Patrik Pulkkinen, a 14-year-old from Finland, earned pole position for the first-ever KTM RC390 Cup World Final during qualifying Saturday at Silverstone Circuit.
Riding his spec KTM RC390 Cup racebike on Metzeler control tires, Pulkkinen lapped the 3.667-mile, 18-turn road course in 2:34.277.
“I enjoyed the session a lot,” said Pulkkinen. “I felt I was going a little bit too slow at the start and I lost behind a group. I felt I was faster. I slowed down and made some space between me and the riders, and then I started pushing very hard and I caught the group and made my fastest lap time.”
American Anthony Mazziotto III, age 15, led the session at one point and finished second-best with a time 2:34.622.
“The session went great,” Mazziotto exclusively told Roadracingworld.com. “The German and the UK riders were trying to group up, and I was able to tag onto their group and get a good draft, and I ended up second. I’m feeling pretty confident for the race.”
Djim Ulrich, the tall 15-year-old Dutch rider who was fastest on Friday, qualified third thanks to the 2:34.841 he did on his very last lap.
“In qualifying I was quick enough and I pushed to get up to third position,” said Ulrich. “The small riders ride away from me, so I have to use the slipstream to ride with them.”
Hayden Schultz, age 18, was the next-best of the MotoAmerica riders at the event with a lap of 2:35.908 that earned him the 14th spot on the grid.
“I can’t complain. The bike felt great,” Schultz told Roadracingworld.com. “I just need to get a good start and ride my own race and I’ll be able to work my way up. It’s going to be a brawl.”
Braeden Orrt, a 15-year-old from Canada, worked with Schultz in the draft and ended up 16th-fastest with a 2:36.283. Ortt said the key to his improvement was linking up with a faster group of riders during the session.
“Hayden and I are pretty quick in the esses (Maggotts and Becketts),” said Ortt. “If we can get through there good on the first lap and get a good run down the first straightaway I think we can get up into the top five.”
Gage McAllister, the 20-year-old who won the 2015 MotoAmerica KTM RC390 Cup Championship, qualified 21st with a best lap of 2:36.889. McAllister was riding in the group with Schultz and Ortt, but had a problem that prevented him from going any faster.
“My faceshield fogged up on one side halfway through,” said McAllister. “I was with Schultz and Ortt, and then when it started fogging up I started missing my brake markers and stuff.”
Justin McWilliams, age 22, was 22nd-quickest in the session based upon his qualifying time, 2:37.562. McWilliams, who is larger than many of the riders in the class, said he felt his weight was hurting his ability to go faster than smaller and lighter riders in the class.
“Unfortunately, drafting didn’t work for me,” said McWilliams.
Santander Consumer Finance KTM British Junior Cup & World Final
Silverstone Circuit, Towcester, England
October 3, 2015
Qualifying Results (all on KTM RC390s and Metzeler tires):
1. Patrik Pulkkinen, Finland, 2:34.277 W
2. Anthony Mazziotto III, USA, 2:34.622 W
3. Djim Ulrich, Netherlands, 2:34.841 W
4. Sasha de Vits, Netherlands, 2:35.234, crash W
5. Cameron Fraser, UK, 2:35.439 W
6. Dennis Stelzer, Germany, 2:35.522 W
7. Robert Schotman, Netherlands, 2:35.558 W
8. Sean Kelly, USA/Mexico, 2:35.599 W
9. Thomas Strudwick, UK, 2:35.601
10. James Nagy, UK, 2:35.634
11. Joep Overbeeke, Netherlands, 2:35.685 W
12. Kevin Keyes, UK, 2:35.798 W
13. Jirka Mrkyvka, Germany, 2:35.833 W
14. Hayden Schultz, USA, 2:35.908 W
15. Chris Taylor, UK, 2:36.280
16. Braeden Ortt, Canada, 2:36.283 W
17. Finn de Bruin, Netherlands, 2:36.300 W
18. Aaron Wright, UK, 2:36.369
19. Lee Hindle, UK, 2:36.657
20. Toni Erhard, Germany, 2:36.799 W
21. Gage McAllister, USA, 2:36.889 W
22. Justin McWilliams, USA, 2:37.562 W
23. Maximillian Sohnius, Germany, 2:38.553 W
24. Marco Fetz, Germany, 2:39.173 W
25. Reece Guyett, UK, 2:39.458
26. Sam Lyon, UK, 2:41.175
27. Thomas Airey, UK, 2:41.717
28. Vili Virtanen, Finland, 2:41.731 W
29. Adam Phipps, UK, 2:41.992
30. Leonardo Carnevalli, Italy, 2:46.032 W
31. Ewan Potter, UK, 2:49.680
32. Kieran Styles, UK, 2:56.013