CIK–FIA SICC WORLD CUP - ICC (ROUND 3) AND JUNIOR (FINAL) EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP - SARNO (ITALY), SEPTEMBER 2nd/3rd/4th, 2005

100 ICA/Junior: PIC ON THE EUROPEAN PODIUM

The European finals in the 100 Junior category took place in a single test after the selections on three different European tracks had defined the finalists. Among these, there were many Birel drivers striving for the success, both because of the value they had shown across the whole racing season, and because of the favourable Birel tradition, which has achieved many victories in these past few years in the preliminary class par excellence. The Lissone-based manufacturer attained its last two European titles in a row in the Junior category thanks to Nicholas Risitano in 2003 and Stefano Coletti in 2004. And this positive tradition could have continued this year, too, but Charles Pic lacked the last dash to fill the gap separating him from Christensen at the finishing line. The Frenchman finished third, coming on the verge of success but still proving his great talent beyond any doubt. At the same time, the efficacy of the Birel chassis was confirmed, as they enabled all of Birel’s top drivers to qualify for the Finals, ready to take their shot at victory. Birel Motorsport driver Peter Antolfield suffered from set up problems, his qualifiers were also affected by a withdrawal in the second heat and therefore he ended resulting 22nd on the starting grid. Spaniard Merhi (10th) was luckier as he was able to end the second heat second, while Englishman Millroy was 13th. The pole position in the Pre-Finals, instead, went to Groman, in front of Alcaraz, Melker and Pic (who qualified with one victory, a second and an eight place). In the Pre-Finals, the Frenchmen raced very well, always among the leading drivers: at the finishing line he was 4th, only one second away from the winner, Groman. Melker came in second ahead of Alcaraz. Among Birel drivers, Merhi was once again in the limelight finishing 6th, followed by Vanthoor (9th) and Millroy (11th, also scoring the fastest lap of the race). Antolfield was unlucky as he went off-track in the 4th lap and had to start from the last position at the European Finals. The race awarding the title witnessed the success of Christensen, while the winner of the Pre-Finals Groman was forced to withdraw. Charles Pic finished third behind Melker and climbed the European podium, too, after having already arrived second at the Italian Open Championship. Another protagonist of the race ended 4th: Birel –Gks driver Vanthoor. Antolfield regained a lot of ground all through the race, but didn’t make it beyond the 16th placement. Bad luck also for Da Silva, slowed down by a contact but still able to score the fastest lap of the race.

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