Dexter Patterson in OK and Tuukka Taponen in OKJ have been the dominators in the qualifying heats for the first round of FIA Karting European Championship in a very sunny and hot Angerville (France).

OK: Dexter Patterson sets the pace in the heats

The 2017 Junior World Champion, Dexter Patterson (KR/Iame/LeCont) continued his good performance today in the qualifying heats. The Scotsman imposed the pace in all the heats that he contested, beating his direct rivals, Juho Valtanen (Redspeed/Iame/LeCont), Taylor Barnard (KR/Iame/LeCont) and Pedro Hiltbrand (CRG/Iame/LeCont).

Meanwhile the drama also hit the category, specially in heat A-D where Pedro Hiltbrand was leading but had to retire in the latest lap, letting the win to Dino Beganovic (Tony Kart /Vortex/LeCont).

Taylor Barnard is back on the top positions as well, the British driver won two of the heats in a very nice domination and puts himself in a provisional third place, just behind Juho Valtanen and in front of Gabriele Mini (Parolin/TM Racing/LeCont) who beat in heat A-E the Spanish Pedro Hiltbrand.

OKJ: Tuukka Taponen dominates in Junior

Finn driver from Kohtala Sport, Tuukka Taponen (RedSpeed/Iame/Vega) was impressive and dominant all day long. The driver under the 249 machines won all the heats that he contested and had no rival at all, something like Jamie Day (Exprit/Vortex/Vega) who was so strong on race pace, won two of the heats.

Also looked so strong the Ricky Flynn Motorsport drivers. Thomas Ten Brinke (FA Kart/Vortex/Vega) won two heats with a one-two together with James Wharton (FA Kart/Vortex/Vega) who is currently fourth in the provisional penalty positions.

The Junior category also had a lot of crashes, and this affected pretty much to some of the top drivers in the field. Oleksander Partyshev (Tony Kart/Vortex/Vega) spun in the middle of the straight line during the start of heat A-D.

His spun caused a multiple crash, that affected two more drivers, and in the same lap a multiple crash in the second chicane put another 8 drivers out of the race. Luckily everyone was ok.

Tomorrow it will be another opportunity for the drivers to get the access for the final with the last qualifying heat’s that will start at 10.30.

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PH: Sportinphoto