Karting Season Opener Held at Körfez

The 2016 Turkish Karting Championship got under way at the İzmit Körfez Karting Circuit with Round 1, organised by the Bursa Automobile Sports Club, known by its abbreviation BOSSEK...

A total of 21 drivers battled it out over the weekend: five in Formula Mini (ages 7-12), three in Formula Junior (ages 13-16), six in Formula Senior (over 15) and seven in Formula Master (over 32).

The event began with free practice at 09:00 on Sunday 20 March and concluded after three races in each of the four classes. In Formula Mini, Ömer Asaf Kolot opened the season with a victory, followed by Zekai Özen in second and Kerim Sulyak in third.

In Formula Junior, Mert Dalkıran added another win to his winning streak at the season opener, with İzel Karasu second and Efe Han Kaptanoğlu third. In Formula Senior, Berkay Besler once again refused to give up the top step of the podium, as usual. However, Gün Taşdelen, who returned to karting after a short break and finished the day in second, signalled that the title fight will be shared at the top in the remaining rounds of the season. Third place in this class went to young national driver Mert Dalkıran, who will represent Turkey at this year's FIA Karting Academy.

In Formula Master, Süleyman Sırrı Kolot, buoyed by his son Ömer Asaf Kolot's win, took two of the three races to start the season with a victory. Last year's Turkish Formula Master Champion Mehmet Yaman took second, while Mehmet Çınar claimed third in the class.

Round 2 of the 2016 Turkish Karting Championship will be organised by the Istanbul Karting and Automobile Club (İKOK) at the Kenan Sofuoğlu Circuit in Akyazı on 30 April-1 May.