The pressure of competition will ease over the next two months for Parolin Motorsport, which will be able to devote itself entirely to preparing for 2024. The 2023 season ended positively for the Italian brand thanks to strong performances in the main categories at the second round of the WSK Final Cup on the Franciacorta circuit. Parolin / TM won four Prefinals and finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the various Championships thanks to Costoya’s Final top 10 in OK-Junior, Khavalkin’s top five in OK and Orlov’s (Team Modena Kart) 2nd place in KZ2.

The WSK Final Cup once again brought together more than 340 participants at Franciacorta last weekend for the final event of the season. Parolin Motorsport has therefore completed its 2023 programme of more than 25 international races with a host of successes.

“The team put in another great effort last weekend,” said Marco Parolin. “We confirmed our excellent potential in all categories, despite Finals that didn’t always go our way. Anatoly Khavalkin made up for his disappointment at Lonato. A regular in the top three of the OK Qualifying Heats, he finished 5th in the Final and made a spectacular leap up to 4th in the Championship. Vivek Kanthan undoubtedly made progress in his new category with several excellent results. Zac Drummond had put in a solid performance right up to the Final, where success deserted him. Forced to retire in his first two heats, Miguel Costa could no longer qualify for the Final.

Christian Costoya confirmed his position as one of the best OK-Junior drivers with a 10-place improvement in the heats and a fine victory in the Prefinal. His 9th place in the Final ensured him 3rd place in the Championship. Jack Illife continued his rise through the heats, finishing 14th in the Final. For his part, Gioele Giradello had climbed to 1st place in the Mini Prefinal, but his Final performance was ruined by an incident a few laps from the finish.

Finally, I’d like to congratulate Team Modena Kart, which enabled Maksim Orlov to finish in 2nd place with the fastest lap in the KZ2 Final and take 2nd place in the Championship.”

As the WSK Final Cup got underway in Lonato with 340 participants, Parolin Motorsport once again put in an excellent performance in all categories. The competition ended with an OK-Junior podium thanks to Christian Costoya and a top 10 finish for Jack Illife. 12th in OK, Zac Drummond moved up 20 places over the weekend, while Miguel Costa climbed seven places to 13th. Gioele Giradello finished an interesting 6th in Mini and Maksim Orlov (Team Modena Kart) secured 5th place in the KZ2 Championship.

Under a beautiful autumn sun, the WSK Final Cup in Lonato proved to be a demanding event due to the large number of participants. The Parolin Motorsport team approached this final phase of the season with its sights already set on 2024, where the line-up is currently being prepared. Next weekend at Franciacorta, the second and final round of the WSK Final Cup will mark the end of a successful year of competition for the Italian team.

“The team worked well throughout the weekend,” explained Marco Parolin. “Our OK drivers have made good progress, making some very convincing comebacks since Qualifying. Zac Drummond is already very competitive for his second race in his new category. Miguel Costa used his great sense of attack to regain a total of over 30 places by finishing 13th, while Vivek Kanthan was also on an upward trajectory. It was a pity that Anatoly Khavalkin lost his chances at the start of the Final.

Christian Costoya was more successful in OK-Junior. He proved he belonged in the top three and is currently 2nd in the provisional WSK Final Cup standings. Jack Illife had made an excellent start to the weekend, confirming his very positive season. Delayed at the start of the race, he was unable to show his full potential in the Final. A big well done to Gioele Giradello for his solid performance in Mini Gr.3. Congratulations also to Maksim Orlov and the Modena Kart Team for his 6th place in the Final and fastest lap of the race.”

The second and final round of the WSK Euro Series 2023 was a real challenge for both the drivers and the technicians of the Parolin Motorsport team, as it was run in difficult weather at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli. Their efforts were rewarded by Anatoly Khavalkin’s superb victory in the OK Final, which took him up to 2nd place in the Championship. Zac Drummond finished 9th, in the top 10 in his first competition in OK and Bruno Priam scored a top five in Mini Gr.3 to end the Championship in 6th position, as did Christian Costoya in OK-Junior.

“We’re delighted to be back on the top step of the OK category,” said Marco Parolin. “Especially in a difficult weather situation full of changes throughout the weekend. We proved that we were competitive from the Mini to the Senior category, which is important for us. Bruno Priam surprised everyone in the Mini class, with an exceptional comeback in the dry Prefinal, and another fine race in the wet in the Final, finishing in the top five. In the OK-Junior class, Jack Iliffe claimed his first pole position, but struggled thereafter. It was a disappointment for Christian Costoya, who was involved in contact when he was 2nd in the Final. Elsewhere, we are delighted that our satellite teams Modena and MLG were on the podium with their drivers: Bati Ege Yildirim became OK-N champion and Bruno Gryc finished third in OK-N Junior.”

OK

Anatoly Khavalkin:
5th in Qualifying, 4th in the heats, 3rd in the Prefinal with the fastest lap and winner of the Final. 2nd in the Championship.

Zac Drummond:
First race in OK. 3rd in Qualifying, 5th in the heats, 9th in the Final, moves straight up to 11th in the Championship.

Miguel Costa:
16th in Qualifying, 14th after the heats, retired in the Prefinal, 15th in the Final despite a penalty for an incorrectly positioned front fairing.

Vivek Kanthan:
First race in OK, 18th in Qualifying, 19th after the heats, 16th in the Final despite a front fairing penalty and a gain of four places.

OK-Junior

Christian Costoya:
Pole position in Qualifying, two top three finishes in the heats, 5th with a gain of six places, 2nd in the Prefinal, 13th in the Final with a penalty and 6th in the Championship.

Jack Iliffe:
Pole position in Qualifying, 16th in the intermediate standings, 6th in the Prefinal, 24th in the Final with a front fairing penalty.

Mini

Bruno Priam:
19th in Qualifying, 14th in the heats, 4th in the Prefinal (up 10 places) and 5th in the Final (up eight places) with the fastest lap. 6th in the Championship.