EXCITING RACES IN THE HEAT WAVE AT ESSAY
The last European Competition of the 2018 FIA Karting season kept all its promises at the Aunay-les-Bois / Essay circuit. Exceptional performances and multiple twists came with the victories by Gabriele Mini’ in Junior and Dexter Patterson in OK. But the titles went to Drivers who had accumulated enough points in the ranking previously to negotiate this last Competition with relative caution, a task that is not always easy. Paul Aron (EST) is the new FIA Karting European Champion – Junior, while Hannes Janker (DEU) has become FIA Karting European Champion – OK without finishing the Final.
OK: PATTERSON FLIES AHEAD OF THE FIELD
Of the last three Qualifying Heats contested on Sunday morning, the last decided the Final grid: Dexter Patterson (GBR – KR / Parilla / B’stone) would start on pole position next to Harry Thompson (GBR – FA Kart / Vortex / B ‘Stone’, Nicklas Nielsen (DNK – Tony Kart / Vortex / B’stone) and Zane Maloney (BRB – FA Kart / Vortex / B’stone) sharing the second row. The leader of the provisional classification Hannes Janker (DEU – KR / Parilla / B’stone) was 15th.
With pole position in Qualifying Practice, and the leader of the Heats, Patterson continued his winning celebration during the Final. He was in 1st place throughout the 25 laps and crossed the finish line with the fastest lap in the race and a 6.6” lead, confirming that he really was unbeatable this weekend. Thompson and Nielsen stayed in the podium positions without being able to threaten the victor’s supremacy. Luigi Coluccio (ITA – Birel ART / TM Racing / B’stone) finally passed Maloney for 4th position.
Janker wins the Championship
Although he was forced to retire on the first lap of the race, Hannes Janker retained his advantage and was crowned 2018 FIA Karting European Champion in OK ahead of Harry Thompson. Faced with a constant lack of competitiveness in Essay, Pedro Hiltbrand had to settle for 3rd place.
Final classification of the FIA Karting European Championship – OK 2018
1- Hannes Janker (DEU) – 77 pts
2- Harry Thompson (GBR) – 64 pts
3- Pedro Hiltbrand (ESP) – 58 pts
4- Zane Maloney (BRB) – 52 pts
5- Juho Valtanen (FIN) – 46 pts
Source : CIK/FIA
Photos : AGENCE LGP
