[translated with Google]

The activity on the track continues on the La Conca International Circuit in Muro Leccese for the second edition of the WSK Super Cup by MINI, further supported by the title of MINI ACI Karting National Trophy. After qualifying in the morning, all the preliminary heats for both categories present in the race were held in the afternoon: MINI Gr.3 and MINI Gr.3 Under 10. The starting grids for Saturday's prefinals were then decided.

MINI Gr.3: Iskender Zulfikari holds the reins with perseverance

• In addition to reaffirming his speed, Iskender Zulfikari (Babyrace Driver Academy – Parolin – IAME) continues to express his tenacity together with a disarming lucidity. The poleman collects two victories and a second place, thus maintaining the leadership in the general classification and ensuring the start from the first box on the grid in tomorrow's Prefinal A.


• Another protagonist of the category such as William Calleja (Babyrace Driver Academy – Parolin – IAME) also confirms his excellent form, who climbs into second place overall. The Australian driver avoids being discouraged by the sixth place obtained in a particularly agitated heat A-C and, just like his Turkish teammate, takes two wins. The fresh winner of the last round of the WSK Super Master Series will therefore start from pole in Prefinal B.


• The positive path of Devin Walz (Babyrace Driver Academy – Parolin – IAME) continues, recovering ground in all his heats and gaining seven positions compared to qualifying to climb into third place overall. Strengthened by a victory, a second place and a fourth, the young American will join Zulfikari on the front row of Prefinal A.


• Despite trying to attack him on several occasions, Keelan Harvick (Babyrace Driver Academy – Parolin – IAME) seems to be almost the shadow of his teammate Zulfikari. The son of art ends each heat behind the Turkish driver and, thanks to two second places and a third, takes the fourth position in the general standings to complete a quartet signed by Babyrace Driver Academy. With Harvick ready to start next to Calleja in Prefinal B, the Italian team is preparing to occupy the front row of both prefinals with their standard bearers.


• Manuel Gayoso Miguez (Gamoto – EKS – TM Kart) also stood out, recovering four positions compared to qualifying to obtain fifth place overall with a victory, a third place and a fifth. The Gamoto team rider is the only one able to cross the finish line in one heat ahead of Zulfikari and is therefore expected among the favorites for tomorrow.


• On the other hand, he loses four positions compared to the qualifying Bosco Arias Chavarri (Team Driver Racing Kart – KR – IAME). Although he manages to finish all his heats in the top three, the fresh winner of the Andrea Margutti Trophy misses the appointment with the victory and for now he has to settle for sixth place overall.


• Noah Baglin (IKART – KR – IAME) is also the author of two placements in the top three, who proves to be mature and constant. With two third places and a fourth, the young Englishman returns to the top of the standings with the seventh position overall.


• Even Dean Hoogendoorn (KidiX Driver Performance – Alonso Kart – IAME), eighth overall and second in heat C-D, Ilie Tristan Crisan (Tony Kart Racing Team – Tony Kart – Vortex), ninth and penalized from fourth to seventh place in heat A-C from a three-second penalty due to an incorrect maneuver, and Zeyu Shen (AV Racing – Parolin – IAME), tenth.


• Francois Dario Kerdal (Team Driver Racing Kart – KR – IAME), 11th overall, and Pietro Bagutti (AV Racing – Parolin – IAME), 12th, are making a great comeback from qualifying.


• They are delayed by some setbacks, but complete the top 15 in the general classification thanks to convincing performances by Marcell Zsebo (AV Racing – Parolin – IAME), 13th, Vladimir Ivannikov (Gamoto – EKS – TM Kart), 14th, and Riven Esteves ( Babyrace Driver Academy – Parolin – IAME), 15th.


• They suffer some difficulties and lose ground compared to qualifying despite Nojus Stasionis (Team Driver Racing Kart – KR – IAME) also expressing good potential, 16th overall, Maxim Bobreshov (Babyrace Driver Academy – Parolin – IAME), 17th, and Zdenek Babicek (TEPZ Racing Team – MS Kart – IAME), 18th.

MINI Gr.3 U10: 3, 2, 1… Sebastian Eskandari-Marandi climbs to the top

• It is an exceptional progression that allows Sebastian Eskandari-Marandi (Tony Kart Racing Team – Tony Kart – Vortex) to take the reins of the general classification. After inheriting third place in his first heat following the penalty inflicted on Oleksandr Legenkyi (Team Driver Racing Kart – KR – IAME), the Tony Kart Racing Team driver collects a second place and a victory in the following two heats. Strengthened by the fastest lap in all of his three races, the young Australian will be the favorite tomorrow, ready to start from pole in Prefinal A.


• Leonardo Gorski (Babyrace Driver Academy – Parolin – IAME) also gradually improves, winning a third place and a success after crossing the finish line of an excited first heat in sixth position. The current leader of the WSK Open Series thus climbs to second place overall and tomorrow he will start from the first box on the grid in Prefinal B.


• Completing a trident made up of three different chassis is Antoine Sylva Venant (KidiX Driver Performance – KR – IAME), third overall. The reigning WSK Champions Cup vice-champion proves to be mature in managing the tussle and, thanks to a victory, a third place and a sixth, earns the start from the front row in Prefinal A.


• Alessandro Truchot (Parolin Motorsport – Parolin – TM Kart) also continues to express considerable potential, fourth in the general standings after obtaining two second places and one sixth. The current leader of the Italian ACI Karting Championship proves to be a protagonist and tomorrow he will join Gorski in the front row of Prefinal B.


• The path of Henri Kumpen (Babyrace Driver Academy – Parolin – IAME) is equally constant, skilled in hoisting himself into fifth place overall thanks to a second place, a fourth and a sixth. His teammate Daniil Kutskov (Babyrace Driver Academy – Parolin – IAME) also recovers positions compared to qualifying, sixth overall. After triumphing in his first heat, the reigning WSK Super Master Series vice-champion suffers two more complicated heats, but still remains in the top ten and re-candidates himself for the role of main actor for tomorrow.


• Instead, Maximus Unt (Ward Racing – Tony Kart – TM Kart) slips up to seventh place in the general classification, forced to retire from his first heat following the fall of the chain, which occurred while he was leading the race. The poleman reacts with a victory and a second place in the following two heats and remains among the main contenders for the final triumph.


• He loses ground in qualifying and finds himself eighth overall, but Albert Tamm (Babyrace Driver Academy – Parolin – IAME) is still in the running for success. After finishing an eventful first heat in 17th place, the bearer of the Babyrace Driver Academy takes a victory and a fourth place in the following two heats.


• The absolute top ten closes thanks to convincing performances by Drew Walz (Babyrace Driver Academy – Parolin – IAME), demoted from third place to ninth in heat B-D by a five-second penalty due to an incorrect manoeuvre, and Edoardo Colucci (CMT – Parolin – IAME) .


• The 11th total square is the prerogative of Oleksandr Legenkyi, the protagonist of a troubled path. After being demoted from second place to ninth in his first heat by a five-second penalty due to an incorrect manoeuvre, the winner of the WSK Champions Cup sees a success that seemed to be in his pocket fade away in heat B-D following a contact that took place in the last corner of the last lap with Antonio Ianni (CRG Racing Team – CRG – IAME). The fresh champion of the WSK Super Master Series still passes fifth under the checkered flag and then rolls up his sleeves, ending the day with a third place in heat B-C to reaffirm his competitiveness.


• Immediately behind Legenkyi in the general classification is Antonio Ianni, who slipped from second place to sixth in heat B-D due to contact with Legenkyi. In any case, the Italian driver is giving encouraging signs and tomorrow he will still be expected at the top of the grid.


• Completing the absolute top 15 with promising performances are David Moscardi (Racevent – Birel ART – IAME), 13th, Niccoló Perico (Energy Corse – Energy Corse – TM), 14th and second in heat C-D, and Oliver Sini (Tony Kart Racing Team – Tony Kart – Vortex), 15th and able to inherit from Drew Walz (Babyrace Driver Academy – Parolin – IAME) the third place in heat B-D.


• They lose positions compared to qualifying due to some hitches, but express good potential Orlando Rovellli (KidiX Driver Performance – KR – IAME), 16th overall, Achille Rea (Tony Kart Racing Team – Tony Kart – Vortex), 19th, and Xavier Lazaro (DR – DR – TM Kart), 21st.


• Also noteworthy is the comeback by Julian Frasnelli (AV Racing – Parolin – IAME), who recovers ten positions compared to qualifying to climb into 17th place overall. The AV Racing team rider earns third place in his first heat, while he is relegated from sixth place to 11th in his last heat by a five-second penalty due to an incorrectly positioned nose. As proof of his competitiveness, the young Italian sets the fastest lap in both races.

©Photo: Sportinphoto