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Birelart completes an intense weekend in Genk

KZ2 – Group pole positions and strong results for Ider and Sala
The weekend in Genk (Belgium) marked the start of the 2026 European season for the KZ2 drivers, with a round featuring high temperatures both on and off the track. Michael Ider and Filippo Sala both delivered a very positive debutweekend.
Ider immediately showed great confidence with the Belgian circuit by setting the fastest time in his qualifying session, third overall, and taking pole position in Group C. Sala (CL Racing Team) showed similar pace during his first EuropeanKZ2 weekend, claiming pole position in Group D with the second-fastest time in his session. Their competitiveness translated into strong heat performances for both drivers, including one victory for Ider and several top-three finishes, with Sala also consistently among the frontrunners. Unfortunately, a retirement in the Super Heat took Ider out of contention for the leading positions, forcing him intoa recovery drive in the Final. Sala did his best to maximize the result, finishingjust outside the top ten in the Final.
Similar episodes affected Wolfe’s weekend as well, although he remained in the battle for the top ten with thirteen positions recovered. Ritonen showedconsistent race pace and set the fastest lap in the final heat, while Knopjes alsosecured a heat victory. Despite the difficulties, the Birelart drivers overall demonstrated promising competitiveness and speed for the rest of the season.

It is worth highlighting the excellent weekend by the Birelart MGT drivers, Blin and Broggio. Teo Blin set the second-fastest time and claimed four wins out of five heats. Unfortunately, a technical problem in the Super Heat and a collision atthe start of the KZ2 final ruled the French driver out of a well-deserved battle for victory. Antoine Broggio, on the other hand, finished second in four out of fiveheats.

KZ – Hiltbrand fighting for the podium despite bad luck
It was a disappointing ending in KZ, with both Hiltbrand and Bertuca sloweddown by technical issues throughout the Genk weekend. Hiltbrand continuedworking on the new technical package already introduced with the team duringthe first races of the season, making the most of a closely fought qualifyingsession.

The Spanish driver completed three smart heats, always running inside the top five, a result later confirmed in the Super Heat and for the starting grid of the KZ Final. Constantly fighting for a podium finish, Hiltbrand did his best to stay with the leading group before being forced to retire while running in fifth position. Itwas not the weekend Bertuca had hoped for either, as he was also affected by unlucky incidents that prevented him from showing his full potential, although he still maintained a positive approach throughout the event.

Riccardo Longhi, KZ Team Manager: “In KZ2, unfortunately the final did notshow all of our potential. A difficult qualifying session and some technical problems during the weekend kept the drivers away from the top positions. The speed was always there for both the Iame and TM drivers, including Wolfe, Urwin, Knopjes, Ritonen, Sala, Ider and Zallocco. They were all fast enough for the top five and showed it from free practice and during the heats with very quicklaps. The final result was what it was also because everyone had to start in the middle of the pack and recover positions, which is never easy in Genk. In KZ, unfortunately, with Hiltbrand we were close to fighting for the podium, but in the final a technical problem forced him to retire a fe w laps before the end. Bertuca was also heavily affected during the weekend by several forced stops caused by technical issues. Overall, all the drivers had performance and speed, butunfortunately luck was not on our side. Great performances as well from the twoMGT drivers, who won heats and built a very good weekend in KZ2, and theydeserved a podium finish. Now all eyes are on Sarno, where the whole team willwork to fight for the top positions.”

The Birelart Racing Team will be back on track during the first weekend of June (6/7 June) in Mülsen, Germany, for the third round of the RGMMC Champions Of The Future with the OK Senior and OK Junior classes.

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