CIK FIA EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2017 ROUND 3 OK FINAL Le Mans July 2017 Numerous twists animated every stage of the Competition at the Le Mans Karting International circuit. The famous 1384 m track gave rise to spectacular clashes. Under a constantly grey sky with rather cool temperatures for the season, a few drops of rain occasionally reduced the grip. The Finals, however, took place on a dry track. The Drivers discovered new passing possibilities on the track of Le Mans, inaugurated in 2013, whereas the frequent penalties for incorrectly positioned front fairings testified of the intensity of the battles. Despite some last-minute defections, the Le Mans field reached a significant figure, with a record of 88 drivers in the OK category. All predictions were confounded with O'Neill Muth's victory in OK-Junior, Lorenzo Travisanutto in OK, Paolo Ippolito in KZ2 and Xavier Handsaeme in the Academy. TRAVISANUTTO IMPOSES IN OK With 71 Drivers on track, the duel in the OK category started in Qualifying Practice between Dennis Hauger (CRG / Parilla / LeCont) and Théo Pourchaire (Kosmic / Vortex / LeCont) did not continue until the Final. Lorenzo Travisanutto (Zanardi / Parilla / LeCont) dominated the race despite pressure from Hauger behind him. Sami Taoufik (FA Kart / Vortex / LeCont) made an impressive comeback from 13th on the grid and took 2nd place three laps from the finish line, followed by Finlay Jack Kenneally (Tony Kart / Vortex / LeCont). The latter was hustled by Hauger a few metres from the line, but the stewards re-established Kenneally in 3rd place by penalising Hauger. Pourchaire could not find the right rhythm in the Final and ended up being pushed off the track by Pedro Hiltbrand Aguilar (Tony Kart / Vortex / LeCont), who was later disqualified for the manoeuvre. David Vidales Ajenjo (Tony Kart / Vortex / LeCont) did not manage to qualify for the Finals, far back in Qualifying Practice and not at ease in the Qualifying Heats. This under-performance and the absence of Clement Novalak (Tony Kart / Vortex / LeCont) modified the rankings of the CIK-FIA European Championship before the penultimate Competition which will take place from 20th to 23rd July in Alaharma (FIN) . David Vidales Ajenjo (45 pts) still holds 1st place in the provisional ranking against Théo Pourchaire (44 pts), but Lorenzo Travisanutto has risen from 24th to 3rd in front of Clément Novalak and Karol Basz, three drivers credited with the same score of 37 points.

• published: 06 Jul 2017
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