The Kart Grand Prix France, which is taking place at Salbris, benefited from very fine weather and good temperatures on Friday, 4th May which was devoted to the last Free Practice and especially to the Qualifying Practices for the first meeting of the 2018 CIK-FIA European Championships for KZ and KZ2, as well as the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy. Jorrit Pex of the Netherlands is in pole position in KZ, while Paul Loubere and Sami Meguetounif of France were fastest in KZ2 and Academy respectively.

The 145 Drivers gathered at the Salbris circuit benefited from excellent weather conditions for two days before starting the Qualifying phases of their inaugural meeting in France. The weather cooled slightly at the end of the day with a strengthening wind, a parameter that affected KZ2, who were divided into three groups because of their high number.

KZ: Jorrit Pex in the end

Defending World Champion Paolo De Conto (ITA) surprised by taking the lead of the CIK-FIA European KZ Qualifying Practice after being relatively unobtrusive in the Free Practices of the day. However, it was the 2015 World Champion, Jorrit Pex (NLD) who set the fastest lap of 57''766. Fabian Federer (ITA) followed in 2nd place by 21 thousandths, while Pedro Hiltbrand finished 3rd in front of De Conto, which gave the top four to the CRG brand. Marijn Kremers (NLD) was in the top five in the end, followed by Marco Ardigo (ITA).

KZ2: Pole for Loubere against Longhi and Palomba

The first of the three timed sessions for the CIK-FIA European KZ2 Championship was the fastest in the end, given the presence of four of its Drivers in the top four places. The fight was very close, but Pierre Loubère (FRA) finally posted a lap 57''780, only one hundredth of a second faster than Riccardo Longhi (ITA), while Giuseppe Palomba (ITA) followed by six hundredths. Although slightly behind, Adrien Renaudin (FRA) still ranked 4th overall. The leader of the second session, Simone Cunati (ITA), was down in 5th by 0.380'', followed by Hubert Petit (FRA). The fastest in the third session Giacomo Pollini (ITA), was down in 7th, 0.462'' further back.

Meguetounif on pole in the Academy Trophy in front of Navalon Boya

A mere thousandth of a second separated the two fastest Drivers of the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy on the 1500m circuit of Salbris. Obviously the confrontation is intense between the young talents driving their identical Exprit / Vortex / LeCont karts. Sami Meguetounif (FRA) set the fastest time - 1'05''510 - against Jose Maria Navalon Boya (ESP) in his fifth quick lap. Leading the second session, Kobe Pauwels (BEL) was 3rd ahead of Kotaro Shimbara (JPN), with Kajus Siksnelis (LTU) in 5th.

The programme will continue on Saturday, 5th May at Salbris with the Qualifying Heats from 10:30 to 17:25, to follow via live-timing and live-streaming on the website www.cikfia.com.