The Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve, in Portimão, will host this weekend, 11 and 12 March, the first race of the National Karting Championship. More than 60 riders, divided into seven categories, will participate in the event.
According to the Portuguese Federation of Motorsports and Karting (FPAK), in the race “some drivers are looking for the title to be revalidated, while others are looking to surpass themselves in new categories”.
In the Initiation, the category that comprises children between five and eight years old, four pilots will participate, but, according to Feferação, «being the base category of the sport, it will be interesting to monitor the performance of the four beginners».
Among the cadets, there are ten applicants and the FPAK highlights Adrian Malheiro "who will seek to reach the second title in the category, at the same time as the title champion of Initiation now overtakes the cadet in the hope of being able to overcome".
Among the Juvenil riders, Luís Alves «is in his best form and is also looking to reach the bi-championship, but the opposition will be strong with another 12 heavyweight entries», explains the Federation.
In the Junior category, Guilherme Gusmão, after finishing third last year, "seems to be the best placed driver to start reaching victories early on, since his main opponents in 2016 are no longer in the category".
In the X30 Shifter Junior, there are four riders enrolled, but «four heavy riders and all with titles in their résumés: Rodrigo Ferreira, Simão Ventura, Yohan Sousa and Bruno Ponte».
In the X30 Shifter, FPAK says that Hugo Marreiros seems to be, «even for third place last year», the driver best positioned for victory among the six entries.
In the X30 Super Shifter Gent and Masters category, 12 pilots will compete, with Ilídio Fernandes, current champion, leading the group among the Gentleman.
This year there will be only two female participations: Matilde Ferreira at Juvenil and Ana Rita Teixeira at X30 Shifter.
“The opening of the championship promises strong emotions on a recent track and always very cherished by all drivers”, concludes FPAK.
The weekend program foresees the free practice and qualifying sessions on Saturday and the final race on Sunday.
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