Pizzonia sets the early pace in Massa’s karting race

Former Formula 1 "Jungle Boy" Antonio Pizzonia set the best lap in the first free practice for the International Challenge of Go-Kart Champs, the race promoted by Felipe Massa that once again has attracted a huge number of top class drivers from various series in Florian¢polis, Brazil. Pizzonia closed the stopwatch in 56s814 in the 1.207 m long track last evening at the Arena Sapiens, beating by a narrow margin of 0s139 his Brazilian Stock Car mate Thiago Camilo.

The pair was closely followed by Super GT Japan ace João Paulo Oliveira and IndyCar frontrunner Vitor Meira, while Felipe Massa fought hard to grab the fifth spot, just 11 thousandth faster than his Formula 1 pal Lucas di Grassi. Local hero Leonardo Nienkotter, a Trofeo Linea regular who finished 8th in the timesheet, was the best among an impressive list of newcomers that includes three-times Indy500 winner Helio Castroneves, Toro Rosso’s Jaime Alguersuari, Bruno Senna and GP2 Series man Alberto Valério.

The 27 drivers will be back to action this afternoon for another free practice before the qualifying sessions scheduled for early evening. Race 1 will feature 25 minutes plus one lap and will begin at 21h45 local time (three hours behind ECT). A live timing service will be available during the weekend at the official website www.desafiodasestrelas.com.br

Friday night times:

1 – ANTONIO PIZZONIA – 56s814
2 – THIAGO CAMILO – + 0s139
3 – JOÃO PAULO OLIVEIRA – + 0s144
4 – VITOR MEIRA – + 0s192
5 – FELIPE MASSA – + 0s222
6 – LUCAS DI GRASSI – + 0s235
7 – CHRISTIAN FITTIPALDI – + 0s240
8 – LEONARDO NIENKOTTER – + 0s312
9 – MARCOS GOMES – + 0s344
10 – FELIPE GIAFFONE – + 0s482
11 – RUBENS BARRICHELLO – + 0s483
12 – ENRIQUE BERNOLDI – + 0s537
13 – CACÃ� BUENO – + 0s547
14 – MAX WILSON – + 0s553
15 – LUCIANO BURTI – + 0s560
16 – POPÃ" BUENO – + 0s650
17 – JAIME ALGUERSUARI – + 0s663
18 – RICARDO ZONTA – + 0s710
19 – XANDINHO NEGRÃO – + 0s714
20 – BIA FIGUEIREDO – + 0s727
21 – ALLAM KHODAIR – + 0s806
22 – TONY KANAAN – + 0s906
23 – BRUNO SENNA – + 0s932
24 – RICARDO MAURICIO – + 1s000
25 – ALBERTO VALÉRIO – + 1s392
26 – HELIO CASTRONEVES – + 1s394
27 – MARCOS PASQUIM – + 2s249