The skies over Kristianstad were dark for the OK Super Heats. The track had dried since the morning rainfall, but the threat of rain was still there.
Super Heat A: Mclaughlin in the rain
Fionn Mclaughlin (KR/Iame) took the lead from Thibaut Ramaekers (KR/Iame), followed by Dmitry Matveev (KR/Iame) in 3rd and Zac Drummond (Parolin/TM) 4th. Sudden rain interrupted the race on the second lap with the waving of a red flag. Many drivers were forced off the track because of their slick tyres, but everything was reset for the new start on rain tyres.
The rain had stopped, but the track remained very wet. This time Ramaekers was leading ahead of Mclaughlin, Matveev, Drummond and David Cosma Cristofor (KR/Iame). Pesl was off the track. Mclaughlin, Matveev and Drummond overtook Ramaekers on lap 2. Kaï Rillaerts (Sodi/TM), who had been unable to start the first time, was now in 6th place. Mclaughlin had a 1.3″ lead over Matveev at the halfway stage. Cosma was 3rd ahead of Drummond, then Rillaerts 5th, Matheus Morgatto (Birel ART/TM) 6th and Ramaekers 7th. Matveev then closed the gap on the leader. Mclaughlin managed to control the situation right up to the finish and won with the fastest lap and a lead of almost 6 tenths over Matveev. Cosma was 3rd at 5” with Drummond 4th and Rillaerts 5th ahead of Morgatto. Suleiman Zanfari had made up 19 places to finish 14th.
Super Heat B: Gomez finishes ahead of Turney
Gabriel Gomez (CRG/Iame) immediately took the lead from Jimmy Hélias (KR/Iame). Miguel Costa (Parolin/TM) retired. Lewis Wherrell (Exprit/TM) took 2nd place ahead of Joe Turney (KR/Iame). Hélias set the fastest time and overtook Turney for 3rd place on lap 3. Louis Iglesias (CRG/Iame) was 5th ahead of Noah Monteiro (Tony Kart/Vortex). Gomez took the lead 2 seconds ahead of Wherrell on lap 6. Turney took over P3 with the help of Hélias. Iglesias stepped up the pace behind Hélias and overtook him at the halfway point, while Turney was back in 2nd. Iglesias kept up the momentum to attack Wherrell and move up to 3rd. Turney set a very fast pace and closed in inexorably on leader Gomez, who was not to be denied. Despite his exceptional times in the second sector and an incredible last lap, Gomez won by 2 tenths. Turney’s 2nd place secured him the European Championship. Iglesias secured a superb 3rd place ahead of Monteiro and David Walther (Tony Kart/Vortex). Pedro Hiltbrand (Birel ART/TM) took P6 after climbing 13 places, but was penalised 8th ahead of Andy Consani (Sodi/TM). Hélias recovered 6th place ahead of Wherrell.
Info Kartcom with Kartlink / Photo © KSP – Arthur Saulnier-Bruneau