EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP KZ / KZ2, ROUND 1
With the best time in 57”766 in qualifying and three wins in as many heats got Jorrit Pex his pole for the Final. Sharing the first row, a tough customer: Fabian Federer, also among the fastest in KZ. In the second row, Ardigò, good at recovering from the sixth time in practice, proving himself to be among the most combative drivers. At his side, Pedro Hiltbrand, the Spaniard paying back the confidence the Crg team placed in him, and confirming himself to be the grid’s most talented driver. In the third row, Iglesiais and De Conto, the current world champion in less than his usual brilliant form. Antony Abbasse, a leading player last season, is only on the seventh row.
Lights off, the race starts. Jorrit Pex leaps to the front. Federer is slow off the mark, penalizing Ardigò who, having launched himself into the central corridor, finds the road blocked by the South Tyrol driver now in 11th position. The first to benefit is Pedro Hiltbrand who, moving into second, does not want to lose this chance. A first lap to study his move, he strikes on the second lap, passes the Dutch leader in the most favored overtaking spot on the French circuit: the hairpin leading to the last corner. Iglesias passes Federer a lap later at the same spot. After being overtaken, Federer begins to lose positions. Paolo De Conto and Stan Pex take advantage, the leading trio ahead by a margin of 1”5 on De Conto, now fourth.
At the end of the Salbris weekend, Jorrit Pex sees his glass half full. Though lacking that little extra speed in the Final, the 2015 World Champion said he was satisfied with the potential shown over the three days in France.
“It’s clear, I’d have wanted to win, but it was still a fantastic weekend for me. I’ve adapted well to the track since the tests, scoring the best time in qualifying, and then the pole for the Final. There was certainly something missing, but I have nothing to complain about. I liked the track, but it must be said that the asphalt was not optimal.”