Manama-Nov21(BNA) The competitive streak in the world’s best karters was evident yesterday at the start of the CIK-FIA World KF and KF-Junior Karting Championship. Competitors in both classes participated in day-long free practice sessions at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) before lining up for Qualifying Practice Sessions and Qualifying Heats at BIC’s Bahrain International Karting Circuit.
The KF Qualifying Practice Sessions saw French karter Dorian Boccolacci steer himself to the top of the timesheet after six laps, followed by Danish driver Andreas Hansen and Finnish talent Nicklas Nielsen.
KF-Junior Qualifying Practice Sessions were held in two series. Series 1 saw Italian Lenoardo Lorandi put forward a strong effort to ultimately outmuscle India’s Jehan Daruvala and Danilo Albanese, also of Italy. Meanwhile in Series 2, Briton Enaam Ahmed bested compatriot Lando Norris, while Russia’s Nikita Mazepin rounded out the finishing order in the series.
His Highness Shaikh Isa Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa is proud to fly the Bahrain flag and represent the Kingdom in his campaign for the KF-Junior title. The Bahrain One Racing star was keen to put on his best performance at every session leading up to the finals.
“It was a very good session and we did really well. We’re just a bit off the pace trying to catch up to the leaders who are the European champions. I hope the next session will be better and hopefully get to the final at the weekend. I’ve been coming here almost every weekend and that’s helped quite a lot. I have an advantage over everyone else since this my home circuit. I hope we do well and were going to try and get a podium in the final. This is going to be our last race in the junior category and we’re going to move up to the senior category next. It’s really important to me to have the championship here in Bahrain – for these guys to come and drive on our track is a really big thing and I’m really proud of it. Everyone so far is enjoying it and everyone wants to come back. Everyone likes the track a lot so that’s good,” said His Highness Shaikh Isa.
Competitors will look to maintain their form over the 14 turns of the 1.414km BIKC track when warm-up sessions begin at 2.20pm today, followed by the championship’s second session of Qualifying Heats at 4.20pm. Meanwhile the final warm-up sessions will begin at 3.15pm tomorrow, followed by the first Pre-Final at 6pm. Championship titles will then be decided when the KF-Junior Final begins at 8.35pm, and the KF Final begins at 9.25pm.
Away from the track a line-up of colourful off-the-track entertainment for the entire family will feature. The music of the Lewa Band will offer a taste of Bahrain’s unique musical heritage, while other attractions such as face painting, henna artists, Arabic calligraphy, live pottery, cotton candy, live pottery painting and balloon twisters will lend a funfair atmosphere to the weekend. Further, a selection of food and beverage stalls will be on hand while a number of carnival games aimed at older guests will also feature.
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BNA 1808 GMT 2013/11/21