INTERNATIONAL OPEN MASTERS – ROUND 1, SARNO (ITALY)

COZZAGLIO AWARDS MONZA CHASSIS WITH THE FIRST VICTORY IN KZ2

HIGHLIGHTS ALSO FOR VIGANÒ IN KF3, MARING BURKHARD IN KF2 AND FOR ALL OFFICIAL PILOTS IN KF1

The track at Sarno has held the first round of the Open Masters 2007, the Series promoted by the Italian ASN in which the main manufacturing firms and top pilots in KF3, KF2, KF1 and KZ2 classes are seen competing. The championship will be articulated in 5 meetings, in which each category will dispute on two competitions (both will assign points for ranking purposes). The weekend at Sarno was marked by hammering rain, which affected the outcome of many races both on Saturday as well as on Sunday. Indeed, both race days witnessed recurring changes in the standings, many pilots sliding off track and even qualification rounds held with visibility reduced to a bare minimum. Notwithstanding meteorological conditions, however, the competitive quality of Birel’s chassis and pilots was able to guarantee the firm from Lissone excellent results on all classes. Starting with Manuel Cozzaglio’s fine victory: the pilot native of Brescia has bestowed the new Monza chassis with the first success by winning Race 1 on KZ2 with a lead of over 7” on Jansen. The third step on the podium, on the other hand, was occupied by the excellent Martin Frasnelli of New Team Birel. The track’s difficult conditions penalised Laudato’s race whom, because of bumping, concluded the contest in 12th place, while in Race 2, again due to an accident, could not even achieve any point scoring. On the other hand, in Race 2 Cozzaglio managed another excellent result finishing 2nd after Ardigò. The third place was assigned to Van Meever. In classes 125 fixed-gear as well, Birel pilots obtained promising marks on all categories, both on dry and wet ground. In class KF3, next to the talented Vaganò (Mgm), could also shine the very young Agostini, Midrla and Francescon selected by single-brand Easykart promoted by Birel, even if, during the course of the rounds, had to pay off for some inexperience. In Race 1 success went to Suvanto with Viganò in 2nd place preceding Munoz and Chamberlain. Race 2, on the other hand, saw Harvey impose himself, while Viganò could not even enter scoring zone due to bumping. The absolute leading figure in class KF2 has been Maring Burkhard of Birel Ksb team. The German pilot after achieving pole position and prevailing during rounds, was penalised in Race 1 because of bumping with Camponeschi which, through the first phases of the contest, made him fall back beyond the 20th place. But following the accident he promoted a breathtaking recovery that saw him climb up to the 6th place and mark the fastest lap in the race. Victory, however, went to Will Stevens. In Race 2, on the other hand, no one was able to hinder Birel’s flag bearer whom, once on command, obtained success with a margin of over 10” on Otuegui. In class KF1 all of Birel’s pilots obtained excellent markings. It was Sauro Cesetti’s first time out with Iame engines and even so, since qualification rounds, was always amongst the fastest pilots. And very good as well did Marco Wittmann and Jaime Croxford, both with Tm engines. In Race 1, the only one of the Finals program disputed on dry ground, Englishman Croxford brought himself promptly in the lead by imposing an extremely high rhythm but, unfortunately, was forced to withdraw by engine troubles. A technical problem on the carburettor, instead, influenced Wittmann’s race who finished 12th after having achieved pole position on Saturday and having raced qualification rounds as a main figure. Cesetti concluded in 5th place behind the frontrunner Bailly, Catt, Piccioni and Christensen. The rain returned in Race 2 and Marco Wittmann was once again at the top: the pilot from Germany climbed up to 2nd place behind the winner Catt and even marked the fastest lap of the race. Cesetti was again amongst the big names, closing in 7th place, while Croxford had to pay for a clutch problem ending up in 17th place. The next engagement with the Open Championship is marked for April 23rd on the Ugento track, in the Salento region.