Kart Racing Team – Tony Kart – Vortex), 45th after finishing the first round in Valencia in second place and getting on the third step of the podium in last year's OKJ world championship.

The qualifying of Luviwe Sambudla (KR Motorsport – KR – IAME) was even more bitter, as he completed only one timed lap and thus found himself relegated to the 62nd and last position overall.

Senna Van Walstijn (Sodikart – Sodi – TM Kart) deserves a mention, who is participating for the first time in a round of the European championship in a single-speed category after giving encouraging signs two weeks ago here in Rødby on the occasion of the third round of the Champions of the Future Euro Series. Strengthened by the bronze medal earned in last year's KZ European Championship and the third step of the podium obtained in the first round of the FIA Karting European KZ Championship two months ago, the 2021 European KZ2 runner-up takes his 25th total place.

He returns to the track after more than four months of absence from the international stage due to an arm operation Dmitry Matveev (KR Motorsport – KR – IAME). In his first appearance of the season in a FIA Karting competition, the rookie has to settle for 52nd position overall.

Results

OKJ: Christian Costoya grows

Tyres: Vega

Although he has staged several extraordinary performances over his years in the MINI category, Christian Costoya (Parolin Motorsport – Parolin – TM) is still able to impress. The young rookie prints a 51.263 in group 3 and thus takes his first FIA Karting pole position at his third attempt, contradicting the trend that seems to indicate a "faster" track in the first groups and "slower" in the following ones.

He stops the clock just 33 thousandths behind the Spanish driver Dries Van Langendonck (Forza Racing – Exprit – TM Kart), who continues to show an excellent feeling within the Forza Racing team with second place in the group and fourth overall. He finds himself more than two tenths from pole, but still earns third place in the group as well as seventh in the general classification Vivek Kanthan (Parolin Motorsport – Parolin – TM Kart). Strengthened by the place of honor obtained in the third round of the Champions of the Future Euro Series, held two weeks ago right here in Rødby, the Parolin Motorsport team standard bearer gives further proof of his abilities.

Kirill Dzitiev (Tony Kart Racing Team – Tony Kart – Vortex) stood out in group 1, setting the best time in 51.347 and returning to express his speed skills with the second position overall. The Tony Kart Racing Team driver slips just under a tenth from Oleksandr Bondarev (KR Motorsport – KR – IAME), who confirms his competitiveness with second place in the group and fifth overall.

After taking a second place and a victory in the first two rounds, the current championship leader makes his intentions clear and is closely followed by Iacopo Martinese (KR Motorsport – KR – IAME). The rookie of the KR Motorsport team is able to secure third place in the group as well as eighth in the general standings to prove that he is increasingly a protagonist of the category.

The best interpreter in group 2 is Niklas Schaufler (DPK Racing – KR – IAME), who signs a 51.407 and returns to the top of the standings with the third position overall. The bearer of the DPK Racing team beats an excellent Zac Drummond (Parolin Motorsport – Parolin – TM Kart) by less than half a tenth, still among the most incisive with second place in the group and sixth overall.

Currently fourth in the provisional standings of the championship after taking the third step of the podium in the second round in Třinec as well as in the third round of the Champions of the Future Euro Series, the young Englishman precedes by only 16 thousandths another main actor Stepan Antonov (KR Motorsport – KR – IAME). The KR Motorsport team driver reaffirms his potential with third place in the group as well as ninth in the general standings.

Gerasim Skulanov (Birel ART Racing – Birel ART – TM Kart) was also the author of a positive qualifying, tenth overall after crossing the finish line of last year's world championship in third place, only to be demoted to ninth by a five-second penalty cause nose in incorrect position. The Birel ART Racing team standard bearer is just ahead of a remarkable Oliver Kinnmark (Koski Motorsport – Tony Kart – Vortex), 11th, and his teammate Meryl Peldes (Birel ART Racing – Birel ART – TM Kart), 12th.

The Estonian squad shows its progress and is followed by a protagonist of the category such as the winner of the first round in Valencia Thibaut Ramaekers (VDK Racing – KR – IAME), 13th overall and currently second in the provisional standings of the championship.

The top 15 in the general classification closes thanks to convincing performances by Elliot Kaczynski (Ward Racing – Tony Kart – Vortex) and a surprising Sebastien Kawpeng (KR Motorsport – KR – IAME), who precedes the Shamick Europe team duo made up of Tiziano Monza (Shamick Europe – Parolin – TM Kart) and Andy Consani (Shamick Europe – Parolin – TM Kart).

On the other hand, it was a more bitter qualifying for Lewis Wherrell (Forza Racing – Exprit – TM Kart), 18th overall and currently third in the provisional standings of the championship after collecting two podiums in the first two rounds. Strengthened by the victory obtained right here two weeks ago on the occasion of the third round of the Champions of the Future Euro Series, the Forza Racing team driver is expected to make a comeback.

Qualifying slightly below expectations also for Matias Orjuela (Leclerc by Lennox Racing – Birel ART – TM Kart), 24th overall after winning the bronze medal in last year's FIA Karting Academy Trophy, Jack Iliffe (Parolin Motorsport – Parolin – TM Kart), 28th, the poleman of the first round in Valencia Taym Saleh (Sauber Academy – KR – IAME), 30th and currently fifth in the provisional standings of the championship, and Scott Kin Lindblom (Tony Kart Racing Team – Tony Kart – Vortex), 34th.

Slight disappointment even for Salim Hanna (Ricky Flynn Motorsport – LN – TM Kart), 37th, the poleman of last year's world championship Kian Fardin (KR Motorsport – KR – IAME), 42nd, Davide Bottaro (Tony Kart Racing Team – Tony Kart – Vortex), 49th, the winner of the second edition of the “FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars” program Maria Germano Neto (Tony Kart Racing Team – Tony Kart – Vortex), 51st, the pink quota of the Mercedes Junior Team Luna Fluxa (Prema Racing – KR – IAME), 52nd, and Filippo Sala (Sodikart – Sodi – TM Kart), 54th.

Results

Academy: Rocco Coronel shines

Chassis: Exprit Kart / Engine: Vortex / Tyres: Vega

After struggling in the first round in Třinec, Rocco Coronel (Netherlands) is dancing on the Danish circuit. The young Dutchman signs the best time in 52.640 and thus takes the absolute pole position.

We see the pole fade for just eight thousandths of an extraordinary share pink Lisa Billard (France), second in the group and third overall. Currently fifth in the provisional standings of the championship, the pilot of Alpine's Rac(H)er program reaffirms her role as absolute protagonist.

Third in the group and fifth in the general standings is another main player in Arthur Broughan (Australia), determined to make up for it after being demoted from seventh place to 11th in the first round in Třinec.

In his second year in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy, Santino Panetta (Argentina) clearly expresses his intentions. The young Argentinian is the best performer in group 1 with a 52.844 and takes second place overall.

Stop the clock just 15 thousandths from Panetta a remarkable Karel Staut (Switzerland), who shows an excellent feeling on the Danish circuit and gets the second place in the group as well as the fourth overall.

Lorenzo Campos (Angola) also emerges, skilled in hoisting himself into third place in the group, just over half a tenth from Panetta, and in sixth in the general standings.

After winning the first round in Třinec, the current championship leader Marius Barry-Berg (Norway) remains competitive with seventh position overall. The Norwegian driver precedes Romeo Haagh (Denmark) and Vasileios Apostolidis (Greece), eighth and ninth respectively thanks to convincing performances.

The driver who closes the top ten in the general classification is Hugo Martí (Spain), currently second in the provisional classification of the championship and once again among the most incisive after earning the place of honor in the first round in Třinec. The young Spaniard finds himself still ahead of Max Walton (Australia), 11th and currently third in the provisional standings of the championship after getting on the third step of the podium in the first round.

Slightly behind is another protagonist of the first round, Ryutaro Sakai (Japan), 14th overall and currently fourth in the provisional standings of the championship.

Results