In KZ2, Cristian Bertuca underlined his recent World Cup victory with an exceptional performance. Faced with fast rivals, he scored two wins in the heats, then another in the Prefinal to take pole position in the Final. He led the race from the start and was about to cross the finish line as the winner when an opponent pushed him off the track on the last lap. Very disappointed, he nevertheless managed to finish 6th. Samuele Leopardi has put in some solid performances since his 3rd place finish. Twice 2nd and once winner in the heats, he set the fastest time in his Prefinal and started from 3rd position for the Final. Unfortunately, contacts forced him to retire, as did his team-mate Laurens Van Hoepen.

Andy Consani made an excellent start in OK with the Lissone brand. Very fast, he was nevertheless slowed by contact and penalties. After setting the fastest lap in the Prefinal, he was again pushed around in the Final and could do no better than 21st at the finish line. Noah Wolfe, from Team VAR by Birel, was also quick to make up ground in the heats.

The other categories also failed to deliver, despite showing good potential. Ludovico Mazzola and Pietro Bagutti are perfect examples in OK-Junior. Marco Pozzoni managed to qualify for the Mini Gr.3 Final, while Senn Lindemann made up ground in the Mini U10s, but was eliminated at the start of the Final.

The work will continue for Birel ART at the second round of the WSK Final Cup, in Cremona, in a fortnight' time.

About Birel ART

Birel ART is an Italian manufacturer of kart chassis that combines long experience and a keen sense of innovation with a boundless passion for motor sport.

Founded in 1959 by Umberto Sala, whose precise nickname was Birel, the company has played a pioneering role in the development of karting around the world since its very beginnings. The demand for quality has always been part of the DNA of the Lissone-based brand through its quest for success in competition. Over more than 60 years, Birel ART has won 26 world titles, countless European titles and numerous national championships.

Birel has accompanied the careers of many great racing drivers, including Riccardo Patrese, Keke Rosberg, Stefano Modena and Emanuele Pirro, as well as the more recent Formula 1 stars Mika Hakkinen and Juan Pablo Montoya, Robert Kubica, Jenson Button and George Russell. Robert Kubica, Daniel Ricciardo and more recently Charles Leclerc have called on Birel ART's expertise to launch their own chassis ranges.

Three generations have succeeded one another at the helm of Birel. Today, Ronni Sala, the founder's grandson, presides over Birel's destiny. In 2014, he ushered in a new era by joining forces with ART Grand Prix, a famous team on the single-seater scene, thanks to its association with Nicolas Todt and his partners. Birel ART was born.

Ronni has contributed to the creation of an ambitious new project that will be at the forefront of the karting industry, thanks to original sporting, marketing and communication initiatives that will benefit the brand, the dealer network and, of course, Birel ART's customers.

Birel ART has built on its prestigious heritage to enter the 21st century and make full use of technology in terms of R&D, production, logistics and communication. Its area of expertise, based on high-level competition, has been extended to include production quality control for a large number of competitors around the world, as well as the leisure sector with its Rental range with both internal combustion and electric engines. The factory at its original site in Lissone, near Monza and within easy reach of Milan, has undergone constant modernisation.

Birel ART's high level of expertise, with its well-balanced blend of tradition and innovation, is reflected in the results it has achieved in racing, offering fans around the world the opportunity to become real drivers or to have fun and experience the thrill of adrenaline on the track.