The 2022 WSK Master Series has ended on the Sarno track and it has once again underlined the CRG Racing Team drivers’ positive performances. Especially Jeremy Iglesias in the KZ category was able to capitalize best on CRG’s potential, scoring P4 and fighting for the podium throughout the race. The French driver’s speed and pace in the race were excellent throughout the weekend, starting with qualifying when he finished 3rd in his group, and then continuing in an excellent way also in the eliminatory heats. His good weekend in Sarno also ranks him in P4 in the overall standings of the WSK Master Series.
Alex Irlando and Paavo Tonteri in KZ were less lucky, only P13 and P16 in the Final due to some contacts, but more than once able to show the speed of the leaders in the heats. Viktor Gustavsson also gets back home from Sarno with a result far below expectations, but it must be said that the Swedish driver lost 2 heats, he had to start in the back in the Final and he was blocked again by a race contact. Little luck also for Natalia Balbo who did not manage to qualify, as well as for Brandon Nilsson and Jorge Pescador, both qualified for the Final, but who got stuck in the middle of the group.
The balance of the weekend was also positive for Gabriel Gomez in OK, because despite finishing the Final out of the top ten, he had a good pace in the race and completed the technical work that the team had planned for this meeting. Very similar the balance of the weekend for Oliver Rasmussen in the Mini, very fast in some heats, but then delayed by a contact in the Final that did not allow him to capitalize on a good result.
On the other hand, it’s almost impossible to do an analysis for what concerns the OK Junior category, as both drivers had various race contacts in the qualifying heats, failing to qualify for the Final.
For the OK and OK Junior classes the next scheduled event will be the Champions of the Future race in Portugal to prepare for the FIA European Championship, while for the KZ classes the focus will now be on the FIA European Championship of the category with the 1st Round scheduled in Genk, Belgium, in May.
CRG drivers’ post-race reactions:
Jeremy Iglesias (KZ): “We have been very fast and consistent all weekend and winning the race or getting on the podium was really close. I am happy with the balance of our chassis, because it works in all track conditions and this was one of the “key” objectives for the 2022 chassis. We are also very satisfied with regard to the TM engine and the support of the Galiffa Kart staff. We have a technical package that allows us to look at the FIA Karting Championships with optimism”.
Viktor Gustavsson (KZ): “It was a very tough week. We started very well in free practice, everything seemed to work, but then I didn’t have a good lap in qualifying, I had two contacts in the qualifying heats and we lost our way. My weekend does not reflect our potential and I am sure that we will be ready for the FIA European Championship, both in terms of the chassis and the engines. My next commitment, however, will be in OK at the Champions of the Future race and I can’t wait for it”.
Gabriel Gomez (OK): “Today in the Final I had a good pace, but it was not possible to do more than P12. We lack a bit of speed in some conditions, but we know where we need to improve and I am sure we are close to closing the gap with the leaders. We have improved many aspects, both in terms of chassis and engine, and we will be ready for the start of the FIA European Championship”.
