CONTINENTAL BATTLE, CHAPTER 1
FIA KARTING EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP OK/OKJ GENK (BELGIUM), MAY 1th 2021 -ROUND 1
Rafael Camara in OK and Freddie Slater in OKJ win first race of FIA Karting European Championship
Text S. Corradengo
At this eagerly awaited first round of the OK and OKJ European Championships in Genk, the weather once again plays a leading role, making the outcome of the races uncertain on more than a few occasions. In a weekend that actually started a new sporting tale for some, however, it is sad to note that in the eyes of simple “enthusiasts”, what will be most remembered of the Belgian weekend is the incredible crash in the first laps of one of the Eliminatory heats with half of the grid sliding off the track and into the barriers due to the pouring rain, sudden and certainly dangerous (see separate box). However, back to the competition, the OK and OKJ athletes gave us some interesting talking points.
RACE REPORT
OK HEATS LINDBLAD,FULL ON
After qualifying on Friday, in Saturday’s direct clashes, the Senior category saw an Arvid Lindblad take the lead, making the most of his pole position, scoring four out of four wins. With the typically “homestyle” weather, the new pupil of the Red Bull house could only feel empowered, keeping Rafael Camara and Juho Valtanen at bay. For the Brazilian, sixth place in the last heat was fatal. Only one victory in the direct clashes instead for the Finn. Fourth and fifth position for an unexpected Ariel Elkin and Andrey Zhivnov, both quite regular in their race pace.
OK FINAL CAMARA AND TSOLOV SHOW
On the incredibly dry track of Sunday’s final, the usual notables emerged. At the start, Arvid Lindblad was immediately downsized by the incisiveness of Juho Valtanen. The Finnish standard-bearer of the Pex family proves to be well motivated at least in the initial part, where he – not without effort – timidly tries to pull ahead. A hope that on lap three Rafael Camara dissipates, giving life to his own show by passing Lindblad first on the curve that leads to the finish line, then aiming for Valtanen’s first position. Within a few laps, the Brazilian’s pace allows him to reel in the margin from the leader and then pass Juho Valtanen with embarrassing ease. And we are only on lap five. From here on, the outgoing OKJ Vice World Champion had nothing to do but continue his modus operandi, thus rendering himself uncatchable. For the record, the duel for third position between Valtanen and Edoardo Ludovico Villa, super competitive with six overtakes, was also noteworthy. But it is Nikola Tsolov who puts himself in the spotlight; keeping his pace up with Camara and overtaking his rivals one by one, he crosses the finish line with a well-deserved second place. A fabulous performance later ruined by the 5-sec penalty for the front spoiler out of position. At the end of the 23 laps, Rafael Camara crosses the finish line alone, almost three seconds ahead of Arvid Lindblad and Edoardo Ludovico Villa; fourth Valtanen and fifth Tsolov. Worth noting are the 19 positions recovered by Joe Turney who finished sixth.
RAFAEL, SHALL THOU BE KING?
After what was seen in Genk, Rafael Camara conquers the bookmakers for winning the continental title. Camara hasn’t made a mistake up to now: cold and competitive, as is his characteristic, winning when opportunity presents itself. However, the Brazilian will have to beware of equally fierce rivals such as Lindblad, Valtanen, Tsolov, Turney and Antonelli. A galvanizing start that promises a heart-pounding finish.
OKJ HEATS EYCKMANS TRIES TO DEFEND HIS HOME TURF
Junior, too, was no less in terms of entertainment and uncertainty throughout the weekend. The pole position for the season’s first race was the prerogative of home favorite Ean Eyckmans on his debut in the Fia Karting event: four wins and a second place, enough to make a difference. Front row completed by reigning World Champion Freddie Slater with three wins and two third places, behind him the “unknown” Akshay Bohra, already fast in qualifying. Fourth Luka Sammalisto, fifth Dion Gowda, second driver from Singapore in the top five.
OKJ FINALE SLATER STARTS FROM P1
After the frontal attacks on Eyckmans during the first lap, the Singapore duo Bohra-Gowda was the immediate protagonist of the first laps of the final. Both drivers got the better of Eyckmans and Slater, slightly stunned by the start. A surprise that vanishes as quickly as it appeared with Gowda, perhaps inexperienced in keeping up with the leaders, the protagonist of a near-exit from the track. On the fourth lap, Freddie Slater breaks free, not without difficulty, of Bohra in curve one. Positions practically frozen at the top with the last six laps animated by Ean Eyckmans and Alex Powell, who aim for Bohra’s second position. An undisturbed Freddie Slater passes under the checkered flag; two and a half seconds later, Akshay Bohra parades through, thw weekend’s real surprise. Third, Ean Eyckmans with Alex Powell right behind. Briton Harley Keeble closes the top five.
FREDDIE SLATER WITH ENCORE IN SIGHT
From the last FIA Karting round in Portugal to the first of the new year in Genk, the constant in Junior is Freddie Slater’s supremacy. If in Portimao the World Champion proved to be lethal in the rain, even on a dry track he did not disappoint. Slater thus answered the first call and will have to do so again for the next races before he can hit the bull’s eye, i.e., a second World-European Championship. Of course, unknown variables are around the corner, but at the moment it is difficult to identify an opponent who can stand up and challenge the outgoing World Champion. The tale shall unfold in the next races.
Post time: Jul-09-2021