29.10.2016 08:09

Last week, from the "Grand Final" competitions, which took place in Sarno, Italy from 15 to October 22, we were at home expecting our riders, who represented the Latvian honor. Unfortunately, none of the drivers got a chance to win a place on the podium, but some progress has been assessed as very high and as a whole are proud of all the riders.

This year, the competition format was as follows - first there was qualification, followed by 3 qualification heets. Accordingly, after the two semi-finals, the first 17 riders were on the finals. In turn, the final total of 34 participants took the start.

At Sarno Latvia was represented by eight riders, and the Baltic States as a whole – 15. Matīss Maļinovskis, MicroMax class, participation in competitions concluded taking 17^th position. MiniMax class representative - Leo Cabulis ranked in 36th place.

DD2 class as a whole started 4 Latvian riders, 3 of them represented Latvia. Haralds Garkaklis his ticket won in Russia, driving with a Russian license. Haralds also was one of the riders who was missing quite a bit to a position on the podium and in total he took the honorable 4th place. Mārtiņš Steinerts also set a very good result and concluded the race in the high 6th position. Martins himself about the race read as follows: "In general, the entire measure for me is completed successfully. Already from the first workout, the speed was promising. Qualification revenue 8th, which made it possible to start from 4th place in all heets. First I drove the eighth since the start and could not immediately waste to around 10th place, but by lap times and everything was in order, I was second or third. The second race was already better, some time was the first, but in the end lost to the Danish rider and finished second, which was not bad because heets is important to collect as little as possible points to take a higher place in the semi-finals. The third heet turned out for me very unfortunate, because got to grapple with another rider and quite seriously bump kart, which was no longer repairable, because the frame was permanently folded. After the trip we tried to straighten and were hoping that everything will be fine. Semi-final day it was raining and the semi-finals start from tenth place finished fifth, which made it possible to participate in the finals of the 10 positions. Final day of departure the morning workout with slicks realized that something was wrong, because karting left side easily dragged along the ground and bends to the right was quite problematic iestūrēt, but nothing could be changed and had to travel in the way that is. Final drive was considerably slower than before, but in spite of everything managed to secure eighth place and drive maximum stable all the laps to the finish line, even though I was 2-3 tenths slower than all the surrounding competitors. After finishing two of the riders in front of me existing penalties received and the sum total was the sixth of which try to be happy, but a little saddened by the fact that prior to the accident was much faster and was able to fight for higher positions. In general, as a race always held a very high level, for all thought and has arrived may feel that participate in the World Championship." The other two DD2 class riders - Kristaps Gašparovičs and Ernests Veismanis unfortunately diid not qualify for the finals. It should be noted that Gasparoviča got into an accident while he was on a stable, dignified final position.

Conversely, DD2 Masters class Latvia was represented by Iļja Aļoškins and Uldis Timaks. Aļoškins finals took 26^th position, while Uldis Timaks, relatively high 17th place. "Realistically, of course, performance is in accordance with the workmanship. This time, no surprises and twenty place throughout the week, my speed was adequate. Occupying a 17th place finish for me is a good achievement, which I am also satisfied. Congratulations to Mārtiņš and Haralds with a very remarkable performance, Iļja showed himself very well in rainy conditions and small athletes and a great experience in the strong competition. Organizers small minuses of the venue and the event ripping the whole week, "says Uldis Timaks.

After finishing the "Grand Final" competitions are asked for the kart master Ēriks Gasparovičs views. "I can tell you that the pleasure that we DD2 classes in the Baltic States is the world's level. It is success or failure, but we are strong. As well as the DD2 Master - both drivers in the finals - super! Small riders went harder. For a long time I had not been to the "Grand Final", a great measure, emotional, all who are caught there are already winners. Of course, the great joy of the supporters present, that Latvia was recognized, both on the track and the audience, on that we were united! "

Other Baltic (Estonia, Lithuania) riders ranked in the following positions:

Hakala - 20th place, Sei - takes the 22th place, Koss - high 9th place, Kuehne - 18th place, Kiwi - 33.vieta, Juodvirsis - 12th place. Turn Matulevičius finale unfortunately did not qualify.

It should be noted that based on these races are built on the principle of equality - all participate in competitions with the same chassis and completely brand new, still sealed engines. Technical draw takes place before the tournament. Overall, this idea be regarded as welcome, because it is impossible to blame the technique that deceived during the voyage and theoretically everything is based depends on the mastery of the rider and his mechanic professionalism by adjusting the kart according to the circumstances. Unfortunately, the Court finds, however, that in recent years have significantly deteriorated Rotax engine quality, the doubts as to the realization of basic ideas of race in life. In other words, one of the drivers can be very lucky raffled with technique, but for which it can be paid in several places of the tournament table.

So far, Latvian athletes' greatest success in this competition is Konstantīns Calko won second place DD2 class in 2012.

All competitions "Grand Final" results can be viewed here: http://www.rotax-kart.com/en/Max-Challenge/Grand-Finals/Grand-Finals-2016/Race-Results

Despite the fact that this year the "Grand Final" competitions, the Latvian best achievement was not corrected, we are very proud of all the Baltic riders and believe that the experience gained is a kind of reward and investment for the future!