Besler Opens Season in Spain

Turkish karting driver Berkay Besler has kicked off his 2016 racing season in Spain. Having claimed a fourth consecutive Turkish Championship title last year, as well as becoming Central and Eastern European Champion in a great achievement for his country, Berkay once again made his mark with a superb performance at the Rotax Max Winter Cup in Valencia.

Started the semi-final from the front

Berkay Besler, who will compete in five different series this season, including the World Championship, ran consistently in the top three throughout practice and the heats at the event held at the Kartodromo circuit. Setting the best time in qualifying, our driver earned the right to start the semi-final from the front. In a 12-lap race that produced a tremendous fight, Berkay finished second, a tenth of a second behind Austria's Nicolas Schoell.

Fastest time in the final

Starting the 15-lap final from second on the grid and billed as a favourite, our driver went off the track in the chaos at the start, after contact from those behind, and dropped back to 24th. Refusing to give up, however, Berkay put in a superb drive and climbed steadily through the field. Up to 16th by lap five, our driver set the fastest time of the race with a 56.933 and went on to finish the final in ninth place.

Berkay Besler did not achieve the win he was so determined to take, but with this outstanding performance he once again caught the attention of the sport's authorities and proved that he is ready for the new season.