Besler Wins Hearts at Rotax International Open

Turkish karting driver Berkay Besler delivered an incredible performance at the Rotax International Open in Italy. Berkay was the standout name among the 33 best drivers from 16 countries across different continents.

The six-day event at Adria produced fierce competition, thanks to the superb 1,302-metre track, an organisation worthy of Formula 1, heavy spectator interest and a field of very fast drivers. Regarded as one of the best and most demanding series in the world, the Rotax Max event turned the authorities' attention to the Adria Raceway circuit. Catching the eye with his times from the very first day, Berkay Besler was fastest in all three qualifying heats and earned the right to start the semi-final from pole position.

Dropping back to fifth place at the start of the 16-lap race, our representative began climbing from the first lap and took the lead back on lap 9. Just as everyone was looking at him as the winner, a gap opening up cost Berkay the win and he finished the race third. In the 17-lap final, starting from third on the grid, our driver fell back to seventh by lap six because of confusion and contact. But Berkay, whose driving and pace convinced even the onlookers, passed his rivals one by one, rose to third on lap 13 and ran within a second of the leader, separated by only fractions. A superb attack to pass second-placed Denis Mavlanov at a tight corner brought the grandstands to their feet, but a small touch of the rear wheels was enough to take away the victory our national driver wanted so badly. Because of this misfortune, Berkay could only finish the race, won by the Dutchman Stan Pex, in 23rd place.

Despite managing to compete in fewer than half as many international races per season as his rivals abroad, Berkay Besler's performance in Italy became the most talked-about subject at Adria. The commentator mentioning our national driver for most of both races on the live broadcast was the best example of this. Although the young driver, who endeared himself to everyone with a true sportsman's character, did not achieve the result he wanted, his superb performance won the hearts of the spectators and once again caught the attention of the authorities.