At the Zuera circuit, the first meeting of the European Championship did not bring the results expected by the RFM team, following the performances two weeks earlier at the same track in the Champions of the Future series. While Gravlund made good progress in OK, Ten Brinke had to retire in the Final, as did Irfan in Junior. Slater's 12th position in OK-Junior reflects only a small part of the team's potential, which was demonstrated by impressive recoveries during the heats.
In the hot Zuera conditions, the RFM drivers progres was complicated from the start by disappointing performances in Timed Practice. The Qualifying sessions were not at all favourable to them on the very fast Spanish circuit. As a direct consequence, they had to fight in the middle of the pack during the Qualifying Heats, an exercise that involved undeniable risks. Most of the Juniors succeeded in this complex phase by making breathtaking comebacks.
With a win and a fastest lap in the race, Dion Gowda regained 14 places to 8th in the heats. Freddie Slater valiantly climbed to 12th place, a remarkable 23-place gain. Coskun Irfan started in 50th position and qualified in 29th position (+21 pl). Edgar Anpilogov moved up 13 positions, but it was not enough to put him among the finalists. A newcomer to the team on this occasion, the Spaniard Lucas Fluxa Cross could not qualify for the Final either.
Irfan was eliminated from the Final on the first lap, while Gowda fell to 28th. The Singapore driver gave his all to get back on race and finally finished 16th, while Slater fought in the top half of the field, posted the third fastest time of the race and finished 12th.
In OK, Thomas Ten Brinke began to climb back up the standings during the heats, achieving three top-five finishes. He gained a total of 12 places and started from 11th in the Final. Unfortunately, he had to give up the fight with four laps to go. After his disappointment in the Champions of the Future series, Sebastian Gravlund did everything he could to finish the Final and reached his goal in 22nd position.
The FIA European Karting Championship will continue in Sarno from 21st to 23rd August and the British team will have a thirst for revenge.
Info Kartom / Photo © KSP