After brilliantly qualifying for the final of the European KF2 Championship at Essay, Loïc Réguillon (Sodi/Parilla) approached the event with solid ambitions, supported by an impressive fan club.
Unfortunately, though the Norman driver was quickly in on it in free practice, he lacked just that little bit extra to make the difference in official qualifiers. Just 2 tenths/sec. short of the best time, Loïc finished 25th, a sign that competition was very intense. Starting in the middle of the pack in the qualifying heats, he had to avoid the several collisions that marked the starts. There was even a time when he risked not qualifying but the Norman driver and his kart improved lap after lap: Loïc even set the best lap in race in the last heat, where he finished 7th.
After qualifying in 31st place, Loïc had to regain ground in the pre-final, while avoiding at the same time the several race mishaps caused by drivers excited by the stake. Mission accomplished with a 13th place on arrival, that is a gain of 18 places. So hopes materialised again before the start of the final. But a collision at the start froze Loïc supporters’ enthusiasm, who saw him go down to 21st place at the end of the first lap. But our driver is not someone who easily gives up, so he exploited at best his knowledge of the track and his perfectly adjusted Sodi to start a terrific recovery. Loïc set a series of fast laps and overtook many of his rivals, to cross the finishing line with a great sixth place, and the ovation of his fans.
The Sodi Team will certainly learn several lessons from this European Championship, to be at its best for the World Cup.
Info Kartcom / © Photo KSP