On the fast and selective circuit of Alahärmä in Finland, the RFM drivers have been very competitive despite the changing weather conditions and an often slippery track. The British team demonstrated remarkable expertise in managing the complex situation to perfection. Thomas Ten Brinke was crowned Junior World Champion after a mature clear run while in OK, Harry Thompson fought bravely to reach the podium in the Final.
The 2019 World Championship took place in early September in Finland on the Alahärmä circuit where Sami Taoufik took a decisive advantage in winning the OK European Championship in 2017. The fast and demanding layout of the Power Park does not make overtaking easy and mostly rewards the strongest drivers. This year, the changing weather produced a wide range of grip conditions, from dry to soggy asphalt and everything in between. A real challenge for teams and drivers, this particularly difficult World event has once again shown the mastery of Ricky Flynn Motorsport and the potential of its FA Kart / Vortex karts powered by One Engines.
Because of the huge entry, 88 in OK and 104 in Junior, Qualifying Practice was of greater importance while the heats were stretched to five and six races respectively.
Ten Brinke celebrates in OK-Junior
?The young Dutchman dominated the category with ease. Fast and consistent, he overcame all the pitfalls of the competition to win a fully deserved World title. 4th at the end of Qualifying Practice, he then won five of his six heats by posting three fastest laps. Starting on pole position, he led the Final from start to finish far ahead of his opponents, on wet tyres on a drying track. He set two consecutive fastest laps before crossing the finish line as World Champion. A great demonstration of his progress within RFM since last season.
Top performance for all Juniors
?7th in Qualifying, Laurens Van Hoepen won two heats, but was penalised for his spoiler and started 6th in the Final. After a tough battle, he finished 8th in the world in OK-Junior. Ugo Ugochukwu set the 8th fastest time out of the 104, and had the right pace in the heats, except in the fourth, a particularly difficult race, where he had to retire. He still reached the top 10 and climbed to 7th in the Final, but a spin prevented him from taking the finish. The other three young RFM drivers had to fight hard in the heats, following Qualifying positions between 20th and 26th position, with all the risks that involves. Christian Ho came back to 15th then 11th place at the finish. Conrad Laursen finished with a 10-place climb in the Final that took him to 16th. Finally, Martinius Stenshorme finished in the top three twice in the heats, but finished only 29th in the Final because of a spoiler penalty.
Thompson: a top three and some regrets
?Harry Thompson posted the 4th fastest time in his group, but was 21st overall. He fell to the back at the start of his first heat and ended up retiring. He then went on the attack in the heats with determination and made up a good part of his delay thanks to his two 2nd positions with the fastest laps in the race. But it was during the Final that Thompson made his mark by regaining no less than 12 places to mount the 3rd step of the podium. A remarkable performance that left him with some regrets about the beginning of the meeting.
Currently 2nd in the DKM, after his double victory at Kerpen and another victorious comeback at Genk, Thompson will have a good card to play in the last round of the German Championship at Ampfing in early October. Christian Ho is in a similar position in OK-Junior in the DJKM after his double success at Genk.
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