CIK FIA EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP OK / OKJ
The Friday time trial fight filed away with Travisanutto faster by a good one tenth ahead of Keirle, the apparent man-tobeat. While Stanek, winner at Sarno, is a distant four tenths away, anticipates a more difficult weekend than expected. Even Hiltbrand and Vidales are a bit off the mark, but the Spanish duo rush to the fore in the heats. While Travisanutto loses the first row, as does Danny Keirle due to the 10” penalty (bumper) in a heat. Mattia Michelotto, ninth time in practice, occupies pole thanks to two victories and three second places. At his side, Janker, followed by Travisanutto and Valtanen; in the third row, Keirle and Hiltbrand; fourth, Vidales and Maloney.
THE GRID
At the official start, after as many as three attempts, collision in the rear with Pescador, Millel, Haverkort and Van Der Helm, immediately out of the competition. On the second lap, it’s Lorenzo Travisanutto going from third to first place, right after the tunnel. Successful pass by the Italian on Janker and Michelotto, the two in a tussle. Inspired by Travisanutto, Keirle follows, from fourth to second, ready to pursue. With the two-man fight on in front, a glance back sees Michelotto increasingly in trouble, caught by Janker, again third. In the same lap, risky contact between Vidales and Nielsen, the door open to Pedro Hiltbrand. On the fifth lap, the first major turn of the race with three virtually simultaneous events.
Danny Keirle flies past race leader Travisanutto. Behind them, Hiltbrand takes fourth from Michelotto. Besides the overtakes, another impact takes out three drivers: Maish, Porter and Coluccio, with the Italian of Birel unable to avoid the two drivers in front. War of nerves in front, from the sixth to the tenth lap, four laps with virtually unchanged gaps, and a very dangerous Travisanutto, at the exit of the tunnel. The only pass in the top ten, Hodgson on Michelotto, still suffering. On the 11th lap, Travisanutto again decides to make his move. Having studied World Champion Keirle for a long time, the Italian surprises him in curve seven. Last fighting chance for the Brit, assailed by declining performance, forced to cede o Janker a lap later. Travisanutto, now alone in command, later leaves room for the fight for second place. Thanks to Keirle’s stopgap, and Janker’s inability to run off ahead, the Spanish combo, Hiltbrand-Vidales, manages to reduce the gap, overtake Keirle as a pair. The same move by Janker, who hen replicates and starts a bullfight between the two, won by Vidales. Top five decided and gaps locked in place, at least until lap 17. Hiltbrand suffers Hodgson’s return and after a few incidents, the Brit wins the duel. Meanwhile Vidales lengthens, consolidates third.