The first OK and Junior Qualifying Heats took place on Friday afternoon, following Qualifying, when the weather was warm and the track offered plenty of grip. Saturday began in a completely different atmosphere, in the rain. The competitors had to adapt rapidly to the specific characteristics of the drenched Slovakian circuit. This was not without its problems, as this very wet phase was characterised by spinning, going off track, contact and penalties. However, the clouds gave way to blue skies in the middle of the day and the track quickly regained its full grip potential. The show continued in the dry, although contact and other clashes continued somewhat, due to the impulsiveness of some drivers. In the end, the Qualifying phase in Slovakia was tough. While some drivers dropped heavily down the rankings, others managed to get back to the front in these variable conditions.

After 15 Qualifying Heats in OK and OK-Junior, the top 72 in each category will battle it out on Sunday morning in the Super Heats to decide the 36 finalists.

Junior: Schaufler and Van Langendock neck and neck

The Qualifying Heats of the third round of the Mondokart.com FIA Karting European Championship - Junior were dominated by two drivers, Niklas Schaufler (AUT) and Dries Van Langendonck (BEL), who finished on an identical score with three wins each. Van Langendonck can be satisfied with gaining 14 places since Qualifying. Up 11 places, Iacopo Martinese (ITA) is third with two wins, as is poleman Filippo Sala (ITA) in fourth. Arjen Kraeling (DEU), a one-time winner, was able to hold on to fifth place against Rocco Coronel (NLD), a two-time winner. Roman Kamyab (GBR) moved up to seventh while Ilie Crisan (CAN) dropped back to eighth. Joel Pohjola (FIN) had climbed 13 places to ninth ahead of Jenson Burnett (CAN). Second in the provisional Championship standings, Christian Costoya (ESP) managed to climb 41 places to 31st.

Top 6 Junior Qualifying Heats

1- Niklas Schaufler (AUT - KR / IAME / Maxxis) 235 points
2- Dries Van Langendonck (BEL - Exprit/TM Kart/Maxxis) 235 points
3- Iacopo Martinese (ITA - KR / IAME / Maxxis) 223 points
4- Filippo Sala (ITA - LN / TM Kart / Maxxis) 219 points
5- Arjen Kraeling (DEU - KR / IAME / Maxxis) 212 points
6- Rocco Coronel (NLD - KR /IAME / Maxxis) 198 points

Morgatto takes the lead in the OK category

The fifteen Qualifying Heats of the third round of the Mondokart.com FIA Karting European Championship - OK were full of action and excitement. Only 11th in Qualifying, Matheus Morgatto (BRA) climbed back up to first position after a consistent run with two victories. Thibaut Ramaekers (BEL) maintained his position in second place thanks to his three victories. Louis Iglesias (FRA) and Jimmy Hélias (FRA) confirmed their position by also moving up one place to third and fourth ahead of poleman Noah Monteiro (PRT), a three-time winner. Joe Turney (GBR), who is no stranger to these uncertain times, climbed from 17th to sixth ahead of Dmitry Matveev. David Cosma Cristofor (ROU) was back in eighth place ahead of Leo Nilsson (SWE) and Kaï Rillaerts (BEL). Second in the Championship when he arrived at the Slovakia Ring, Lewis Wherrell (GBR) was 16th on Saturday evening, just ahead of leader Gabriel Gomez (ITA).

Top 6 OK Qualifying Heats

1- Matheus Morgatto (BRA - Birel ART/TM Kart/Maxxis) 236 points
2- Thibaut Ramaekers (BEL - KR / IAME / Maxxis) 218 points
3- Louis Iglesias (FRA - CRG / IAME / Maxxis) 217 points
4- Jimmy Hélias (FRA - KR / IAME / Maxxis) 214 points
5- Noah Monteiro (PRT - KR / IAME / Maxxis) 211 points
6- Joe Turney (GBR - KR / IAME / Maxxis) 201 points

Academy Trophy: Advantage Herman

Four of the six Qualifying Heats of the FIA Karting Academy Trophy took place this Saturday at the Slovakia Ring. As in the first round at Val d'Argenton, the first two heats took place in the rain, while the following two benefited from sunshine and a dry track. Another point in common with the previous competition was that Belgian Gilles Herman was leading on Saturday evening with a win and a second place. The Finn Joel Taipale wasn't far behind thanks to his morning win and third place in the afternoon. Germany's Emilio Bernd, consistent in his two races, was just ahead of the day's other two winners, Japan's Simba Motoda and Portugal's Martim Barros Meneses. Fausto Arnaudo (ARG) was level with Meneses while Theodor Toobal (EST) remained close behind. The top three in the Championship are currently further back, with Dan Allemann (CHE) in the top 20, Jakub Gasparovic (SVK) 17th and Wian Boshoff (ZAF) 12th.

Provisional schedule for the event at the Slovakia Karting Center

Sunday 23rd June
08.30 - 09.55: Warm-up
10.05 - 10.40: Qualifying Heats - Academy
10.45 - 12.20: Super Heats - Junior & OK
13.55 - 16.35: Finals