Equal chances and reverse grids are key for the show

The second visit to Prejmer this season confirmed, first of all, a great victory for the regulation changes proposed by the organizers this year. The figures unequivocally prove the considerable reduction of the differences in the categories where the technical material is prepared centrally and drawn, by comparison with the previous seasons. Furthermore, the inspired idea of reversing the top eight grid positions in the final three heats out of a total of four guarantees plenty of action throughout the sprints.

Micro ROK

Pole position: Dominic Maniga (CSSK/Parolin/Vortex/Levanto)

Race 1: David Darie (Borsch Racing/Energy Corse/Vortex/Levanto)

Race 2: Adam Predescu (Formula K RO/Formula K/Vortex/Levanto)

Race 3: David Darie (Borsch Racing/Energy Corse/Vortex/Levanto)

Race 4: David Darie (Borsch Racing/Energy Corse/Vortex/Levanto)

Dominic Maniga set the pole position time, but in the first leg he had to fight with Adam Predescu, author of the fastest lap, and with David Darie, the one who would prevail. The second race, however, brought an DNF for Darie, Predescu resisting in the lead to beat Nikita Aleksandrov (Borsch Racing) by only two tenths of a second. On Sunday, Darie took advantage of the reversed grid to break away, winning the third heat by a significant margin (nearly 9 seconds). Later, the same Darie proved that he fully deserved the overall victory, passing all his opponents one by one: from 8 to 1, in just seven laps.

1. David Darie (Borsch Racing/Energy Corse/Vortex/Levanto) 75p

2. Adam Predescu (Formula K RO/Formula K/Vortex/Levanto) 70p

3. Dominic Maniga (CSSK/Parolin/Vortex/Levanto) 69p

Mini ROK

Pole position: Robert Pulbere (Gulstar Racing/KR/Vortex/Levanto)

Race  1: Robert Pulbere (Gulstar Racing/KR/Vortex/Levanto)

Race  2: Darren Betea (BRT/Topkart/Vortex/Levanto)

Race  3: Victor Gorun (Real Racing/Tony Kart/Vortex/Levanto)

Race  4: Victor Gorun (Real Racing/Tony Kart/Vortex/Levanto)

Few would have believed, at the end of qualy, that this round would be won by Victor Gorun. The Real Racing driver had a significant delay of eight tenths of a second, and the first race on Saturday went to poleman Robert Pulbere with Gorun arriving 9 seconds in arrears. Pulbere also impressed at the second start, progressing from 8th to 2nd behind Darren Betea. Gorun was still far behind, sixth at 10 seconds.

The next day, however, the situation changed radically. Victor Gorun and Marc Moia fought a remarkable duel, being separated by only 58 thousandths of a second when the checkered flag fell. Behind them, not even a thousandth could split 3rd and 4th, occupied by Gergo Buzaș and Radu Băsescu-Pricop. The last heat was contested in the rain, conditions in which the Real Racing drivers seemed to have a clear advantage. But only Gorun drove faultlessly and won by an abysmal difference - almost 18 seconds!

1. Victor Gorun (Real Racing/Tony Kart/Vortex/Levanto) 71p

2. Robert Pulbere (Gulstar Racing/KR/Vortex/Levanto) 69p

3. Marc Moia (JMS Performance/DR/Vortex/Levanto) 57p

Junior ROK

Pole position: Sonia Crivoiruc (Real Racing/Tony Kart/Vortex/Levanto)

Race 1: Sonia Crivoiruc (Real Racing/Tony Kart/Vortex/Levanto)

Race  2: Alexandru Nechifor (JMS Performance/DR/Vortex/Levanto)

Race  3: Matei Cîmpean (Superkart Racing Team/Tony Kart/Vortex/Levanto)

Race  4: Sonia Crivoiruc (Real Racing/Tony Kart/Vortex/Levanto)

Only two hundredths of a second separated Sonia Crivoiruc and Ruxandra Cozma in the qualifying session, arriving in the same order at the end of the first heat. The second race on Saturday had a different scenario, with Cozma retiring and Crivoiruc being defeated by only three tenths of a second by Alexandru Nechifor. The two female presences were not allowed to start in the first race on Sunday, leaving Matei Cîmpean to win the race due to Nechifor's problems. In the last race of the weekend, Sonia got her revenge, while the cameras focused on the duel for second place between Nechifor and Cozma, the latter prevailing. However, the overall triumph went to Nechifor, thanks to the points collected in all four starts. Sonia Crivoiruc claimed the Junior ROK Lady trophy.

1. Alexandru Nechifor (JMS Performance/DR/Vortex/Levanto) 77p

2. Sonia Crivoiruc (Real Racing/Tony Kart/Vortex/Levanto) 70p

3. Matei Cîmpean (Superkart Racing Team/Tony Kart/Vortex/Levanto) 67p

ROK Cup Romania is planning four more rounds this year, which will take place on the circuits of Târgu Secuiesc, Bucharest and Bacău. The races are broadcast live on Prima Sport and on the competition's social networks.